Garmin Nuvi 370

The Garmin Nuvi 370 isn't groundbreaking, but is a step in the right direction for a lot of people who travel across the Atlantic Ocean, as it will come with North American and European maps preloaded, and have the ability to run traffic alerts in both locations as well. It builds on the capabilities of the Nuvi 360, so it will include Bluetooth. I have had a lot of readers write in about just this need, so it's good to see Garmin responding to their consumers. The Nuvi 370 is being launched in conjunction with the Nuvi 670 (widescreen version) and other new Garmin GPS units at the CES 2007 show in Las Vegas.

For the ultimate ease in travel, the nuvi 370 and nuvi 670 build upon the best selling features of the nuvi family while adding preloaded detailed street maps of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and over 30 countries in Europe. These transatlantic nuvis are available with the standard 3.5-inch display (nuvi 370) or larger 4.3-inch widescreen display (nuvi 670). Through the nuvi's easy-to-use interface, users are able to search millions of points of interest such as restaurants, lodging, fuel stations, hospitals, border crossings, and more. In addition, nuvi owners may establish customized points of interest, such as safety cameras and school zones.

"Incorporating preloaded maps of North America and Europe makes the nuvi a more flexible tool for the consummate traveler," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "The nuvi's navigation and entertainment features give globetrotters everything they need in the palm of their hand."

Both the nuvi 370 and nuvi 670 come with an integrated traffic receiver that leverages available traffic service broadcasts to notify drivers of traffic congestion, accidents, construction, and weather-related delays. The nuvi will also automatically suggest alternative routes to avoid delays. In Europe, most countries provide real-time traffic broadcasts free of charge. In the United States, service for the nuvi 370 and nuvi 670 is provided by Total Traffic Network and includes the first three months of traffic service for free, after which the customer may subscribe to 12 months of service for $60.00.

The nuvi's Bluetooth Wireless Technology capabilities and integrated microphone and speaker provide for hands-free mobile phone calls. This feature makes it possible for drivers to make and receive calls using the nuvi's touchscreen interface, and access the phone's personalized phone book, call history log, or the nuvi's huge points of interest database. More than 200 Bluetooth phones are supported.*

Garmin has also announced an Asian Americas version of its nuvi 350 and nuvi 660. These devices allow North American motorists who speak Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, or Taiwanese to experience the convenience and safety of GPS satellite navigation in their native tongue. Menus and text on the intuitive touchscreen interface are displayed in one of five Asian languages. In addition, the turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions are audibly announced in Asian languages. Garmin is the only manufacturer to offer an Asian language interface combined with North American maps.

For added versatility, the entire nuvi product line will soon accept Garmin's U.S. Topo and BlueChart® cartography. Customers choosing the U.S. Topo cartography will have access to basic information such as terrain contours, elevation information, trails, and rivers. BlueChart will show shaded depth contours, intertidal zones, spot soundings, port plans, and navaids with view range and coverage. The cartography will be available from Garmin's website.

Nuvi is an all-in-one portable GPS navigator that combines turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions with traveler's reference and a digital entertainment system. The entire nuvi product line offers features such as a language translator, travel guide books for North America and Europe, geo-coded "coupon book," currency converter, photo viewer, MP3 player, audio book player, and more. The nuvi also incorporates the Garmin Lock(TM), a theft prevention system that provides added security. Map data for all units is provided by NAVTEQ(TM) -- the world leader in premium-quality mapping.

The nuvi 370 and nuvi 670 are expected to be available in February at an MSRP of $899 and $1099, respectively. The nuvi 350 and nuvi 660 Asian Americas versions are expected to be available in March 2007 at an MSRP of $599 and $899, respectively.

More at Amazon and Garmin.

January 5, 2007

Garmin Nuvi 370