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garmin nuvi 680 with MSN Direct

Jan 4, 2007 garmin, gps navigation

Garmin Nuvi 680 with MSN finally got official today. As expected, the nuvi 680 is pretty much the same thing as nuvi 660 but with dynamic content receiving capability from MSN Direct. The price is the same as what nuvi 660 used to cost when it first came out – $1000! In case you are wondering, you can get a nuvi 660 for less then $800 these days (amazon: $750, NewEgg: $780).

Here are the specs for the Garmin Nuvi 680:

• Receiver: high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS receiver
• Display: 4.3 diagonal, 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA TFT landscape display, with white backlight and touchscreen
• Unit dimensions: 4.9 x 2.9 x 0.9 (12.4 x 7.4 x 2.3 cm)
• Weight: 6.2 oz (190 g)
• Battery life: 3 to 7 hours
• Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling
• FM transmitter (U.S., Australia and New Zealand only)
• Dynamic content from MSN Direct
• Includes Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature
• Voice announces streets by name
• Fingertip touch-screen interface
• Look up addresses and points of interest
• Choose 2D or 3D maps
• Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cams
• Built in Travel Kit includes MP3 player with sample MP3s, audio books, picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters, calculator and more
• Add optional software such as Travel and Language Guides to personalize nüvi
• SD card slot
• USB interface for loading data

For the MSN Direct service, there’s a fee associated of course. Not to worry the first year but after that it will cost you $50/year or $130 for the lifetime of the product.