Garmin nuvi 255W Review

Loaded with countless maps for either all of North America or Europe, the Garmin nuvi 255W is quite an improvement over its predecessors in the nuvi 200 series of GPS navigators. It comes with a bright widescreen display, easy to use, and priced for the budget conscious.

Garmin nuvi 255W GPS Navigator

Product Overview

The Garmin 255W features a newly redesigned interface that not only offers more visible information but is also easy to use, even for the novice or those who are completely new to the world of GPS and personal navigators. Ready to use right out of the box, the 255W model has simple controls and sub-screens for more details and easy access to the many onscreen icons that will perform a host of useful functions, including the Text-to-Speech (TTS) feature that announces street names and upcoming exits, instead of the generic, "turn left in 500 feet."

The nuvi 255W has a 4.3 inch antiglare screen that displays 70% more of the road around you. Full color display in front of a white backlight makes the device readable at any angle or in the sunlight. Because the 255W has a built-in antenna as opposed to the flip-up type, it's slim, compact, and fits neatly in a pocket or purse for taking it on the go.

Included with the purchase of the nuvi 255W by Garmin is the Quick Start manual, dashboard disc, and vehicle power cable and suction cup mount. Depending on the features being used, the included rechargeable battery will operate the device for up to four hours without being connected to a power source, making it easy to bring the 255W along while exploring an area by foot.

Also included are three month subscriptions to both MSN Connect, which offers a variety of information such as gas prices, stock market details, movie listings, local events and more, and another to TMC Clear Channel traffic broadcasts. After three months, users will have to pay subscription fees for both if they want to keep the services.

Actual user review:
• "We had never used a GPS before, and bought this for a long trip - 8200 miles - we are dong next month. We just tried it out over 2 days of driving, and it is really wonderful. What an amazing tool! This will really help in areas where we are completely unfamiliar with the land and where to find resources. The voice is very clear and gives plenty of warning when we need to make a turn ahead. Great tool for any traveler. " - J.Eddy (VT, USA)

Notable Benefits and Features

Like all of the nuvis by Garmin, the 255W model comes loaded with large database of roughly six million points of interest (POI), which include establishments such as restaurants, local attractions, hotels, ATM machines and banks, fuel stations, and plenty more. Also, this particular nuvi is capable of accepting custom POI from third parties, allowing the user to enter their own places of interest to the list.

With features like digital elevation maps you're able to see more details with the nuvi 255W, giving you a better idea as to the actual surrounding terrain. And, if you're interested in navigating with the help of actual photographs, the 255W is compatible with Garmin's Connect Photos which gives users the chance to choose from millions and millions of geo-located pictures that come from the photo sharing community of Google's Panoramio.

The "Where Am I?" emergency locator feature gives users the peace of mind while traveling as with one touch of the icon the unit will display the closest intersections or addresses as well as listing the exact latitude and longitude of your location, even the nearest hospitals, police stations and fuel stations.

Customize your navigation experience by choosing from one of many car shaped icons that will represent your place on the map with the Garmin Garage feature that offers icons such as tanks, motorcycles, RV's sport's cars, and more. Garmin Lock, the company's patent pending antitheft system, is also included with the 255W model and works by disabling the unit from operating unless it is taken to a secure location that's determined ahead of time, or by entering a personal identification number (PIN).

Going beyond navigation, the Garmin nuvi 255W also includes several travel tools such as the world time clock with accurate time zones, the currency and measurement converters, the JPEG picture viewer, calculator and others.

Technical Specifications

Antenna: Built-in
Battery: Rechargeable lithium ion, runs for up to 4 hours without power
Connectivity: USB cable (not included)
Dimensions: 3.81" (W) x 0.8" (D) x 2.25" (H)
Display: QVGA color antiglare with white backlight, 480 x 272 pixels
Expansion Slots: microSD card (not included)
Included Accessories: Set up and go guide, dashboard disc, vehicle power cable and suction cup mount
Included Software: City Navigator NT Street Maps for North America or Europe, three month subscription to MSN Direct for U.S. with optional receiver, three month subscription to TMC Clear Channel traffic broadcasts
Voice Capabilities: Yes, voice prompts, text to speech street names for North America version only

More user reviews:

• "I could not be happier with my new GPS. Very accurate. I REALLY like the way the unit announces the name of the road for your turn. My GPS in my HONDA just says "in 200 feet TURN Right" the Garmin unit says "turn right onto Bradock Rd." when the roads are close together or you have a complicated intersection giving the road name is a GREAT benefit." - T.Jung, (Virginia, USA)

• "This is my first GPS unit. Just about everyone said to go with a Garmin and so many positive reviews on Amazon gave the Nuvi 255W a thumbs up. Well, they were right. I am relatively pleased with this GPS. It is easy to use and works well most of the time, though not all the time. I also purchased the portable dash mount through Amazon and it holds the unit securely in place and I strongly recommend getting that with a Garmin Nuvi." - R. Goldman (ME, USA)

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