debating between the nuvi 370 and 670. the 670 has a larger screen among other things. anyone have either or have any opinions?

thanks

We bought the garmin 670 and it worked out quite well in Tuscany. DOn't know what we would have done without it. It occasionally took you on a longer route than necessary and there were occasionally glitches or mistakes. (we were staying near Palaia and it didn't have the correct, or easiest route for getting in and out). But would certainly recommend it.

Thanks for the update, Joanel! I so debate with myself whether to buy a GPS device or not, but I have two months left to debate (read: procrastinate...).

Was it pre-loaded with Italy data or you had to purchase this separately?

Was preloaded with Italy and most of Europe. That is why it cost more than similar model with just US maps.

We used a Nuvi, recently, in France. It was a lot of fun and routed us on roads we would never have used if we were using a map. Getting "lost" with a GPS is kind of fun because you see routes & villages that you might not normally see. Oh, don't turn it on in the parking garage at the airport! Kind of makes it a little squirrely!

I was wondering whether to get a GPS or just rely on a map before we left on our trip to the Loire Valley in June. We were advised that a map should suffice. However, we got lost driving on small roads going from Tours to Saumur and taking a side trip to small towns. I wished I had a GPS then and wished I had rented one with the car. I actually own a nuvii 350 but found that it cost $200 to download a map of France, so I didn't. I could have rented a GPS for ~$80, and it would have been worth it.

So back to the original question. Will the 370 do the same job as the 670? I, too, am trying to decide which one to get. It worth the extra $$$$$$ to get the 670?

Ginger

I just read some reviews on both at Amazon and the only thing that appears to be different is the size of the screen. 5x3x.9 for the 670 and 4x3x.9 for the 370.

Also I read that Garmin has just come out with updated maps that are not loaded on some units yet and want $180.00 for the upgrade. I guess you need to make sure you have the newer maps.

Ginger

the size of the screen - nice to have the larger screen.

our 670 came loaded with current europe maps when we bought it in april.

Aside from the cost, I do agree that a bigger screen would be nicer. My husband's Toyota Prius has a GPS with a screen that's much larger than my 4x3x9 nuvi, and is more functional. Since I have some difficulty making out the map on my GPS (especially with sun glare), I tend to rely on the voice direction. By the way, the vehicle suction cup mount doesn't work anymore on mine. The unit keeps falling over. Does anyone have such problem, and if so what do you do to fix it?

quote:

Aside from the cost, I do agree that a bigger screen would be nicer. My husband's Toyota Prius has a GPS with a screen that's much larger than my 4x3x9 nuvi, and is more functional. Since I have some difficulty making out the map on my GPS (especially with sun glare), I tend to rely on the voice direction. By the way, the vehicle suction cup mount doesn't work anymore on mine. The unit keeps falling over. Does anyone have such problem, and if so what do you do to fix it?

The best fix is to toss it out. Windshield-mounted GPS units are illegal in at least two states, including California. Instead, invest $30 in a Garmin portable "auto friction'' dashboard mount, available through Garmin or Best Buy. They are very secure on the dashboard, yet can be easily moved to avoid sun glare.

quote:

Posted 13 August 2007 07:12 AM Hide Post
So back to the original question. Will the 370 do the same job as the 670? I, too, am trying to decide which one to get. It worth the extra $$$$$$ to get the 670?

The 370 will do exactly job as the 670 and we prefer it because it is small enough to fit in a shirt or jacket pocket when we are on foot

The only published differences between the 370 and 670 seem to be:

370 670

screen size 3.5" 4.3"

unit size 2.8" x 2.1" 3.8" x 2.25"

pixels 320 x 240 480 x 272

super brightness No Yes

battery life 8 hrs 7 hrs


For my intended use as a pedestrian, the 370 might have been a less expensive choice. Let's hope that the increased brightness, screen size, and sharpness make my purchase of the 670 aid my aging eyes.

Well I ordered the 370 as an anniversary present for Craig. I don't find a bigger or brighter screen more readable in my camera so I thought I would take the chance. I guess I can always exchange it if I think it's too small or dim.

Ginger

Ginger,

I think we had the smaller Garmin Nuvi on this most recent trip because it was pocket portable (and we did use it a few times outside the car to find places within a centro storico or two).

Having the GPS probably saved my marriage, because I did not have to serve as navigator.

Marcia

670 includes europe maps.

So does the 370.

Ginger

Well the 370 is a big hit with my husband. He loves it.

Ginger

quote:

Originally posted by Annebradford:
... invest $30 in a Garmin portable "auto friction'' dashboard mount, available through Garmin or Best Buy. They are very secure on the dashboard, yet can be easily moved to avoid sun glare.

I'm glad I asked the question. I bought the dashboard mount, with a little bit of skepticism, although there were over 140 5-star ratings for it on Amazon. It works GREAT!! I don't know how other owners of Nuvii go without it. Thanks for your suggestion, Anne!

Is that different than the mount it comes with?

Ginger

There is a new line of Nuvi coming out real soon now. Seems the prices will be similar to the 600s but with added features. So anybody not in a rush might be better off waiting a month or two.

They also have wide screen version of the 200 line. I know they have a 250W but don't know if they have a wide screen preloaded with European maps. So you could get a wide screen 250W for less then higher models but still get the wide screen.

quote:

Originally posted by suncoast:
Is that different than the mount it comes with?

Ginger

The mount that came with the GPS works as a suction unit, to be stuck to a separate bottom piece (a disk) that adhered to the windshield or the dashboard. I had the disk stuck on the bottom of a built-in compartment in the center dashboard. When I needed the GPS, I lifted up the compartment door and stuck the unit on its mount to the permanent disk. When I didn't need it, I unstuck the unit for storage. After a few months of light use, the device that held the GPS and stuck to the disk no longer stayed stuck and kept falling off, making the GPS not very useful. The mount I bought (made by Garmin) has four heavy bean bag like anchors that keep the unit in place. The whole thing (with the GPS attached) just sits on top of a surface such as the dashboard. The weight of the "beanbags" prevents the unit from moving. That was the amazing part. I was skeptical that it could stay in place by just sitting on a surface. I drove with it on the freeway and on the street and it didn't budge at all. If I didn't like its position, I just lift up the whole thing and moved it. It's REALLY amazing. It's well worth the $28 I paid at Amazon and makes the unit much more versatile and useful. You can read many similar raving reviews on Amazon.

Flennie,

We have that mount too for our 670 and love it. We didn't take the mount with us to Italy, (because it is over 3 lbs.) so I held the Nuvi when my husband drove. It is very convenient at home!Brad also likes the traffic info from the 670 (in L.A.).

I have been having problems finding a good dashbooard mount for the NUVI. We first tried the suction cup and sticking it to the windshield, but it kept falling off. Then I got the one that you glue to the dash and that works but I can see it might come off eventually.

I was looking at that beanbag one - I think I will try it.

I have found that once you get the satellites, you can just site the unit on the console inbetween the seats and it works fine. We keep it plugged into the cigarette lighter.

Pauline,

We used the beanbag mount with our GPS in July; it worked really well - the GPS sits nicely on the dash. Like Flennie, I was skeptical that it would do the job, but it was perfect. We kept the mount in the car at night, and took the GPS inside, so the weight hardly mattered. We bought it at Best Buy for @ $30.00.

Marcia

Need your help please. I am a true neophyte at computer type things. I have decided to buy a Garmin Nuvi 370 for my trip to Italy. It says the batteries last 8 hours. How do you recharge the batteries? Can my passenger hold it in her hand for directions while we are in the car or are we better to buy some kind of stand for the dashboard. (I have OnStar in my US car so I will probably never use it other than on this trip until the next time I go back to Europe)