NaviGadget

nüvi 660 finally on Garmin website

Sep 1, 2006 garmin, gps navigation

We saw the pictures, we know the specs already with our three previous posts on the nüvi 660. But today Garmin officially announced the longly awaited nüvi 660 on their website. The marketing point of the new 660 is its 4.3″ wide screen giving you lots more screen space than the older 360. Not different from the 360 is the hands free calling that integrate Bluetooth with a microphone and a speaker to let you make hands-free calls. You can dial the number with the nüvi’s touch screen keypad to make a call on a compatible Bluetooth phone. To answer calls, just tap nüvi’s screen and speak directly into its built in microphone.

FM TMC traffic receiver comes standard on the nüvi 660 by which you can receive alerts about traffic jams and constructions. With the touch of one button nüvi 660 will detour you around the congested area. If you’ve resisted this far to buy an iPod and bunch of accessories to make it work in your vehicle you may find the wireless FM Audio Transmission to be useful. You can transmit audio, voice prompts, MP3s and audio books, through your vehicle’s stereo. Other minor featurs include JPEG picture viewer, currency converter, and more.

The nüvi 660 includes an integrated traffic receiver that makes it possible to avoid traffic and road construction delays. The traffic receiver is integrated with the nüvi’s 12-volt power adapter cable, and will notify the driver of upcoming traffic or road construction delays and the delay’s severity. If the accident or construction delay occurred prior to the user programming the desired destination, the unit will automatically calculate a route around congestion. In the United States, three months of free Total Traffic Network™ service is included, after which the customer may subscribe to 15 months of service for $60.00.

Another new feature is the integrated FM transmitter that broadcasts voice guidance, MP3, audio books and phone calls over the vehicle’s existing speakers. The nüvi’s entertainment audio is muted when navigation instructions are given.