I'm looking to get a Nuvi for my use at home and also on a 2-week trip to Italy this fall. I'm totally bewildered by all the different models!

I would like voice prompts for directions, and it would be nice to use the mp3 function. Also of course it should be able to upload European maps.

Other than that, I have no idea what to look for. So many of the models seem almost identical! Any help for me?

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=82414

start with that.

If you aren't in a hurry wait awhile. The new 800 series is supposed to be launched before this summer. If nothing else it should lead to lower prices for everything else.

Since you need European and North American maps the best choices will most likely be the combined units. They all end with a 70 I think. So that cuts the choices down quite a bit if you concentrate on those units.

quote:

Originally posted by Nick z:Since you need European and North American maps the best choices will most likely be the combined units. They all end with a 70 I think. So that cuts the choices down quite a bit if you concentrate on those units.

Indeed, n70. Mine is a 670, and it is great. The price here, in Canada, has not changed since Christmas and stays at $600. The 770 is also stuck since Christmas, at $1000.

http://radioworld.ca/product_info.php?cPath=4_90&products_id=4186

$720 for the 770 from Radio world. Plus in my expierence they have knowledgeable staff who won't try to up sell.

But those outside of Toronto likely won't be driving to the shop to quiz them

I just bought a 270 for my upcoming trip to Europe, which is the base model. I just needed basic navi. functions in North America and Europe and this model seems to do the trick. The 370 adds MP3 and Bluetooth and I believe the 670 adds widescreen. The 770 adds routes.

That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for, thank you! Ok, now I've narrowed my search to models ending in 70.

k0370, when you say the 770 adds "routes", what do you mean?

Also, anyone know how heavy these are? Also, how is the battery life? I imagine we will be using it in the car mostly, but I'd like to carry it with me rather than leaving it in the car.

quote:

Originally posted by skatcatla:Also, anyone know how heavy these are? Also, how is the battery life? I imagine we will be using it in the car mostly, but I'd like to carry it with me rather than leaving it in the car.

The 670 weighs about 190 gr. and fits in my shirt pocket (it kind of fills it, but it fits). The screen is 4.3 in. measured diagonally. The battery never lasted me more than 1 hour in traffic use but it comes with accessories which will alow you to recharge it from the car cigarette lighter plug while you drive and it will leave it charged when you arrive. There is also a recharger with attachments for plugs in UK, Europe, etc. Another attachment allows you to place the GPS securely on the windshield of the car.

However beware: never leave the device in an unattended car. The GPS devices are the number 1 target of thefts from cars due to their portability. It takes only a few seconds, once you've had some experience, to mount it on the windshield or to take it off and it's well worth doing it each time.

Here is a link to a full description by Future Shop of the device. Do not look up the accessories, because most everything you'll need in terms of accessories is included in the package.

Good luck! Whatever version or make you will choose will give you good value.

Hi skatcatla, here is a link that has a comparison chart of all the models:

http://www.nuvi270.com/compare-vs/

Doru said it right, leaving a nav system in the car is like leaving cash on the dashboard. It is going to be gone.

I bought the friction mount since the windshield mount is illegal here in California.

Will the Nuvi's fit the bean bag mount? The bean bag leaves no marks. But you really need a console to sit it on. Not a great idea to drive with it on the dash board.

Nick, yes, the bean bag fits the Nuvi... friend of mine uses it on the dash with no problems at all.

I just recieved my Nuvi 270 today and I am VERY impressed. I favorited all my hotels in Europe into the Navi and it recognized every single street in Amsterdam, Antwerp, all over Germany, including the one in Bratislava and Prague, no problems in recognizing the addresses whatsoever. I also tried to locate some points of interests around Prague and Bratislava, very good! Coverage is just SUPER!

The product is designed meticulously, it picked up the satellite signal in about 1-2 mins. The interface is extremely easy to use and very responsive.

Good job GARMIN!

Maybe it's the way I drive but using the bean bag on the dash ends up with the GPS flying at the passenger. On the console it's just fine plus closer to the lighter outlet to.

We use ours on the dash, never have had a problem with it there, the bean bag has a substantial heft to it.