Model	M.S.R.P	Maps	Speech	Display	MP3 Play	Traffic	BlueTooth	FM Transmit	MSN Direct
Nuvi 270	$589.27	USA, Can, Euro	No	3.5″	No	No	No	No	No
Nuvi 200	$321.41	Continental USA	No	3.5″	No	No	No	No	No
Nuvi 250	$428.55	USA & Can	No	3.5″	No	No	No	No	No
Nuvi 350	$535.70	USA & Can	include	3.5″	MP3 / AudioBook	option	No	No	No
Nuvi 360	$642.34	USA & Can	include	3.5″	MP3 / Audiobook	option	include	No	No
Nuvi 370	$857.13	USA, Can, Euro	include	3.5″	MP3 / Audiobook	include	include	No	No
Nuvi 650	$642.84	USA & Can	include	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	option	No	No	No
Nuvi 660	$857.13	USA & Can	include	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	include	include	include	No
Nuvi 670	$1071.41	USA, Can, Euro	include	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	include	include	include	No
Nuvi 680	$964.27	USA & Can	include	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	include	include	include	Available
Nuvi 750	$642.85	USA / Can	include	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	option	No	include	option
Nuvi 760	$857.13	USA / Can	include	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	include	include	include	option
Nuvi 770	$1071.42	USA / Can / Euro	include	4.3″	MP3 / Audiobook	include	include	include	option

200 series - This is a basic entry level line of Nuvi’s. While these may have less feature compared to the 300 series, they serve perfectly well in terms of just navigating with them. For the consumer who just wants a solid navigator without all the extras, the 200 series is just the right price.

300 series - This line of models are probably the most popular of all the series. Featuring plenty of entertainment functions, primarily mp3 playback along with audio book playback, as well as providing the level of navigating performance you would expect. Like all higher end model per series, there are additional features which could make your travels even more comfortable and ejoyable.

600 series - The 600 series is a line of models that feature a beautiful widescreen display. Not only does the widescreen makes reading your maps easier, but displaying pictures and such from your camera memory card is also more enjoyable. This line contains a range of features like all, but primarily the widescreen is most appealing of all.

700 series - This line of series features some of the new and sophisticated navigational software available. Navigating has never been any easier with the extensive software package. The 700 series is practically the overall design that takes the highest end features and is molded into this high tech gadget. This is definitely the line of ultimate travel assistants on the market today.

The Garmin Nuvi 270 is the firms answer to an affordable transatlantic version of the widely known Nuvi models. This particular model is preloaded with North American and European maps, thus all your travel destinations are packed into this small yet powerful handheld navigator. It’s not surprising why the Nuvi’s are so popular among new and veteran GPS consumers, this piece of technology will not only get you to your desired location without getting sidetracked or lost, but it will get you there fast and effectively thanks to GPS technology.

Figure 1: Garmin’s Nuvi 270 is the answer to an affordable transatlantic GPS travel assistant.

Design

Garmin kept in mind that all their handheld Nuvi’s were built to be taken along with the user. They ensured the 270 Nuvi to be compact, sleek, light, yet stylish enough to be easy on the eyes. With a dimension of 3.8″W x 2.8″H x .8″D, the unit remains to be extremely portable. The screen resolution itself is quite acceptable at 320 x 240 pixels, yet with all this it only weighs a feather weight of 5.2 ounces. With a battery life of up to 5 hours, this little pocket assistant will get you through any length of trip.

Figure 2: Simple, clean, and streamlined design keeps the Nuvi 270 looking good while staying portable.

Interface

With such a nice stylish build, it’s not only pretty, but it is also functional. The screen itself is a touch screen just like all the other Nuvi’s. The user selection and inputs are a painless task thanks to the well designed and responsive touch screen. With such technology, going through menus and selections are extremely easy, only requiring minimal pressure on the screen to make that choice; this ultimately makes typing on the screen much faster than if you were to type on buttons themselves. Just like the exterior, the interface is just as you would expect from Garmin. All menus and maps are clean, easy to read, and colorful. Thanks to such a clean menu and map style, the Nuvi itself is incredibly user friendly, making this a perfect model for new users who want to get into using GPS for travel or daily commutes.

Figure 3: The simple and highly effective typing interface can be used to input your desinations and other information with ease.

Navigation

The navigation is a beautiful thing once things are started up. There is only one thing the user has to do to get things moving – that is to define the destination. Once that is inputted, the Nuvi takes charge and plots a best route for you to take, based on your current position. Once the route is ready, all that’s left to do is follow the directions, whether you use the map or listen to the speech that is produced by the Nuvi, you won’t miss those turns or get lost. Each step of the way the Nuvi will guide you along the best projected route. Should you happen to make that unexpected turn during your trip or even a neccessary detour, the Nuvi will ensure that you get back on track right away and plot a new route to your destination based on your new location.

Figure 4: Colorful maps clearly represent all street addresses and locations.	Figure 5: Overhead view on the maps help the user better understand their current location.	Figure 6: Lists of turns are available to allow the user to prepare before embarking on their calculated route.

Other Features

A valuable feature that any traveler will come to cherish is the incredible database of points of interests. These points include hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and more. With this list at your disposal, your travels anywhere become so much more convenient. Simply select a particular service you require and you will be presented with many choices for you to choose from. Pick out what you want and from there the navigations system will route you directly to that place. This is probably the one feature that makes the transatlantic aspect of this model all come together, as it truly is a traveler’s ultimate travel assistant. Of course there are jpeg viewing capabilities and travel tools including: world clock, various converters, calculators, and a bunch more tools that could prove to be quite handy.

Figure 7: Colorful maps clearly represent all street addresses and locations.	Figure 8: A hefty database of points of interests helps the user locate specific location based on catagories to better their travel experience.

Conclusion

The Nuvi 270 is a great example from Garmin of what a GPS travel tool should be like. With a user friendly interface, getting the most out of your Nuvi is only a touch away. The maps are detailed, colorful, and vivid. The speech itself works out to be quite useful in many situations, especially keeping your eyes on the road while still maintaining a steady flow of direction information to you. The Nuvi 270 is the most affordable transatlantic GPS model that Garmin has to offer. While it may be one of the most affordable models it doesn’t make it any less in it’s navigational performance. If that’s all the user needs, then this is the perfect model to get them around North America or Europe without a problem at all. Needless to say, this a great model that has great value. Even if you don’t plan to go transatlantic now, it has the capability to so. Thus if you ever decide to do so in the future, the option is there for you. Affordable, yet navigation performs just like the high end units. Excellent value.

There’s a few other tools in the navi as well, like calculator and things like that should you need it. The Nuvi 270 from garmin gps is truly a part of a traveler’s essentials, being able to carry such a wealth of information in such a compact device is just wonderful. The unit it also pretty astounding for the price that I got it. I highly recommend this product, absolutely no problems.

The structure of this unit is also quite good. I like how the menus and stuff are easy to go into and making your defined destination was easy and simple. This is pretty good for just about any user who just wants to get around places easier.

I did also find that the Garmin 270 does have particularly nice size, shape, and weight, making transporting it around very easy. Updating this unit is also incredibly easy as well, making life easier.

The Nuvi 200 is a basic navigator that operates only in the USA. It lacks the higher coverage that the Nuvi 270 provides, which is a transatlantic model covering both Europe and North American. Both models feature a set of travel tools, such as a calculator, converters, world clock, and much more, essential for the traveller.

Garmin’s Nuvi 200 best for:

The Nuvi 200 is a basic GPS unit that will serve well if that all the consumer seeks for. The lack of features may become an apparently disadvantage when using, however, the Nuvi 200 is the most affordable model available, for continental USA usage.

The Nuvi 270 is a basic transatlantic unit (usable both in Europe or North America) with all your GPS and travel tools needs right at your hands. The Nuvi 250 is a step down from its transatlantic cousin, that navigates just as well but is not compatible across continents. Both features are practically identical in all aspects, except the Nuvi 270 is a transatlantic. Both models do not feature any entertainment functions such as mp3 playback.

Garmin’s Nuvi 250 best for:

The Nuvi 250 is suited to the beginning user, or the user who does not desire the extra features but still require wide map coverage

The Nuvi 270 features great North American coverage, as well as a travel tools package which includes calculators, converters, world clocks, and other essential tools. What the Nuvi 270 lacks that the 350 has is not all too much, except the fact that the Nuvi 350 can be fitted with an optional FM traffic receiver to allow the user to track traffic congestion, as well as mp3 and audio book playback.

Garmin’s Nuvi 350 best for:

The Garmin Nuvi 350 is recommended for the average user who wants the best rounded navigator, in performance, features, and price for North American usage. It is also recommended for the more than often and daily users, as the optional traffic receiving capabilities as well as the entertainment features can prove quite convenient.

The Nuvi 270 and the 360 are both North America ready for use. There is slight differences in that the 360 has Bluetooth connectivity for hands free calling from your mobile phone, as well as it is able to play mp3′s or audio books. The Nuvi 360 is also able to accept an optional FM traffic receiver addon, which allows the user to see exactly which areas have some of the highest traffic so that they can be avoided. Both of these models have a set of essential travel tools which include calculator, convertors, world clocks, and more.

Garmin’s Nuvi 360 best for:

The Nuvi 360 is a model that most suitable to the veteran user in North America. Navigating is efficient with the optional traffic reports, as well as Bluetooth compatibility can help alleviate the stress from handling all calls while driving which isn’t found on the cheaper Garmin Nuvi 270 GPS unit.

Both of these models, the Nuvi 270 and the Nuvi 370, are transatlantic models that are usable in both Europe or North America. The main difference is the features that the Nuvi 370 have over the 270, such as Bluetooth and built-in traffic receiver, both which are popular features that prove to be incredibly convenient and provide value overtime.

Garmin’s Nuvi 370 best for:

The Nuvi 370 is designed for the power user who wants it all, every feature that helps with efficient navigations, the convenience of Bluetooth functions, as well as the entertainment aspects, all bundled up in this Europe and North America ready model.