200 series - This is the entry level series from garmin, with the nuvi 200/250/270 systems being slightly less featured mimics of their cousins. You skip out on advanced utilities and features such as MP3 Playback and the like, but the series is intended to be a very cost effective set with the core navigation features intact for budget shoppers.

300 series - The more common ‘middle range’ units, these represent a good mix of low pricing and high end capability for the frequent traveller not necessarily interested in the larger widescreen and some of the new market features found on the 700 series and newer units.

600 series - With the exception of a few minor differences on the 680, the nuvi 600 series is almost identical in feature sets to the 300 series except for the fact they sport the 4.3″ widesceen whereas the 200/300 series have the 3.5″ touchscreen

700 series - The newest units, these are the ‘premier’ units with the newest and largest viewing screen, features not found on the older series, and a bunch of new and advanced goodies for frequent or wealthy customers.

GPS Model	M.S.R.P (initial)	Maps	Speech	Display	MP3 Player	Traffic	BlueTooth	FM Transmit	MSN Direct
Nuvi 250	$98.95 USD	USA & Canada	N/Ane	3.5″	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nuvi 200	$195.00 USD	Continental USA	N/A	3.5″	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nuvi 270	$280.00 USD	USA, Canada, Europe	N/Ane	3.5″	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nuvi 350	$366.99 USD	USA & Canada	Included	3.5″	MP3 / AudioBook	Optional	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nuvi 360	$499.99 USD	USA & Canada	Included	3.5″	MP3 / Audiobook	Optional	Included	N/A	N/A
Nuvi 370	$299.99 USD	USA, Canada, Europe	Included	3.5″	MP3 / Audiobook	Included	Included	N/A	N/A
Nuvi 650	$329.99 USD	USA & Canada	Included	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	Optional	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nuvi 660	$118.99 USD	USA & Canada	Included	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	Included	Included	Included	N/A
Nuvi 670	$349.99 USD	USA, Canada, Europe	Included	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	Included	Included	Included	N/A
Nuvi 680	$479.99 USD	USA & Canada	Included	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	Included	Included	Included	Available
Nuvi 750	$270.99 USD	USA / Canada	Included	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	Optional	N/A	Included	Optional
Nuvi 760	$192.25 USD	USA / Canada	Included	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	Included	Included	Included	Optional
Nuvi 770	$319.99 USD	USA / Canada / Europe	Included	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	Included	Included	Included	Optional

For the user interested in transatlantic unit, which functions in both North America and Europe, that also functions just as well as the Nuvi 200 counterpart, the Garmin Nuvi 250 is that choice to make. Featuring everything any user would want from their navigation device, the 250 will make a strong impression whether you are in Europe or North America, both locations will be no problem for the 250 to handle.

Figure 1: The Nuvi 250 is small yet power travel assistant.

Design

As expected, the Nuvi 250 GPS is very sleek and compact, designed to be portable for the consumer that is on the go. The small dimensions (3.8″W x 2.8″H x .8″D) makes the unit very easy to pocket and to bring along with you, whether in your purse, pocket, or bag. Especially when it weighs in at 5 ounces, this makes it incredibly simple to take out the car and recharge as needed. The 5 hour battery life is also quite sufficient for the most lengthy of trips on the road, though it could use a few more hours to improve. The Nuvi 250 also features an attractive touch screen that does work very responsively, as well as appear to be bright and easy to see even in a bit of sunlight. It’s also found to be quite easy to mount, whether by dash or utilizing the suction mount, both has its advantages, though the suction mount is much more preferable as it allows a higher mounter position that suits the head level of the user better.

Figure 2: This model features a redesigned streamlined and rounded casing to further reduce size and bulkiness.

Interface

The interface on this product has been quite impressive, with clean and large buttons that has nice and sharp text, there’s no problems in getting around with the functions. The keypad to type through the touch screen is also a simple task. Garmin did design this with user friendliness in mind I’m sure and it does show, the Garmin Nuvi 250 is very easy to use right out of the box with a minimal difficulty learning curve. There isn’t really anything that’s out of place either with the interface, it’s very intuitive and does not have any excess clutter, making it very easy for the user to quickly do what they need to get things running. An excellent job done in making this simple.

Figure 3: All typing is quickly inputed with the simple typepad.

Figure 4: Many options are available to the user, such as day or night mode to improve readability or functionality.

Navigation

The highlight of the Garmin Nuvi 250 is of course the navigation. It’s a beautiful art almost, just by defining your destination, you’ll get a pre-calculated path that you’re guided along, by both visual map and voice, and you’re pretty much on your way. The maps are very easy to see, they’re quite vivid and streamlined. An optional feature is that the maps could be toggled to a 3D map view. Using the maps themselves is also an easy task. With the GPS system constantly calculating your position, a little car icon will be positioned on the map according to your actual location. The voice does come pretty clear and understandable, coming from the Nuvi 250’s own internal speakers. With the unit giving you a calculated path, there’s almost no way to get lost towards your destination. Even if you do have to take an unexpected detour due to traffic or construction, the Nuvi 250 will quickly take your current position in mind and produce for you a new path. Very automated and works flawlessly.

Figure 5: Beautiful color maps are pleasant and easy on the eyes to use. Possible to toggle between 3D or 2D mode.	Figure 6: The Nuvi 250 is a powerful navigator that is designed to ensure the user maximizes value from it.
Figure 7: Statistics and other information can be displayed to better inform the user of current trip.	Figure 8: Turn lists can be even brought up to show all important points in the projected route.

Other Features

The Garmin Nuvi 250 does come with all the traveler’s essentials, including world clocks, currency and measurement converter tools, calculators, and an anti-theft feature. The Nuvi 250 was designed primarily for just helping the user to get to his desired location without getting lost, and a couple of tools to help along the way should you need. The 250 does not feature some of the more luxurious functions of Garmins higher line of Nuvi’s, but the 250 does do its job perfectly. Another little handy feature on the 250 is that you can set custom points of interest on your maps, which also can be set to warn the user should you come near that point, or other points you set.

Figure 9: Points of interests can be brought up to quickly help the user in locating their needs.

Conclusion

For the consumer who is interested in a GPS navi working in both North America and Europe that does not desire any extra gimmicks, the Garmin Nuvi 250 is one of the finest choices available on the market. There isn’t much competing units that has the same attractive visual and functional appeal as the products from Garmin. Because it is also very user friendly in function, the Nuvi 250 is also very much suitable for even a novice user. With a beautiful and highly responsive touch screen, the unit is simple and easy to use, there is no hassle of typing on small physical keypads or anything of the like. Having a GPS device not only brings you peace of mind, knowing that you won’t get lost, but it also helps you in taking shorter distances or quicker arrival times which saves both time and money in the long run. This is a highly recommendable product that’s quite well priced for how much it really does.

The Garmin Nuvi 200 is recommend for first time budget shoppers not looking for an all in one type of travel assistant, but rather a truly affordable traffic navigator for use inside the continental USA only

The Garmin Nuvi 270 is suited for the novice consumer who wants a GPS device that soley performs traffic navigation that is usable cross-continental.

The Garmin Nuvi 350 is recommended for the average user who wants the best rounded navigator, in performance, features, and price for North American usage. It is also recommended for the more than often and daily users, as the optional traffic receiving capabilities as well as the entertainment features can prove quite convenient.

The Garmin Nuvi 360 is a model that most suitable to the veteran user in North America. Navigating is efficient with the traffic reports, as well as Bluetooth compatibility can help alleviate the stress from handling all calls while driving.

The Garmin Nuvi 370 is designed for the power user who wants it all, every feature that helps with efficient navigations, the convenience of Bluetooth functions, as well as the entertainment aspects, all bundled up in this Europe and North America ready model.

This model is suited for the average North American user who wants a larger screen handheld GPS, which can have exceptional traffic navigation, as well as being equipped as an entertainment unit to further make travel more enjoyable.

The Garmin Nuvi 660 is designed for the veteran user who is frequent on the roads that wants navigation, entertainment, and other tools to ultimately better their travel experience within North America.

The Nuvi 670 is a high end model suited for the power user who wants the luxury of a widescreen and features that would make any trip the highest level of convenience in either North America and Europe.