Garmin nuvi 2555LMT Review

Garmin has been selling 5-inch GPS devices for quite some time now. People like the idea of having larger GPS displays to work with especially when they need to see a lot of map detail when zoomed out. Even if the screen resolution is the same as the 4.3-inch devices, bigger pixels are always easier to look at. Icons that show on the interface also appear larger so they are easier to touch.

But buying any of the affordable 5-inch devices from the 2400 series may not be a clever idea since Garmin announced some new models that represent the 2500 series. This is a bit confusing because there are new 2400 nuvi devices that are 4.3 inches. You can tell if you see the number 5 as the last digit. The Garmin nuvi 2555LMT is one of the most affordable 5-inch devices that are up-to-date and come with the power duo of lifetime features.

Garmin nuvi 2555LMT GPS Navigator

Design

Don't let the design fool you because the nuvi 2555LMT has plenty of improvements under the hood while the exterior retains the looks of previous Garmin devices. It is quite thin and light with nice contoured edges. You can switch orientation by going to Settings > Display > Orientation.

Features

The interface is more intuitive than ever before and it still retains some of the familiar elements that all new users like. The home screen is pretty much unchanged and the two main icons still remain. One of the icons takes you to the map view where you can see the surrounding points of interest, streets, and other areas while the other icon takes you through a process in creating a simple route. Transitioning through the available options is faster and businesses can be quickly located without relying on the menu. Garmin calls this the Garmin Guidance 2.0 interface to show how much of an improvement this interface is over the older one.

This interface also facelifts the lane assist with junction view feature that has been around for several generations of Garmin nuvi products. This refined feature is now called the photoReal junction view and it shows off better visuals in highlighting the proper lane when the route includes any key exits or unfamiliar interchanges. But there are times where you might want to see this view as well as the map so you can see the bigger picture of your planned route. This is why Garmin came up with an interesting split-screen view that effectively shows both. The 5-inch display is most ideal for this and it looks just as good when you rotate to the device to a portrait view.

Going outside of the interface, several tracking technologies are improved too including the way the nuvi 2555LMT monitors traffic. Lifetime raffic is a more significant feature to have because models like the 2555LMT will feature something more advanced called 3D Traffic. The main objective of this feature is to keep you away from those inconvenient traffic tie-ups by checking the conditions a lot more frequently.

The Lifetime Maps benefits is pretty much the same and you will still be allowed to update 4 times a year. But once you get the device, your unit will already have 8 million points of interest which is far more than the past Garmin nuvi models. The no subscription and no cost approach still apply for maps and traffic.

Some minor features like the Garmin Lock feature are missing and the ecoRoute feature needs to be purchased separately. However, you still get a nice set of other essentials like exit services, calculators and converters, pedestrian navigation support, and geotagging support. There is a microSD slot so you can use a compatible card to take advantage of these features. While it doesn't have any MP3 player, you can still load it up with pictures and use the picture viewer to see them. Garmin Garage also gives you some customization options such as changing the look of your on-screen vehicle or changing the voice so your GPS "talks" differently.

Models that have lifetime maps and lifetime traffic characteristics often cost more than $230 while the cheaper devices are stripped down to the bare essentials. The Garmin nuvi 2455LMT surprisingly cuts corners without setting aside some features that may discourage others. A 5-inch GPS device with the latest interface, improved lifetime features, and a $220 price tag is pretty difficult to ignore. 

List Price: $219.99

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