Garmin has announced the new nüvi 700 series satellite navigation system. With the 700 series Garmin has elegantly combined advanced technology with enhancements to its user interface to ensure an intuitive and easy navigation experience. This is combined with elegant design and an integrated antenna to make it exceptionally compact and stylish. It also comes with traffic warnings to tell you of any congestion ahead and safety camera alerts for mobile as well as fixed cameras.

“The Garmin nüvi 700 series allows users to truly enjoy the navigation experience” says EMEA Product Director, Clive Taylor. “We have used the latest technologies such as traffic avoidance to improve your journey – without making it complex. The clear, simple menu is easy to follow, and help features even advise you how to get the most out of your sat-nav if you need extra guidance. We are constantly striving to improve our customers’ experience and the Garmin nüvi 700 series ensures you arrive on time, and relaxed at your destination.”

Each nüvi in the 700 series has traffic alerts, with a free lifetime subscription to traffic services. This enables drivers to avoid congestion and find alternative routes via the sat-nav. Garmin uses the patented Cyclops technology to provide highly accurate safety camera alerts for all its sat-nav systems. It is believed to be the most up-to-date and reliable information available for both fixed and mobile cameras. Advanced trip planning capabilities let users input up to 200 destinations in one route – a great time and fuel saver for salespeople and delivery fleets. It also has a 10,000 point track-log which acts like an electronic breadcrumb trail, remembering exactly where you’ve been. This has many advantages including the ability to view your route afterwards in applications such as Google Earth.

All the Garmin nüvi 700s have a built-in FM transmitter, allowing users to wirelessly transmit directions, telephone calls (selected models) or MP3s through their vehicle’s stereo. Bluetooth® wireless technology is available on the Garmin nüvi 710, 760 and 770 for hands-free calling when paired with compatible phones. Users can find and dial numbers stored in their phone or numbers from the nüvi’s points of interest database (hotels, restaurants, shops and more). This enables phone calls to be made easily and safely while on the move. Text-to-speech is also included on the nüvi 750, 760 and 770 where the actual names of roads are read out loud so there is no confusion over which turn you should take even if there are many roads close by. There is even a built-in picture viewer so you can store and look at all your favourite photos.

Like other widescreen Garmin nüvis, the 700 series boasts a bright, sunlight-readable 4.3-inch colour touchscreen display (480×272 pixels). The design incorporates a high-sensitivity internal GPS antenna that makes it thinner and even easier to mount in a car as well as carry around.

Another new feature which makes the Garmin nüvi 700 series even easier to use is the choice of keyboard style. When typing in a destination users can choose between a Qwerty keyboard or an alphabetical one. This means everyone can use the format they prefer – and speed up their search.

The nüvi 710, 750, 760 and nüvi 770 are expected to be available in October 2007 at an MSRP of £279.99/€399, €449, £369.99/€499 and £449.99/€599 including VAT respectively. (The nüvi 750 is not available in the UK)

*Available in selected European Countries

Source: Garmin