Garmin Nuvi 255 Traffic Satellite Navigation System with Full EU Mapping

13 comments

1. 

   Galena on July 12, 2009 at 4:41 am

   I used to have TomTom on my phone and I’ve used a comparable TomTom device that my boss has. I’m also a proper geek and spent a lot of time researching online the best option to go for. 5 pre-purchase points: 1) Garmin use the better map-tech. Everything I’ve read leaves me to belive that Navteq are the better provider 2) Look at any other GPS device (non-automotive) and Garmin is pretty much the last word in accuracy and reliability. 3) TomTom customer service – Every time I looked for reviews of TomTom products I was greeted with tales of truly APPALLING customer service – regardless of the product, if the aftersales sucks I am not risking my cash. 4) Map updates – If new maps become available for your new TomTom, you get a free upgrade if its within 30 days of purchase. With Garmin you get 60 days. 5) If you’re a Mac user, don’t use the TomTom software (such as it is for the Mac), it will brick your device (according to all the reviews I’ve read) and then you’ll have to deal with point number 3) So, I finally settled on this 255T. Incredibly easy to use, lots of add-ons and useful free softtware from Garmin’s website. There was a map update available right away so I installed the software and then clicked the go button, and it was all done for me (took a little while to complete). I’ve only used it a couple days, it has the same problems as every satnav I have ever used in that it seems to want to take me the scenic route to the M25 and is confused by the road system in the town I live in. However, that was the only trouble I had with it, it guided me to a destination I had never driven to before up in Milton Keynes faultlessly. So the navigation part, the accuracy, the ease of use and the available extras – fantastic. (All UK Tesco Stores and Football stadiums available to download as Points of Interest!) Downsides: 1) Once I joined the M1 it was convinced that there were variable 50MPH speed cameras – after the first 5 miles beeping I turned the camera alerts off – its’ possibel I just need to update that part of the software so no biggy, especially as rather than keeping an eye out for speed cameras I just don’t break the speed limit as a rule. 2) Traffic alerting – save yourself 15 notes, this doesn’t work. Full stop. So fairly lengthy review, first time I have bothered but for people considering the alternative, I wanted to put down my experience/findings etc. Go with Garmin, the important bits work brilliantly.

2. 

   Ivana on July 12, 2009 at 5:15 am

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   Neat, very effective and good value SatNav unit
   If you are looking for an effective, reliable and simple to use European mapped SatNav unit then look no further.

3. 

   Xinavane on July 12, 2009 at 6:42 am

   I love this sat nav! Never had one before but found this simple to set up and easy to use. Not really any instructions in the box though, so if you need to, go to the Garmin web page and download manual. Brilliant price for what you are getting.

4. 

   Sabiti on July 12, 2009 at 6:57 am

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   Good quality
   It comes with a traffic receiver power cable. I have tested it and works well. I didn`t even open the thin antenna cable, just plug into the main power cable, and it is correctly…

5. 

   Phoebe on July 12, 2009 at 7:28 am

   4.0 out of 5 stars
   Quite good
   I have just returned from a cruise in the Baltic and used my Garmin whilst walking through Copenhagen, Rostock, Tallinn, Helsinki, and Stockholm.

6. 

   Anonymous on July 12, 2009 at 8:03 am

   I bought this satnav because we hired a Garmin in the USA and were impressed by its simplicity and how it could easily find a multitude of restaurants and tourist attractions etc. The real selling point was the bean bag mount that sits on the dashboard rather than sticking to the windscreen. Get the beanbag mount even though it is expensive. The 255T logs on to satellites really quickly so you can get going in unfamiliar places without having to guess which direction to start off in. Everything about the 255T is easy to use with big clear icons and finding your destination by postcode or by address is easy. Calculating the route is fast too. OK, so it’s all good news except that while we were on our long journey from London to Newcastle and back all the talk was about what it doesn’t or can’t do so here are the gripes and limitations. Firstly it only has two navigation choices for driving; “Faster Time” and “Shorter Distance”. We had it set to “Faster Time” and there are two ways to get up north; The M1 and the A1 and we mostly go A1 which we find to be quicker and more interesting but Nuvi tried to get us to go up the M1 from the M25 but I skipped that junction and took 21a, the A414 to Hatfield to pick up the A1 there. For the 10 miles or so to Hatfield Nuvi tried to get us to U turn back to the M25 and M1 but we persisted and only at the point of going onto the A1 did it accept defeat. The estimated time of arrival then dropped by half an hour so I think the “Fastest Time” algorithm is not perfect. More experiments need to be done I think. . . The 255T does not have enough adjustment of simple features such as what is displayed on the map screen. It only shows the distance to the next turn, your speed and the arrival time. These are big enough to read easily but you can’t change them. I’d like to see the remaining journey distance rather than the speed (my car has a speedo) but you can’t change it like you can on a NavMan. The manual says tap the arrival time to view a map of the whole journey – except it doesn’t work. Every time you touch the screen it gives an unnecessary annoying beep and there seems to be no way to turn it off. I use “Favourites” often but the icon is not on the front page of the menu so you have to scroll to press it then you have to choose what type of favourite then you choose the destination. It’s too many clicks for what is probably the most used option. The speed camera database works well and gently but persistently beeps at you if you are going too fast. Unfortunately it tells you of the location of every possible mobile camera so it is beeping a lot even though there is no camera there. My wife would prefer a male voice but there is only one (very nice) female voice. Hopefully you will see these as minor gripes and buy a Nuvi 255T so I’ll end on some positives. It leaves a blue line showing everywhere you’ve been in minute detail. My house and garden look like spaghetti where I’ve walked around testing it. Where the road has been changed such as on the A1 where roundabouts have been bypassed, the blue line goes over the fields. The traffic sensing is interesting. If it is getting a signal you see a green icon of a traffic jam. If the traffic is a bit heavy it goes yellow and it shows you how much time you will lose over the whole journey. If there is a jam it goes red and may detour you if there is a quicker alternative. Coming home down the A1 the traffic was busy and showed yellow with a 2 minute delay a few times and we did slow a bit. At one point it showed red with a 9 minute delay but there was no major jam. I think this is an interesting feature and I’m glad I paid a little extra for the “T” version.

7. 

   Frisco on July 12, 2009 at 8:27 am

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   It does everything I need it to do
   Super easy setup took less than 5 minutes. Zoom view is exactly the right magnification. The voice instructions are triggered at the right time so you don’t turn off too soon or…

8. 

   Mada on July 12, 2009 at 9:31 am

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   Works well.
   I have extensively tested the product as I do not need to use it much. Works well locally. Bought it mainly for my holiday in southern Spain this summer.

9. 

   Jenna on July 12, 2009 at 9:48 am

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   Garmin Nuvi 255T
   An excellent and compact Sat Nav. Very pleased with the features and the only issue I’ve found with it would be that the screen size is a little small for those with large hands…

10. 

    Zev on July 12, 2009 at 10:45 am

    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Good but could be better.
    Does most of what it says in the manual, but you can’t put ‘Panoramio’ pictures and destinations on a Micro SD card, despite the manual saying you can.

11. 

    Neha on July 12, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Garmin 255 satnav
    I had previously owned a Tom Tom sat nav,but for a change I decided that now wasthe timer to try something else. Wise move!!

12. 

    Anonymous on July 12, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    3.0 out of 5 stars
    Good Satnav but didn’t work out of the box
    Does everything you might want except I would like to see a preview of the chosen route in WRITTEN form, a feature which the TomTom has, so I could take shortcuts etc if I want…

13. 

    Austin on July 12, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    4.0 out of 5 stars
    So easy to use
    Tis satnav is so easy to use. As well as telling me where to go it peeeps when there is a speed camera coming up and reminds me when I go over the speed limit which makes me feel…