Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)EDIT - 12/15/09: Upon further use of the unit and it's nuLink traffic feature, I've run into numerous occasions where the traffic data simply wasn't too accurate. There were times that I'd be driving and the 1690 would indicate that I was in yellow level traffic, however, there really wasn't any traffic on the road at the time. There were other instances of where there'd be highway road construction going on with bumper to bumper traffic, but the nuvi didn't acknowlegde any traffic existed. With that said, overall there have been more times than not that the 1690 has nailed the traffic data and has been accurate, but it's been more like a 70-30 ratio which is just ok in my opinion. While I still believe the 1690 has the most accurate traffic compared to other nuvi models (explained in my review), it still leaves alot to be desired at times. I've come to the conclusion that the radio is simply the best source for the most up to the minute traffic info.
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I purchase alot of navigation devices, so I was excited about the 1690 as there was much hype with this unit. The nuvi 1690 is Garmin's current top of the line model. It features the new Garmin nuLink service which includes things like traffic, weather, gas prices, movie times, etc. It's really good if you like that kind of stuff. It's basically a much better version of MSN Direct if you've ever used that service.
I have a nuvi 1490t and 765t as well, so I'm going to make comparisons of the units. First thing I must say is that this unit acquires a satelite signal FAST (provided you used the unit within the past couple of days prior). I'm talking less than 10 seconds fast. I remember with my old nuvi 350 I used to have to sit in my car and wait a few minutes for the unit to get a signal, not with this 1690. The same can be said with the 1490t as far as fast satelite acquisition. With the 1690 however, I can actually get a signal inside of my house without standing directly by the window, which is the first device that can do that in my experiences. I would imagine it's good in a city with tall buildings like NYC with this kind of signal strength though I haven't tested there. As far as navigation, it navigates as well as any other Garmin device so no changes there. Directions are very accurate and re-route calculations if you miss a turn are quick. Text-to-speech is excellent as well and is very accurate and clear with pronunciation of street names. Something Garmin has done with the newer software in all of their new units is increased the size of the text in the green bar when you're navigating. This is great because the text in that green bar used to be too small to make out sometimes while you were driving. The size and thickness of the font of the arrival time (which can be changed to another category) and speed indicator (which can't be changed to another category) have also been increased. The speed indicator font now turns red whenever you go above the speed limit. I've noticed that the little speed limit signs are also now on practically all roads and not just highways. They are also pretty accurate and update as soon as I pass the real speed limit sign at times. Another thing to note with the 1690 is you now have an option to change the screen layout. You can have it where the map screen itself is smaller and a list of four categories (three choosable, can't change speed indicator) are to the right of the approximately 3.5" sized map screen (ie. Arrival Time, Direction, Distance to Destination, etc.) You can now also flick your finger on the screen like an iphone to navigate the menus instead of pressing the up/down arrow which is neat. Some have complained about the responsiveness of the keyboard, however, I feel it's the same as all the previous nuvi models I've owned. When I press a key it gets immediately entered though there have been a couple rare times it has taken a second to register. Nothing serious though, it's very useable. Also, the map screen redraw rate during a route is fast, so the car on the screen moves along nice and smooth like both the 765t and 1490t (and unlike the nuvi 350, 660, etc. which hops along instead of glides).
The screen on the 1690 in terms of quality is exactly like the screen on the 765t. This is a bit of a disappointment for me because the screen on the 1490t is far superior to every other nuvi model. The 1490t's screen is of course larger (5" instead of 4.3" like on the 1690). The 1490t's screen is a much better screen because not only are colors more vivid, but viewing angles are MUCH better. I was hoping the 1690 would have the same screen, but in a 4.3" version. Not the case. I uploaded a couple of screen shots of a 1490t and 1690 side-by-side so you can see the comparison in screen size.
The speaker in the 1690 is the same as the one in the 1490t which is a big plus because that speaker is LOUD. The 1690 and 1490t models have better speakers than any other previous nuvi model. If you have the volume turned up to 100% it's actually TOO loud. Highway driving with windows down would be the only probable scenario for 100%. You can hear some static however during turn by turn instructions with it turned up to the max 100%, but not a deal breaker and the voice can still be understood. So much credit to Garmin for including a loud speaker.
The nuLink services are good if you're into that kind of stuff. Traffic is one of the big features included. Garmin includes a 2-year subscription to the service which is $5 a month thereafter I believe. Now WHY they still have the little popup ads present like in all their other "free lifetime traffic" models I have no idea. These ads for varoius companies that pay Garmin will pop up on your screen from time to time, like if your vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or you're searching for a POI (they won't actually pop up if your vehicle is moving on an active route, only when stopped). Problem is there's really no way to permanently get rid of the ads (which annoy me greatly, but some others don't seem to have an issue with them). Weather is nice as you can view the forecast in your current location or another location you can manually choose. The White Pages feature is great as well as you can look up a person by first and last name and drive directly to their address on file. It uses the data connection of the unit to get the info, so it'll be up to date since it's accessing the Internet. Google Local Search is an excellent nuLink feature. It basically makes your POI database 10 times larger and always up to date since it accesses the Internet for it's data. It's separate from the internal POI database, so you would have to choose one or the other to search for a POI. It would've been nice if both POI searches were integrated, but I can understand why they aren't. The Google Local Search relies on an Internet connection being present whereas the internal POI database is already stored into the unit's memory. You would constantly have duplicates of the same POI if they were integrated since they may be named slightly different since they come from completely different sources. The Gas Prices search is good as well as you can search whatever area you're in for the lowest gas prices. In my experiences it's been very accurate (gets the data from customers' credit card receipts) and will show you under the price it displays the last time it was updated... ie. Today, Yesterday, 3 Days ago, etc. It usually says Today or Yesterday the times I've used it.
Traffic on this unit is GREAT. I say great because all the other units with free traffic are horrible because they're constantly feeding inaccurate traffic data to the unit via the integrated FM receiver. With the 1690 it uses at&t's data network for nuLink, so traffic data is MUCH more accurate and can be delivered to the unit much faster making it more up to the minute. I did a real-time side by side comparison of the 1690's traffic data and the 1490t's free traffic. Think they'd be identical because they both use Navteq traffic? Think again. I searched for all traffic incidents nearby my current location. I'm not exhaggerating when I say the 1690 brought up double the amount of incidents that the 1490t brought up. Just to test it out I drove to the closest traffic incident nearby and sure enough it was there. The 1490t didn't even acknowledge it existed. Also, there were times where they'd both have the same traffic incident, but different data (ie. 3 min delay as opposed to 10 min delay). I drove to a common incident as well to see which one was more accurate. Again, the 1690 was more accurate. I assume it's because the 1490t still had older data that hadn't yet been updated. That gives you an idea of how much better traffic on the 1690 is compared to all other Garmin models. AT&T's EDGE data network seems to be everywhere as well, so chances are if your at&t cell phone has reception, so will the internal receiver of the 1690. I have MSN Direct on my 765t which I believe works good... when it wants to work. Problem is... it never works. It takes forever to download data and reception is horrible in alot of places with MSN Direct. Not at all the case with the 1690 and at&t's network. In addition to having great coverage, it downloads data fast which is great. Once the device is powered on (and has cellular network reception), you'll have all the updated traffic info in no more than a few minutes. I really like the whole "connected" idea when it comes to traffic.
The border around the unit is about the same width as the 1490t, despite being a smaller unit. It's also thicker than the 1490t. I suppose that's because they had to fit the cellular radio module with sim card inside the unit. The black border is a piano black finish and...Read more›
Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin nuvi 1690 4.3 Inch Portable Bluetooth Navigator with nuLink Services
Product Description:
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 nuvi. 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 nuvi 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 nuvi 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
nuvi 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 nuvi 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, nuvi 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 nuLink! 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 nuvi 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 nuvi 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. nuvi 1690 even remembers where you parked. It automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windshield mount, so you can navigate with nuvi 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 nuvi 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 nuLink!
With Garmin nuLink! 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 nuvi 1690 via a built-in wireless module. The 1690 currently comes with a free 2-year Garmin nuLink! 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 nuLink! services provide current traffic data for your route so your nuvi 1690 can automatically optimize a route for the shortest time. Just drive and let nuvi 1690 do all the work.
Gas Prices Is your fuel tank getting a little low? Garmin nuLink! 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 nuvi 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 nuvi 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 nuvi 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, nuvi 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 nuvi 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 nuvi 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 nuvi 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--nuvi 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
nuvi 1690 preloaded with City Navigator North America NT, Vehicle suction cup mount, FM traffic receiver/vehicle power cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual
Which nuvi is Best for You?
Note: All nuvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.Device
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