A couple of years ago I purchased a "what I thought was the top of the line" Nuvi 660 GPS. After ready several posts here and talking about GPS's and what "could or should" be able to do, I sent this note to the Garmin folks:

I've enjoyed my Nuvi660 for a couple of years now using the "Where to?"
feature (i.e. I want to got from point A to point B and the Nuvi 660 takes me there). I've loaded some pictures and even music. I've heard something about Mad Maps but looked on the Garmin web site and didn't see the 660 listed as being compatible with this. I'd like to be able to go into mapquest; plot a drive/route and then be able to download it to my Nuvi660 but noticed that the Nuvi 660 is not compatible.... Sooooo what can the Nuvi 660 do?

Here was their response:

Thank you for contacting Garmin International.

The reason that the 660 is not compatible with Mad Maps and sending
routes from Mapquest is because it does not have the ability to accept
custom routes. Custom routing is a feature that was introduced a few
years later from the 660 on the 7XX units (750, 760, 770, etc). The 660
was a great unit when it came out. However, like nearly everything in
the electronic world, new devices came out with new features.

The 660 can actually have an address sent to it from both Mapquest and
Google Maps. The address goes into Favorites and then you can use the
unit to go to that destination. It will accept address, but not a custom
route created by Mapquest.

SOOOOOO before you shell out some big $$$$ for one of these GPS's make sure it does or can be upgraded to do, the things you want it to do ....

 

How would you know to shop for features that don't yet exist? I doubt that the standalone GPS mfg's will indefinitely support devices nor will they make devices that can be upgraded to include every possible add-on feature.

 

I have the 680, which is basically the 660 + the MSN data that I didn't pay to keep. I'm curious about being able to load a number of addresses to Favorites from google maps on my computer. Have you tried this yet?

 

Big bucks? I paid $200 for a Nuvi 750 several months ago. I figure to buy the almost-latest Nuvi again in two years for a similar low price. That's almost a wash considering I get the updated map for free.

 

my ps2 doesn't play ps3 games.
be careful when you buy electronics.
they might make newer models.

 

Cant say i have ever enjoyed using my 660 with slow screem refresh.
Seems a slightly odd rant to moan about a product that is a few years out of date

 

Some GPS are linux based; so when hacked; my gps is now a pda, with video player and much much more..

 

As I told a co-worker that was dragging his heels about buying a PC back in the early 90's. When it comes to technology one just has to accept that what ever you buy will be partially obsolete and that you paid too much for it about four to six months latter.

I.E. Back in June of 2004 we paid $850 for a Garmin C330. I just ordered a new 3490LMT for less than half of that price that does so much more.

Remember Moore's Law and just accept it.

 

You have to buy for your current needs/wants/etc. Whether something is truly obsolete or not is a highly subjective matter. If it's still meeting your needs it isn't obsolete despite whatever fanboys or tech blogs might claim.

There's always something newer in the pipeline.