Garmin Nuvi 1690
Manufacturer: Garmin Part number: 0100082200
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- By itself, the Garmin Nuvi 1690 is merely a solidly performing GPS device, but it earns its keep through the free NuLink service, giving users easy access to up-to-the-minute data for safety, convenience, and entertainment.
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CNET editors' review
Garmin Nuvi 1690 price range: $114.80 - $329.99
- Reviewed by: Antuan Goodwin
- Reviewed on: 11/24/2009
The good: The Garmin Nuvi 1690 features free (and ad-supported) access to Garmin's NuLink data service, which provides traffic data, fuel prices, Google Search for points of interest, and a host of other features, including Bluetooth hands-free calling help to keep the driver's hands on the wheel while navigating.
The bad: The move to microSD media renders all old Garmin SD cards obsolete. Touch screen exhibits weird flickering when the data connection is being accessed.
The bottom line: By itself, the Garmin Nuvi 1690 is merely a solidly performing GPS device, but it earns its keep through the free NuLink service, giving users easy access to up-to-the-minute data for safety, convenience, and entertainment.
Garmin made a pretty big splash last year when it debuted the Nuvi 880, its first-ever Internet-connected portable navigation device (PND) featuring MSN Direct data service. With MSN Direct scheduled to go offline in the very near future, Garmin had to create something to fill this void, so it partnered with AT&T to create a Garmin-branded data service called NuLink and a new connected PND to utilize it: the Garmin Nuvi 1690.
The Nuvi 1690 and the NuLink service work together to bring turn-by-turn directions, live fuel prices and traffic data, and Google Local and White Pages search to the dashboard in one package, all without the hassle of monthly fees--at least not for the first two years.
Design
Physically, the Nuvi 1690 is the familiar touch screen with a suction cup design that is the standard fare for all Nuvis and indeed most PNDs. The most noticeable external change comes in the form of the gloss-black frame with chrome trim that surrounds the 4.3-inch touch screen, but there are more subtle changes.
Looking at the unit's left side; we see that the SD card slot--which has been standard on the Nuvi line for years--has been shrunken to microSD size. This change most likely frees up internal space, but it also means that users' current full-size SD cards for additional regional maps and points of interest (POI) will not work with the 1690.
Checking the top edge, we see that the power slider with locking mode has been replaced by a simple button. While there's no longer a hardware screen lock, you can still achieve the same effect by tapping the power button to bring up an onscreen menu with options for screen brightness, power, and screen lock. Once locked, pressing the power button again will unlock the screen. And, of course, holding the power button for 3 seconds will immediately boot or shutdown the unit.
On the 1690's back panel is a single speaker, and along its bottom edge are a mini USB port and a 10-pin connector that interfaces with the included suction-cup cradle. The cradle features a very strong lever-actuated suction cup and is also equipped with a Mini-USB port for connecting the included 12-volt car charger. We like that the cradle's charger port allows for one-handed removal of the Nuvi for short trips away from the car. We also like that the Nuvi's redundant Mini-USB port allows it to be used and charged without the cradle, increasing portability.
Other notable changes are software-based. The menu icons have received a graphical refresh and are now more colorful with finer gradients and reflection effects. The menu button on the map screen has decreased in size, been moved to the lower-left corner of the screen, and relabeled Back. Meanwhile, the home screen has gained a top status bar displaying status icons for GPS signal strength, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation mode (driving, walking, or bicycling), the current time, the current temperature, NuLink signal strength, and battery state.
Features
As we mentioned earlier, the major feature around which the Nuvi 1690 is built is the NuLink data service. The service operates on AT&T's EDGE network and is free for the first two years of ownership, after which users can elect to pay a $5 per month subscription or use the Nuvi without the connection. However, there is a catch. Garmin isn't offering free data service out of the kindness of its heart. During those first two years, the NuLink service is ad-supported, so periodically you will see text ads and offers on the map, menu, and POI search screens, but never on the map screen when the vehicle is moving. Safety first, you know.
For your trouble, the NuLink service streams traffic and incident data, fuel prices, weather forecasts, Google Local POI search, White Pages search, airline flight info, and local events and movie showtimes to the Nuvi 1690's screen. Unlike older Nuvis that receive traffic data over the FM band, the 1690's wireless antenna is built into the unit itself--and not the power cable--so the 1690 loses no functionality outside of its cradle.
Bluetooth wireless connectivity is available for hands-free calling, but A2DP audio streaming is missing in this model--presumably due to the absence of the MP3 and Audible.com audio-book players. Pairing with a phone is completed with a four-digit PIN, after which the user is given access to their phone's voice-dialing function (if available), dialing from the POI select and contact screens, and a 10-key phone pad, but we were unable to import our contacts en masse.
Rounding out the 1690's feature set are TTS turn-by-turn directions that read street and POI names aloud, graphic lane guidance that displays a visual representation of highway intersections with valid lanes highlighted, and a feature called EcoRoutes. EcoRoutes is a collection of green driving tools including a fuel economy assessment, a series of green driving challenges, and a routing algorithm that attempts to calculate the most fuel-efficient route from point A to B.
Performance
The Nuvi 1690 was quick to boot and locked onto the satellite signals within 2 minutes of powering up with a clear view of the sky. We had hopes that, given access to cellular triangulation and potentially some sort of dead reckoning technology, the Nuvi 1690 would offer better positioning in tunnels, covered bridges, and urban canyons, but the PND doesn't seem to take advantage of either of these methods and got confused when driving on the lower level of the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge or when passing through long tunnels.
With full bars on the NuLink signal meter, the Nuvi features relatively quick Google POI searches. Searching for one of our favorite sandwich shops took about 12 seconds to return results from the time we hit "Go." Searching the preloaded POIs for the same sandwich shop yielded almost instantaneous results. You can probably guess which search we usually defaulted to for the rest our testing.
One component that gave us trouble was the 1690's color touch screen. The screen seemed less responsive than many of the previous Nuvi models that we've tested, and it required a bit more pressure to register inputs. This was particularly frustrating when it came to inputting addresses using the onscreen keypad. Additionally, we periodically noticed the screen flickering slightly when the Nuvi was downloading data over the network, such as a POI search or when pulling a traffic update. We don't know if this is also the reason for the laggy screen response, but we do think that perhaps better RF shielding is in order.
In sum
Even without the NuLink service, the Garmin Nuvi 1690 is a solid portable navigation device. However, if you can live with the thought of being advertised to while you drive, the addition of connected data for a variety of safety, convenience, and entertainment uses is what really helps the 1690 earn its high feature score.
We ran into a few issues with the screen that cost the 1690 a design point and should probably be addressed in the next revision, but nothing that we'd call a deal breaker.
Performance was also quite good, but we feel that there were a few missed opportunities with cellular triangulation and dead reckoning tech that could help with tracking the vehicle's position when the satellite signal gets shaky. However, these are really bleeding-edge GPS technologies, so their apparent omission doesn't hurt the performance score too badly.
Overall, the good far outweighs the bad, putting the Nuvi 1690 near the top of our short list of recommended devices.
User reviews
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POP-UP ADS ARE COINSTANT AND INTRUSIVE! AVOID!
by IFLYMAUI on November 20, 2009
Pros: What is wrong with Garmin? Once the leader in GPS technology, it fails miserably these days. See below in CONS...
Cons: For your $500.00 investment, be prepared for POP-UP AD CONTENT that takes over your screen with a small insert ad. You have no way of being able to disable it.
Summary: It's INTRUSIVE that Garmin would charge more than Magellan or Tom Tom for their GPS units and then slam us with POP-UP ADS to subsidize even greater profit.
I ...Summary: It's INTRUSIVE that Garmin would charge more than Magellan or Tom Tom for their GPS units and then slam us with POP-UP ADS to subsidize even greater profit.
In fairness to Garmin, I did get a reply to my email in which a Garmin rep said I could go into the SETTINGS menu and disable the data/traffic features which would then cease the pop-up ads. While I appreciate the response from Garmin, if I disable the features of the 1690, why spend the $500 when a lesser featured GPS unit will do the same thing for $300 less?
I emailed them and they said it was to offset the traffic alerts that they call free ($500.00 is free???). PLEASE charge me or allow me the option to diabale or pay instead of forcing me to watch your ad content from retailers like Puma or Wal-Mart.
These generated FORCED ADS must drain not only the battery but also the speed of accessing and following satelite connections.
My Garmin 1690 is being returned because I bought a GPS unit for a hefty price and not a 4.3 inch screen to watch advertising on.
Avoid any Garmin product that forces you to watch inflicted ad content.
Updated on Dec 1, 2009
Garmin is still wrong on this one.19 out of 21 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Game Over as Garmin Completely Loses the Plot
by kumatachi on February 4, 2010
Pros: All the postivies of the excellent Nuvi 880 - clear instructions, intuitive, nice screen, good multi-lingual support. But I implore do not to buy this device. I loved my Nuvi 880 but Garmin products are now unusable due to intrusive advertising.
Cons: The annoying, intrusive advertisements are incessant and guaranteed to melt your brain, rendering you a lethal hazard. My blood pressure rose 10 - 20 points every time I turned this machine on. What imbecile at Garmn thought this was acceptable?
Summary: Garmin have lost the plot in terms of their business model (charging us once for a big ticket top-of-the-range item they have already sold once to advertisers). Don't buy ...
Summary: Garmin have lost the plot in terms of their business model (charging us once for a big ticket top-of-the-range item they have already sold once to advertisers). Don't buy this product and be suckered. Not only will you have a product you hate as you are force fed intrusive advertisements but you will hate yourself for being ripped off for buying a product that has already been sold to the advertisers. I was a loyal Garmin customer but now I hate them with all my heart. Do not be a sucker. Don't buy this product.
8 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Unit, and Garmin, disappoint long time Garmin customer.
by ckqualls on May 30, 2010
Pros: Great maps. Especially like how it displays "pictures" of road signs at highway junctions and splits. The ability to google from the unit is terriffic.
Cons: Technically, it is junk. Resets itself all the time. I was on a trip and it lost all but the base maps. Shows less than 50Mb free space.able to load/upgrade maps. Won't recognize a 2Gb Micro SD. E-mails to Garmin go unanswered.
Summary: Garmin has dropped the ball on this one. Firmware upgrades don't correct the reset problems, and I can't get a response from them via messages sent from their ...
Summary: Garmin has dropped the ball on this one. Firmware upgrades don't correct the reset problems, and I can't get a response from them via messages sent from their My Garmin web site. This is my family's seventh (at least) Garmin unit, and may be our last.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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In love with it
by raj1926 on March 30, 2010
Pros: Sensational product.With my old Nuvi 350 (which was good by the way), I would look up the address via google on my blackberry and then type it in the nuvi. With 1690, Google is already there and its so much easier to use.
Cons: Hell no, this is great
Summary: Love the little features like it tells you how much gas you used for the trip and how much it actually cost you. Bluetooth didnt work well with my Blackberry ...
Summary: Love the little features like it tells you how much gas you used for the trip and how much it actually cost you. Bluetooth didnt work well with my Blackberry Tour. I called Verizon and they asked me to download the latest patch for the tour which fixed it, I dont know how this will be after a year or so but at the moment I look for every opportunity to jump into the car and use my new nuvi 1690.
4 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Decent gps.
by the computer genius on January 6, 2010
Pros: Nu Link, Interface (navgation) Traffic Seems to be more accurate, I like the fact if I type in a phone number or business name if it's listed it will take me to the house, look up gas prices in area, also events, flight statas and a whole lot more
Cons: When you look up for gas prices or local business on google it does not come back in any organized order, pop up adds annoying but it doesn't cause me a heart attack, like some people reviews I read
Summary: Well Well I think I'm going to get in trouble with mom. I'm writing this on c-ent and facebook and mom is listed as my friend. oh well ...
Summary: Well Well I think I'm going to get in trouble with mom. I'm writing this on c-ent and facebook and mom is listed as my friend. oh well I brought a birthday present for me when I went to hide my 765T from the car wash people and the screen cracked. I know I could of gotten a 265wt for a $100.00 but whatever
Well this machine costed about 459.00, I guess I could have gotton it for 399.00 but I needed it fast due to the fact my screen cracked and I needed it for business. But I guess it's better than $499.00
So do I like the machine? It's a little low for my standards but it's really awsum for what you can expect in todays world.Since I started buying GPS's I had to lower my standards or I'd be on Anti depressants for the rest of my life LOL.
To start with all the nuvi products route you the same. They get you where you are going. Do they always use the best route? No way. I've had tom tom and I did not like the interface but the 740 live ether had the most rational routes due to iq or historacal routes the offer at other times it was horrable, the megallans froze up. So I went with the Garmins. The Garmins are more consitant. Garmin's don't take you the back way (like I'd like to avoid traffic) and even somtimes a slower way then I'd know (for example I'd use a highway to connect with another highway) the Garmin would tell me take a main road to connect to the 2nd highway. Does it take you in circles yeah sometimes. But they all do Most of the time the routes were good, even when they were not that good they were ok. . So I knew when I was buying this unit I was not buying a unit that I would build for this price but the best available as far as it being balanced in fuctions, efficientcy and Bells and whisles. Just to recap when I speak of routing I am speaking for all garmins including this one.
Selling points I like the screen it's bright and the letters are big, I love the traffic that you get Via built in celluar band, I love the Google search, I havan't tried blue tooth but I will in a few years when I'm board, Theh speaker quality is good. What I wish Garmin did was put the Gas prices and resturant searches in distant order. They are in order in there own poi's but not in the Google search POI. but you know what Garmin's private poi's were always outdated so I guess you can't ask for everything.
Personally Do I think for $500.00 that the google searches should be in order yes, Do I think for $500.00 the routing should be perfect yes. but as much screaming I've done it get's me nowhere. All I have to say is the american companies have no pride in there production anymore. Does this make this a bad unit ? no it doesn't I like it - I just wish they fine tuned odds and ends a bit.
As far as the Ad's Yes I've heard complaints about it and to be perfectly honest the ad's are paying or the 2 year free service. They are not putting the ad's on to subisdize the unit. Do I like the ad's no. but I can live with it. I'd rather have the Ad;s which subidizes the service than have the monthly fee. They don't show up when you are driving anyway so I don't know the big deal. Let me ask should you be looking at the road while driving or at the unit.
Would I recomend this product yeah it's cool. If you are not a toy buff then just get yourself the cheap one they all route you the same.
.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Nothing but junk. locks up,
by tltampa22 on May 5, 2010
Pros: nothing, not like it use to be.
Cons: garmin use to be a good gps. I have had 8 of them. with the new gps they have gone down hill.. I went to DE. for a furnel & the unit locked up, made me late for the furneal. voice breakes up like a old record.
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Believe the negative reviews, this is junk!!!
by nvexplorer on September 3, 2010
Pros: Good design, easy to use, accurate, good speakers, nice screen.
Cons: Quit working after two months. Will not start normally. User support promises to call me within 72 business hours! What a joke. Bought this for a trip to Hawaii and now cannot use it.
Summary: I would love this unit if it worked, but am afraid of reliability and terrible user support.
Summary: I would love this unit if it worked, but am afraid of reliability and terrible user support.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Unhappy with this Garmin unit.
by paulknight46 on July 25, 2010
Pros: Good speaker. Google is nice when it works. Low glare screen. Solid feel to the device.
Cons: Reboots a lot, especially when in low cell signal areas. Very seldom connects to traffic data or Google information - times out even when it shows good cell signal. I usually have to restart to get any data service - then it only works for briefly.
Summary: I purchased my first 1690 shortly after they were introduced. It had a terrible flicker on the screen when data was being transmitted. I called Garmin and they said they ...
Summary: I purchased my first 1690 shortly after they were introduced. It had a terrible flicker on the screen when data was being transmitted. I called Garmin and they said they had never heard of that problem but they did exchange the unit for a new one. The process went very smooth.
I have owned several Garmin units and was very happy with them. I have not been happy with this one. The ads don't bother me if the online services actually worked and would keep the service free. I hope Garmin will improve on this unit.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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They BOTH died!!!
by DKELLY45 on July 23, 2010
Pros: Extra features like real time gas prices, flight status, google searches are all great. While it worked it never gave me a bad set of directions.
Cons: I purchased the 1690 and almost 1 month later it died. It shut off and would not come back on. I assumed it was a fluke, since I have another Garmin that works great, so I exchanged it for another 1690. Again, almost 1 month later it died.
Summary: If they could figure out how to keep it on I would have loved it.
Summary: If they could figure out how to keep it on I would have loved it.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Had it for 1 week and it died.
by angelpdb on June 6, 2010
Pros: Great unit if it actually worked.
Cons: Won't charge or work. Lane assist wasn't as good as the Garmin 765t.
Summary: I've had 2 garmins now. I love the options on them and how easy they are to use. They however are not dependable at all. This is the second ...
Summary: I've had 2 garmins now. I love the options on them and how easy they are to use. They however are not dependable at all. This is the second time I went on vacation and the device died. I was traveling alone with my 5 kids and the device just went dead. Acted like it won't take a charge. I honestly wanted to sit and cry. I was all alone in a strange city with no gps to help out. Garmin needs to realize we depend on these devices for peace of mind to get around. When I called Garmin they told me to mail it back in and they would repair it. I'm sitting in a city with their gps that wont work and I'm pretty much lost other than the maps I have to try and get around. Will NEVER buy another Garmin. Customer service is awful and the units are undependable. Run a search on Garmin won't power on. There are 100's of responses. I wish I had done this before I wasted my money and ruined my trip.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Garmin
- Part number: 0100082200
- Description: The nüvi 1690 is more than a sat nav. It's an online social navigator that gives you real-time information on the go. From fuel prices to Google Local Search, you can find out what you want to know instantly thanks to Garmin nüLink! Services. The nüvi 1690 comes with free 1-year data subscription to Garmin nüLink! Servies.
General
- Recommended Use Hiking ,
Automotive - Preloaded Maps North America
- Card Reader microSD
- Interface USB
- Functions & Services Time/date ,
Lane Assistant ,
Distance - Voice Street name announcement,
Navigation instructions - Included Software MapSource City Navigator North America NT
- Antenna Built-in
- Features Calculator ,
Clock,
ecoRoute ,
Speed limit warning ,
Fuel prices ,
Emergency Help ,
Garmin HotFix,
Garmin Lock,
TMC (Traffic Message Channel) ready,
2D / 3D map perspective ,
Speed Camera warnings,
Hands-free calling via Bluetooth ,
Garmin Garage,
Preinstalled POIs,
Currency converter,
Photo viewer,
Measurement converter,
Custom POIs ,
Downloadable POIs,
Automatic routing,
Built-in speaker Display
- Type TFT - Color
- Diagonal Size 4.3 in - Widescreen
- Width 3.8 in
- Height 2.2 in
- Resolution 480 x 272
- Display Illumination Yes
Navigation
- Waypoints 1000
- Navigation routes 10
- Trip computer Street address search,
Fast/short route,
Trip distance,
Trip timer,
Quickest route,
Avoid toll roads,
Avoid highways Connections
- Connector Type USB
Battery
- Type Lithium ion
- Run Time (Up To) 4 hour(s)
Miscellaneous
- Design Features World clock,
Currency and unit converter,
Calculator,
Qwerty or ABC keyboard,
Touchscreen,
Built-in speaker,
Auto re-Route,
Photo navigation,
Picture viewer,
Route avoidance - Included Accessories Car power adapter,
Dashboard disc,
USB cable Dimensions & Weight
- Width 4.9 in
- Depth 0.7 in
- Height 3.1 in
- Weight 6.2 oz
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Garmin products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Garmin
- Address:
1200 E. 151st St, Olathe, KS - Phone: 913-397-8200
- Fax: 913-397-8282
