Garmin nuvi 255W Product Report
March 7, 2009
With the number of GPS systems on the market growing all of the time, it can be difficult to find the information you need to choose the best GPS for your particular needs. Every model has pros and cons that need to be evaluated before you make a final decision. For starters, you might want to look at price. GPS system prices can be less than $100 for the most basic units and climb to over $1,000 depending on the specific features and capabilities you want. When you look into the choices that are available, one of the options you’ll want to examine is the Garmin Nuvi 255w.
Garmin products are considered to be the Cadillacs of the GPS world, and the Nuvi 255 is no exception. The 255 is portable and will fit into almost any pocket or purse and also mounts on the windshield or dash while driving. Text-to-speech allow directions to be given clearly and concisely. Instead of hearing “Turn left in 2/10’s of a mile” as in some more basic models, the 255W includes the street name in the verbal directions, “Turn left on Main Street”. in 500 feet”. Since your GPS will speak to you, albeit in somewhat robotic tones, you won’t be distracted by having to look
at the 3.3″ screen often.
The Garmin Nuvi 255 is preloaded with maps of all of North America. In addition, the unit has a JPEG picture viewer, a rechargeable lithium battery, a currency and measurement converter, and a world clock.The anti-glare display provides easy viewing, especially when combined with the touch screen technology. With the larger screen of the nuvi 255W you will see more of the area you are driving in than with a smaller screen unit.
Of course, like with all GPS technology, there are some downside issues to contend with when using the Nuvi 255. You need to be aware up front that the price of the unit itself is not the only cost you will be facing. Although software updates are part of the package, you’ll only get map updates by paying extra fees. These updates can be purchased singly or as lifetime deals. Another potential expense is that you won’t be able to replace the battery yourself. Although the battery is designed to last for a number of years, if it should happen to crash on you, you may or may not be able to find a technician who’ll be able to change it for you, especially at a cost that’s economically-feasible.
Other Garmin Nuvi 255w reviews have commented that the user’s manual is too basic to be of any assistance, but some say that the operation is so simple that anyone should be able to figure it out. Although there is a website to help you if you run into problems, some users find it to lacking in useful information and not very user friendly. If you’re trying to plot the route of a long trip, it’s also likely that you’re going to end up frustrated because there isn’t enough memory to do long, elaborate planning like this.
The overridding consensus is that the Garmin 255W is an easy to use device which balances the need for features but still being affordable. If you’re interested in having your GPS be equipped with Bluetooth capabilities so that you have hands-free calling, this isn’t the model you’ll want to buy. But if you need a basic GPS unit that will be easy to use and reliable, the nuvi 255W is going to be a solid choice.
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