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Garmin Nuvi 1690

Garmin Nuvi 1690
Garmin Nuvi 1690Garmin Nuvi 1690Garmin Nuvi 1690Garmin Nuvi 1690Garmin Nuvi 1690Garmin Nuvi 1690Garmin Nuvi 1690Garmin Nuvi 1690Garmin Nuvi 1690Garmin Nuvi 1690
alaScore 91

497 reviews

May, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 497 reviews of Garmin Nuvi 1690. The average rating for this product is 3.4/5, compared to an average rating of 3.9/5 for other GPS for all reviews. Views about the maps and screen are on the whole positive. The price and performance are also appreciated. There are some critical opinions about the memory and reliability.

usability, performance, price, screen, maps

reliability, memory

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other GPS the Garmin Nuvi 1690 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 497 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (30% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (26% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (15% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (14% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (16% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (76%)Show negative (24%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (74%)Show negative (26%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (43%)Show negative (57%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (57%)Show negative (43%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
maps
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (68%)Show negative (32%)(Show all)
route planning
  Show positive (69%)Show negative (31%)(Show all)
memory
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 435 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 360 of 435 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (59)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Garmin Nuvi 1690

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 241 user reviews of Garmin Nuvi 1690 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other GPS on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the durability and maps. The price and performance are also mentioned favorably, whereas opinions are divided on the screen. There are some negative opinions about the reliability.

usability, performance, price, maps, durability

reliability

63% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Garmin Nuvi 1690

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 109 user reviews of Garmin Nuvi 1690 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other GPS on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the size and screen. The price and performance also get good comments, whereas many are critical about the memory and maps.

usability, performance, price, screen, size

reliability, durability, maps, memory

69% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Expert review by : Antuan Goodwin (cnet.com)

Garmin Nuvi 1690 review: Garmin Nuvi 1690

 

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...

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...

The move to microSD media renders all old Garmin SD cards obsolete. Touch screen exhibits weird flickering when the data connection is being accessed.

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.

Nov, 2009
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Expert review by : Jamie Lendino (pcmag.com)

Garmin nüvi 1690

 

the device displays ads.

Accurate directions. Slick software design. Google-powered services are a boon. Solid traffic reporting. Useful elevation readings

Bundled data subscription expires after two years. Displays ads. Still requires extra-cost map updates like any other GPS. Connected services not integrated with main POI database. On-board EDGE radio caused GSM buzz in our car stereo

Garmin's impressive nüvi 1690 integrates connected services and offers plenty of routing options, but the high price and mandatory ads—even when you're not using said services—are turn-offs.

Nov, 2009
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Expert review by : Jamie Lendino (pcmag.com)

Garmin nüvi 1690

 

Garmin's impressive nüvi 1690 integrates connected services, but a high price and mandatory ads are turn-offs.

Accurate directions. Slick software design. Google-powered services are a boon. Solid traffic reporting. Useful elevation readings.

Bundled data subscription expires after two years. Displays ads. Still requires extra-cost map updates like any other GPS. Connected services not integrated with main POI database. On-board EDGE radio caused GSM buzz in our car stereo.

Other Features and Conclusions All the typical secondary features you'd find on a high-end GPS device are also here, including Bluetooth for hands-free calls with a cell phone. When paired with my BlackBerry Curve 8330 , calls sounded tinny and...

Nov, 2009
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Expert review by : Craig Ellison (pcworld.com)

Garmin Nuvi 1690 Review - PCWorld

 

I tested a late preproduction unit of the 1690, so the final shipping product will undoubtedly include some code changes. Though I saw room for improvement, I came away impressed overall.

Purchase price includes two years of service

POI and Google Search could be better integrated

Garmin's first connected GPS device is a good start, but it has room for improvement.

Sep, 2009
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Expert review by (electronicsme.com)

Garmin nuvi 1690

 

The widescreen visibility and lane assist technology do help make the Garmin Nuvi 1690 a worthwhile purchase for anyone new to GPS navigators. Free data subscription to NuLink services will mean that even if they are seldom used, no additional charges...

Lane Assist TechnologySupports microSD cards2 year free data subscriptionWidescreen display

Overkill for first time user

The next generation of GPS navigators are here and there are plenty of...

Mar, 2010
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Expert review by (consumersearch.com)

Internet-connected GPS device

 

The Internet-connected Garmin nuvi 1690 impresses top experts more than its Internet-connected competitors, the TomTom Go 740 Live (*Est. $305) and Motorola MotoNav TN765t (*Est. $250). Critics say these units' Internet connections make it convenient...

Google search and other Internet services, two years of Internet services included, easy to use

Some owners complain of routing problems, traffic, lane assist only in certain cities, pop-up ads

Nov, 2010
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Expert review by : Ricky (etechreviews.net)

Garmin Nuvi 1690 – with new NuviLink data service

 

When we talk about the GPS navigation device especially for cars, the first name to come our mind is – Garmin. The company has launched Garmin Nuvi 880 – first Internet connected portable GPS navigation device with MSN Direct Data service. Now, the...

Garmin Nuvi 1690 offers free, but ad-supported two-year access to Garmin NuLink data service that provides real-time Bluetooth hands-free calling, Google Search for POIs, fuel prices and traffic data

Touch screen display shows some weird clicker while using data connection. Micro-Sd card slot does not support full SD cards, especially containing previous Garmin data

If you need a quick GPS with long battery life and do not mind some advertisements on your GPS device while driving, then we will recommend you buying new – Garmin Nuvi 1690.

Mar, 2010
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Expert review by : wubayou (devhardware.com)

Garmin Nuvi 1690 GPS

 

The Garmin Nuvi 1690 is a GPS that comes with basic navigational tools and a whole lot more. Frequent travelers will definitely enjoy and appreciate what it has to offer, although its price may be too high for some. The Nuvi 1690 has a suggested retail...

The 1690's directions are voiceguided so you won't have to stare down at the screen to get your next turn. The actual names of roads and exits will be pronounced to provide you with some familiarity as you travel

Feb, 2010
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Expert review by : Craig Ellison (macworld.com)

Review: Garmin Nuvi 1690 GPS

 

Garmin's first connected GPS device is a good start, but it has room for improvement.

The nüvi 1690 has a 4.3-inch screen, text-to-speech conversion (which enables the device to announce street names), Bluetooth phone connectivity, and lane assist with junction view (so you can see simulated highway signs).The nüvi 1690 also has...

Nov, 2009
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Expert review by : Rich Owings (gpstracklog.com)

Garmin nuvi 1690 review

 

Hands on with Garmin's first connected nuvi The Garmin nüvi 1690 is the company's first “connected” GPS. It utilizes  Garmin's nuLink! services, giving you access to Google Local Search, NAVTEQ traffic, gas prices and more.

Despite the two routing issues I had, I’m going to recommend this unit. I haven’t seen a GPS navigator yet that doesn't go wonky occasionally, and if there are routing issues, I suspect Garmin will take care of them with an early firmware update.

Nov, 2009
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