Car Navigation System's Blog

The Garmin 1690 GPS navigator–with Bluetooth and included Traffic Receiver–features an enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, public transit mode, and text-to-speech. Plus, pedestrian navigation capability is enabled through optional CityXplorer maps, which are available for select tourist destinations in North America and Europe and can be downloaded easily directly to the nüvi. The device’s enhanced user interface features improved graphics and a slide control for menu operation, while ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel. Also, Garmin’s public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems. Pre-loaded with City Navigator North America NT.

An ultra-thin GPS navigator with great Garmin features like CityXplorer and ecoRoute. Click here for an interactive demo

Bluetooth Wireless Technology
The 1690 enables calling with a compatible phone, giving you a completely hands-free mobile phone experience by broadcasting navigation and phone calls through your car stereo.

See More
With nüvi 1690’s widescreen display, you’ll always get the big picture. View map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, brilliant color. Its sunlight-readable, 4.3-inch display is easy to read–from any direction.

Easy-to-Use Touchscreen Interface
One of Garmin’s core beliefs is to continually enhance the simplicity of the user experience. The nüvi on-screen menus are logically arranged, with clearly labeled, colorful icons, making it easy to enter data and get to the information you need quickly.

Navigate with Ease
nüvi 1690 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator North America NT street maps and millions of points of interest (POIs) such as hotels, restaurants, fuel stations, ATMs and more, with map data provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Enter a destination on the touch screen, and nüvi takes you there with 2-D or 3-D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. Text to speech enhances standard sat-nav voice guidance by speaking the names of places and roads. It even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. In addition, nüvi 1690 accepts custom points of interest, such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.

Announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. Click to enlarge.

Lane assist guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. Click to enlarge.

Junction View gives you a photo-realistic screen that shows you both the road detail as well as the signs as you will see them on the road. Click to enlarge.

Enjoy access to Garmin’s nüLink! services like weather forecasts, flight status, white pages, and more. Click to enlarge.

Travel North America
With nearly 6 million points of interest and detailed road coverage for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, City Navigator North America NT delivers all the data you need to navigate North America.

• Displays nearly 6 million points of interest–hotels, restaurants, parking, entertainment, fuel, shopping and more.
• Includes highways, interstates, business and residential roads in metropolitan and rural areas.
• Includes detailed information such as turn restrictions, roundabout guidance, speed categories and other navigation features.
• Gives turn-by-turn directions on your compatible Garmin device.
• Includes postal code support for Canada.
• Enhances pronunciation data for compatible Garmin devices that speak street names (example: “Turn right on Main Street”).

Know the Lane Before It’s Too Late
No more guessing which lane you need to be in to make an upcoming turn. Lane assist guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. It realistically displays road signs and junctions on your route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation.

Junction View takes it a step further, giving you a photo-realistic screen that shows you both the road detail as well as the signs as you will see them on the road.

Multi-Point Routing
The 1690 automatically sorts multiple destinations to provide an efficient route for errands or deliveries.

Pedestrian Navigation
New to the nüvi series is Public Transit–navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems with optional CityXplorer content. Downloadable CityXplorer data and city guides are available for purchase and download from garmin.com for many cities.

Where Am I?
Keep track of yourself and your car with nüvi 1690. Just tap “Where Am I?” to find the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address and intersection. Also see your exact latitude and longitude coordinates. nüvi 1690 even remembers where you parked. It automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windshield mount, so you can navigate with nüvi on foot and find your way back to your vehicle. Perfect for unfamiliar spots and crowded lots such as amusement parks, stadiums and malls.

HotFix Satellite Prediciton
Garmin’s HotFix capability automatically calculates and stores satellite locations, greatly reducing satellite acquisition time so that you can turn the unit on and get going. With HotFix, your nüvi remembers the position of all satellites it is tracking when you turn it off, and calculates their movements in order to predict where they should be the next time you turn it on. HotFix can predict satellite positions for up to 3 days after the device was last turned off.

Garmin nüLink!

With Garmin nüLink! Services you know the local area, even if you’re from out of town. Accurate real-time information about the area you’re traveling in is delivered directly to nüvi 1690 via a built-in wireless module. The 1690 currently comes with a free 2-year Garmin nüLink! Subscription, which include services that can make every day more enjoyable.

	Google™Local Search Access up-to-date information for the local area using the power of Internet-enabled local search and navigate directly from the search results.
	Real-time Traffic Garmin nüLink! services provide current traffic data for your route so your nüvi 1690 can automatically optimize a route for the shortest time. Just drive and let nüvi 1690 do all the work.
	Gas Prices Is your fuel tank getting a little low? Garmin nüLink! services show you where you can find the best prices for any grade of fuel in your area. Just tap the screen and go to your chosen station.
	Ciao!™ What are your friends up to? Ciao! integrates multiple third party location-centric social network applications, such as GyPSii, with more networks expected to be added in the future.
	Local Events What’s going on in town? Search for local events, concerts, theater performances, sports, art and navigate there with ease.
	myGarmin™ Your nüvi 1690 will receive alerts for available updates automatically.
	Converter Quickly and conveniently convert up-to-date currency evaluations, measurements, distances, speed and temperature.
	Flight Status Quick access to flight departure/arrival times and gate information from airports around the world with the closest major airports displayed first.
	White Pages Forget someone’s address? Find it using White Pages and navigate there. Search by name or phone number — faster and more convenient than a phone book.
	Send to GPS Build a list of destinations online then send them wirelessly to your nüvi 1690.
	Movie Times Wanna catch a flick? Just tap Movie Times and you can find an area movie theater quickly and easily.
	Weather What’s the weather forecast? Tap the Weather icon to get current and 5-day forecasts tailored for major cities around the world.

Navigate by Photo with Garmin Connect Photos.

ecoRoute
With this feature, drivers can view suggestions for fuel-efficient navigation, conserving both money and fuel:

• Save Gas and Money
  Now more than ever, we’re all looking for ways to conserve both money and fuel. Whether we’re taking fewer trips or carpooling with family and friends, saving resources is a top priority. It was that thinking that led to the creation of ecoRoute–our free software update for compatible nüvi products that allows users to find more fuel efficient routes when navigating and even track their fuel usage. With ecoRoute, you may be able to save gas and money by adopting smarter driving habits and finding more fuel-efficient routes.

• Select Fuel-efficient Routes
  With ecoRoute, users will have a “less fuel” option as a routing preference. When selected, nüvi will determine if more fuel efficient routes exist based upon road speed data and vehicle acceleration data for a given route.
• Get Fuel and Mileage Reports
  Through ecoRoute’s Fuel Report and Mileage Report, drivers can focus on their habits even when they’re not behind the wheel. Fuel Report tracks fuel usage over time, and Mileage Report monitors mileage and fuel usage on a per-trip basis. In addition, Mileage Report makes it easy for business travelers to keep track of distance traveled for company reimbursements. You’ll have a detailed report for each trip and the miles driven. You can also customize your nüvi by entering your car’s fuel economy and the current price of gas.

Search for locations on Google Maps or Mapquest, then transfer the addresses directly to your Garmin GPS navigator.

Navigate by Photo with Garmin Connect Photos
Using Garmin’s Connect Photos Web site, you can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google’s Panoramio photo sharing community and download them to the nüvi for a richer navigation experience using pictures as a guide.

• Choose from Panoramio’s collection of photos from around the world.
• Easy to use interface displays photos on Google Maps.
• Search for photos by location name or map area boundary.
• Transfer photos directly from Garmin Connect to device with the Garmin Communicator.
• View photos in Google Earth.
• Supports Internet Explorer 6+, Firefox 2+, Safari 3+ on Windows and Mac.

Take It With You
The nüvi 1690 sports a sleek, slim design and fits comfortably in your pocket or purse. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot.

Additional Features

• Speed limit indicator–unit displays speed limits for most major roads
• DEM maps show you shaded terrain contours at zoom levels of five miles and above
• Auto time zone–nüvi will automatically adjust your time zone while navigating
• Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time and more
• Built-in travel kit includes features such as picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator
• microSD memory card expansion slot for optional mapping and data storage
• Includes Garmin Lock anti-theft feature
• Configurable vehicle icons–allows users to select fun, customized car-shaped icons; download additional choices from www.garmingarage.com
• Offers a 3-D mapping perspective, or 2-D overhead view
• Built-in lithium-ion battery–lasts up to three hours depending on usage
• Includes sturdy suction cup mount that allows for easy adjustment and quick release
• Simplified PC connectivity, using USB mass storage, access either the microSD card slot or the unit’s internal memory directly from your PC desktop
• POI loader program–set up proximity alerts for school zones, create custom POIs and more

What’s in the Box
nüvi 1690 preloaded with City Navigator North America NT, Vehicle suction cup mount, FM traffic receiver/vehicle power cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual

Which nüvi is Best for You?

Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.

Device	Screen Size inches (W x H)	Included Maps			Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)	Traffic	Bluetooth	Media	FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)	Multi-Point Routing	Battery life (hours)
		Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico	AK and Canada	Europe
nüvi 205	2.8 x 2.1					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 205w	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 255	2.8 x 2.1					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 255w	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 260w	3.81 x 2.25							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 265T	2.8 x 2.1					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 265WT	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 275T	2.8 x 2.1					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 285WT	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free);		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 465T	3.81 x 2.25					FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 755T	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 760	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 765T	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 775T	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 780	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 785T	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 850	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 855	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 885T	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 1200	2.8 x 2.1					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 1250	2.8 x 2.1					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 1260T	2.8 x 2.1					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 1300	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 1350	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 1350T	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 1370T	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 1390T	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 1490T	4.4 x 2.5					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)		Photos			up to 4
nüvi 1690	3.81 x 2.25					NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service)		Photos			up to 3

Read More Product Details…

#Interesting comment about this product.
I’ve had the Nuvi 1690 for a little over a month now and am impressed. You should know that this is my first G.P.S. receiver so I can’t compare it to any other one. I’m 72 so I can’t help but marvel at what this little small marvel is doing. From satellites several thousand miles up the receiver can somehow know where it is to within a few feet or so. When I adjust my cruise control it registers the change on the speed dial within a second. For that matter it tells me when the speed limit has changed at about the same moment that I see a speed limit sign on the side of the road. One wonders what Thomas Jefferson, a scientific founding father would have thought and written about this. I remember what a scientific friend of mine told me when I was working a summer job as a cab driver while attending college. My biggest challenge was knowing where to go when a fare jumped into the cab and rattled off an address and expected me to get him there in as short a time as possible. I told my friend that I wished one of these new computers would figure out a route for me in as short a time. “That would be impossible” was what said friend said. “You’d need a computer the size of the car and even then it would be impossible because it would spend a whole day doing the calculations!”
Enough about the marvels. Occasionally there are delays in picking up satellite signals. These delays might be two or three minutes at the maximum. I’ve occasionally Not been able to log on to the Nulink service such as when I google the location of the nearest Best Buy store or inquire about the weather. When the service is working, which is most of the time, it’s fun to check fuel prices and then be able to drive to the lowest priced gas station even in a new city.
On a recent trip to the east coast I found “Ms. Garmin” telling me once or twice that I should stay left on a freeway split when it would have been preferable to stay right. Some have complained about the ads on the screen. It took two or three days before I even saw an ad. They’re so small and insignificant and only appear when you’re stopped. Why would one be looking at the screen at that point anyway? The vital information is still visible over and around these small ads. Why should one be bothered by seeing “Next time you buy gas, buy at Shell” or “Stay at a Best Western Motel on your trip?” In my opinion the ads are very inconsequential.
The pleasant and alert female voice tells me about the next turn a total of three times. One shouldn’t miss many turns with that kind of prompting. Yet, sometimes when driving on streets where the cross streets are more frequent than usual I may miss the turn anyway. Within a few seconds I hear the “recalculating response” and I know I’ll be back on my route before long even if I find myself driving through a shopping center parking lot. (My fault, not Ms. Garmin’s!)
Somewhat more disconcerting is that Ms. Garmin has on more than one occasion taken me back a different route than it took me to my original destination. Others, who may be using different manufacturers have mentioned this fact as well. Usually the elapsed time is the same for either route but this can be disconcerting.
Ms. Garmin does not know my home by address. If I type in my address the receiver shows my home about a block to the east of my real circle cul de sac. Depending upon the direction I want to go she also wants to route me down a road which no longer exists! This is not the device’s fault. It is Navteq’s fault. Garmin relies on Navteq’s mapping efforts so when Navteq is wrong so is Garmin. I know, because I’ve lived in our home for nine years, that this aforementioned road has been closed and planted over into a walking trail for at least that long. I also wrote Navteq about it three years ago as well as the last month! I wonder how many errors alleged to the G.P.S. receivers are actually due to faulty mapping!
In one of our cars the Garmin automatically shuts down when the ignition is turned off. On the other car the Garmin stays on, so one has to manually power down the device. I’ve finally learned where to press the power key so this action can be quickly done.
I give the Nuvi 1690 a four because there are a few things I’d like it to do better but it is a high four and I have no hesitation about recommending this G.P.S.

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Where to buy cheap prices? -Garmin nüvi 1690 4.3-Inch Portable Bluetooth Navigator with nüLink! Services $349.00



*** Product Information and Prices Stored: May 05, 2010 21:32:42

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