8×5 series – The second-generation voice command nuvi lineup.800 series – The first nuvis with voice recognition.7×5T series – Another high-end line that adds lifetime traffic (except for the 785T), lane assist and 3-D buildings to the nuvi 700 series features.700 series – These units incorporate the high-end features of the 600 series, with the internal antenna found on the 200 series.Marrying a 4.3” wide screen and nuvi 300 series features, it was introduced in September 2006 DISCONTINUED 600 series – An early high-end line, this group includes the nuvi 650, 660, 670 and 680.Based on the 2×5 series and introduced in July 2008 500 series – “Crossover” models designed for driving, hiking, cycling and boating.465T– A trucker-friendly model introduced in March 2009.Introduced in September 2005 DISCONTINUED 300 series – The original nuvi series, it has more features than the 200 series.295W – An oddball, and not really part of the 2×5 series, the 295W is the first nuvi to offer WiFi.2×5T series – Updated the 2×5 series, adding free lifetime traffic and Bluetooth.Like the 200 series, the “W” models sport a 4.3” wide screen. 2×5 series – A subsequent entry-level line added several new features, including speed limit and trip log display.200W series – The 200W, 250W and 260W added 4.3” wide-screen models to the 200 series.The 200 series was the first nuvi group with an internal antenna, giving them a less obtrusive profile. 200 series – This was Garmin’s first budget, entry-level lineup.x2, x4 series – The 2013 Essential series.The 30 series models have 3.5″ screens, the 40 series has 4.3″ screens and the 50 series has 5.0″ screens. x0 series – Entry-level models, AKA the 2012 Essential series.These are fairly broad strokes - for more details, see my Garmin nuvi comparison chart. I’ll go through each series in numerical order below that is a chart which breaks them down by date of introduction. So here’s the low down on the various nuvi series available in the US. It seems that Garmin is trying to create a nuvi for everyone, but with so many models in the marketplace, they’ve also created quite a bit of confusion.

Garmin nuvi models by year