Garmin adds nuvi 200, 600-series GPS units
updated 08:30 am EDT, Thu March 15, 2007
Garmin nuvi 200 and 600
Garmin this morning helped start CeBIT by launching several nuvi GPS units. At the top of the launches are three new additions to the nuvi 600 line (shown). The 600 and 650 are for budget users who want the 4.3-inch wide touchscreen of the 660 without the associated cost: both strip the Bluetooth, FM transmitter, and real-time traffic support (the latter still an option for the 650) to trim the price. The 600 in particular is limited to Europe while the 650 can be loaded with either North American or European maps, and has the option of geo-coded coupons that show discounts near certain points of interest.
In turn, the 660FM is a Europe-only version of the 660 which keeps Bluetooth and traffic but adds previously barred FM support for broadcasting voice guidance, music, and calls through the car stereo. It and the 600/650 should be ready in April with prices to be set later.
The GPS device maker has also introduced the 200 series (shown below), the company's first truly entry-level navigators. Each of the three models has an internal GPS antenna built in such a way as to slim the device down and make it easier to mount on a windshield or dash than other nuvi units. Every system also has a simplified interface on its 3.5-inch touchscreen but still has voice activation, a photo viewer, unit conversion tools, and a world clock.
Similar to the nuvi 600 series, the 200 range is split by map area, according to Garmin. The 200 strictly covers the continental US, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico; the 250 adds Alaska and Canada, while the 270 covers European travel with maps of 30 countries on the continent. Versions with maps for Australasia, Brazil, and Mexico will also be made available, the company says. The 200 series will launch in April as with the new 600 models, but has had its prices set at $400, $500, and $600 for the 200, 250, and 270 respectively.
