Upgrading my Garmin StreetPilot C320...

[Reckoner]

I was leaning towards the 265WT on Amazon, which has it refurbished at $179.99. I see some other garmin models with Lane Assist, but heard that's pretty limited in coverage at this point. I like the fact that the 265WT has free ad-supported lifetime traffic, but don't really need the bluetooth.

Is this the way to go? Any other models I should take into account?

 

[cprince]

I don't know, but I would just stick with Garmin. Don't buy anything from Nextar because I bought a Nextar 43NT and it SUCK big time. I wish I have the money right now to throw the nextar out of the car and buy a garmin.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

nuvi 255, or 205 if you don't need TTS.

 

[TimeKeeper]

I have the chance to test 255WT ( MSN direct and traffic )

For TMC, it is truely depending on where you live and where you are going.
TMC mainly report major highway, I have yet to spot secondary route report during test period. In other word, most likely you already know the traffic hours and pattern of your region. Also, if you live in Seattle region, getting from downtown Seattle to east side ( MS campus ) there is only two choice to cross Lake Washington, unfortunately, if one starts to get traffic, you really have no way to avoid the other one.

Lane Assist is a great feature or 7x5 series' "junction view". Nevertheless, if you have clear and loud TTS, you hardly need to look at the screen at all.

Back to my personal use, I actually bought myself a 255 and 260 for my wife.
However, I must point out for private use, I am NOT a road warrior. I do not rely on GPS everyday, but more of POI visitor. ( after work, pick one POI off Tourist Attaction list and have fun drive and visit w/ my wife. )

 

[theeedude]

I am very disappointed with touch screens on new Garmin Nuvis, to the point where I was ready to buy, but after trying decided to keep my StreetPilot C320.
In C320, I just need to touch the screen, I tried Nuvis and you have to apply some more force to the screen to get it to register properly, which is annoying, because it slows down street entry.
I think they need to work on getting a better screen.

 

[ChaoZ]

I heard the TomTom Go 720 can be updated to get lane assist. I need to do more research on that though.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: senseamp
I am very disappointed with touch screens on new Garmin Nuvis, to the point where I was ready to buy, but after trying decided to keep my StreetPilot C320.
In C320, I just need to touch the screen, I tried Nuvis and you have to apply some more force to the screen to get it to register properly, which is annoying, because it slows down street entry.
I think they need to work on getting a better screen.

First Gen Nuvi tends to have "faster" screen response, simply because they continue with 2nd Gen 3D UI interface. ( Nuvi 350, 650 and etc )

Second Gen Nuvi indeed has slower response by comparison, not because the they use lower grade touch screen, but its 3rd Gen 3D UI interface plus more option does slow it down a bit. However, 2nd Gen Nuvi has incorporate much better wide-angle display.
By comparison to 1st gen Nuvi, it is very noticeable better and able to view better in direct sun. ( I am sure you can read many side-by-side comparsion online )
( Nuvi 2x0, 7x0 series and etc )

Garmin notice the slowness of 2nd Gen Nuvi, they start using faster processor on all their 3rd gen Nuvi + 4th Gen 3D Ui. Animation has improve dramatically, UI is much friendlier, but Exact 1250mha battery use on 2nd Gen Nuvi now has shorter battery life per charge.
( Nuvi 2x5, 7x5, 8xx series and etc )

Garmin has continue to improved its GPS signal and by adapting to newer chipset.
Ex. C-series suffer from slow cold boot and accuracy and it is impossible to read in a sunny day. ( not even direct sun light )
Nuvi series also gone through several transistion from Aging SirfIII to Bravo to now new STM and MTK.

I guess what I am trying to say is... when you were testing the Nuvi, it is possible that particular screen has been abuse and coated w/ human finger grease. With most of Garmin line I have tested, they all seems to work quite smoothly.

 

[theeedude]

It took a lot more finger pressure to get it to register input than on other devices in the store. I tried it on multiple units with same screen in multiple stores. I want something where just touching is enough, no need to press, and in the Garmins, it takes pressure.