Garmin Nuvi 255 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

[Pardus]

Garmin Nuvi 255 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Amazon.com Product Description----May 7, 2008
Garmin's nüvi 255 improves upon its 200-series predecessors by adding top-of-the-line features such as FM traffic updates or MSN Direct content to an entry-level line. But Garmin is also introducing some significant improvements with this new series, like a predictive technology that provides faster satellite lock, a redesigned screen with more information, terrain maps, and an exciting new photo navigation feature. The 255 adds complete maps for North America and Text-to-Speech, so you get turn by turn spoken directions with the real names of streets (e.g. "turn left in 50 feet at Nebraska Way", rather than merely "turn left in 50 feet").

The nüvi 2x5 models all sport the slim design that Garmin introduced with the 200-series last year, so they all fit comfortably in your pocket or purse, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that makes them convenient for navigation by car or foot.All of the models include useful travel tools like a JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more.
Key Features/Benefits for all 2x5 Series Navigators

* New -- HotFix (Long Term Ephemeris Prediction) finds satellites faster (Learn more)
* New -- Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Basemap shows 3D shaded terrain features (Learn more)
* New -- Faster 333 Mhz processor offers faster, smoother map drawing and vehicle icon motion through turns
* New -- Redesigned user interface offers more information (Learn more)
* New -- Photo Navigation lets you upload geo-coded photos from a phone, geo-coding camera or photo site and navigate to them. (Learn more)
* New -- Add Enhanced MSN Traffic and Content with the optional GDB 55 antenna and charger (Learn more)
* New -- Send addresses directly to your Garmin from Google Maps or Mapquest (Learn more)
* New -- Automatic Time Zone Transition
* Text-to-Speech gives directions with real street names
* Memory Card Slots so you can add maps and travel guides, or store photos (MicroSD card slot on 3.5-inch units; SD card slot on 4.3-inch units)
* Preloaded Maps with Navteq data of North America + Hawaii + Puerto Rico, including 6.5 million searchable points of interest (Learn more)
* Rechargeable lithium-ion battery for easy portability (up to 4 hours per charge)
* Custom Vehicle Icons let you personalize your navigator (Learn more)
* Integrated Antenna for a slim form factor
* Where Am I? -- instantly shows you all of the emergency services nearby (Learn More)

 

[devlin24]

Nice deal. I love my Garmin 760.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: devlin24
Nice deal. I love my Garmin 760.

I'm loving my Nuvi 360 and I'm trying to find an excuse to upgrade to get the new fangled features even though the basic "get me to where I need to go" is still good enough on the 360.

 

[StevenYoo]

hot deal!

I might jump on this

*edit* how does this model compare to the Garmin 350, which is seemingly a higher-level model, and cheaper?

 

[devilchrist]

I just ordered garmin 760 for $325 shipped from prestigecamera.com. larger screen and bluetooth and slim design makes it worth the extra cost.

I could have gone with nuvi 660 but i dont' like flip up antena.


EDIT: BTW.. you can get 660 for around ~$200 much better deal than the 350.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: StevenYoo
hot deal!

I might jump on this

*edit* how does this model compare to the Garmin 350, which is seemingly a higher-level model, and cheaper?

The numbering system is screwed up so the 350 is much older than the 255. It's still good for basic GPS function thanks to text-to-speech. And it has that dumb flip up antenna crap but on the plus side I believe battery life is longer.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Originally posted by: StevenYoo
hot deal!

I might jump on this

*edit* how does this model compare to the Garmin 350, which is seemingly a higher-level model, and cheaper?

Simply because 350 is last gen, which is about a year old I believe. Also, 350 lacks new features of xx5 series in OP - Hotfix, DEM terrain display, slower processor (not sure), new UI, etc.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: everydae

Originally posted by: StevenYoo
hot deal!

I might jump on this

*edit* how does this model compare to the Garmin 350, which is seemingly a higher-level model, and cheaper?

Simply because 350 is last gen, which is about a year old I believe. Also, 350 lacks new features of xx5 series in OP - Hotfix, DEM terrain display, slower processor (not sure), new UI, etc.

does the current iteration of the 760 have these features as well?

 

[satoshen]

Was thinking about jumping on this one but some users are reporting the 255 has a possible bug that causing a hang.

http://www.gpsreview.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8041

Can any 255 users confirm? This would be perfect for me otherwise... I may just look for a deal on the 360 or 660. I was curious if the new enhanced features of the XX5 series were worth the wait (faster acquire times, new UI, etc)

 

[Synomenon]

The Nuvi 2x5 series (Nuvi 205, 205W, 255, 255W) has:

- faster processor than all previous Nuvis
- faster screen refresh / response than all previous Nuvis
- updated UI (upcoming turn arrows at top of screen, trip summary next to "Go" button, etc.)
- MSN Direct via GDB55 MSN Direct receiver (to get local gas prices, local weather, news, local events, stocks, traffic alerts)

 

[StevenYoo]

is the wide screen version worth the extra money?

 

[Passions]

Is bluetooth worth it? My phone has bluetooth and I was wondering if it was a gimmick or actually useful to have on GPS.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: Passions
Is bluetooth worth it? My phone has bluetooth and I was wondering if it was a gimmick or actually useful to have on GPS.

from what i've read, the bluetooth allows you to dial the phone number of a POI.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: StevenYoo

Originally posted by: Passions
Is bluetooth worth it? My phone has bluetooth and I was wondering if it was a gimmick or actually useful to have on GPS.

from what i've read, the bluetooth allows you to dial the phone number of a POI.

My personal opinion is that bluetooth isn't worth it. Unless there's a way to transmit the audio back to your car speakers, the gps speaker just isn't loud enough to hear the caller depending on how much road noise your car has. I don't think it's worth the extra money.

 

[SoulAssassin]

discover card should start giving these away

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: StevenYoo
is the wide screen version worth the extra money?

Garmin doesn't really take advantage of the wide-screen like TomTom does. TomTom lets you configure almost every part of the UI, letting you put indicators, compass, speed limits, etc. off to one side of the screen.

Garmin's wide-screen units don't show much more on their screens than their non wide-screen units do. You don't really see much more map and even if you did, there's really not much detail on these GPS units' maps anyway.

Originally posted by: Passions
Is bluetooth worth it? My phone has bluetooth and I was wondering if it was a gimmick or actually useful to have on GPS.

Bluetooth is useful if you do talk alot while driving. It's also convenient because you can search for a point of interest (hotel, restaurant, business, etc.) in the Garmin and call that place just by pressing the "Dial" button on the screen.

As for the volume issue, none of the Nuvis that do have bluetooth have speakers that get loud enough to be able to hear them that well when driving in noisy situations (highway, noisy passengers, etc.). If you get a Nuvi w/ bluetooth, make sure you have some way to connect it to some louder speakers (auxiliary input on your car's stereo, addon amplified speakers, etc.).

The only Garmin units that do have loud speakers AND bluetooth are the StreetPilot c550, c580 and Nuvi 5000.

The Nuvi 2xx and 2x5 units have pretty loud speakers too (pretty much on par with the StreetPilot c5x0), but none of the have bluetooth.

 

[Pardus]

my 255 arrived today, so far so good. this unit has a faster cpu, no antenna compared to the 360.. no bluetooth or mp3 capability. webupdater found a few hotfixes. personally, i like the 3.5" screen.. fits in a shirt pocket.

i do like the new interface with current speed limit and 3d-terrain. might get this addon for it

 

[Passions]

I was about to buy it, but I read this:

"This first one is a real bummer--while simply driving (not on a route), the green "header" at the top of the screen no longer displays the next cross street (it does, however, display the next exit if on a limited access highway). The header bar simply displays the name of the street you're on."

Can anyone confirm?

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi

Originally posted by: StevenYoo
is the wide screen version worth the extra money?

Garmin doesn't really take advantage of the wide-screen like TomTom does. TomTom lets you configure almost every part of the UI, letting you put indicators, compass, speed limits, etc. off to one side of the screen.

Garmin's wide-screen units don't show much more on their screens than their non wide-screen units do. You don't really see much more map and even if you did, there's really not much detail on these GPS units' maps anyway.

appreciate the reply! I'll buy the non-wide version then!

 

[devilchrist]

wide screen is just bigger. easier to read, nothing more.

as for other portable navagation units. I have not found other manufactuers that allow you to add your on POI's.

From having had a navigation for few years now, i've noticed even the newest maps do not have all the stores, and places that should be in there. And I alwasy wished there was someway to input it in to the system. with garmin you can.

 

[StevenYoo]

is the GDB 55 MSN direct antenna thing worth it?

 

[Synomenon]

I think so. It comes with a one year subscription to MSN Direct. With it you get traffic alerts, weather, gas prices, news, local events, movie locations and times and stock prices. Make sure you get coverage in your area though if you do decide to get one.

 

[Passions]

Might want to hold off on this purchase....just announced:

http://gizmodo.com/5042547/gar...ent-view-and-bluetooth

 

[Synomenon]

Nice. They've added the lane assist feature in the new 755, 765 and 775 just like TomTom has in their GO 930 and Navigon has in some of their units. Too bad the new Nuvi 265 and 275 don't have MP3 players and headphone / audio out jacks as well. The bluetooth they've added to them is great though.

 

[Pardus]

new price dropped to $209.70 and my gps locked up also for 60 seconds whenever saving a favorite, called garmin, no fix. love the speed limit icon, saved me from a ticket the other day.