It is easy to use and has alot of features that I really enjoy. I used to own a TomTom and I absolutely hated using it. The only problem I have had with my Garmin is that, on occasion it tells me to turn and go off-road. I’m driving a Hyundai,not a 4X4. Other than that it is wonderful.
I bought this GPS after reading tons of reviews. I have used it for about 3 trips so far, and it has been very easy to navigate around the new place. features such as looking up specific places or stores is handy. Also the GPS display shows the required speed limit and your driving speed, which i thought was very useful. My car has a digital readout for speed, when i had to rent a car which came with the dial readout, it was a bit difficult for my eyes to read the speed, but thank God this GPS saved me.
Garmin is so much better than my previous Tomtom and cheaper too since it’s refurbished. It loads fast and easy to understand directions. Looks just like new except packaging is just a plain box but who cares?! Thanks amazon. Great product and great seller.
I finally had to buy one because I kept taking my brothers.
SO I bought the same unit. This GPS is easy to setup. The software update feature through the Garmin site is easy and simple to use.
The mounting kit ise easy and rocksolid on the window.
A a few things to note:
-The first time you setup, make sure you have a clear shot to the sky. period! Don’t put it next to the Window, just get outside and sync it.
-Using the point of interest for address destinations seem funky at first. But once you get passed knowing that you have to make sure you set the city or state first, you should be fine. For example, I kept putting in ORD for an airport code and it would not find it. I later discovered the state was set to NY.
I bought this GPS and researched many GPSs before I bought it. I didn’t need bluetooth since my car already had bluetooth. So, it had the basic features I needed and it was highly recommended by user reviews and[...]. It cost $[...]
on amazon with free shipping. I had it for about 2 months and it works great and very user friendly. I really like it…
As a military member, I purchased this Garmin thinking it would help the transition to new areas. After 6 months of owning the product, the entire thing went blank and the device died. I spent hours on the phone daily (every time you call, they say they have high call volumes and that you should expect to wait for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Additionally, they don’t respond to the e-mail service requests. Essentially – they say they have a year warranty…but it is humanly impossible to find anyone that works there. Perhaps we should all apply for jobs there – it sounds awesome to have zero accountability and never having to work.
I bought this for my wife’s car and we recently went on a trip to Ohio and the nuvi 255W worked very well. I love the way it shows you the speed limit for the area you’re in as well as the vehicle speed. I have the StreetPilot c550, and while I like it very much, I’m seriously considering passing this on to my son and purchasing a nuvi 255W for me.
Even with the latest (2012 I believe) update, the map for NE and Iowa does not reflect the latest changes in these states. It has generally been accurate except for some streets which so happen that I commute frequently on a daily basis for testing. Otherwise, directions provided has been good, and having the voice speak the street name has been a great help while driving, being able to listen to what street instead of trying to read from the GPS screen.
Screen brightness is lacking for day usage. With summer now, it’s really hard to read what’s on the screen especially with shades (I use polarized shades) on, and still somewhat difficult to read without the shades. (Voice navigation really helps here)
In addition, would really love a search function (I might be wrong, but haven’t tested this out). It has been easier to search for an address through my iPhone, then enter the exact address into the GPS. Would really help if I could easily enter partial address into the GPS.
Overall, it has been a great product. Opted to get a dedicated GPS instead of relying on my iPhone because it’s faster than my iPhone, bigger screen and the iPhone doesn’t receive great coverage / no coverage at certain parts of NE.
I’ve been VERY disapointed with my Nuvi 255w. Wish I could return it and get my money back! It’s totally useless if you like to travel and plan a route. There is NO via or waypoint routing for this model and when you try to set a route, it plots you in a path that can not be modified.
This for the Nuvi 255w: What more can I say? I got where I was going and got back without hassling with maps and stuff. I still haven’t done any upgrades which are on the Garmin website. I did register and was able to update the maps free of charge. The Garmin website is very complete, you can even download different voices and cars to customize your Nuvi.
I love this little thing! Don’t know how long it will last, but it looks very sturdy and the windshield mount hasn’t fallen off yet.
Only downside is that Amazon lowered the price by 10.00 two weeks after I bought it
They used to do price matching but not anymore. Bummer
Turned it on and found a dead pixel. The screen seemed a little dim, too. Tried going to three different places the first day, only one was accurate. One was almost right, but on the other side of the street, the other was totally off.
I’m sure the product is worth the money and performs as well as the positive reviews have stated on this site. The dead pixel was annoying me, so I bought another from Best Buy, switched it out and returned the bad one to Best Buy. I found that the new one had a brighter screen. Weird.
Anyways, I look forward to going on many trips with this thing, now that I have one that functions properly.
Nice product, like it much more than the Magellan Roadmate. Announces street names. Did not find the download map update easy or user freindly. Did not go through completely.
This is my second Nuvi. I like the voice telling me the street’s name. However, I can’t say as much for customer service. I tried to register on line, no good, I called the company number and was told it would take 30 minutes to get my call answered. When I was “helped” I was told to follow the directions on the website but since it was a second unit, I was locked into that model. They won’t reset the page so I can register. And there’s no paper registration in the box.
I gave it up.
If I can’t register the new unit, I won’t be able to update maps.
The unit works fine, but I have some problems as some preliminary features. For example, it does not show how much battery it currently has. It shows it just once you are out of battery! This is crazy. Or it does not show the charge is complete or not! These forces you to always connect it to the charger.
It’s not user-friendly enough when zooming. The display sucks if you want to zoom in or out.
It’s able to find a place with finding by name. I have some problems when looking for a place by name. Maybe all Garmin’s have such problems. I don’t know.
The other thing is the lack of Mp3 player which is not included as a feature of 255W. It has image viewer which is useless!
I have been completely satisfied with this product. It is used in So. California and so far it has been 100 per cent accurate in its directions. Voice quality is good, map quality is also excellent. Overall I am happy I chose this Garmin. The price was reasonable for the quality. I chose it primarily on the reviews and on the amount of people who bought it.
Garmin Nuvi 255W
It is easy to use and has alot of features that I really enjoy. I used to own a TomTom and I absolutely hated using it. The only problem I have had with my Garmin is that, on occasion it tells me to turn and go off-road. I’m driving a Hyundai,not a 4X4. Other than that it is wonderful.
My guide
There was a small booklet on minimal usage. I would like to have a guide that tells me all this unit will do.
Mrs. Julie Proud
Good product for the price
I bought this GPS after reading tons of reviews. I have used it for about 3 trips so far, and it has been very easy to navigate around the new place. features such as looking up specific places or stores is handy. Also the GPS display shows the required speed limit and your driving speed, which i thought was very useful. My car has a digital readout for speed, when i had to rent a car which came with the dial readout, it was a bit difficult for my eyes to read the speed, but thank God this GPS saved me.
Great GPS
Garmin is so much better than my previous Tomtom and cheaper too since it’s refurbished. It loads fast and easy to understand directions. Looks just like new except packaging is just a plain box but who cares?! Thanks amazon. Great product and great seller.
Good little GPS for the money
I finally had to buy one because I kept taking my brothers.
SO I bought the same unit. This GPS is easy to setup. The software update feature through the Garmin site is easy and simple to use.
The mounting kit ise easy and rocksolid on the window.
A a few things to note:
-The first time you setup, make sure you have a clear shot to the sky. period! Don’t put it next to the Window, just get outside and sync it.
-Using the point of interest for address destinations seem funky at first. But once you get passed knowing that you have to make sure you set the city or state first, you should be fine. For example, I kept putting in ORD for an airport code and it would not find it. I later discovered the state was set to NY.
Garmin 255W
good value and good product!
the only dis-advantage is there is no usb cable included.
But if you do not need to install other country map then you are fine without the usb cable.
Garmin nuvi 255W 4.3 Inch Portable GPS – I really like it!
I bought this GPS and researched many GPSs before I bought it. I didn’t need bluetooth since my car already had bluetooth. So, it had the basic features I needed and it was highly recommended by user reviews and[...]. It cost $[...]
on amazon with free shipping. I had it for about 2 months and it works great and very user friendly. I really like it…
HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE – AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE
As a military member, I purchased this Garmin thinking it would help the transition to new areas. After 6 months of owning the product, the entire thing went blank and the device died. I spent hours on the phone daily (every time you call, they say they have high call volumes and that you should expect to wait for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Additionally, they don’t respond to the e-mail service requests. Essentially – they say they have a year warranty…but it is humanly impossible to find anyone that works there. Perhaps we should all apply for jobs there – it sounds awesome to have zero accountability and never having to work.
Maryland Reviewer
I bought this for my wife’s car and we recently went on a trip to Ohio and the nuvi 255W worked very well. I love the way it shows you the speed limit for the area you’re in as well as the vehicle speed. I have the StreetPilot c550, and while I like it very much, I’m seriously considering passing this on to my son and purchasing a nuvi 255W for me.
GREAT GPS
Does a great job. I get lost at the drop of a hat, and this gets me where I need to go easily.
Good product, screen could be better
Even with the latest (2012 I believe) update, the map for NE and Iowa does not reflect the latest changes in these states. It has generally been accurate except for some streets which so happen that I commute frequently on a daily basis for testing. Otherwise, directions provided has been good, and having the voice speak the street name has been a great help while driving, being able to listen to what street instead of trying to read from the GPS screen.
Screen brightness is lacking for day usage. With summer now, it’s really hard to read what’s on the screen especially with shades (I use polarized shades) on, and still somewhat difficult to read without the shades. (Voice navigation really helps here)
In addition, would really love a search function (I might be wrong, but haven’t tested this out). It has been easier to search for an address through my iPhone, then enter the exact address into the GPS. Would really help if I could easily enter partial address into the GPS.
Overall, it has been a great product. Opted to get a dedicated GPS instead of relying on my iPhone because it’s faster than my iPhone, bigger screen and the iPhone doesn’t receive great coverage / no coverage at certain parts of NE.
Excellent GPS
$99 well spent. It works better than the built-in GPS in my wife’s Acura TSX. Enough said.
Poor routing results
I’ve been VERY disapointed with my Nuvi 255w. Wish I could return it and get my money back! It’s totally useless if you like to travel and plan a route. There is NO via or waypoint routing for this model and when you try to set a route, it plots you in a path that can not be modified.
excellent
This product is excellent and give me turn by turn directions. I could not be more pleased.
Got me there and back!
This for the Nuvi 255w: What more can I say? I got where I was going and got back without hassling with maps and stuff. I still haven’t done any upgrades which are on the Garmin website. I did register and was able to update the maps free of charge. The Garmin website is very complete, you can even download different voices and cars to customize your Nuvi.
I love this little thing! Don’t know how long it will last, but it looks very sturdy and the windshield mount hasn’t fallen off yet.
Only downside is that Amazon lowered the price by 10.00 two weeks after I bought it
They used to do price matching but not anymore. Bummer
Are you reading this Mr. Amazon????
Better quality control…
Turned it on and found a dead pixel. The screen seemed a little dim, too. Tried going to three different places the first day, only one was accurate. One was almost right, but on the other side of the street, the other was totally off.
I’m sure the product is worth the money and performs as well as the positive reviews have stated on this site. The dead pixel was annoying me, so I bought another from Best Buy, switched it out and returned the bad one to Best Buy. I found that the new one had a brighter screen. Weird.
Anyways, I look forward to going on many trips with this thing, now that I have one that functions properly.
Garmin
Nice product, like it much more than the Magellan Roadmate. Announces street names. Did not find the download map update easy or user freindly. Did not go through completely.
nuvi good, getting it registered, not
This is my second Nuvi. I like the voice telling me the street’s name. However, I can’t say as much for customer service. I tried to register on line, no good, I called the company number and was told it would take 30 minutes to get my call answered. When I was “helped” I was told to follow the directions on the website but since it was a second unit, I was locked into that model. They won’t reset the page so I can register. And there’s no paper registration in the box.
I gave it up.
If I can’t register the new unit, I won’t be able to update maps.
It’s a moderate device.
The unit works fine, but I have some problems as some preliminary features. For example, it does not show how much battery it currently has. It shows it just once you are out of battery! This is crazy. Or it does not show the charge is complete or not! These forces you to always connect it to the charger.
It’s not user-friendly enough when zooming. The display sucks if you want to zoom in or out.
It’s able to find a place with finding by name. I have some problems when looking for a place by name. Maybe all Garmin’s have such problems. I don’t know.
The other thing is the lack of Mp3 player which is not included as a feature of 255W. It has image viewer which is useless!
A reliable device
I have been completely satisfied with this product. It is used in So. California and so far it has been 100 per cent accurate in its directions. Voice quality is good, map quality is also excellent. Overall I am happy I chose this Garmin. The price was reasonable for the quality. I chose it primarily on the reviews and on the amount of people who bought it.