UPDATE: Some Nuvi models have been listed as discontinued on the Garmin website. These models can still be purchased but I wanted to update my information to reflect the models affected.

The Garmin Nuvi Series is a large line of very stylish and useful GPS devices. All of them have similar features and then there are some that have particular features that raises the bar. If you need basic GPS features and want to spend less you will find quite a few choices. As your wants and needs increase you will also find many models and the prices will be higher.

I know from personal experience how difficult it is to choose when there is a large selection. I like to start with the features that I absolutely want and go from there. Below you will find a list of features and the Nuvi models that have them. First you will find the universal features found on Nuvi GPS devices.

Designed to be sleek and small. They can be mounted inside the vehicle or can be carried in your pocket when outside of the vehicle.

• Preloaded 2D and 3D City Navigator NT Maps for the United States, Hawaii as well as Puerto Rico. Another option is one European Region or country.
• Touchscreen that can be seen in bright sunlight
• Voice Directions
• POI (Points of Interest) - Approximately 500
• Custom POI (Points of Interest) - You enter your own
• SD Slot
• Picture viewer, World Clock with time zones, currency and measurement converter and a calculator to name a few special travel features
• Auto Re-Route
• Garmin Lock

Now you move forward with extra features that distinguish one from the other.

Preloaded Maps for North America and Europe

• Nuvi 270
• Nuvi 370 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 670
• Nuvi 770

Preloaded Maps for North America and one other country

• Nuvi 600 (exclusive to Europe) (discontinued)

Preloaded Maps for European Region or Country Outside North America

• Nuvi 300
• Nuvi 310

3D Grade Change Map

• Nuvi 5000

Route Planning - Plan up to 10 routes simultaneously

• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)
• Nuvi 750
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 850
• Nuvi 880
• Nuvi 5000

Where Am I? - Pinpoints your present location

• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)
• Nuvi 750
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 850
• Nuvi 880
• Nuvi 5000

Car Locator - Last Position where you left your car

• Nuvi 710 (exclusive for Europe)
• Nuvi 750
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• Nuvi 780

Wide Screen - 4.3 inch diagonally

• Nuvi 200W
• Nuvi 250W
• Nuvi 260W
• Nuvi 600 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 610 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 650 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 660
• Nuvi 670
• Nuvi 680
• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)
• Nuvi 750
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 850
• nuvi 880
• Nuvi 5000

Extra Large Screen - 5.2 inches diagonally

• Nuvi 5000

Voice speaks Street Names and Exits

• Nuvi 260
• Nuvi 260W
• Nuvi 350 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 360 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 650 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 660 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 670 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 750
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 850
• Nuvi 880
• Nuvi 5000

Speech Recognition - Voice Control with Remote Control

• Nuvi 850
• Nuvi 880

Bluetooth - Use with your cell phone for a Handsfree experience

• Nuvi 310
• Nuvi 350 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 360 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 370 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 600 (exclusive to Europe) (discontinued)
• Nuvi 610 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 660 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 670 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 680
• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 880

Built in Microphone and Speakers

• Nuvi 310
• Nuvi 350 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 360 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 370 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 660 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 680
• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 880

Included Traffic Alerts

• Nuvi 370 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 660 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 670 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• nuvi 880

Optional Traffic Alerts

• Nuvi 310
• Nuvi 350 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 360 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 370 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 600 (exclusive to Europe) (discontinued)
• Nuvi 610 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 650 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 680
• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)
• Nuvi 750
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 850

MSN Direct - Real Time Reports - Local Weather, Traffic, Movie Times, Stock Information, Gas Prices, Local News, Local Events as a subscription service

• Nuvi 680
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 880

Entertainment Features

• Nuvi 300
• Nuvi 310
• Nuvi 350 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 360 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 370 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 600 (exclusive to Europe (discontinued)
• Nuvi 610
• Nuvi 650 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 660 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 670 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 680
• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)
• Nuvi 750
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 850
• Nuvi 880

Games

• Nuvi 850
• Nuvi 880

FM Transmitter - listen to MP3s and audio books

• Nuvi 660 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 670 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 680
• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)
• Nuvi 750
• Nuvi 760
• Nuvi 770
• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 850
• Nuvi 880
• Nuvi 5000

Internal Antenna

• Nuvi 780
• Nuvi 850
• nuvi 880

Connects to a Back Up Camera

• Nuvi 5000

Battery Life

• 200 Series = up to 5 hours (rechargeable lithium ion)
• 300 Series = up to 8 hours (rechargeable lithium ion)
• 600 Series = up to 7 hours (rechargeable lithium ion)
• 700 Series = up to 5 hours (rechargeable lithium ion)
• 800 Series = up to 4 hours (removable lithium ion)
• 5000 Series = none (external only)

Safety Camera Database

• Nuvi 350 (European Version) (discontinued)
• Nuvi 360 (European Version) (discontinued)
• Nuvi 370 (European Version) (discontinued)
• Nuvi 650 (European Version) (discontinued)
• Nuvi 670 (European Version) (discontinued)
• Nuvi 760 (European Version)

Exclusive to Europe

• Nuvi 600 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 610 (discontinued)
• Nuvi 710 (exclusive to Europe)

Now you see why it is hard to make a decision. Hope that this helps you in your search for the perfect Nuvi GPS device!