Garmin Nuvi 610 Review

The Garmin Nuvi 610 is a light, slim widescreen Personal Navigational Device that packs in a few extras. Features for the 610 include Bluetooth technology with a built-in speaker and microphone, so pair it with your Bluetooth compatible phone, and you can talk hands free while driving. You just dial the numbers using the screen to make a call. To answer incoming calls, just tap the screen and talk. You can also program one-touch dialing for points of interest, such as hotels, restaurants, etc., and make reservations while you’re on your way.

Navigation is as easy to see as it is to use. With the super bright 4.3 inch widescreen, viewing your directions is as easy as getting them. It comes ready to go with preloaded map data for one European region or country. If you plan to use it outside of the European area, however, you’ll need to upgrade. It will cost you extra, but the extra features of the Nuvi 610 may be well worth it. You’ll receive your destination directions in 2D or 3D maps, and with turn by turn voice directions. You can also program custom points of interest, such as school zones, and safety cameras. Some versions include a preloaded safety camera database. Another upgrade that’s available is the traffic receiver and traffic services database. You can be notified of road construction, accidents, and traffic jams ahead of time, so you can re-route your course if necessary. And if you take a wrong turn, the Nuvi 610 will re-navigate from where you are, and send you on your way to where you’re going in a matter of seconds. The satellite connection is great, even indoors. No waiting for clear skies to use it, use it when you need it, no matter what the weather.

Of course, one of the best features is the slim design. You can literally take it with you wherever you go. It’s small enough and light enough at only 6.2 ounces to put in your purse, or even your shirt pocket. And the slim design makes it great for walking or hiking, as it’s programmed for that too.


Entertainment features include an MP3 player and audio book player. Perfect for long trips. It also features a JPEG picture viewer, currency converter, calculator, anti-theft device, and much more.

If you’re in the market for a GPS device that is reliable and convenient to use, combined with Bluetooth technology, then the Garmin Nuvi 610 may be just what you’ve been looking for. It’s a great way to get from where you are to where you’re going with ease.

Product Description

Answer the call to adventure with nüvi 610, a sleek navigator and personal travel assistant. Sold exclusively in Europe, nüvi 610 comes with preloaded map data for a specific region or country on the continent and includes a colorful widescreen display and hands-free calling.

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nüvi 610 features a super-bright 4.3″ widescreen display for improved map viewing, POI lookup and MP3/audio book playback. This landscape display has white backlight and a touchscreen for easy use.

Navigate With Ease

nüvi 610 comes preloaded with City Navigator NT map data for one European region or country. Simply touch the sunlight-readable color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. In addition, nüvi 610 accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. Some versions even include a preloaded safety camera database.

Make Hands-free Calls

Talk about worry-free driving. nüvi 610 integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can pair it with your compatible Bluetooth phone. Then talk hands-free through the 610 while staying focused on the road. Simply dial numbers with nüvi’s touch screen keypad to make a call. To answer calls, just tap nüvi’s screen and speak directly into its built-in microphone. You can also easily look up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or from your phone’s call history log. With 1-touch dialing for POIs, you can conveniently call ahead for reservations or information.

Add Traffic Alerts

Avoid traffic jams with the addition of an FM TMC traffic receiver and traffic services. By adding these to your nüvi, you are notified of accidents or road construction ahead on your route. Simply touch the screen to view traffic details or recalculate your route to avoid traffic. Select nüvi 610 models also include an integrated traffic receiver and services (click versions tab to view all).

Take It With You

Like the rest of the nüvi series, nüvi 610 sports a sleek, slim design and fits comfortably in your pocket or purse. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot.

Go Beyond Navigation

Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 610 includes many “must have” entertainment and travel tools including MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, currency converters and more. It also comes with Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map. Optional software on plug-and-play SD cards for language translation, detailed travel guide and savings program allows you to customize your nüvi for your travel needs.

Physical & Performance: 
Unit dimensions, WxHxD:4.9″W x 2.9″H x .9″D (12.4 x 7.4 x 2.3 cm)
Display size, WxH:3.81″W x 2.25″H (9.7 x 5.7 cm); 4.3″ diag (10.9 cm)
Display resolution, WxH:480 x 272 pixels
Display type:WQVGA color TFT with white backlight
Weight:6.2 ounces (190 g)
Battery:rechargeable lithium-ion
Battery life:up to 7 hours
Waterproof:no
High-sensitivity receiver:yes
RoHS version available:yes
Maps & Memory: 
Basemap:yes
Preloaded maps:yes (regional)
Ability to add maps:yes
Built-in memory:internal solid state
Accepts data cards:SD card (not included)
Waypoints:500
Routes:0
Features: 
Voice prompts (e.g. “Turn right in 500 ft.”):yes (internal speaker)
Speaks street names (e.g. “Turn right ON ELM STREET in 500 ft.”) :no
3D map view:yes
Auto sort multiple destinations (provides most direct route):no
Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation):yes
Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road):yes
Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.):yes
Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest):yes
Hands-free calling with Bluetooth® wireless technology:yes
FM traffic compatible:yes
XM Navtraffic (includes basic weather) & Radio for U.S. compatible:no
MSN® Direct for U.S. compatible:no
MP3 player:yes
Audio book player:yes
Picture viewer:yes
Configurable vehicle icons (select car-shaped icons for map navigation):yes
World travel clock, currency & measurement converter, calculator:yes
Touchscreen:yes
Remote control:no
FM transmitter:no
Headphone jack/audio line-out:yes
Dead reckoning:no
Garmin Lock™ (anti-theft feature):yes
Motorcycle-friendly:no
Additional:This USB Mass Storage device is compatible with Windows® 2000 or later and Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

What’s in the Box: 

  • nüvi 610
  • Preloaded City Navigator® NT data for one European region or country (click versions tab to view all)
  • Vehicle suction cup mount*
  • Vehicle power cable
  • Dashboard disk
  • USB cable
  • Carrying case
  • Owner’s manual on disk
  • Quick reference guide

Package contents may vary per version. See your local dealer for more information.

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