News about Garmin the company, its Nüvi GPS line specifically, and general GPS-related stories of interest from around the world. Also featured are special items taken from our sales listings that have generated significant interest on eBay.

Cheapest Garmin Nuvi prices online for Friday, February 29, 2008

Posted: February 29, 2008 at 9:03 am EST

These are the price comparisons of several leading online electronics vendors for Garmin Nuvi GPS models, as of Friday, February 29, 2008. Google vendors represent the top electronics sellers listed on Google Checkout, chosen by Google for relevance. eBay prices are drawn from the top 100 relevant results for each model, with auction/bidding prices excluded; only Nuvis that can be purchased right now for a fixed price (”BuyItNow”) are represented.

Models with insufficient data (for example, less than two eBay vendors) are omitted.

This information is posted at http://www.gpsnuvi.com/blog daily. For even more up-to-the-minute information, see Price Trends on each model’s details page (click the model numbers below).

To automatically see this list every day, subscribe to the RSS feed.

Nuvi 200
Garmin SRP: $267.84
Top 20 Google vendors average: $261.35 [98% of SRP]
Top 43 eBay vendors average: $183.14 [68% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $138.88 [52% of SRP]

Nuvi 200W
Garmin SRP: $321.41
Top 20 Google vendors average: $248.19 [77% of SRP]
Top 67 eBay vendors average: $257.41 [80% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $179.95 [56% of SRP]

Nuvi 250
Garmin SRP: $32141
Top 20 Google vendors average: $348.31 [108% of SRP]
Top 33 eBay vendors average: $219.46 [68% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $167.99 [52% of SRP]

Nuvi 250W
Garmin SRP: $374.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $305.72 [82% of SRP]
Top 33 eBay vendors average: $227.22 [61% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $161.95 [43% of SRP]

Nuvi 260
Garmin SRP: $374.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $357.91 [95% of SRP]
Top 37 eBay vendors average: $276.30 [74% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $214.00 [57% of SRP]

Nuvi 260W
Garmin SRP: $428.56
Top 20 Google vendors average: $345.76 [81% of SRP]
Top 10 eBay vendors average: $395.99 [92% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $394.99 [92% of SRP]

Nuvi 270
Garmin SRP: $482.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $365.25 [76% of SRP]
Top 26 eBay vendors average: $380.00 [79% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $299.00 [62% of SRP]

Nuvi 350
Garmin SRP: $482.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $386.96 [80% of SRP]
Top 45 eBay vendors average: $274.36 [57% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $219.99 [46% of SRP]

Nuvi 360
Garmin SRP: $589.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $420.51 [71% of SRP]
Top 23 eBay vendors average: $344.86 [59% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $274.95 [47% of SRP]

Nuvi 370
Garmin SRP: $696.41
Top 20 Google vendors average: $571.97 [82% of SRP]
Top 32 eBay vendors average: $679.51 [98% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $448.75 [64% of SRP]

Nuvi 650
Garmin SRP: $589.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $414.22 [70% of SRP]
Top 12 eBay vendors average: $484.67 [82% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $404.99 [69% of SRP]

Nuvi 660 ←Today’s best deal
Garmin SRP: $749.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $473.28 [63% of SRP]
Top 47 eBay vendors average: $351.94 [47% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $319.99 [43% of SRP]

Nuvi 670
Garmin SRP: $857.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $589.14 [69% of SRP]
Top 37 eBay vendors average: $670.19 [78% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $439.99 [51% of SRP]

Nuvi 680
Garmin SRP: $857.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $600.40 [70% of SRP]
Top 49 eBay vendors average: $606.60 [71% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $414.99 [48% of SRP]

Nuvi 750
Garmin SRP: $589.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $477.19 [81% of SRP]
Top 5 eBay vendors average: $433.99 [74% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $408.00 [69% of SRP]

Nuvi 760
Garmin SRP: $749.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $565.53 [75% of SRP]
Top 45 eBay vendors average: $549.03 [73% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $445.00 [59% of SRP]

Nuvi 770
Garmin SRP: $964.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $761.01 [79% of SRP]
Top 23 eBay vendors average: $693.88 [72% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $615.00 [64% of SRP]

Nuvi 5000
Garmin SRP: $857.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $728.65 [85% of SRP]
Top 4 eBay vendors average: $729.00 [85% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $729.00 [85% of SRP]

Garmin’s decision to use an umlaut for Nuvi looking smart as they get sued by Nuvio

Posted: February 29, 2008 at 12:45 am EST

A company called Nuvio, a communications company providing, among other things, internet phone services, is demanding that Garmin immediately stop using the name “Nüvi” for its new telephones, the Nuvifone.

It appeared that, in the internet age, Garmin was shooting itself in the foot by adding the Ü to the product’s name in the first place - do a search on Google for “nuvi” and the search engine will understand that it’s the same as “nüvi” and give you all the results together, but many search services aren’t as intuitive. It seemed that users would have a slightly harder time finding information about the Nüvi, and that could make or break a company. Fortunately, Garmin squeezed by that, and blossomed into the industry leader.

So does Nuvio have a leg to stand on? Let’s look at some of the arguments:

In Nuvio’s favor…
• Nuvio was founded in 2003; Garmin announced the Nüvi on September 12, 2005 (read the original press release here).
• Nuvio and Nüvi are undeniably similar words.
• According to Nuvio’s CEO Jason Talley, “Our customers commonly refer to our service as the Nuvio phone.” This is borne out by a scan of the company’s website, which has mentioned the phrase “Nuvio phone” in the past, though usually quoting others, and rarely if ever officially. “Nuvio phone” is one way to refer to the company’s phone service, but far from common.

In Garmin’s favor…
• Nuvio’s services seem only tangentially related (to put it charitably) to what Garmin does, even the Nüvifone. Nuvio is demanding that Garmin stop using the word on it GPS devices - quite a reach, since Nuvio is not involved in the same business.
• In the business world, might makes right, and Garmin is mighty. Far more people have heard of Garmin than Nuvio, and its resources are much deeper than Nuvio’s could ever hope to be.

OUR PREDICTION
Garmin will keep using the name Nüvi, and not have to pay Nuvio anything.

At least that’s what we’re hoping. Nuvio may have chanced into a similarly-named product, but the similarity is thin already; stretching it so far that a lawsuit is in order is so clearly a misguided attempt at cashing in on a minor coincidence that we don’t think Nuvio deserves a penny.

It’s like when the Beatles’ Apple Corp. sued Apple Computers because Steve Jobs had come out with some minor piano keyboard device. Apple Corp. decided that anything music-related from Apple Computers would confuse people, hence the lawsuit. Completely retarded. Obviously so.

Furthering the disconnect between reality and law is not a good thing. Nuvio’s cynical ploy to get a few million dollars (or whatever they’re looking for) deserves to be consigned to the trash can of legal history.

Garmin isn’t trying to steal your customers. Lighten up, Francis.

Cheapest Garmin Nuvi prices online for Thursday, February 28, 2008

Posted: February 28, 2008 at 9:05 am EST

These are the price comparisons of several leading online electronics vendors for Garmin Nuvi GPS models, as of Thursday, February 28, 2008. Google vendors represent the top electronics sellers listed on Google Checkout, chosen by Google for relevance. eBay prices are drawn from the top 100 relevant results for each model, with auction/bidding prices excluded; only Nuvis that can be purchased right now for a fixed price (”BuyItNow”) are represented.

Models with insufficient data (for example, less than two eBay vendors) are omitted.

This information is posted at http://www.gpsnuvi.com/blog daily. For even more up-to-the-minute information, see Price Trends on each model’s details page (click the model numbers below).

To automatically see this list every day, subscribe to the RSS feed.

Nuvi 200
Garmin SRP: $267.84
Top 20 Google vendors average: $260.84 [97% of SRP]
Top 44 eBay vendors average: $193.94 [72% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $138.88 [52% of SRP]

Nuvi 200W
Garmin SRP: $321.41
Top 20 Google vendors average: $248.19 [77% of SRP]
Top 71 eBay vendors average: $259.70 [81% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $179.95 [56% of SRP]

Nuvi 250
Garmin SRP: $321.41
Top 20 Google vendors average: $349.57 [109% of SRP]
Top 46 eBay vendors average: $256.75 [80% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $167.99 [52% of SRP]

Nuvi 250W
Garmin SRP: $374.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $305.72 [82% of SRP]
Top 27 eBay vendors average: $196.60 [52% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $161.95 [43% of SRP]

Nuvi 260
Garmin SRP: $374.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $358.62 [96% of SRP]
Top 38 eBay vendors average: $276.21 [74% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $199.00 [53% of SRP]

Nuvi 260W
Garmin SRP: $428.56
Top 20 Google vendors average: $345.76 [81% of SRP]
Top 11 eBay vendors average: $395.44 [92% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $394.99 [92% of SRP]

Nuvi 270
Garmin SRP: $482.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $362.20 [75% of SRP]
Top 28 eBay vendors average: $379.39 [79% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $299.00 [62% of SRP]

Nuvi 350
Garmin SRP: $482.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $387.96 [80% of SRP]
Top 47 eBay vendors average: $273.02 [57% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $219.99 [46% of SRP]

Nuvi 360
Garmin SRP: $589.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $418.66 [71% of SRP]
Top 23 eBay vendors average: $340.21 [58% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $274.95 [47% of SRP]

Nuvi 370
Garmin SRP: $696.41
Top 20 Google vendors average: $615.15 [88% of SRP]
Top 33 eBay vendors average: $655.12 [94% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $448.75 [64% of SRP]

Nuvi 650
Garmin SRP: $589.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $414.22 [70% of SRP]
Top 15 eBay vendors average: $482.15 [82% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $404.99 [69% of SRP]

Nuvi 660 ←Today’s best deal
Garmin SRP: $749.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $472.68 [63% of SRP]
Top 41 eBay vendors average: $361.54 [48% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $322.95 [43% of SRP]

Nuvi 670
Garmin SRP: $857.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $586.54 [68% of SRP]
Top 38 eBay vendors average: $665.51 [78% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $439.99 [51% of SRP]

Nuvi 680
Garmin SRP: $857.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $606.16 [71% of SRP]
Top 42 eBay vendors average: $657.15 [77% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $414.99 [48% of SRP]

Nuvi 750
Garmin SRP: $589.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $477.19 [81% of SRP]
Top 7 eBay vendors average: $438.99 [74% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $408.00 [69% of SRP]

Nuvi 760
Garmin SRP: $749.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $565.67 [75% of SRP]
Top 45 eBay vendors average: $547.20 [73% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $445.00 [59% of SRP]

Nuvi 770
Garmin SRP: $964.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $761.04 [79% of SRP]
Top 24 eBay vendors average: $695.90 [72% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $619.99 [64% of SRP]

Nuvi 5000
Garmin SRP: $857.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $718.35 [84% of SRP]
Top 4 eBay vendors average: $729.00 [85% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $729.00 [85% of SRP]

Cheapest Garmin Nuvi prices online for Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Posted: February 27, 2008 at 9:03 am EST

These are the price comparisons of several leading online electronics vendors for Garmin Nuvi GPS models, as of Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Google vendors represent the top electronics sellers listed on Google Checkout, chosen by Google for relevance. eBay prices are drawn from the top 100 relevant results for each model, with auction/bidding prices excluded; only Nuvis that can be purchased right now for a fixed price (”BuyItNow”) are represented.

Models with insufficient data (for example, less than two eBay vendors) are omitted.

This information is posted at http://www.gpsnuvi.com/blog daily. For even more up-to-the-minute information, see Price Trends on each model’s details page (click the model numbers below).

To automatically see this list every day, subscribe to the RSS feed.

Nuvi 200
Garmin SRP: $267.84
Top 20 Google vendors average: $251.30 [94% of SRP]
Top 44 eBay vendors average: $166.84 [62% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $138.99 [52% of SRP]

Nuvi 200W
Garmin SRP: $321.41
Top 20 Google vendors average: $248.19 [77% of SRP]
Top 72 eBay vendors average: $264.77 [82% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $160.00 [50% of SRP]

Nuvi 250
Garmin SRP: $321.41
Top 20 Google vendors average: $352.81 [110% of SRP]
Top 47 eBay vendors average: $259.22 [81% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $169.99 [53% of SRP]

Nuvi 250W
Garmin SRP: $374.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $305.72 [82% of SRP]
Top 28 eBay vendors average: $200.14 [53% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $161.95 [43% of SRP]

Nuvi 260
Garmin SRP: $37499
Top 20 Google vendors average: $343.21 [92% of SRP]
Top 42 eBay vendors average: $272.38 [73% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $199.00 [53% of SRP]

Nuvi 260W
Garmin SRP: $428.56
Top 20 Google vendors average: $342.38 [80% of SRP]
Top 11 eBay vendors average: $395.37 [92% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $379.99 [89% of SRP]

Nuvi 270
Garmin SRP: $482.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $361.40 [75% of SRP]
Top 26 eBay vendors average: $389.10 [81% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $300.00 [62% of SRP]

Nuvi 350
Garmin SRP: $482.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $387.01 [80% of SRP]
Top 52 eBay vendors average: $254.70 [53% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $219.99 [46% of SRP]

Nuvi 360
Garmin SRP: $589.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $349.29 [59% of SRP]
Top 25 eBay vendors average: $341.63 [58% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $274.95 [47% of SRP]

Nuvi 370
Garmin SRP: $696.41
Top 20 Google vendors average: $592.18 [85% of SRP]
Top 32 eBay vendors average: $655.12 [94% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $448.75 [64% of SRP]

Nuvi 650
Garmin SRP: $589.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $406.47 [69% of SRP]
Top 16 eBay vendors average: $485.61 [82% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $404.99 [69% of SRP]

Nuvi 660 ←Today’s best deal
Garmin SRP: $749.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $467.21 [62% of SRP]
Top 33 eBay vendors average: $385.59 [51% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $322.95 [43% of SRP]

Nuvi 670
Garmin SRP: $857.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $605.54 [71% of SRP]
Top 39 eBay vendors average: $674.82 [79% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $439.99 [51% of SRP]

Nuvi 680
Garmin SRP: $857.13
Top 20 Google vendors average: $606.16 [71% of SRP]
Top 46 eBay vendors average: $659.43 [77% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $414.99 [48% of SRP]

Nuvi 750
Garmin SRP: $589.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $477.19 [81% of SRP]
Top 8 eBay vendors average: $411.83 [70% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $404.95 [69% of SRP]

Nuvi 760
Garmin SRP: $749.99
Top 20 Google vendors average: $565.97 [75% of SRP]
Top 43 eBay vendors average: $561.69 [75% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $445.00 [59% of SRP]

Nuvi 770
Garmin SRP: $964.27
Top 20 Google vendors average: $761.04 [79% of SRP]
Top 23 eBay vendors average: $699.49 [73% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $619.99 [64% of SRP]

Nuvi 880
Garmin SRP: $1,071.41
Top 20 Google vendors average: $886.62 [83% of SRP]
Top 3 eBay vendors average: $889.99 [83% of SRP]
eBay lowest price: $889.99 [83% of SRP]

More map problems for Garmin Nuvi: Dead End Streets

Posted: February 26, 2008 at 12:13 pm EST

We keep reporting on this but it keeps happening.

There is another story about drivers following their GPS into places they shouldn’t be, this time from Secaucus, New Jersey. There is an industrial area next to a residential area; the two are separated by a dividing fence that is open only on weekdays, and then only a couple hours each day.

The gate is on Fifth Street, which goes through the residential area and turns into Enterprise Ave N at the fence as it enters the industrial section:

Secaucus, New Jersey industrial area (where Fifth Street meets Enterprise Avenue N)

Residents have been complaining for over a year, according to Secaucus mayor Dennis Elwell, about trucks trying to reach Enterprise and getting stuck at the dead end. Garmin’s maps, apparently even the 2008 updates, show the route as clear, and as trucks get to the end of Fifth Street, the drivers find they can’t continue through the dead end.

The obstruction is visible on Google Maps:

The gate separating Fifth Street and Enterprise Avenue N

Some trucks are too big to turn around; the police have to be called to open the gate. Either way, the truck ends up clogging the residential traffic for some time.

Analysis
Is this just growing pains of GPS technology, or is this type of problem going to be here in some magnitude or other for a long time? As drivers come to rely not on prior knowledge or local advice, but on high-tech devices that have an air of reliability, it will be interesting to see if the handiness of GPS units continues to overshadow the aggravation of getting lost (or, for the especially dim driver, being directed into oncoming trains).

Garmin’s response
As for Garmin, they told the Associated Press that their process for changing mistakes on their maps is a long bureaucratic mess. (A complaint must be lodged with the company, starting a lengthy review process.)

Why Garmin is so loathe to change something that is obviously broken is puzzling (after a year, one would hope the problem had been cheerfully corrected on all new map software). Hopefully they will come around soon and put more focus on keeping the maps current and usable.