By J. Feliz (Boston, MA)

This Nuvi 650 is a a nice upgrade that is long overdue for me. I've been using the Garmin eMap for 7 years, and really appreciate the features of a well-made GPS. So what sets this unit apart ?
- The design of this unit is excellent - It feels solidly made, and has a look of high quality.
- The wide display on the 650 is bright fast, and easy to read at a glance. The touchscreen works beautifully. Response to input is quick and consistent.
- The 3D mapping on the widescreen helps to address one of the biggest challenges using a small electronic display vs a large paper map. With the 3D perspective, you can see a field much larger than can be displayed in 2D, so there's less need to zoom out to see roads that would be beyond the 2D window.
- The pre-loaded 6 million points of interest are amazing. In just a few days this unit has pointed out many local POIs I didn't even know existed. When I travel in unfamiliar territory, I frequently need to find a restaurant or bank or other POI and now I am confident I'll save time and aggravation, locating them quickly. Plus, the support for downloadable POI-TourGuides adds an interesting new dimension to sightseeing via GPS guided audio tours.
- Sound output is also very good, connected to my car stereo thru the aux input.
- Cost of the unit was a factor, and I saved some money vs the 660 by skipping unneeded features: Bluetooth, and FM transmitter.

August 27, 2007

By Robert Biamonte (Southern Pines, NC)

Have been working with my Nuvi 650 for over a week now. The accuracy is phenomenal even when streets come quickly after a turn. You will see many complaints about the manual and they are right. You can download it from the Garmin site before you buy it. The manual does not go into any detail, and if you are one of those that still has your VCR blinking 12, you will have problems with this manual. The interface is very easy to use and my 12 year old grandson was able to find a location and how to go to it in about five minutes without the manual. It has a good bright screen but it is easy to follow the voice directions without looking at the screen as it calls out turns by their street name. If you go off rout, it does not try to make you do a u-turn but recalculates the route in the direction that you are heading very quickly. I found the interface easy to use even with a poor manual. You will find that most mapping both hard copy and GPS are at least a year or two behind so don't be surprised when your GPS starts complaining that you are off route when you go on a relative new road or highway. There are also map errors. The maps of my town from everyone show three streets that cross RR tracks that really stop at the tracks. These streets never crossed the tracks, so there are gotcha's that you have to be aware of. A GPS may take a roundabout route, but it will get you there, The Garmin 650 is one of the best.