The Garmin Nuvi 660 performs well in all categories. The price point on this unit is very affordable. It has the highest overall rated very good score of all the GPS units indicating an exceptional value by “Consumer Reports”. Ratings of excellent for entering destination, information for driver, portability and color display. Ratings of very good for use of controls, routing options, routing time and mount design. All with a retail price in the $ 350.00. A tested battery life of approximately 4.5 hours, weight of 6.7 ounces, screen size of 4.4 inches, Bluetooth hands free calls (Allows the user to make and receive telephone calls using the unit’s internal speaker, microphone and screen.) and spoken street names (Commonly referred to as “Text-to-Speech,” this feature allows the driver to confirm directions with street signs without looking at the screen) It can also dial phone numbers of point of interest locations. This feature requires a Bluetooth compatible phone as well.
These results are the most current ratings from “Consumer Reports” magazine of the GPS units that are considered portable in auto GPS navigation systems. You can remove them from one vehicle and use them in another vehicle. The most recent use that I have heard of is by delivery people, which makes a great deal of sense. I have also had some very positive comments from two different older ladies about ease of use when traveling from rural areas about two hours outside a large city via much more rural roads and back without getting lost at all. This eased their minds about traveling these roads alone and getting home safely.
By: Diana Zagouris
Posts Tagged ‘Garmin Nuvi 660’
How About Buying a Reconditioned GPS For Sale?
January 16th, 2010
Is that a good deal, or should you stick to the new models? These are great questions, and I’m going to attempt to shed some light on them in this article.
I’ll just go ahead and let the cat out of the bag and let you know my general answer to this question. No! For what GPS receivers cost new and for the amount of money you’ll save, to me it doesn’t make sense for you to buy a reconditioned unit.
Let me explain my reasoning.
Right now, on Amazon, you can get a Tom Tom 3rd Edition, brand new!, for $119.49. If you want to buy a reconditioned unit, that will cost you $109. Personally, I just don’t see saving $10 as a reason to buy a used unit–even if it’s reconditioned by Tom Tom themselves.
Well, maybe I picked the wrong example. Maybe you can save some real money on other models. Let’s see…
A new Magellan Maestro 3100 will cost you $109. Used, you’re looking at $99! Again, a $10 difference.
Even in the higher prices, there’s not but about a $20 difference between a new unit and a refurbished unit. The Garmin nuvi 660 (a great GPS device, by the way!) is currently selling for $329. Refurbished it’s $309.
$10 to $20 seems to be all the difference there is currently between new and refurbished GPS receivers.
Maybe you think differently, but to me that’s not enough of a savings for the potential hassles of buying an older, used unit.
If you’ve been looking for a reconditioned GPS for sale and found price differences that are larger than what I’m quoting you, then I suspect I know what the issue is.
Prices for GPS recievers of all kinds have dropped a lot over the past two years. What cost $400 or so dollars a year or two ago, only costs $200 or so now.
I’ve seen price comparison websites where they show you the low, low reconditioned price compared with the price for a new unit. What they’re doing, though, is using prices for the new units that are at least a year old–sometime older.
They’re doing this to get you to think you’re saving $300 to $400 by buying a reconditioned GPS. You’re not, because the new GPS’s don’t sell for those higher prices any more.
Part of the issue is dealing with unscrupulous businesses and internet marketers who are willing to skew their prices in order to deceive you. This is why (at least to my mind) it’s so important to deal with really reputable companies like Amazon.
There are others, and I’m not trying to say Amazon is the only reputable company on the Web. They do enjoy a very good and very well deserved reputation for fair dealing, and because of that I’m using them in my example.
If you’re looking at someone’s website that’s selling other companies’ products (called affiliate marketing), make sure the company that you’re actually buying from is someone with a good, customer friendly reputation like Amazon.
Just as an example, I have a number of websites that sell other companies’ stuff. But the companies I work with are only the best ones–the ones you can trust to quote you fair prices on their merchandise.
So, with prices as low as they currently are, to my mind, a reconditioned GPS for sale just doesn’t make sense. Go ahead and spend the extra $10 to $20 and get a brand spanking new unit.
By: Rick Cole
Garmin Nuvi 660 Portable GPS – Review
November 15th, 2009
Wouldn’t it be great to have a personal assistant to guide you when you travel? What if that personal assistant could fit in your shirt pocket? That’s the concept behind the NUVI 660 GPS system from Garmin. This portable GPS unit, which is only 4.9″W x 2.9″H, may be small but it is packed with features for anyone who travels a lot or for someone who just wants to know where they are going. The NUVI 660 portable GPS unit has a preloaded navigator that can assist you in getting where you are going fast and safely.
The portable GPS unit has preloaded maps or you can upload a customized route for either car motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, truck, bus, emergency, and taxi. The GPS system has a colorful widescreen display that is easy to see and that is larger than other NUVI models. You can choose a 2D or 3D map perspective. The NUVI 660 has a touch screen that makes it easy for you to make your choices.
The NUVI 660 auto GPS unit is compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology. That means you can talk to friends and family hands free, keeping your hands on the wheel and not on your phone. You can receive traffic alerts and directions in your headset.
The NUVI 660 will alert you to construction zones, bad weather or heavy traffic. This auto GPS unit will even suggest an alternate route, saving you time on the road. The GPS unit announces streets by name, allowing you to know if you are on the right road. If you are lost, the NUVI 660 auto GPS unit will look up the address and guide you in the right direction. If you want to see new places, the GPS unit can look up attractions and points of interest. You can even call a restaurant or hotel and make a reservation by touching the screen. If you are traveling out of the country, you can purchase additional software such as a travel or language guide.
Do you want to hear the latest tunes or listen to a new audio book while traveling? The NUVI 660 GPS system has an MP3 player, audio book player and a JPEG picture viewer. A built-in FM transmitter on the auto GPS unit will allow you to hear everything through your car’s stereo.
The NUVI 660 comes with a rechargeable battery that can last from three to seven hours, depending on how many accessories you use. The unit also comes with Garmin Lock, the company’s patented anti-theft feature. Priced at around $900, Garmin’s NUVI 660 is great buy for those who love electronic gadgets or for those how want a GPS system that will keep them on the right road.
By: Catherine Tower
