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mitchellgibbs
USA
15 Posts |
 Posted - 14 oct. 2009 : 04:19:35
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I just picked up a 1690 yesterday and I have to say that I'm impressed. I've had both a Dash Express and a TomTom 740. I dropped the Dash when my service expired and watched the community disappear when the company all but shutdown. I'm getting rid of the TomTom - I'm not thrilled with the GPS software (though it is admittedly better than Dash) and it almost completely wastes the potential of the cellular connection. I think the Nuvi 1690 is a keeper.
The GPS software continues to be stellar and it does a pretty good job taking advantage of the cellular connection. One of my key features I use in a connected GPS is the internet search - in this case Google Local. The 1690 is faster than either the Dash or the TomTom and, for some reason, the results also seem much better than the TomTom. Most of the time, searching Google Local is only slightly slower than searching the local POIs.
Another key feature for me is Send To Car. I found Dash's solution to be perfect. I still can't believe TomTom skipped this ability. The 1690 isn't quite as easy as Dash, it requires a lot of clicks, and it doesn't alert you when the address is received, but the feature is there and it works reliably. It usually takes 30-60 seconds for the address to show up on the 1690.
The other NuviLink features seem to work well - except Ciao which kept timing out. I haven't driven in traffic yet, so I can't speak to that.
I am disappointed that both Garmin and TomTom are leaving out MP3 playback from these fairly expensive devices. Does it have something to do with carrier contracts?
Mitch |
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gemro311
USA
293 Posts |
Posted - 14 oct. 2009 : 20:45:55
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Are street details present in this unit? Did not see any mention , unless I missed it.
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Nuvi 1450LMT/Droid Charge w/Google Maps |
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SergZak
USA
1760 Posts |
Posted - 14 oct. 2009 : 20:59:19
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| I don't really like to assume anything but I would venture a guess that the map/street detail would be the same as on any other 1xxx unit. Maybe 1690 users can post some screen shots...or at least mention if the map detail level has a "Most" setting. But then again, even a "Most" setting does not guarantee anything. |
nüvi 3490LMT, nüvi 3790LMT, nüvi 765T, nüvi 855, nüvi 760, nüvi 750 |
Edited by - SergZak on 14 oct. 2009 21:01:47 |
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gpspassion
93400 Posts |
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Jim1348
USA
518 Posts |
Posted - 15 oct. 2009 : 00:13:06
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I have stopped into two Best Buy stores in my area thinking that it would be prominently displayed. It was in stock, however, rather than being on display it was locked away in the glass storage case below the display. I would think that they would want to have this out for people to see, but I guess not.
I am still looking forward to the Garmin Nuvi 1820 and 1860, but if I recall correctly, they may have both been delayed. |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7390 Posts |
Posted - 15 oct. 2009 : 00:54:26
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| If they don't come "blister packed" they are kept locked up. Usually Best Buy has one properly bolted down that is out on the display counter though. |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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moofy
USA
58 Posts |
Posted - 15 oct. 2009 : 13:53:11
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Regarding the detail, it appears to be exactly the same as the 1490T. I had them side by side, and couldn't see any difference.
The menu options are the same, it has the Most Detail setting, and lets you configure the map screen with your choice of data.
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Edited by - moofy on 15 oct. 2009 13:54:14 |
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ssandhaus
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 27 oct. 2009 : 21:32:48
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I'll mention one other thing I've noticed on my 1690 after several weeks of use. The traffic data is considerably different from that I was receiving on my 660 with the FM traffic receiver. On the one hand, while the 660 reported only traffic on the major highways, the 1690 reports traffic on virtually everything except small neighborhood streets. Not sure where the data comes from, but it seems to be a bit less accurate, even on highways, than the 660. I can be stopped in bumper to bumper traffic, and the 1690 says clear sailing. Or i can be speeding down a road that the 1690 tells me should be causing me a 4 minute delay. Presumably, this is related to delays in getting traffic reports and uploading them to the units. SInce I don't know where they get their reports, I'm not sure whether this is something that can improve over time. By the way, sometimes the traffic reported is accurate, just in case you were wondering. Anyone else have similar experiences? Most of my time is spent in the Denver area.
Sandy |
Nuvi 1690 (350 & 660 previously)
Other: MacBook Pro OSX 10.6, Audi S4 Quattro
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA |
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offthegrid
USA
398 Posts |
Posted - 01 nov. 2009 : 19:36:49
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Interesting about the traffic data being increased. Are you seeing red, green and yellow road indicators on secondary roads? Do you see the routes influenced by traffic on secondary roads?
Navteq is in the process of using Nokia smart phones as gps probes something that is supposed to be up and running nationwide by years end maybe you are seeing the beginning of that in Denver. |
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ssandhaus
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 01 nov. 2009 : 23:17:37
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When I turn on "Show Traffic Map" it shows the red, green, and yellow on the secondary roads. Which reminds me of a behavior I can't explain. When I turn on "Show Traffic Map" sometimes it 'sticks' and it stays on for subsequent uses of the unit, sometimes it reverts back to the 'normal' map. Can't identify any explanation. I never have manually switched it back to the normal map.
Sandy |
Nuvi 1690 (350 & 660 previously)
Other: MacBook Pro OSX 10.6, Audi S4 Quattro
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA |
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offthegrid
USA
398 Posts |
Posted - 01 nov. 2009 : 23:58:04
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| That doesn't sound good. The early reviews on Amazon seem to indicate issues also. I had high hopes for this. |
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cperk
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2009 : 01:13:08
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I just bought a 1690 today at Best Buy. I had two problems with the first unit. The screen flicker for one, and the other being the touch screen did not respond to some key presses. Returned it and got another one, which seemed to be fine other than the screen flicker. I called Garmin support and they are well aware of the problem. According to them the early batches sent out have this problem and that units manufactured after 10/16/09 are flicker free. The problem is there is no way to tell when it was manufactured without Garmin checking the serial number for you.
They're suggestion was to send the unit in for an exchange, and I asked why I would do that when I can return it for my money. His other suggestion was to call from the store and have the serial number checked before I buy it. Well I did this and every unit Best Buy has in stock was manufactured before October 16th.
It seems to me that there is a very unethical practice here by Garmin. If they know these units to be defective, why wouldn't you recall them to save the consumer the grief of having to send it in for and exchange or save them a trip back to the store for a refund. This proves Garmin has no concern for the customer, they just want to push the units out and hope only half of them come back. I guess they don't care if the customer comes back. |
Nuvi 1690, Nuvi 3790T, Nuvi 1490T, Nuvi 1250,Nuvi 765T, Nuvi 855 |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7390 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2009 : 04:54:54
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Although I don't particularly disagree with your statements about Garmin's role in this 1690 problem, doesn't Best Buy have to carry some of the blame as well? With these models coming back to them one after another all with the same problem, shouldn't Best Buy have shown some 'customer concern' by taking these models off their shelves until they determined from Garmin what you were able to?
Certainly Garmin needs to be more proactive in this case but once the dealer starts to see a trend concerning returns then they shouldn't just go right on selling them knowing full well that there is a very good chance they are going to get them back. |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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daveo
USA
188 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2009 : 05:39:10
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| Rick, I agree with you. Any of the mail order vendors that specialize in the GPS business would have contacted Garmin about a merchandise exchange. |
Nuvi 680 with MSNdirect -- Nuvi 350 & GTM 11
Nuvi 755t with MSN
Nuvi 1690 |
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moofy
USA
58 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2009 : 20:35:34
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I ended up sending my 1690 back before my 30 days were up.
The constant reboots, and the annoying Favorites bug was just not worth it. |
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[TOPIC] Nuvi 1690 GPS w/nüLink - Reviews - v3.90
