Garmin nüvi 650 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Garmin
|
List Price: Our Price: $319.00 You Save: $430.99 (57%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Garmin nüvi 650 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Digital camera Review: Disappointing menus, features
Summary: 3 Stars
The nuvi 650 was my first foray into the world of portable GPS navigation. We've previously (and currently) owned 4 different vehicles, of 4 different makes (Nissan, Dodge, Toyota, and Lexus -- okay, Toyota/Lexus is essentially the same) with built-in nav systems. We recently bought a Toyota Sienna and it just wasn't feasible/affordable to pop for the fully loaded version with a built-in nav. So my expectation in navigation systems is skewed by the built-ins we've had, which have some clear advantages over the portables -- and you think I'm going to gripe about screen size, but that's the least of my gripes!
First, the navigation system made mistakes during my first trip that I found unacceptable. For example, after following its directions to exit the freeway onto Street A, the 650 instructed me to turn left onto Street B -- even though I knew the destination was actually located on Street A. No sooner did I follow the instructions to turn off of A onto B, than the 650 instructed me to turn right onto Street A (no longer physically possible).
Second, the system only displays nearby points of interest, such as gas stations, food, and banks/ATMs when the map is zoomed in to the 2 nearest levels -- when it shows a maximum viewable area of about 1/4 mile or less. If I can only see POIs within 1/4 miles, I don't need the GPS to tell me where they are -- I can open my eyes and look out the car windows!!! 1/4 mile is totally within my field of view. Once I zoom out beyond the 1/4 mile range, the POIs disappear. I guess I have an unreasonable expectation of being able to drive down the freeway, with a field of view of 1/2 to 1 mile, and be able to see at least a cluster of businesses on the next exit, so I can decide whether to take the exit. Furthermore, I want to be able to filter out the types of POIs I don't care about -- such as banks/ATMs -- and only see the POIs I do care about, such as food and gas. Since owning the 650, I've checked the user manuals for several other (more expensive) Garmin models on Garmin's web site, and none of them seem to have this option. Ironically, none of them mention the fact that POIs only display if you're zoomed into 1/4 mile, either.
Finally, the most annoying feature of the unit is how frequently it recalculates -- accompanied by a "Recalculating!" alert. When I started from a shopping mall parking lot, the unit mapped the route from the nearest street and instructed me to proceed to the highlighted route. Okay, fair enough -- all navigation systems I've used do that. The difference is, they're smart enough to shut the heck up until I get to the highlighted route. Not the Garmin -- every twist and turn thru the parking lot is accompanied by a "Recalculating!" alert. Sometimes I'll be driving down a straight road or freeway, no junctions in sight, staying on the highlighted route, and the unit will declare "Recalculating!" out of the blue.
Granted, built-in systems are probably linked to the car's steering and other systems, giving them a clear advantage. Many of them have greater memory/processor capability. My expectations may be skewed, but my initial research indicates that I can probably do better with a TomTom or possibly a Magellan. I'm within the return period on the nuvi, and there is a 90% chance I'll return it. The only thing that will delay me from doing so is if I can't find a better replacement within my price range.
Digital camera Review: Discontinued
Summary: 4 Stars
I went to Garmin's website to download the instruction book. The Garmin website said this model is discontinued. I think Amazon should have posted this information before making a purchase. Although I like the unit, I would not have purchased a discontinued item.Digital camera Review: Does not have my own address
Summary: 4 Stars
We are still getting to know how to use the Garmin nuvi 650, but were rather dismayed that we could not find our own address...not even our street. Our neighborhood has existed for 7 years and our home for 6 years. Seems out of touch to me and makes me wonder how many other address I won't be able to find. Otherwise, we like the look, sound, size, etc.Digital camera Review: Don't know how I lived without it
Summary: 5 Stars
I have fallen in love with my Garmin. Even driving locally it has helped me find surrounding streets and alternative routes to go. I went house shopping this weekend and it was an amazing help in finding all the properties without getting hopelessly lost. My whole family is now addicted to it. I was able to figure out how to use it fairly easy, despite the minimal instruction manual. It did take nearly an entire day to download the new map but everything worked just fine. It makes all of my trips infinitely easier and less stressful. I love this thing!!Digital camera Review: Don't need the missing accessories for Nuvi 650
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought this unit after comparing to the 660. I have driven lots of vehicles with built in GPS. The 650 user interface is terrific, and a joy to use.
You don't need documentation, it is straight forward if you read what is on the screen before you press 'buttons' on the touch screen. The touch screen interface is very very easy to use and the large size of the icons really helps in not fat-fingering.
The unit feels like it is feather light, at least, to me.
You don't need an AC charger since it can pick up power from the included USB cable that you will use to connect it to the computer for upgrades etc.
The case that comes with the 660 is useless because it is a slide in case. If you take it out of the car to use on foot, this case design is useless, you need a case with a flip up cover (read online that Blackberry flip up cases fit, but I need to research this).
I believe that I cannot use the 660's FM transmitter since the family minivan is mostly running DVD Player sound over the radio, so cannot tune to an FM channel anyway.
I already have a Plantronics bluetooth ear piece for my cell phone (which I can use when walking around on foot without carrying a 'loudspeaker' nav unit in my hand !!!) so don't really need the 660's bluetooth either. Also if you are driving your colleagues or family around, and you really need to take a call, do you need to broadcast it over the Nuvi - buy a bluetooth ear set.
For the delta price savings 650 is fine compared to the 660 unless you really need feature rich system in which case you should probably buy a 680 with traffic alerts.
I did not need the friction mount unit as I mounted the included adhesive disc on top of the center stack on my 2008 Chrysler Town and Country (you suction cup mount the unit on top of this disc for easy removal), but I believe that it would be a good buy.