GPS – Garmin 265WT

I got myself the 265WT, a boxing day deal. 265WT adds Bluetooth hands free calling and free life time traffic to 255W. The GPS capabilities of both the units are probably similar.

First Impression

In the box: 265WT unit, windshield mount kit, car charger with built in traffic receiver, USB cable and  some manuals.

The unit was quick to receive GPS signal on initial set up. It took around a minute or so to get the signal and be ready for navigation. The Bluetooth worked well with my phone and the call quality was acceptable. The life time traffic worked right out of the box. I have heard that you get bombarded with pop up ads with free life time traffic but so far I haven’t received any pop ups.

I took it for a spin on my trip to Bay and Bloor in Downtown Toronto from Queen and Dixie in Brampton. Like the 255W, it wanted me to exit at 410 on Steeles but once I made the turn on Clark Blvd [nearest exit from my place], it was quick to re-calculate and take me to the nearest 410 exit on Clark Blvd.

1. The route it took from Clarl Blvd to Bay and Bloor: 410 -> 401 E -> Allen Rd -> Bay and Bloor

2. The route it took from Bay and Bloor to Clark Blvd: Gardinar Expressway -> 401 W -> 410 -> Clark Blvd

As you can see it took two different routes for a return trip. And let me clarify that traffic was not an issue as the traffic icon was on green throughout the trip. I also checked on the traffic section on the GPS and it said that everything was fine. I liked the return leg’s route better. My old Tomtom Go 510 used to make me take that both ways. So far it appears as if the route selection of Tomtom is better.

Once I got over the fact that more often than not no GPS is going to satisfy 100%, I liked the unit especially since it has life time traffic and bluetooth, along with acceptable navigation capabilities and good build quality. Overall, I would say that this is not a bad buy especially if its on sale.

Update[s]

January 8, 09: I traveled to Downtown Toronto again via a friend’s home. The route that 265WT made me take was horrible. After I realized that I was on a bad route, I went on my own and then the GPS re-calculated the route correctly but all that detouring made me 15 minutes late for an appointment. At this point, I have to say that this unit does most of the things well but the main part, i.e proper navigation. I will test it out a bit more before I give a definate word on its navigation capabilities.

~ by 711am on January 5, 2009.