Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

I bought the Garmin nuvi 260W to help with business travel and family. After extensive research with Magellan, Mio and Tom Tom, I bought the Garmin for three reasons. 1) The ease of use. 2) the clarity of the screen. 3) an astonishing precision. And no, despite where I live, I have no affiliation with Garmin. I do not know anyone that works for them. I'm in the business of architecture.

I tried several GPS while traveling with colleagues, friends or in vehicles. Therefore, I have seen at work in the real world. All devices will save me more time and found the place had to be. You could use any of them and satisfied.The was a small problem: I am a perfectionist. Therefore, I want the unit to be the best. Then, after using a Garmin GPS Text to speech earlier this year, I knew it was a feature that could not live without I pulled the trigger on a purchase. Text to voice is a need in the GPS. A necessity. If you have never used a GPS, trust me, you have to have text to speech. It eliminates the frustration of urban driving and has text to speech units tell turn right in 200 meters, only to find two paths that are 200 meters away and has to choose one and hope it's right.

I decided to wait until a flat-screen GPS he knew not many bells and whistles, and was reasonably priced. GARMIN nüvi 260W 4.3-inch requirements. He pulled the trigger still knowing that GPS units drop in price every month seems crazy and I consciously in 90 days, when the unit was 20% cheaper (good).

GARMIN nüvi 260W Back to ... It amazes me how you can find the driveway of my home at the end of a right by a path name is the same cul-de-sac. It is so precise that lets me know if I got into the wrong garage 15 meters from me (I know, I've tried). It's so easy to use, even using the manual - once. It is easy to use. I even downloaded new voices via the Garmin website without a manual. I like the fact that the screen is very clear and updated quickly. I can even use my polarized sunglasses with the Garmin 260W screen and not distort the screen colors or have numerous horizontal lines (if you wear polarized glasses, make sure you try out any GPS screen before buying. White Many look to with tinted windows).

The point of interest seems to be very good, but really have not used it long enough to assess the depth PDI. I know that the maps seem to be fairly accurate in terms of new roads and they still have to find a way that does not exist on the map.

Not everything is perfect with the Garmin 260W. The disadvantage is the time to acquire a satellite. The 260W takes longer than I like ... sometimes up to a minute. However, once that takes hold of a satellite, he never lost. It also receives a strong signal (without antenna), I use the phone in my lap in the passenger seat (when I'm driving and finds a satellite). Another pair of tranquilizers have very few voices that work with text to speech function. I hope Garmin increases the options through a Web download in the future (I want celebrity voices ... please). Also, I would have liked a case, any case to be included in the price I paid.

In general, the unit is amazing and the size of the large 4.3-inch screen really helps people with fat fingers and do not want to squint to read a map. I'm sad that I waited so long to have one. It is a must for those traveling to unfamiliar areas.

Garmin nüvi 2350LMT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Map Updates

I bought the Garmin as a gift for my wife and I was delighted to life for traffic updates and maps.

Setup and navigation is good. We love movies and how the information provided.

Life Map Updates sounds like a great feature. Maps can be updated four times a year and access through the website was easy. But I have to know what Garmin calls "life" of the device. But even if they are only available for three years so it is still cheaper than buying the maps.

The living conditions of the traffic updates are definitely not what I expected and the reason I'm thinking about returning the device. The ads that fund the traffic of life in the pop and interfere with navigation. This is abominable! It should be mentioned in the product description! I could not even find information about the ads funded by the Garmin website traffic!

I just received the unit. He was unable to register and update maps. Garmin Communicator software hangs void. I spent two hours troubleshooting to no avail. This question is well described by a number of people online with no resolution against all Garmin OS systems. Above all my unit comes with maps of only 49 lower states and Canada, and others not. I found some online references some lots have re bad base map loaded. My opinion is actually cutting all Garmin quality control to maximize profits. My unit is going back and Garmin can buy back and fix them or not in their own time and dime. Unit itself is decent, but the user experience is not.

Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps and Traffic

I had a Magellan Maestro 2006, but was recently stolen. I loved the team and wanted to replace it. When I heard this RoadMate for under $ 200, I would try. I have several observations:
1. 2010 maps provide a better browsing experience than the previous 2006.
2. RoadMate has a relatively large screen, which is very attractive
3. RoadMate is not compatible with voice commands, while the teacher / done. However, I've never been able to train the voice command system to accept commands consistently my voice. Not only do not miss this feature, I prefer not to have a little voice command, avoiding any temptation to use it.
4. Traffic Alerts RoadMate works well, especially because it includes unlimited use at no charge ever. A screen displays a small red triangle edge, when an incident on the road or nearby. There is no audio announcement. Have to touch the icon to view a summary. Often, but far from always at least one alternative route is offered. Simply touch the appropriate "offset" icon to switch to the alternative route. You have to play the "Report" button in the summary screen to view a map of all incidents. This is a bit tedious, but I can not think of a more efficient way to do it. The main disadvantage is that sometimes I have to run the traffic jams were reported. I do not think the blame can legitimately lead for him. In general I find useful function and intuitive traffic.
5. This unit provides audio instructions with visual. The sound is much less detailed than the master, and so I think it's much better. It is also much smarter about calculating your route. Old maps are often sent me bluntly. This unit is almost always chooses sensible routes.
6. Use the auto-expansion to better track selection right through an intersection, turn or not, as a highway division. This is a great improvement over older models.
7. In general, navigation is much better. The timing of audio tracks is much more appropriate. For example, the chimes that indicate a turning point came only after spending the last wrong turn possible. Even so, remain. For example, I made three changes to the highway ramp quickly, one after another, and instructions were still track time to go.
8. Magallanes and databases of the AAA "views" are independent, and often must be consulted separately to find all the "hits". This is just a minor inconvenience, especially noticeable when using "Search by Name." The "one touch" OK, but actually have very little use of it. If you have multiple addresses many, would be useful. I also like the address book with plenty of new features, where a large amount of information entered. All good things.

Overall, I can rate this unit a great price under $ 200. I would buy it again, preferably in the Master $ 350. Moreover, I do not use the voice command.

Garmin nüvi 2450LM 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Map Updates

I like the bigger screen and more information and a customizable interface. I like the greenway, and (put your profile in the mileage of the vehicle and the cost of gas in your area and calculate the cost of each trip. Very interesting to see how much a trip).

I also like the way it lets you set a speed limit on roads that are not. This is a great feature of some streets are not marked very well.

Another interesting feature is the automatic zoom. As your speed increases the unit to zoom out to show you more of what is in the area and what is to come, as you lower it approaches the intersection, so the animations are also updated as you drive and rotation, etc..

I called tech support on my Garmin 760 after the latest update to the useless map - with 4 kids in sports, one is almost essential in the games at various locations in and around the city. My wife was out of town for a soccer tournament and we needed a new unit of his trip, while the other entered the service. Now we have one of each vehicle, when the new 760.

Anyway back to why you are reading this. The representative was very helpful to take care of me and my 760, as well as useful in the drive and feature comparisons. I read a lot about how people hate pop-up adds in maps of life and traffic units. The representative noted that Garmin is because the sum to help pay for the entire unit. If you want FREE AD traffic, get the Garmin GTM 35 lifetime 3700 traffic receiver separately (I got it for $ 108 at Amazon). Paying (nearly) full price, you will not need assistance (Punna intended) added from advertisers. It would be and additional $ 50 for lifetime traffic. I "bought" the ads for $ 58 and could not be happier. Money well spent!

Now I could sell the 760 when you come back and get another 2450. I like much better.

Garmin nüvi 1350/1350T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic

I have this unit for 10 days now and overall I'm very happy with it. For its main feature, the navigation is excellent. I had a Garmin 350 before which I loved, but my car was stolen. I had a Magellan after he was wrong. The price of this unit was large ($ 247 - Amazon).

I chose the 1390T, I have decided not to have bluetooth. The only difference between the units. I felt the quality of the bluetooth would be poor on the basis of bluetooth other comments, in general, the GPS units. The main reason was the way people use bluetooth. On a typical day I'm in and out of my car often. Whenever I need my Bluetooth immediately if I receive a call. Do not always need the GPS. And from my old unit was stolen and the theft of these units is a big problem everywhere, even hidden drive, or sometimes removed from the car. So if you're like me, but you get the Bluetooth unit has to stop and mount the GPS every time you enter the car if necessary or not, just to be able to blue tooth. If you forget and the phone rings, you do not have bluetooth. So I bought a speaker phone unit separate from Jabra Bluetooth (very good # that is always connected to the visor of very good quality, and always there when I need it. I saved about $ 75 by opting for the 1350T the 1390T.

Some minor disappointments. The Lane Assist feature works well, but is not available everywhere. I used it throughout New York and was very helpful. I drove through Pennsylvania and New York upstate and was not available. Collateral hypes this function, but forget to say this. But when available, is a great feature. This brings me to the circulation. Same story here. I was driving through PA and hit a traffic jam for 1 hour. Without warning, the role of transit was not available in that area. When I arrived at the Scranton PA area, traffic alerts started working. He warned of a major traffic jam ahead and even automatically redirected to my trip. The redirection would have been a significant increase in miles, but worth to avoid the traffic, right? I decided to ignore the new path to the drive just to test to see if the alert was correct and was willing to endure the traffic. As I drove to my original route, no traffic anywhere. Therefore, if I had heard the warning of traffic, have led me to 50 miles out of my way at all. Bottom line is, do not let the traffic feature is a deal breaker for the unit you choose. But again, I have the 1350T in the same price as the Unit # 1350, even without traffic). Updating the map was more difficult than it should have been. I consider myself a very technical with computers and gadgets, but the map update went wrong and took me several attempts. I could see that many people have problems with it if they try to update the map.

TomTom XXL 540M 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Maps Edition)

GPS Navigation History:
I joined Honda (Alpine), autonomous Garmin and Ford Sync Audio GPS navigation devices.
Honda navigation Loved for its size, and I hated it because the changes were scarce and expensive.
Loved the Garmin to keep up, but I hated it because I always seemed to change his mind too much, or directly at me strange areas.
I do not care for Ford Sync navigation, as it was not a visual navigation system. Included free with the car but I prefer not to. Maybe just a product as "back-up if the TomTom is not - although I do not think I ever will.

I sold my Honda needed a new navigation system.

I bought the XXL 540TM ...
1) Screen Size
2) Frequent updates of maps (one year + Map Share 4x)
3) The ability to customize (lots of places to play)
4) Quality and well known (I've always heard "Garmin" is the best, but when I tried Garmin, I do not like!)
5) Guide rail
6) IQ Routes (knowing they were the best ways to use)

Indeed, in case you are wondering "TM" stands for "Traffic" and "Maps," indicating that there is no free transit and map updates. I had no problem entering the "Maps and lifetime traffic" code provided.

What's in the box:
-> GPS device itself
-> Window Mount (suction cup)
Pads> Panel "sticky" -
-> USB cable (for connecting to PC)
- Car> Power Adapter
-> Configuration Guide
-> Piece of paper with a code valid for the lifetime Map / traffic updates

The first thing I did was connect to my PC and run all updates. (A new map available + + GPSFix Map Share.) Took about 1.5 hours a day all. After he was done, it took about 96% of the internal memory of 2GB. (I do not see how it used to before upgrading.) There is a lot of "leeway" to add more features. No SD slot for adding memory, too.

A major drawback is that I like the ease with which the device "is off 'of the windscreen. (See below for an explanation under the title" The Bad "below.) I'm thinking of getting a mount (no adhesive) weighted / padded seat on the panel.

The good:
Screen Size + met my expectations. Easy to see everything on the screen

+ Start up time (including time lock on the satellites) seemed fast enough

+ The roads were current and properly labeled. Finds no error

+ I allowed customize virtually everything he wanted.

+ Worked perfectly as a navigation device. This is where I felt Garmin was gone. With all the features of a Garmin has never seemed to 'sail' I liked. Of all the resources, "navigation" is the most important, TomTom is good that I've ever seen.

+ Pronounced few "hard to say" the roads perfectly! I'm sure to find something that is not correct, but Garmin / Sync struggled to say the names of the roads.

The "OK":
+ - Traffic RDS is only updated (sent by the local radio station FM). This is what I paid. RDS updates only the main highways (interstates) and scored an accident / road construction / road closures. It only worked when the cord was plugged into the accessory power in the car (as functions of antenna cable.)'d Rather TomTom GO / Live product line that has a "mobile" built-in for more details and Current traffic information. But they were out of reach. The XXL 540TM is "enough" for traffic worthwhile.

+ - It takes some time to calculate a route long distance. But I also know that he is using the IQ Routes to choose the best paths. It looked like 1 or 2 seconds longer than it should be, but certainly not a huge problem.

The bad:
- Internal Memory not expandable. 96% did not use "extras" installed? Hope you do not need more ...

- When the navigation map (by dragging your finger) is a little 'lag'. Do not expect perfection, but it seemed slow. Fortunately, I have no intention to consult maps, many times, so I'll deal with it. I tried to put Points of Interest (POI), 3D maps and out (through maps rather than 2D), and does not seem to make a difference. I am impressed with the detail that was, but I was happy to wait 10 seconds for the screen to finish "designed."

- Mounting the windshield seemed to "pop off" easily. When you draw in the windshield, I have to use two hands to 'hold' and GPS keep you connected to the assembly to be adapted. I think it's useful for people who leave the mount attached to the windshield. I prefer to remove the device and mount and hide when not in use. (I think that a thief knows that the assembly is a GPS and the GPS is hidden in the car somewhere.)


I have yet to test this on a long trip or complex, but I have no doubt that I have seen so far that he'll be fine.

Overall I am happy with the device. Happier than I was with Sync, the Alps, or Garmin. I consider myself an "average" user's browser (not a beginner, not a specialist) and update the review after using it more.

Note: I ordered through Amazon, with "Beach House" salesperson. He has ONE (1) business day after I ordered! I used to transport "Standard", and FedEx (delivery service) was delivered quickly. Very happy with e-mails navigation and speed camera beach!

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UPDATE 11/18/2010:
I thought I would provide an update after 6 months of use the TomTom device:

1) I am still very happy! It is the first GPS I've used that "just works" and I'm glad you do not have to mess with it.

2) that has mastered the technique of adjusting the position of the screen while maintaining the suction. In May, when I first saw it, I was concerned about how "easily" hit it off. Now, it's still annoying, but I minimized the number of times you pass, holding properly. It bothers me enough to buy a different position / title.

3) The vacuum still holds up very well. He has not fallen yet. (I on / off the windshield every time you use.)

4) Receiver: I've been happy with the alternating directions / road closures. It is very accurate, even in rural areas, where road closures expected to display.

5) long-distance travel: I've used it for some long trips (1000 miles) and had no problem with it. I found the "estimated" time is extremely accurate. There was more than 10 minutes. (I calculated the time it stopped for gas and said the original estimate.)

6) Battery life: I discovered the life of the battery is holding charge a little less than it used to, but nothing I feel is alarming. Most times, I have the power cord connected in some way (so get traffic updates with the antenna built into the cable.)

In general, this is my favorite GPS. What was the connection to the computer less and less (ie I'm losing patches "Map Share" again). I decided to do the last update of the map. Why? Well, I think that everything is working fine the way it is. ¿I can upgrade if I have free time. This is in sharp contrast to my previous GPS, when I pray for updates to address persistent problems. TomTom is great and had no major complaints. I'm not in the market to buy a new GPS because I'm finally satisfied.

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UPDATE 03/06/2011:
Here is an update after a year of using this device!

1) The battery is holding charge less than last year but still has a duration of 6-8 hours without a charge. Not a problem for me because I use the car adapter in most cases.

2) I went to Canada and the maps were accurate! In fact, I liked that TomTom has said the speed limits of roads. (Signature says the speed limit 100 km, showed that the 60 mph limit TomTom.) I found this article useful, so I had to squint to "mph" small speedometer in my car. I made this trip before in the past (without my TomTom) and choose "avoid tolls" on this trip. TomTom beautiful found a route that I did not know. IQ Routes is used to get all the rush hour traffic too! I used the "Itinerary" feature for the first time and found it worked very well. I programmed destinations 07.06 the night before my trip. The next day, just opened the route and asked if I wanted to go to the first. I also ended up re-order a destination for later in the trip, and found an option to change the order. Very useful!

3) I updated my map only once (just before my trip to Canada). I installed it on a new computer. I was worried that TomTom does not "know" who was eligible for the free maps on my new computer. But I had no problem at all! For those of you who do not know, all updates to its maps, color schemes to download icons (etc) are made through TomTom HOME software. Create an account with TomTom and the TomTom HOME software uses this account to "know" is entitled to map updates for life.

4) I found a piece that does not work for me. I can not use the "radar" add-in TomTom HOME. I research though. I got an error message when trying to add it. No big deal for me because I only planned to add curiosity. A quick Google search reveals not a widespread problem. I'll update this review if I find a cause / solution.

5) Yes, GPS is still "appears off" the hill with ease. It bothers me from time to time, but not enough to buy a different mount / base.

6) I'm in the market for a new GPS? No! Being very happy with this. (I was sick of all the other GPS within 6 months of use. But knowing that I still love this TomTom after a year says a lot!)

TomTom good work, you have exceeded my expectations. Thanks!

Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

He spent the weekend reviewing several GPS devices to replace my less than 1 year old Mio C320 (avoid these like the plague), which had its battery died about 4 months after purchase. I went back and forth along the entire line of Garmin devices, and finally settled on this case for blue tooth and traffic, none of which probably rarely used, but it is good to have when you want.

I was disappointed with the map, the "new" 2009 because I have some streets in my neighborhood that has existed for over four years and are not in this unit. Even cheap piece of junk million had these streets.

But this is the only drawback to do, the only reason I did not give it five stars.

Have been used to mine, and horrible refresh rate is a good change to see the move as smooth scrolling of my vehicle. The ability to change the car icon is good, especially with the large number of icons displayed on the Garmin website.

The accuracy is pretty good too, and even turn the unit is so lazy that it becomes annoying. And contrary to what I was used to mine, when I come to a stop at the intersection, the map is not turned on me.

Speaker is as I expected, do not hear much more than a machine of high, but the handle is sufficient, at least you can hear if you keep the music a little.

The option to easily download the vocals as well appreciated.

He did well with my test go to one place to another, following instructions, and most of the time it gives you directions in plenty of time. only once or twice does not mean "turn right in this and that," until I was about 20 feet from the street, but that was when I reached the stop signs and has slowed down, so can compensate for the speed factor.

Calculation of warning is a bit boring, my MIO say that once, at times, this means that three times before it starts to show the alternative route.

We still have about 900 MB of internal memory for additional voices, icons, maps and such, and the SD slot is not much room to grow.

I have a Verizon XV6900 Windows Mobile 6.1 phone, and while Bluetooth paired well and can see the phone status, battery, signal, even dialed and missed calls lists, it is never on the agenda. becomes a random entry and that's it - so when I turn it on, simply select a user and is different each time. Not yet tracked down which one yet. However, all other options Bluetooth phones worked fine.

I'm not a fan of the power cord is too thick for him twice, however, and would be doubly annoying (no pun intended) if I were to ride somewhere up in the window so that the cable has double hanging.

I can see how the ads would be annoying at times (traffic free advertising because it moves), but do not take if you turn off all traffic, and since most of my driving is not it time for the Traffic is a concern, I can not leave it for when they actually have a use for it.

Good response to the entry of the fingers, and while the unit is in overall quality, much better than mine, I miss the ability of the MOI have an information panel until the last third of the screen and the map the first two thirds of that when you want. But some information available in the data at the top and bottom of the bubble, so it will survive.

Generally satisfied with the device, which works well and worth the cost.