Wife wants to get a GPS for her car

The 660 is a great GPS with unique features that you will pay dearly for today to duplicate. Most all units today have none of these features. I like my 660 for it's security code feature, and why Garmin doesn't make that standard on their new units is beyond me.

Anyway, you have an uphill climb to make on matching the 660. I love my 2595 with the 5" screen but it ain't like the 660 with audio books and car speakers, on long trips. martin

I might consider another 660 from a power seller on Ebay. The 660 gets you hooked. m

It still depends on how she uses your unit. Does she need routes or is happy with just point A to B routing? Voice activated? There are a lot of additional questions that need answers and it can only be determined by talking to your wife and learning her needs, not your wants. We men tend to overbuy stuff because we are into the bells, whistles and esoteric features. If she isn't that comfortable with your 660, then anything much above a basic "Essential" unit isn't going to get you much.

Actually She uses routes, voices, POI's...

And is familiar with how to get to them via the 660 menus...

The only item I added was traffic, and that would not be necessarily needed.

Tell me this.... If I do get another 660, and it was previously registered, can it be transferred to our name, and Lifetime maps be assigned to it?

Be cautious. The nuvi 6x0 series can cause more grief than other earlier and later models (scroll down to the bottom of the link for 660 cable woes):

http://www.sharc.net/gps_LCD_repair.htm

A used 660 would also likely have a weak battery.

In my way of thinking, buying a used 660 and then lifetime maps will cost you more and offer you less than buying a more recent LMT model, even a refurb or discontinued model.

Another issue with the 660 is that it's a 2GB-memory device and is not a nuvi series offered automatic full map updates to SD cards. Obtaining the full map update four times a year on a 660 will be more of a hassle than with nuvi models that have more memory or models that are offered auto-SD-card map updates.

But to answer your question, if you obtain a used 660 that is registered to a past owner, it can only be registered in your name if the previous owner goes into their account and removes the 660. I believe that it is now possible to add lifetime maps to a unit even when it can not be registered in your name due to a past still-valid registration--but someone will need to confirm this to be sure of my thought.

It appears that your wife really wants a 660. Another option if your requirements are less specific than your wife's is to give her your 660 and then buy yourself a newer model (with Lane Assist, Junction View, etc.)

At least 2 things the newer units don't have is the MP3 player and decent Bluetooth. The 259X models are worth looking at as they have what you want for less than $200.

If you should decide to get your wife another 660 I'd like to give you some information you may find useful.

The 660 did have some touch screen problems on some 660 models, it was related to the touchscreen ribbon cable connection. Click on the link below and scroll down and you can find the information there.

http://www.sharc.net/gps_LCD_repair.htm

Jim at sharcnet is a member of this forum and does repairs. Basically what he is saying some newer 660 models used a new type of touchscreen that had issues, the older models did not.
Those that are apt to HAVE problems are the units with the following serial numbers beginning in 12P, 13N, 14V, or 143. Those less apt to have problems (older models) beginning with serial # 186.

I can personally vouch for the validity of this information. I bought a 660 from Amazon shortly before it was discontinued for 300.00. The touchscreen on it began to malfunction. That unit had a serial # beginning with 12P (bad touchscreens). I then purchased a used one on Ebay for 65.00,. After reading Jim's information, before I purchased a replacement 660 I asked the seller for the prefix on the serial #, he replied with 186 and I bought the unit.

That unit is over 6 years old, still works perfectly and the original battery still holds a full charge.
More than likely you will have to buy a replacement on Ebay so take your time and question the seller on the serial number to try to find one with the 186 prefix. I'm not saying all the newer Nuvi 660’s will have touchscreen problems, but getting one that reduces the risk is a wiser choice.

I use my 660 as a backup and it has never failed me.
If updated maps are a concern you can always use the free Garmin Openstreet maps found here:
http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

The maps don't have junction views but the 660 doesn't have that feature so it's unimportant.

I read the Title as "Wife wants to get a GPS for her cat"

Oh my....

According to your survey you claimed to be an E,
are you sure your an E and not an F.
That would explain it, it's not your eyes it's your mind.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/39732

I think I'm still an F, not certain, let me go check my drivers license.

Thanks for the touchscreen information...
I have a lead on an 660, and yes, the battery needs replacing... I'll check the serial number against the bad touchscreen #'s...

You're very welcome.
Have you checked the serial on your own 660?
I would think it's a 12P. While looking to buy a replacement, many of the Ebay sellers informed me their units began with serial # 12P.

Getting closer to that F each day...

Mybe its all that Beer that I drink.. Hey, I AM a Retired Marine...

And I may be getting closer to an G whatever age that unpublished figure may be. I don't drink beer, at least you have an excuse since I have none.
Go have a cold one on me.

660? Which year was this post?

I got 3750 two years back, $120. As useful as it gets. I have no interest in traffic, bluetooth, voice command, etc., etc.

Still on original battery... Maps now on SD card, and I couldn't be happier with it...

It must be 6 or so years old???

You've got a keeper, interesting to see you too have the original battery as I do. On the topic of batteries, the 660 has a published rate of 7 hour battery life. No new units come near that figure. My 2460 has a published rate of 3 hrs. That battery starts losing power within the first 10 minutes. Granted brightness is at 100% but so is my 660's.
If pedestrian mode is ever needed, the 660 would leave the 2460 in the dust.

It's true, buying a new unit with lifetime maps would make more economical sense, however, I feel the old saying goes, "they just don't build them like they used to". To my dismay, we now live in a throw away society.

With nine lives that cat may do a lot of traveling and need a GPS.

Bobkz,

My eyes aren't what they used to be either.

No excuses needed for mis-reading the title. Being a Retired Marine be proud. Carry on! Thanks for your service.

Semper Fi!!!