GPS – Garmin Nuvi 255W
My Tomtom Go 510 needed a map update so instead of getting a new map, I thought that why not get a new GPS. I looked into various systems and liked Navigon and Garmin, besides Tomtom. As I had used Tomtom, I wanted to get something different this time and since Garmin is the big fish in GPS, I decided to get the Nuvi 255W. The 4.3 large screen with 2009 Maps did the trick for me, along with the piano black finish of the exclusive version available at Best Buy.
One issue, I had with my tomtom was that sometimes it would take me off a route only to get me back on that route at some point later on. The solution to the problem was that I looked at the route summery before starting my trip to see that if a route appeared twice on it. If it did then I would stay on it and not make any turns. I was hoping that the newer GPS would be near perfect in this respect.
The Nuvi 255W’s package came with a car charger and a windshield mount. The Tomtom 510’s package was more generous with a PC dock, home charger, GPS cover, car charger that didn’t charge the GPS but held the charge and a windshield mount. For Garmin, I had to buy a GPS case. The USB cable that came with my Canon 40D works with 255W too so I didn’t need to buy an extra one.
I tested it first on my way to work and its route selection was close to the one that I would take so it went well on the first test. On a trip to Mississauga from Brampton, it asked me to take a highway that was far from the nearest highway exit from my home. And then at one of the intersections, it asked me to go without considering turn restrictions so that was disappointing. This issue could be because, unlike Tomtom, it probably does not take two sections, i.e. the left and the ride sides, of a road into consideration. On a trip to home from Woodbridge, it asked me to turn right when a left turn would have brought me to my home. When I made the left turn, it was quick to recalculate the route and give the right direction.
In short, the upgrade from Tomtom Go 510 to Garmin Nuvi 255W doesn’t seem to be worth it. This probably shows that at the end of the day, GPSes are mainly to be used as a guide and most of the decisions have to be made by our brains, unless you have no clue about the route. Too bad, I can’t go back to my Tomtom as it was snapped up in moments after I put it up for sale on the craigslist.
On the positive side of Nuvi 255W, the screen is awesome. I like the fact that it selects major roads instead of little known roads. The piano black finish looks good and so is the build quality. As long as it gets me to a destination of which I have no clue about with major hiccups, I am fine.
Update[s]: I have switched to 265WT, which adds Bluetooth and Lifetime Traffic to 255W …. 265WT’s review is posted on the blog too.
Here’s the Garmin 255W’s full list of features.
igadgetguy said this on December 20, 2008 at 10:13 am
This is my first GPS unit and I am definitely a big fan. I especially like the fact that this model says the street names vs. just saying turn right or left. There have been two occasions where the unit has had a glitch. Both times when there were two roads that came to a “v” off of a main road it instructed taking a turn onto one road and then immediately said you need to be on the other road. In both instances this could have been avoided if I had just paid attention to the screen which showed the correct road highlighted. Other than that I would highly recommend this unit. You will not be disappointed with this product.
Mr.Garmin said this on February 3, 2009 at 12:26 pm