Discuss (13) -
Posted at 2:41 PM on Tuesday 07/29/08 by
Ben
Hotness UNHOT
Walmart.com has the Garmin Nuvi 650 Personal Portable Car Navigation System for $249 + shipping. Free shipping to store in most locations. It sports a large 4.3" LCD Display, preloaded City Navigator NT Street Maps and 2D / 3D capability. [BizRate]
  • 1
    dhho1 - Posted 7:35 pm PDT 07/29/08 (2173 Posts)  Report Spam

    this is dropping in price now. proabably will be around $200 very soon.

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  • 2
    greengoblin707 - Posted 7:50 pm PDT 07/29/08 (196 Posts)  Report Spam

    i was actually thinking of price matching this at best buy and then using the $50 coupon posted by ben a few days earlier. thatm makes a total of $200 + tax but no shipping.

    what is the difference between this and the 260w (besides age?).

    i'm thinking of being greedy and waiting for the 660 to hit a sale price of 200.

    or i'm thinking of being silly and waiting for the 260w just because it is newer model.

    hmmmmm...

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  • 3
    maximillian - Posted 8:21 pm PDT 07/29/08 (1171 Posts)  Report Spam

    #2, if you search for the 660 on Amazon's site there is a nice chart to do a quick comparison. Garmin's website will give you a more detailed comparison breakdown that this chart will not have (such as screen resolution), but Amazon's chart is a great start.

    BTW, could you share the link to the $50 off coupon?

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  • 4
    chuang4u - Posted 8:33 pm PDT 07/29/08 (19 Posts)  Report Spam

    #2 getting someone to pricematch AND apply the coupon will probably be a big YMMV, especially at worstbuy

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  • 5
    greengoblin707 - Posted 8:56 pm PDT 07/29/08 (196 Posts)  Report Spam

    #3 thanks, yeah i had seen that dandy chart. man, 650 for 200 is a good deal. but 660 for 250 or less in a few months is very tempting too. while i sit on the fence on this until flying cars come out, here's the 50 off coupon...

    http://rewardzonecerts.bestbuy.com/PS%21OdCw1xAizrEFBgIAAAAGCgFICgg0MDI1ODYxNQoKMjQxNzIyOTk3OQkAFgmNCgkyODkwMDgyNDAF?ATTR3=05%2F30%2F08&ATTR4=06%2F08%2F08&ATTR5=coupon0201_sku.jpg

    just be polite but firm when talking to the folks at best buy. i know they can be a pain but be persistent Smile

    it seems like the 650, while older than 260w, is still the better unit. i concluded this after some google searches of 650 vs 260w. 650 has more features (mp3, usb, etc), better battery life. so what if it older - still supported with updated maps and works great. but if you need the traffic / bluetooth - then 660 for $50 will be better. especially with traffic, because while 650 is traffic capable, antenna isn't included and that can be pricey.

    summary: 650 better value than 260w. 660 better value than 650 if you need traffic / bluetooth.

    btw - traffic service is 60 per year. not too shabby imo. if you need it.

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  • 6
    J0HnNiEb0i - Posted 10:57 pm PDT 07/29/08 (3 Posts)  Report Spam

    www.buydig.com has garmin 260w for 251 with free shipping

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  • 7
    timelywind - Posted 3:30 am PDT 07/30/08 (21 Posts)  Report Spam

    greengoblin707,
    do stores do price match on online prices? both the bestbuy & this Walmart deal are online only....

    let me know the results, if you happen to try that approach

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  • 8
    heddy_lamar - Posted 6:14 am PDT 07/30/08 (665 Posts)  Report Spam

    The 660 is good, but the routing logic isn't the greatest. On a number of trips where I already knew the route, it took me a different way based on "shortest time", but when I veered off on my usual route, the estimated time of arrival went down.

    Also, the FM feature through the radio is useless - the sound quality is pathetic on any channel. That, in turn, makes the MP3 player useless. If you have a car with bluetooth stereo, then the story may be different.

    As far as interface and usability, it's a great unit. I should also mention I haven't installed the latest updates on it, so that may make a difference in the routing logic.

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  • 9
    junketcjunk - Posted 7:12 am PDT 07/30/08 (215 Posts)  Report Spam

    I agree with #8's comments about 660. I am not too happy with the unit i have. It seems like Garmin reviewers were all fed the same coolaid by the company and all the reviews are similar. Problems I have:
    - traffic routing is not worth crap - especially when you need it. I am in the Dallas area.
    - FM sound is really bad
    - algorithms are not that good - this was the reason I was buying Garmin over others but am disappointed. MANY times it shows me a longer route.
    - suction mounts are bad - often, the unit will simply fall off the windshield. I need to call Garmin to send me a replacement.

    I would give it a B-, not an A.

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  • 10
    JediKnight - Posted 7:31 am PDT 07/30/08 (2376 Posts)  Report Spam

    I use a Garmin bean bag type dash mount. Afraid of someone busting a window to steal the GPS.

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  • 11
    maximillian - Posted 2:43 pm PDT 07/30/08 (1171 Posts)  Report Spam

    So if the routing algorithms aren't great, which GPS is better? I have a TomTom PocketPC GPS and it seems good. Are there standalone TomTom units that are better. I am in the market for a GPS unit for the wife (due to a move) and have been thinking of the Garmin Nuvi 360 or 660, or this one instead.

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  • 12
    greengoblin707 - Posted 4:59 pm PDT 07/30/08 (196 Posts)  Report Spam

    following up, is the routing algorithm for the newer nuvi 260w any better than the 650s? or do both use the same exact technology?

    thanks for the tip on the traffic feature. i was actually willing to shell out money for that feature. now i realize that the service still needs a few years to improve.

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  • 13
    curly_top - Posted 7:24 pm PDT 08/1/08 (10 Posts)  Report Spam

    We have a Garmin and I am really underwhelmed. It get the manes of streets wrong, and in a city that is undergoing a lot of development, it becomes almost completely useless. I would really like to get a GPS that updates frequently and for free!

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