GARMIN 010-00656-00 Nuvi 250W Widescreen Travel Assistant
Ranking: 8.6 out of 10
Manufacturer: Garmin
Model Number: Nuvi 250W
Product Code: 753759072162
Price: $589.27 -- get the latest pricing from Amazon
Features:
- Personal Travel Assistant Comes Preloaded With Maps For The United States, Canada
- Features A Wide 4.3-Inch Sunlight Readable Color Display
- High-Sensitivity WAAS-Enabled GPS Receiver Offers Extreme Accuracy
- Route To Addresses,Restaurants, Hotels More
- Turn-By-Turn Directions Voice Guidance
Buy it now at Amazon!
Description:
table align="right" cellpadding="10" width="225" tbody tr td style="vertical-align: top;"img style="border: 1px solid ; width: 225px; height: 128px;" alt="comparison of 4.3-inch screen to 3.5-inch screen" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/gps/B000REECKS-compare-sm.jpg" align="top"br br smallibWider screen lets you see more of what's around. /b/i/smallsmalliba target="_blank" href="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/gps/B000REECKS-compare.jpg"View larger./b/i/small/td /tr tr td img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/B000NW0Y9W-2-sm.jpg" align="top" border="1"br br smallibnüvi 250W accepts custom points of interest (POIs). View larger./b/i/small/td /tr /tbody /table table style="width: 212px; height: 329px;" align="left" cellpadding="10" tbody tr tdimg style="width: 182px; height: 211px;" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/B000NW0Y9W-1.jpg" align="top" border="1"br br smallibThe /b/i/smallsmallibnüvi /b/i/smallsmallib250W comes preloaded with maps for U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and features an ultra-slim design./b/i/small /td /tr /tbody /table The widescreen version of Garmin's nüvi 250 offers a large, easy-to-read screen (4.3 inches diagonally to the nüvi 250s 3.5 inches) at an attractive price point. Like its smaller sibling, the 250W comes with preloaded maps for the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada and Alaska. If all you don't need Canada and Alaska, you can get the nüvi 200W at a lower pirce. If you want maps for Europe, you'll need to go with the smaller nüvi 270, or you can purchase a set of European maps on SD Card or CD-Rom. While it doesn't have some of the more sophisticated features of higher-end nüvis, it does, like all nüvi 200-series members, offer a rock-solid navigation experience with an easy-to-use colorful touchscreen, 6 million points of interest (POI)s, and an ultra-slim design. pbSee More of What's Aroundbr span style="font-weight: bold;"span style="font-weight: bold;"/span/span/bThe widescreen format gives you 70% more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push.bspan style="font-weight: bold;"/spanbr /b/p pbSmart, Powerful Design/bbr The nüvi 250W is built with a high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS receiver for extreme accuracy, as well as an SD card slot for storing your media and additional navigation tools, and a USB interface for loading data. All this is wrapped up in a package that measures 4.8 x 2.9 x 0.8 inches (W x H x D) and weighs just 6.6 ounces. The nüvi display is touchscreen-enabled, making it a cinch to control the device with your fingertips. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to five hours of battery life depending on use./p p bNavigate with Ease/bbr nüvi 250W comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty POI database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. In addition, nüvi 250W accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.br /p pGarmin's interface is a key to their success and one of the things that makes their devices such a pleasure to use. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip.br /p table style="width: 100%;" cellpadding="10" tbody tr td style="height: 100%; text-align: center;"img alt="Garmin's own navigation is easy to use" style="border: 1px solid ; width: 600px; height: 308px;" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/gps/B000REECKS-nav.gif" align="top"smallibbr /b/i/small /td /tr /tbody /table pbr style="font-weight: bold;" span style="font-weight: bold;"/spanbr /p table style="width: 163px; height: 211px;" align="right" cellpadding="10" tbody tr td style="vertical-align: top;" div style="text-align: center;"img alt="Custom vehicle icons" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/gps/garmin-custom-vehicles.jpg" style="border: 1px solid ; width: 146px; height: 110px;" align="top"br /div br smallibCustom vehicle icons let you ride in style, at least inside your GPS. /b/i/smallsmalliba target="_blank" href="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/gps/garmin-icon-options.jpg"See more icon options./b/i/small/td /tr /tbody /table pbBeyond Navigation/bbr Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 250W features travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. It also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map. Optional plug-in SD cards for our line of Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize nüvi for your travel needs. /p p bNote:/b Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.br bbr What's in the Box/bbr nüvi 250W, preloaded City Navigator NT for the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Canada, vehicle suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, dashboard disk, and set up and go guide. /pGet more product details from Amazon
User Reviews -- Add a new review for this Product
Excellent device
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.8 out of 10
Created: May 26, 2008
Thanks for your feedback
I purchased this unit for international travel, along with the extra map cards. The GPS has so far worked flawlessly, even picking up a signal inside my house. I immediately muted the annoying voice feature, as a quick glance will tell me when there's an upcoming turn. Being familiar with the iPhone map feature, I have to say the interface on the Garmin is rather clunky - this is my first GPS unit and I'm surprised the interfaces have not been refined by now. For one thing, the keyboard does not have the usual QWERTY layout but instead is laid out in aphabetical order. Entering street names is a chore, especially coupled with the fact that you always have to start by spelling the name of the city, every single time - a simple option to select either the previously searched city or better yet the city you are currently located in seems like a no-brainer.
br /Also the menu navigation can get pretty involved, for instance you might be trying to lookup a destination but before finishing you need to quickly refer back to the map, you have to press 'Back' about 5 times - a 'Home' button would be nice.
br /The points of interest database is a mixed bag, I've found restaurants in there that have been out of business for 7 years. I consider the POI database an added feature and not really central to navigation, especially having an iPhone which is superior in that respect. Also trying to search the database sometimes results in an hourglass for quite a while, to the point we have given up waiting. Perhaps the database could be indexed better.
br /Also the printed guide that comes with the unit covers the bare minimum, the Amazon product page was actually more useful.
br /But overall for the price this has been a fantastic investment, making travel in unfamiliar cities efficient and pleasurable.
br /Word to the wise, there is a reason for the warning displayed on boot up, it is VERY easy to get caught up in what's going on with the GPS and rear-end someone. Train your passenger/navigator to use it, or if driving alone, get everything setup before getting on the road.
br /Also the menu navigation can get pretty involved, for instance you might be trying to lookup a destination but before finishing you need to quickly refer back to the map, you have to press 'Back' about 5 times - a 'Home' button would be nice.
br /The points of interest database is a mixed bag, I've found restaurants in there that have been out of business for 7 years. I consider the POI database an added feature and not really central to navigation, especially having an iPhone which is superior in that respect. Also trying to search the database sometimes results in an hourglass for quite a while, to the point we have given up waiting. Perhaps the database could be indexed better.
br /Also the printed guide that comes with the unit covers the bare minimum, the Amazon product page was actually more useful.
br /But overall for the price this has been a fantastic investment, making travel in unfamiliar cities efficient and pleasurable.
br /Word to the wise, there is a reason for the warning displayed on boot up, it is VERY easy to get caught up in what's going on with the GPS and rear-end someone. Train your passenger/navigator to use it, or if driving alone, get everything setup before getting on the road.
Buy a Garmin if you want to get ripped off on map updates
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 3.4 out of 10
Created: Oct 31, 2008
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When I purchased my 250W I was told by the retailer that map updates were free downloads from their website. As soon as I started using the product I found the maps were outdated by at least 3 years, (roads in the area that had been built 2 years hence were not listed - roundabouts that had been removed still showed up). I wasn't worried because I just figured that as soon as an update was available I would download it. I received an email from Garmin stating that an update was available. I come to find that to update your maps on a Garmin will cost you $70.00, 1/3 of the price I paid for an outdated unit. Had the retailer told me the map updates would be so expensive I would never have purchased this product. My family members have Tom-toms and recieve their map updates at no charge. Furthermore, comparing my Garmin with the Tom-Tom, I find that the Garmin takes you a roundabout way - often longer - when compared to using a Tom-Tom.
A reasonably good value
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.4 out of 10
Created: Jul 10, 2008
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I've had okay results with this model, with a few caveats (which are probasbly not specific to this device):
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br /No case is included with the device.
br /Some locations, such as restaurants which have been there for years, are not in the map database (even after the multiple-gigabyte download to upgrade the database).
br /Occasionally, it gives the wrong side of the road for a destination.
br /Losing satellite lock while driving, and never getting it back, can be a real irritation.
br /I'd trade the Canada map (I don't plan to drive there) for a bit more details in the US. For example, a "Park" can be just about any size (including a swing set at the public library), with no way to tell from the GPS itself. A little bit of detail regarding amenities, etc. would be nice. (Perhaps a future model will support Wi-Fi to bring in location details when requested?)
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br /All in all, way cooler than a plain map, but the technology as a whole is not yet perfected...
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br /No case is included with the device.
br /Some locations, such as restaurants which have been there for years, are not in the map database (even after the multiple-gigabyte download to upgrade the database).
br /Occasionally, it gives the wrong side of the road for a destination.
br /Losing satellite lock while driving, and never getting it back, can be a real irritation.
br /I'd trade the Canada map (I don't plan to drive there) for a bit more details in the US. For example, a "Park" can be just about any size (including a swing set at the public library), with no way to tell from the GPS itself. A little bit of detail regarding amenities, etc. would be nice. (Perhaps a future model will support Wi-Fi to bring in location details when requested?)
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br /All in all, way cooler than a plain map, but the technology as a whole is not yet perfected...
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takes forever to get signal
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 3.4 out of 10
Created: Jul 8, 2008
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when I first received this product, I liked everything about it--the big screen, the loud speaker, and all the features come with it. However, once I turned it on after not using it for a couple weeks, it took a LONG time to get the satellite reception, several hours!! I could have arrived at the destination and come back home with that much time. I ended up just looking up directions online. And this same problem occured every time after not using it for a while. Then I tried using it on a daily basis for a week, it worked fine. Signal was received quickly after turned on every time.
br /So I guess if you use it on a very frequent basis,such as daily, you should be fine with it. But if you only use it when travelling to places you are not familiar with, I suggest you turn it on the night before and give it hours to receive the signal, so the next morning it won't take long to receive signal again.
br /I think this is a big flaw for GPS unit, because most of us don't drive to places we don't know on an everyday base, and most of us who buy this product do not have built-in GPS in our cars. So the only time we carry it and use it is when we have to go to places we are not familiar with. And if it takes this thing several hours to be able to navigate us, it simply doesn't work!!
br /So I guess if you use it on a very frequent basis,such as daily, you should be fine with it. But if you only use it when travelling to places you are not familiar with, I suggest you turn it on the night before and give it hours to receive the signal, so the next morning it won't take long to receive signal again.
br /I think this is a big flaw for GPS unit, because most of us don't drive to places we don't know on an everyday base, and most of us who buy this product do not have built-in GPS in our cars. So the only time we carry it and use it is when we have to go to places we are not familiar with. And if it takes this thing several hours to be able to navigate us, it simply doesn't work!!
Excellent no-frills navigator
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.4 out of 10
Created: May 14, 2008
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You really have to split hairs to make distinctions between most Magellan products and their comparable Garmin products. The user interface of the Magellans is "slightly" more intuitive, Garmins speak the turning direction (vs. the Magellan "ding-ding" tones), and they both use the same map source: NAVTEQ. There's plenty more to compare on, but the thing that mattered most to me was the performance of the routing engine. The Magellan units are very much on par with Garmin, but Garmin but often finds a shorter route with fewer turns, yet always seems to put you on the same side of the street as your destination (unlike Magellan).
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br /Aside from text-to-speech on the higher range models (which isn't 100% accurate), voice-activated units (very pricey), and MSN traffic (very limited markets), all of the other features that come on more expensive units have little or nothing to do with navigation. The nuvi 250W is really the unit to get if you don't need all the bells and whistles.
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br /Be sure to register your new Nuvi with Garmin and check for updates. My unit from Amazon was a few firmware updates behind. Since I purchased the nuvi just after the latest map update (North America NT 2009), I also qualified for that for free (normally about $90). The unit came with version 2008.
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br /If you don't have a computer or need to charge away from the car and a computer, the optional AC adapter is required. If you have a computer with USB available, just pick up a cheap mini USB cable (any brand) for charging and updating.
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br /The nuvi 660 case fits quite well and does a good job of protecting the unit. Don't see a need for a hardside case.
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br /ProClip USA sells custom mounts for those that don't want to use the suction cup, beanbag, or sticky pads. Quite nice, vehicle-specific, but pricey.
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br /Aside from text-to-speech on the higher range models (which isn't 100% accurate), voice-activated units (very pricey), and MSN traffic (very limited markets), all of the other features that come on more expensive units have little or nothing to do with navigation. The nuvi 250W is really the unit to get if you don't need all the bells and whistles.
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br /Be sure to register your new Nuvi with Garmin and check for updates. My unit from Amazon was a few firmware updates behind. Since I purchased the nuvi just after the latest map update (North America NT 2009), I also qualified for that for free (normally about $90). The unit came with version 2008.
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br /If you don't have a computer or need to charge away from the car and a computer, the optional AC adapter is required. If you have a computer with USB available, just pick up a cheap mini USB cable (any brand) for charging and updating.
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br /The nuvi 660 case fits quite well and does a good job of protecting the unit. Don't see a need for a hardside case.
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br /ProClip USA sells custom mounts for those that don't want to use the suction cup, beanbag, or sticky pads. Quite nice, vehicle-specific, but pricey.
Great features for the price, but maps leave alot to be desired.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Feb 23, 2008
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Bang for the buck = 9 stars. The included features for the low price tag are a great buy. Bought this item to replace my c330. I'm glad I did, but...
Maps and trip routing = 5 stars. The mapping software suffers from the following flaws: a) There are many addresses in the database which actually don't exist; b) There are addresses which are at the wrong place on the map; c) The route planner will sometimes give screwy, out-of-the-way directions (no, I don't have Avoidances set to stay off of certain roads). a & b above will work to mis-plot addresses on the map. This is the case with my apartment (1/2 mile), my mother's house (4 houses), my brother's house(5 houses), and my brother's work (1/4 mile), just to name a few. Now, of course, I already know where all of these locations are, so it's not a really big deal, but if you are in an unfamiliar area and you are trying to find an address because the voice on the GPS says, "Arriving at destination on right", when you are actually 1/2 mile away, well, that can be annoying. I would say that probably 1/4 of the time the map is wrong. It will get you to the right street, but the exact address may not be quite right. Suggestion/workaround: If you are going to a totally unfamiliar area (as I often do for work), double check on Yahoo AND Google maps.
c above will work to have you travel extra distance un-necessarily. Example: While driving up from San Antonio to Amarillo, as I approached I-20 from the south, the nuvi250 wanted me to turn right onto I-20 eastbound for approx. four miles, then exit the expressway and go back onto I-20 West bound for approx nine miles. Do you see the problem there? Why didn't it just have me turn left onto I-20 westbound right from the beginning? (yes, I did that anyway, and after it re-calculated, my ETA was immediately 10 minutes sooner).
Anyway, to summarize, I would recommend this product, but with a caveat... use with caution, and double check your route if at all possible.
Maps and trip routing = 5 stars. The mapping software suffers from the following flaws: a) There are many addresses in the database which actually don't exist; b) There are addresses which are at the wrong place on the map; c) The route planner will sometimes give screwy, out-of-the-way directions (no, I don't have Avoidances set to stay off of certain roads). a & b above will work to mis-plot addresses on the map. This is the case with my apartment (1/2 mile), my mother's house (4 houses), my brother's house(5 houses), and my brother's work (1/4 mile), just to name a few. Now, of course, I already know where all of these locations are, so it's not a really big deal, but if you are in an unfamiliar area and you are trying to find an address because the voice on the GPS says, "Arriving at destination on right", when you are actually 1/2 mile away, well, that can be annoying. I would say that probably 1/4 of the time the map is wrong. It will get you to the right street, but the exact address may not be quite right. Suggestion/workaround: If you are going to a totally unfamiliar area (as I often do for work), double check on Yahoo AND Google maps.
c above will work to have you travel extra distance un-necessarily. Example: While driving up from San Antonio to Amarillo, as I approached I-20 from the south, the nuvi250 wanted me to turn right onto I-20 eastbound for approx. four miles, then exit the expressway and go back onto I-20 West bound for approx nine miles. Do you see the problem there? Why didn't it just have me turn left onto I-20 westbound right from the beginning? (yes, I did that anyway, and after it re-calculated, my ETA was immediately 10 minutes sooner).
Anyway, to summarize, I would recommend this product, but with a caveat... use with caution, and double check your route if at all possible.
Excellent Product
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Jan 14, 2008
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I bought this item for my husband for Christmas. He really needed one, but kept waiting "until technology improved, or the prices come down." Well, I figured if he received one for a gift, he'd be forced into ownership and if he didn't want it or like it, he could exchange it. Turns out, he loves it! He loves all the features and is user-friendly. Could be the best gift I've ever given him, except myself that is.
It will get you there, but...
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Sep 5, 2008
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The first Garmin 250W I received was a lemon. It would not hold an accurate position on the map, the direction of travel and speed of travel would vary widely even while stopped. The assistance provided by Garmin customer support was helpful, but could not fix it. Buy Accessories assisted me through the return process and quickly sent me another 250W. This second one has worked OK, but just OK. I expected a basic GPS based on the reviews of others, but this is really bare bones.
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br /Even with the latest map (2009) and the an upgrade to the operating system the unit is less than it should be. The 250W will get me there but it has a tendency to send me via unecessarily complicated routes. When tested on roads to destinations that I travel daily it routes me through seven turns on eight different streets when the easiest route is three turns and four streets. This doesn't change whether I have the routing preference set on fastest time or shorter distance. And it still tries to have me do U-turns even with the avoidances set to avoid U-turns.
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br /On longer trips outside my home area it has done the same thing, lots of turns using side roads. It would be great if I really wanted to take tours of residential neighborhoods instead of staying on the main road and getting to my destination. This routing issue could be a real problem going through an unfamiliar city and being routed on a winding route through a less than safe neighborhood. I've compared routes chosen by the Garmin 250W to those Google maps and Mapquest and the two web-based mapping services do the best job of routing directly and staying on main roads.
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br /Bottom line, in my experience the Garmin 250W is just OK but not worth its price. I don't trust it completely and when traveling to unfamiliar areas I double check the route on-line, take a print out with me, follow the on-line route and let the 250W recalculate as it will.
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br /Even with the latest map (2009) and the an upgrade to the operating system the unit is less than it should be. The 250W will get me there but it has a tendency to send me via unecessarily complicated routes. When tested on roads to destinations that I travel daily it routes me through seven turns on eight different streets when the easiest route is three turns and four streets. This doesn't change whether I have the routing preference set on fastest time or shorter distance. And it still tries to have me do U-turns even with the avoidances set to avoid U-turns.
br /
br /On longer trips outside my home area it has done the same thing, lots of turns using side roads. It would be great if I really wanted to take tours of residential neighborhoods instead of staying on the main road and getting to my destination. This routing issue could be a real problem going through an unfamiliar city and being routed on a winding route through a less than safe neighborhood. I've compared routes chosen by the Garmin 250W to those Google maps and Mapquest and the two web-based mapping services do the best job of routing directly and staying on main roads.
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br /Bottom line, in my experience the Garmin 250W is just OK but not worth its price. I don't trust it completely and when traveling to unfamiliar areas I double check the route on-line, take a print out with me, follow the on-line route and let the 250W recalculate as it will.
Very good Acquistion
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Jul 30, 2008
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I was really satisfied with Amazon.com service. First of all, I bought the portable GPS on sale, and this was a really good price compared to its price in other stores. Besides, the product arrived only a couple of days after my request. It took me only 5 minutes to buy it. It saved my time and as they say, time is money!
Very nice navigator
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Jul 23, 2008
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I am very pleased with the Garmin Nuvi 250W. It does a very good job for the price; it is easy to use; it has remarkably good coverage. You will not be disappointed in it. More expensive models have some more features, but everything you need is in the 250W.
Garmin Nuvi 200W - Great GPS unit
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Jul 10, 2008
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This is a great little GPS. I live across the border from Canada, and needed the North American (and not just US, as the 200w has)maps.
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br /The item works great. Sometimes it takes a minute or 2 to acquire the satellites, but other than that has been great.
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br /The item works great. Sometimes it takes a minute or 2 to acquire the satellites, but other than that has been great.
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Garmin Nuvi 250w
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Jul 5, 2008
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I shopped and read reviews on this for a while prior to buying it. I noticed you can get the unit for a few dollars less other places , but most of them were refurbished units. I didn't feel comfortable with this due to possible problems. who knows how a factory recertified unit was treated prior to return, could be new could be abused and left in a hot car for days, this can affect the battery life and charging. I was also concerned with screen scratches.
br /Buying it at Amazone was the best Price/risk factor. Garmin allowed a free update for the unit and this was great.
br /No risk at all buying a new one from Aamzon.
br / If you save $30, sounds good but most refurbished units had a shipping charge which brings down the savings. Now you are talking about $10 or$15, you may end up with a bad unit which will cost you shipping to send back and get repaired.
br /The download for the update does take long , apx 3 hrs in my system.
br /The unit works great, and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work it. It does everything it is suppose to do for the user. I like the wide screen version.It is a great buy , free shipping arrived in 2 days.
br /if you get one you won't get lost.
br /Buying it at Amazone was the best Price/risk factor. Garmin allowed a free update for the unit and this was great.
br /No risk at all buying a new one from Aamzon.
br / If you save $30, sounds good but most refurbished units had a shipping charge which brings down the savings. Now you are talking about $10 or$15, you may end up with a bad unit which will cost you shipping to send back and get repaired.
br /The download for the update does take long , apx 3 hrs in my system.
br /The unit works great, and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work it. It does everything it is suppose to do for the user. I like the wide screen version.It is a great buy , free shipping arrived in 2 days.
br /if you get one you won't get lost.
Very Slow Connection
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Jun 29, 2008
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this product takes forever to connect to a satellite. I am thinking of returning it. It is very unpredictable and if you are in a hurry forget about using it at all.
extremely slow satellite
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Jun 28, 2008
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I owned this product for 6 months and although it usually got me from point A to point B it took forever to get satellite reception, which means you are either driving around lost or have to sit in your car for 5-10 minutes until you get a signal for it to calculate the route. After awhile my receiver stopped holding its charge so I had to constantly keep it plugged in, and my letters doubled on on "D" so I could not type in the letter "T". I exchanged it for the Magellan 1420 and it was MUCH faster, routed my drive immediately, and gave me more routing options such as fewer freeways, and more points of interest.
Garmin nuvi 250w
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: May 28, 2008
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I like this little tool. The screen is large enough and very clear to see without having to wear my reading glasses. The voice (who I named gypsy) is clear and concise. She only made one mistake-to my own house. She had me turning right onto my street off a main street, but that can't be done because my street is a cul-du-sac against the mainstreet and you'd have to jump the sidewalk and go through bushes. But, she has taken me to new places in new cities that I would have otherwise had to memorize difficult mazes. It is comfortable having her with me. It is small enough to put into a make-up bag to carry in my purse. I see no reason to purchase a special carrying case when you can use your imagination and find something else suitable. I don't mind that it didn't come with an AC charger, the one in the vehicle works just fine, and after unplugged,it holds its charge long enough for me.
Great product, several complaints.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: May 25, 2008
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I purchased this product in mid April, and started using it for trips that were already familiar to me, just to check out the routes that it calculated. It didn't always use the same routes I would have taken, but they were always acceptable. I used it for a trip to Nova Scotia at the beginning of May, and it worked quite well.
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br /I really like the features on this device, especially the map related ones, and the identification of local points of interest, such as restaurants.
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br /The several complaints are: I don't like the time it takes to acquire the satellites. If the device is indoors or in a heavily wooded area, and not moving, it may never acquire the satellites. I found that it will do satellite acquisition faster if located in a moving automobile as it is going through an unobstructed area.
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br /The other complaint I have is that it is difficult to alter a route. It would be nice to be able to use point and click or point and drag to do so, but I have not been able to get it to work that way. I'm sure that I will discover different ways to accomplish this as time goes on.
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br /Otherwise, I am quite satisfied with this product.
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br /Brian Gordon
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br /I really like the features on this device, especially the map related ones, and the identification of local points of interest, such as restaurants.
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br /The several complaints are: I don't like the time it takes to acquire the satellites. If the device is indoors or in a heavily wooded area, and not moving, it may never acquire the satellites. I found that it will do satellite acquisition faster if located in a moving automobile as it is going through an unobstructed area.
br /
br /The other complaint I have is that it is difficult to alter a route. It would be nice to be able to use point and click or point and drag to do so, but I have not been able to get it to work that way. I'm sure that I will discover different ways to accomplish this as time goes on.
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br /Otherwise, I am quite satisfied with this product.
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br /Brian Gordon
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The invention of television
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Apr 2, 2008
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The last thing that was so useful and entertaining was "the television". This was the best purchase I've made in a long time. It's amazing...The only reason I waited so long to jump in to the GPS craze is, I just didn't believe or know the technology. The nuvi 250W was the perfect choice for my virginity in GPS. All I can say is, "Try it, you'll like it".
Very happy with my GPS
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 31, 2008
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I am very pleased that I purchased the Garmin 250W. It is well worth the money. It gets me to where I want to go and back home with no problems. I made a wrong turn when I first got the GPS in a large city and was lost for a moment. I was scared because I was alone and did not no how to get back on the highway I needed to be on. That's when I put my trust in the GPS and let it show and tell me the right way to go. I was so happy when it got me back on the right highway. It is also very user friendly. Two thumbs up!
OK for street navigation
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 30, 2008
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Overall nice made product and if you are looking for something to let you know what street you are on and what street is ahead - that's all it is good for. Recent trip to popular destination (Wisconsin Dells) proved this product to be less then helpful. Overall on four day trip, with the preloaded maps and POI this unit found only single restaurant that existed at given address. Time after time when looking for McDonalds, Walmart and other stores it pointed me to location where given business in no where to be found. I'm thinking of selling this unit and getting one of the cheap, no-name brands - my friends had good luck with those.
Garmin nuvi 250W
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 29, 2008
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I am happy with this GPS. It is very user friendly, has lots of nice features, and most of all, works well. The re-routing feature is very good compared to other products (it doesn't keep trying to get you back on the original way but quickly recalculate and respects your decision). The design is a plus. Feets any gloove compartment or wife's purse easily if you want to take it with you. Downside: first map is not that accurate in some areas such as northern Michigan. I was driving to a place that i know how to get there but decided to try the GPS. It took me to a complete different route and I'm thinking "that's gotta be a better way to get there that I never thought about". Unfortunately it got me lost in a dead end in the middle of nowhere. So, it is not 100% reliable in further areas. But works great most of the times. Second downside for me is the fact that it doesn't have the option of finding points of interest on freeway exits. I had another GPS before that while travelling on a freeway you could just open a window and see all next available exits and major business in each of them such as hotels, fast-food, etc. Garmin allows you to select what you want but will sometimes take you to a city nearby instead of somewhere around the freeway. Could be better.
Mostly Positive
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 29, 2008
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I would highly suggest getting this item. I never get lost. The unit does take you on some interesting routes. You do get where you are going. However, my Garmin didn't come with an instruction booklet. So typing in address is simple to figure out. However, I know this unit can do much more. I just don't have a booklet to tell me how to get the most out of my 250w.
Good Buy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 29, 2008
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I read alot before making this purchase. I bought a refurb and for the money it was a great deal. Start up time on a clear day about :30 sec. Except for new road construction maps are up to date. Also widescreen is the way to go. I am very happy with the Garmin 250W.
Good buy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 27, 2008
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I priced this unit at Best Buy for over $400. I am very satisfied with it. The wide screen is a nice bonus. It does everything that you would want in the way of finding your way around.
Wow! Technology rocks!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 25, 2008
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This little gadget is awesome! It is very accurate, even showing streets in neighborhoods that were just recently completed.
I like that you can change your "car" icon. My son likes the spaceship. I personally like the battle tank. Of course, my daughter like the pink car.
It's very user friendly and very intuitive. It's easy to use, right out of the box, without having to read the instructions first.
I recommended this to a coworker. He bought one and thanked me for steering him away from a Tom-Tom that he was looking at.
I like that you can change your "car" icon. My son likes the spaceship. I personally like the battle tank. Of course, my daughter like the pink car.
It's very user friendly and very intuitive. It's easy to use, right out of the box, without having to read the instructions first.
I recommended this to a coworker. He bought one and thanked me for steering him away from a Tom-Tom that he was looking at.
Excellent driving tool at a great price.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 24, 2008
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I've owned other Garmin products and a number of different OEM nav systems in cars, so I'm quite familiar with all they can offer. While the 250W isn't the most sophisticated or feature-rich nav out there, it is surprisingly capable and useful.
First, it has one of the brightest screens I've seen on recent Garmin units - it's not washed out by sunlight and it's sharp and easy to read. Secondly, the speaker is far better than some earlier models, so you can hear the "nav lady" perfectly at highway speeds. Routing is almost immediate after you enter a destination, and the directions are clear and concise. The maps are about the most up-to-date you can get these days, and Navteq is among the best in that category. The unit doesn't have to be placed up high on the window or dash - it gets the sat signals well even if it's mounted down on the dash out of the sun.
Only downside is that signal acquisition first thing in the morning when the unit is cold is kind of slow, but after it warms up, it is ready to navigate as soon as it gets power. And it doesn't announce turns by street name - big deal. Otherwise all is good - lots of POI's, great maps, good directions. This is an excellent traveling companion, especially for those who don't need all the bells and whistles like MP3 players and NavTraffic. Highly recommended.
First, it has one of the brightest screens I've seen on recent Garmin units - it's not washed out by sunlight and it's sharp and easy to read. Secondly, the speaker is far better than some earlier models, so you can hear the "nav lady" perfectly at highway speeds. Routing is almost immediate after you enter a destination, and the directions are clear and concise. The maps are about the most up-to-date you can get these days, and Navteq is among the best in that category. The unit doesn't have to be placed up high on the window or dash - it gets the sat signals well even if it's mounted down on the dash out of the sun.
Only downside is that signal acquisition first thing in the morning when the unit is cold is kind of slow, but after it warms up, it is ready to navigate as soon as it gets power. And it doesn't announce turns by street name - big deal. Otherwise all is good - lots of POI's, great maps, good directions. This is an excellent traveling companion, especially for those who don't need all the bells and whistles like MP3 players and NavTraffic. Highly recommended.
Didn't think I'd want one...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 22, 2008
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I didn't think I'd want one, but now that I have it (got it as gift) I can't imagine traveling without it. It's great even when you know the road, but want to find a specific via point (like gas or a Starbucks). Very convenient in telling kids how long to the next rest stop or to answer exactly how many miles till "are we there yet?" Very user friendly, super easy to use.
Definitely worth it!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 21, 2008
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This Garmin nuvi 250 GPS system is a definite time and gas saver. It has proven it's worth when rerouted from highways into unfamiliar surroundings. It has been great on highways but a bit skewed on local roads - most likely because GPS data submitted by small localities was off to begin with. This is being used by a limo driver with time sensitive travel passengers and has shown itself to be invaluable (and impressive). We constantly 'test" it and in 98% of use, it is dead one accurate. The large screen visuals are crisp day and night, and the directionals very handy and assuring when when driving. I highly recommend this to anyone who spends time on the road, short or long distances and new and different destinations. P.S. The price on Amazon is great!
250W versus the 250
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 19, 2008
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I own the 250W and the Garmin Nuvi 250. The screen on the 250 has better contrast. It's almost like watching a Samsung or Sony Bravia LCD television from the driver's seat. But, the 250W has the better view and is easier to read. The 250W and 250 perform equally on the road. My ears hear a less tinnier sound from the 250W.
From an experience with the 250, the sliding power/screen lock switch on the top of the unit is weak. When exposed to shock, the switch did fail on the 250. That's probably why the Nuvi 660 and newer models have a different power button.
It would be nice if the user can change the Li-ion battery in the 200 series units. Opening the case is certainly not recommended for the inexperienced. Blindly forcing the case open can rip the cheap wiring harnesses connecting the LCD to the motherboard permanently damaging the unit.
The mounting arm is impressively strong and stable. Entering my home address resulted in an on-screen checkered flag inaccurately positioned roughly 60 feet east of my actual driveway. To correct this inaccuracy, I parked my car on the driveway, touched the stationary vehicle icon and stored the new location as my HOME in the Favorites folder.
The quick-start guide doesn't explain a whole lot. So, searching for the 250W on YouTube is an excellent alternative for more information.
I travelled for the first time from Toronto to Montreal to Quebec City to Montreal to Toronto without resorting to any maps. The only problem was there wasn't enough time to read the unit's directions and refocus on fast approaching overhead highway signs where there were two closely spaced exit ramps. Of course I exited onto the wrong ramp and should have exited onto the second ramp 50 metres ahead. The unit was able to immediately recalculate to correctly guide me back on track quickly and safely.
All-in-all, a handsome and slim unit providing a good degree of peace of mind. Oh, and yes, I do have maps in the car just in case...
From an experience with the 250, the sliding power/screen lock switch on the top of the unit is weak. When exposed to shock, the switch did fail on the 250. That's probably why the Nuvi 660 and newer models have a different power button.
It would be nice if the user can change the Li-ion battery in the 200 series units. Opening the case is certainly not recommended for the inexperienced. Blindly forcing the case open can rip the cheap wiring harnesses connecting the LCD to the motherboard permanently damaging the unit.
The mounting arm is impressively strong and stable. Entering my home address resulted in an on-screen checkered flag inaccurately positioned roughly 60 feet east of my actual driveway. To correct this inaccuracy, I parked my car on the driveway, touched the stationary vehicle icon and stored the new location as my HOME in the Favorites folder.
The quick-start guide doesn't explain a whole lot. So, searching for the 250W on YouTube is an excellent alternative for more information.
I travelled for the first time from Toronto to Montreal to Quebec City to Montreal to Toronto without resorting to any maps. The only problem was there wasn't enough time to read the unit's directions and refocus on fast approaching overhead highway signs where there were two closely spaced exit ramps. Of course I exited onto the wrong ramp and should have exited onto the second ramp 50 metres ahead. The unit was able to immediately recalculate to correctly guide me back on track quickly and safely.
All-in-all, a handsome and slim unit providing a good degree of peace of mind. Oh, and yes, I do have maps in the car just in case...
GARMIN 250w GPS
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 18, 2008
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I ORDERED THE 260W AND INSTEAD RECEIVED THE 250W...A BIT TROUBLING, BUT I MUST SAY THAT WHILE I WOULD HAVE PREFERED THE 260W, THE 250W IS ACCEPTABLE AND AS AN ENTRY LEVEL GPS, DELIVERS MOST OF THE THINGS A COMMUTER OR TRAVELER NEED.
JEROME BECK
JEROME BECK
No surprises
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 17, 2008
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We got just what we were looking for and this unit has performed as we expected, having had good luck with Garmin in the past.
Garmin 250W
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 12, 2008
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Garmin nüvi 250W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS NavigatorThis item does everything that that the advertisment said it would do. The wide screen is a must.
This is a refurbished unit and it works without any problems. A very good product at a great price.
This is a refurbished unit and it works without any problems. A very good product at a great price.
Garmin 250W
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 11, 2008
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Item working very good, doing everything it should. It was a very good
buy and I would certainly do it again.
Thanks for all.
buy and I would certainly do it again.
Thanks for all.
A great navigator
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 9, 2008
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I have been using this unit for a few weeks now. It is a great little unit with tons of features. The directions are really good. The only thing that bothers me (and this is with all units I have tried) is that they try to lock your position on the map to the road. I wish there was an option to turn that off, and show exactly where you are. I highly recommend this unit, and I look forward to continuing to use it in the future!
Useful, but only to a point
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 7, 2008
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I've been using my Garmin Nuvi 250W GPS for a couple weeks now and I'm left with mixed feelings. The main thing I'm disappointed in is that it often takes you out of the way to get to a destination or tells you take a turn into a street that not even accessible.
For test I let it plot a course to my job, and it told me to take a course that added about 10-15 minutes to my drive. I went my normal route and when I was less then 3 miles from my job, it kept telling me to turn around to take the original course. Then on top of that it it wanted me to make a left hand turn onto a Air Force Base airfield, which has been long closed since 9/11.
I used my Nuvi 250W for a trip to Delaware last weekend, and my original course was totally screwed up,so I had to change the settings from shortest course to fastest Course and it took me the proper way to my destination. Once I made it to Delaware I had to find a Target or Walmart, and thats where this unit shined...I was able to punch in the name and found out that the closest Target was 12 miles away, but Walmart was just over a half of mile away from where I was at. I selected the Walmart and it gave me directions to it. When I had to return to the area I was originally at, it gave me a completely different set of directions then what I originally took. I went back the proper way and it adjusted and I got back without any issues.
Its a good tool, but try to get maps from Google Maps to double check your route first, since Google Maps seems to have a better direction giving ability then the Nuvi unit does.
For test I let it plot a course to my job, and it told me to take a course that added about 10-15 minutes to my drive. I went my normal route and when I was less then 3 miles from my job, it kept telling me to turn around to take the original course. Then on top of that it it wanted me to make a left hand turn onto a Air Force Base airfield, which has been long closed since 9/11.
I used my Nuvi 250W for a trip to Delaware last weekend, and my original course was totally screwed up,so I had to change the settings from shortest course to fastest Course and it took me the proper way to my destination. Once I made it to Delaware I had to find a Target or Walmart, and thats where this unit shined...I was able to punch in the name and found out that the closest Target was 12 miles away, but Walmart was just over a half of mile away from where I was at. I selected the Walmart and it gave me directions to it. When I had to return to the area I was originally at, it gave me a completely different set of directions then what I originally took. I went back the proper way and it adjusted and I got back without any issues.
Its a good tool, but try to get maps from Google Maps to double check your route first, since Google Maps seems to have a better direction giving ability then the Nuvi unit does.
Fair
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 7, 2008
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On the two trips I tested it on we arrived at our destination ok but approx. 10 extra miles more than necessary.
Will Pay for itself in Fuel Costs!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Mar 3, 2008
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Impressive! I've been using my new Garmin 250w for a couple days now, and took a trip that I have taken before, and instead of going the way I'd gone before, I typed in the address and followed the directions and a trip that used to take an hour took 45 minutes! That's 15 minutes quicker, each way...30 minutes round trip! I believe this unit will quickly pay for itself in fuel savings!
Great Value
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 26, 2008
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This little GPS unit works awesome, if your looking for something to throw in your luggage to use during your vacation, look no further, this is the most bang for the buck...And amazon is the best place to find them!
gteat product
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 20, 2008
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worked great right out the box. love the touch screen.the voice commands are on time and clear.if you miss a turn it recalculates quickly.the only down side was that it does not come with a usb cable or wall charger.
A superb navigation device
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 20, 2008
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I received this for Christmas, and used it right away for a 350 mile trip through rural SC to the beach. It has great navigational capabilities. The maps and directions are VERY clear and easy to understand, and were very accurate, even on very small, lightly traveled roads.
I subsequently won a TomTom XL1 and have been comparing the two. The TomTom is good, but the maps and directions are nowhere as good as the Garmin. It often gives incorrect directions and takes a long time to complete routes. The TomTom does have more POI features, but for navigation, the Garmin wins hands down.
I subsequently won a TomTom XL1 and have been comparing the two. The TomTom is good, but the maps and directions are nowhere as good as the Garmin. It often gives incorrect directions and takes a long time to complete routes. The TomTom does have more POI features, but for navigation, the Garmin wins hands down.
Garmin Nuvi 250W
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 19, 2008
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Go for it! I just love this product and I am 73. Am having a ball with it. It is easy and accurate. However, I would practice going to known routes so as to get use to voice indication to take certain exits e.g. take the next roundabout and then the 3rd exit, you have to count all possible exits so as not to miss. But if you do miss, your friendly voice will recalculate etc. I am very grateful to Lawrence H. Bulk who gave a superb review, do read his review if you are contemplating a purchase.
Fantastic product
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 19, 2008
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Received my Nuvi 250W and had it working in just minutes. Not sure why others complain about acquiring signal, mine works great. By the time I turn it on, start the vehicle, it has found its location and is ready to go.
Good maps, reasonable guidance (gets lost on some country routes). Overall, I am very satasfied with the product.
Good maps, reasonable guidance (gets lost on some country routes). Overall, I am very satasfied with the product.
Good Overall Unit
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 17, 2008
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Overall this is a very good and reliable product. Still need to update the maps to current. Some streets just aren't included and the unit basically tells you that you are driving through a field. If you are not familiar with an area, I would recommend you get one that speaks the street names. Though they show on the screen, it is sometimes inconvenient to drive in unknown territory and read the screen, especially at multi-street intersections. Overall I am very impressed with the Garmin product and its quality. The windshield mount is easy to use and makes it totally unnecessary to leave in your vehicle.
So nice I did it twice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 16, 2008
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I recently purchased a Garmin Nuvi 250W for my new car. I had previously bought a Magellan product and was very happy with it. I used the Magellan on my motorcycle and twice went across the country using its guidance. I chose the Garmin for the larger screen. When I received the 250W, I was very impressed with the automatic features that the 250W had that the Magellan was missing. I particularly like the automatic zoom, the automatic dimming at night, and the identification of the next cross street. To make a long story short, I bought a second Garmin Nuvi 250W for my motorcycle.
Garmin nuvi 250W
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 14, 2008
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We are very happy with this GPS so far. The dealer we bought it from was very prompt. In fact we received it in 2 days. Since we haven't had it very long we don't have any feedback at this time. We are going on a 2 week trip to Fla. and will be using it the whole way. I will have more to report when we return.
great little unit
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 14, 2008
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The wide screen is great for easier viewing. would have liked spoken street names but that would be more expensive. this unit only speaks turn by turn directions but the price was affordable
Garmin 250W -- A Great Value
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 8, 2008
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The Garmin 250W GPS unit is exactly what I was looking for -- a no-frills unit built on a solid platform, priced reasonably. Garmin is recognized as a leader in the industry for a reason. Their products work well. The 250W, although it is a basic unit, has all the quality mapping and user interface features as its bigger brothers. There was one feature missing on the 250W (text to speech) which I thought I'd miss. However, after using the unit I can say, its no big deal at all. I really don't need my GPS unit to tell me the name of the street on which to turn. The 250W has Garmin's latest and greatest operating software and map database already loaded. Some of the other, slightly older models in the Garmin lineup have somewhat outdated versions. I've used the 250W now for a month or so and I'm very pleased with its performance. It is also very easy to use; not complicated at all. Although value for price is more of a subjective topic, I feel the 250W is an excellent value, given the other options in the market. I highly recommend the Garmin 250W GPS.
Nuvi 250W takes a long time acquiring a satellite
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Feb 5, 2008
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I would not recommend the Nuvi 250W. I purchased two of these from Amazon and I have been disappointed. They take a long time to acquire a satellite signal. When I was in San Jose it took 5-10 minutes to acquire a signal. I was already to my destination by the time I got a signal. I then took it to Chicago and waited 10 minutes for the signal. I was traveling about 17 miles from O'hare airport and while on the toll road 355 the GPS showed me in the middle of a white space (no road). The GPS was totally confused and started spinning. Today in the middle of the Dallas suburbs it took 20 minutes to get a signal on a partly cloudy day. I would try a different manufacturer or a higher end model.
Excellent GPS system!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 28, 2008
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Excellent product at a great price. This GPS is exactly on the money. Locates satellites under 30 seconds. I love that it will give you an estimated time of arrival and is exact to the minute unless there are really long traffic delays. It does adjust the ETA if you are delayed. I don't even look at the clock in the car anymore, just my ETA time on the Garmin. If I don't want to take the route it has planned for me (because I know where I am going) it will recalculate a new route as soon as I turn in the different direction. I have the Garmin Dash mount with the unit as well [Garmin Portable Friction Mount for Nuvi, StreetPilot I Series & C530, C550 (010-10908-00)] and really love that also. I first purchased a Cobra GPS and when I turned on the Cobra it said that I was in Chicago when I am in South Florida. I have never had that problem with my Garmin. My parents have one as well and love it also.
You NEED to purchase the Widescreen unit though. Very easy on the eyes and just big enough without blocking your view. The voice instruction on the unit is loud enough without being annoying and the volume can be adjusted. Unit is loaded with great points of interest. I even found a little bar in Marathon Key, FL that is really hidden off the road and known only to locals. That was even in the P.O.I.'s
I even went to Radio Shack to wire another cigarette lighter for about $8.00 directly to my vehicle key power so the unit will turn on and off automatically as I turn my car on and off. Unit does have an on/off switch, but I took the more convienant way out. ie:lazy :)
You NEED to purchase the Widescreen unit though. Very easy on the eyes and just big enough without blocking your view. The voice instruction on the unit is loud enough without being annoying and the volume can be adjusted. Unit is loaded with great points of interest. I even found a little bar in Marathon Key, FL that is really hidden off the road and known only to locals. That was even in the P.O.I.'s
I even went to Radio Shack to wire another cigarette lighter for about $8.00 directly to my vehicle key power so the unit will turn on and off automatically as I turn my car on and off. Unit does have an on/off switch, but I took the more convienant way out. ie:lazy :)
Garmin nüvi 250W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 27, 2008
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I have been using this unit for three weeks now and am very happy. I have used Garmin GPS units for many years for sailing but this is the first unit I have used for land navigation - I never realized how useful they are, even for going places that you are completely familiar with.
There are a surprsing number of features that this unit has and a surprising number of references to it on the internet even though it is new. I recommend reading the very complete article about it online in GPS magazine as the instruction book that comes with it is that in name only. However the unit is extremely easy and intuitive to use so even without much instruction you will be able to start it and use it right out of the box. I ordered the AC power cord and the computer cord to download photos for use in the house which is really what sold me on the unit as it could be used all of the time. I got all three delivered for just under $300 which also sold me on this unit.
It is very accurate and informative and even though it has the latest maps you will want to be able to download updates as they become available. I have found that it is unaware of the new I-280 bridge over the Maumee river in Toledo, for example, as I "fly" over the river before rejoinning the highway when I use the new bridge. It has already shown me some shorter ways to get around Toledo and it is really nice to have all the information it displays at your fingertips on long trips; it reminds me when to turn so that I don't miss it while focused on something else or it can tell me where to find groceries or a pizza place or anything else I might be looking for when I get to an unfamiliar town and then it will give me directions when I decide where to go. I know now that I will never be without one of these again and Garmin has impressed me with all the features they have packed into this unit, especially for the price. Garmin nüvi 250W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
There are a surprsing number of features that this unit has and a surprising number of references to it on the internet even though it is new. I recommend reading the very complete article about it online in GPS magazine as the instruction book that comes with it is that in name only. However the unit is extremely easy and intuitive to use so even without much instruction you will be able to start it and use it right out of the box. I ordered the AC power cord and the computer cord to download photos for use in the house which is really what sold me on the unit as it could be used all of the time. I got all three delivered for just under $300 which also sold me on this unit.
It is very accurate and informative and even though it has the latest maps you will want to be able to download updates as they become available. I have found that it is unaware of the new I-280 bridge over the Maumee river in Toledo, for example, as I "fly" over the river before rejoinning the highway when I use the new bridge. It has already shown me some shorter ways to get around Toledo and it is really nice to have all the information it displays at your fingertips on long trips; it reminds me when to turn so that I don't miss it while focused on something else or it can tell me where to find groceries or a pizza place or anything else I might be looking for when I get to an unfamiliar town and then it will give me directions when I decide where to go. I know now that I will never be without one of these again and Garmin has impressed me with all the features they have packed into this unit, especially for the price. Garmin nüvi 250W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Great wide screen GPS
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 27, 2008
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This is my first GPS. I am very impressed with how quickly and accurately this device calculates a path to my destination. The ETA calculation is also accurate. I needed to go to an address on the opposite side of a major metropolitan area. This Garmin calculated a 30 mile path in just a few seconds, and gave an ETA. The ETA was within a minute of my actual arrival time!
Excellent Product
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 24, 2008
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Tested the product and found it very accurate on directions, quick to recalulate alternate routes and very fast at acquiring birds. I wrote several POI files and downloaded them without any problems. The only negatives were the practically useless "manual" and the lack of the USB cable to download directly from my computer. I did find a useful document at GPS Magazine. The review for the 250W really explained the features in the unit and how to access and use them. I would recommend new users to go there and download that information. I would have given five stars had there been a decent manual and USB cable included. It was included with the two previous Garmin units that I purchased in the past.
Very good GPS
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 23, 2008
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While this GPS does not have voice technology in which it speaks the street name you're turning on, the larger size screen and ease of use make up for that. You can't beat the quality at this price.
Garmin 250w
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 19, 2008
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found this Garmin to be the best of the 3 leading Brands tested them all.
also of the garmin's the 250w has the widest screen along with the best price and is not loaded with a bunch of features that the driver doesn't need.
also of the garmin's the 250w has the widest screen along with the best price and is not loaded with a bunch of features that the driver doesn't need.
Nuvi 250W Does the Job
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 19, 2008
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This is a great product. It does it's intended job and is user friendly. Very intuitive and very helpful in so many ways.
Garmin is the best
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 14, 2008
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I have used several GPS products from other manufacturers and Garmin makes the best. This unit did not let me down. It is very easy to use and has a great display. Great GPS for the money!!
Awesome
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 13, 2008
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It is much better than I expected! As stated, right out of the box and easy to find locations while you're on the road. I have been very impressed and have used it twice in big cities and always taken me right to the location.
Recommend to anyone who is sick and tired of getting lost and not having detailed maps.
Recommend to anyone who is sick and tired of getting lost and not having detailed maps.
Excellent value for the $$
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 12, 2008
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This unit is pretty good, the whole setup is nice but it would have been nicer to include an AC charger instead of the cigar plug. I mean, who's going to leave a battery powered GPS plugged in the car for the amount of time it takes to charge it? That screams "steal me" and I'd prefer to have it in the kitchen charging rather than the car. The battery life is pretty good, the display is bright and uncluttered. One feature not found on this one is that it doesn't speak the street names. The 260 does that and the square screen is about the same price as this model right now.
I've only had a couple issues with acquiring a satellite fix taking longer than a couple minutes and like many gps units, this one is just as stubborn. Once it has a route picked, there's no easy way to modify it without going waaayyyy out of your way. For instance, it had me turn down a street that is still being built to get to a friend's house in Henderson NV and when I passed it without turning at the "Road Closed" signs, it kept insisting I make a U-turn until I got about a mile away. Then it finally recalculated a new route. It's an annoyance, but my old TomTom and my old Magellan both did the same thing too so it's not unique to Garmin.
I've only had a couple issues with acquiring a satellite fix taking longer than a couple minutes and like many gps units, this one is just as stubborn. Once it has a route picked, there's no easy way to modify it without going waaayyyy out of your way. For instance, it had me turn down a street that is still being built to get to a friend's house in Henderson NV and when I passed it without turning at the "Road Closed" signs, it kept insisting I make a U-turn until I got about a mile away. Then it finally recalculated a new route. It's an annoyance, but my old TomTom and my old Magellan both did the same thing too so it's not unique to Garmin.
Garmin 250W Nuvi
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 12, 2008
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Great product. Very easy to use. No instruction book really needed. Unlike others I have had, entering where you want to go on this unit is simplicity itself. It's all intuitive. It has a bright screen that is easily read in sunlight, but a "dimmer" for night driving would make it better. You won't go wrong (or get lost) if you get this GPS.
Highly Recommended
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jan 10, 2008
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I recently purchased this GPS for my wife, who frequently travels alone. After reading pages and pages of reviews about each of the major companies' GPS offerings, I settled on this one, and must say that I am quite happy with my decision. It has worked almost flawlessly for us, with the exception of poor satellite reception while in Washington, DC. Otherwise, it is easy to use, and almost intuitive in every way. We did not need or desire all of the 'bells and whistles' of units costing twice as much - bluetooth, MP3 player, etc. I would recommend this to anyone who just wants a nice, simple GPS unit for travel. I will update this review after I go to Europe, and baptize the Europe maps card, but I expect it to be a great success!
Garmin GPS
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Dec 15, 2008
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Garmin GPS. This was purchased as a Christmas gift. Checked it out and it seemed to be exactly what I wanted.
Outdated GPS maps
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Dec 13, 2008
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This is the second Garman Nuvi I have purchased through Amazon in the past 4 months. The first one was for my own use and I have no complaints with it. This recent purchase was for a Christmas gift. I tested the unit to be sure it was operable. Much to my surprise, the unit immediately warned me the maps are over a year old and require updating. Updated maps are $69 on the Garmin site. This update will put the unit far above its worth in cost. Needless to say, I am quite disapointed in the product.
Hate Garmin!!!
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Dec 1, 2008
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Garmin has a policy of allowing free updates for 60 days only on this product, but there is nothing on the package to warn of this. So when I figured out that it needed updating, it was past the date. I AM REALLY MAJORLY TICKED OFF AT GARMIN! I sat on hold for 35 minutes, got cut off, sat on hold for another 15 minutes, got transferred, sat on hold for another hour and then was told there was nothing they couldn't fix it.
br /
br /WARNING! LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND!
br /
br /WARNING! LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND!
Great screen, Great Navigation
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Nov 26, 2008
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I've used the Garmin GPS around town and overseas and it is really good.
br /
br /It doesn't have some of the more prosumer features like bluetooth or saying street names but it just works with a great screen.
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br /The graphics are really nice and helps you get your way.
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br /It doesn't have some of the more prosumer features like bluetooth or saying street names but it just works with a great screen.
br /
br /The graphics are really nice and helps you get your way.
Garmin nuvi 250W GPS
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Nov 12, 2008
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It has a few quirks, but all in all, a very good and easy to use GPS. We recently used it on a 3700 mile trip and discovered all its peccadilloes as well as its advantages. The latter outweigh the former. An annoying feature is for some inexplicable reason the GPS will sometimes take us on circuitous detours that don't seem to make much sense. Eventually you get where you need to be but a person familiar with the area would find it a bit strange. We love Starbucks, so the points of interest feature came in handy for locating them in unfamiliar towns along our route. Even so, we occasionally got routed to a location where a Starbucks didn't exist. Just one of the mysteries of the GPS world, I guess.
br /
br /Overall, I like this GPS. It doesn't have the text to speech feature which could come in handy if you're traveling alone, but you receive ample warning to make sure you turn or exit at the right places. Good product at a good price.
br /
br /Overall, I like this GPS. It doesn't have the text to speech feature which could come in handy if you're traveling alone, but you receive ample warning to make sure you turn or exit at the right places. Good product at a good price.
A Bargain Sleeper
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Nov 9, 2008
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I am in sales and travel thousands of miles a month. In the course of using different GPS brands I have found Garmin to be the best. I have 3 250w units and 2 260w. For the money the 260w is not worth it. Its only advantage is speaking street names which it murders the pronunciations to the point you get even more confused, for example St. George road comes out sounding like "San Orange Rone", and it gets worse. The 250w is the perfect unit. If you don't need a billion points of interest, bluetooth, live traffic updates, (BTW a separate subscription service), mp3 player, or 7" screen in your NAV unit then this is the one. It is small, lightweight, strong battery life, (about 5 hours with contrast down), and inexpensive. The screens and menus are simple clean and give the right amount of information. Even my 70 year old mom used it with no instructions and returned home without police, and if you knew my mom you would buy it simply on that merit. Out of the few thousand destinations I have travelled, the 250w only misled me about a dozen times--not bad. If you don't need maps of Canada then the 200w is even a better bargain. The next gen of NAV units coming out from Garmin have not separated the technology apart enough to justify 7 or 8 bills, (lane change gestures and posted speed limits with traffic updates and accident avoidance re-routing). I'll stick with this bargain basement 250w for a while longer.
Garmin Nuvi 250W
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Oct 15, 2008
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I was looking for a GPS that was easy to use, also with a large screen (for us older folks)and this one seemed to fill the bill. It is very easy to use and takes you right to the spot you entered and you can easily see the directions and menu while the GPS is on the dash. Also like the voice directions. I am a widow and usually drive by myself. The voice makes it seem that someone is with you on the trip. AND the price was right. I love shopping at Amazon!!!
great product
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Oct 14, 2008
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This is my first gps and I must say, my whole family and I are extremely impressed with it. It's surprisingly accurate on almost everything. It's never been wrong road-wize and only missed one fast food place it doesn't know about. I'd recommend this to anybody.
Garmin Nuvi 250w
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Oct 14, 2008
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This product is everything i expected and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a GPS. Very easy to use and view. I had a Magellan but found Nuvi to be better value for the money.
Critical for my survival
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Oct 12, 2008
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I just moved to Coumbus after living in Pittsburgh my entire life, and without this Garmin, I would be lost everyday. It's easy to use and gives almost perfect directions anywhere. I'm also a fan of the wide-screen. I did a lot of searching for the right GPS system before I bought this one, and I think I made the right decision.
Suction cup works! Good price for a 4.3" widescreen but less options
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Oct 12, 2008
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Pro: Unlike the older and more expensive models, the suction cup stays on the windshield and is easy to remove and attach. There is no antena to flip or pull. The plug for connecting the unit to the cigarette lighter is small. You can make the connection while the unit is mounted on the winshield. I am happy with the product in general, especially the screen size and the price.
br /
br /Con: There are only two options for avoidance, and it won't let you avoid traffic or highway. You have to look at the display to know toward what street it is guiding you. The audio only tells you to turn or stay on left/right in certain number of miles/feet. If this is not the first GPS you use, you may need to get used to the fact that the distance info and the turn icon are on the uppper left corner on this model.
br /
br /Con: There are only two options for avoidance, and it won't let you avoid traffic or highway. You have to look at the display to know toward what street it is guiding you. The audio only tells you to turn or stay on left/right in certain number of miles/feet. If this is not the first GPS you use, you may need to get used to the fact that the distance info and the turn icon are on the uppper left corner on this model.
Garmin GPS
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Oct 12, 2008
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My husband and I used our new GPS on a trip from NC to Virginia. We were extatic how well it worked and how it made our trip much easier. It cut hours off of our trip.
Works like a charm!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Oct 12, 2008
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This is our first GPS - Nuvi250W - and we are very pleased with it. It was simple to set up, and after a little playing with it, we figured everything out. The voice is loud enough to hear, the "map" showing the car is easy to follow, and there are a lot of prompts so you don't forget what you need to do. The info on top of screen previews the next turn (direction and distance) and the name of the street, and this makes it easy to anticipate and keep an eye out. Would like an easier way to find out battery level.
VERY GOOD GPS FOR PRICE
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Oct 3, 2008
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Purchased for out of state trip and found Garmin unit to be very good in
br /directing you to proper exits. Retrospect wished had purchased unit that call out street names, but this unit was not confusing. Excellent value at under $200 for a basic large screen unit that is easy to use.
br /directing you to proper exits. Retrospect wished had purchased unit that call out street names, but this unit was not confusing. Excellent value at under $200 for a basic large screen unit that is easy to use.
Nuvi 250 review
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Sep 22, 2008
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I'm very happy with my new GPS. I have a Garmin Street Pilot 2610 which cost about $1000 5 years ago. The maps were getting old so I looked into getting updates and they cost $79. I decided to upgrade not only my maps but my unit as well. The Nuvi doesn't have as many setting capabilities but overall I like it better than my Street Pilot.
Easy to read screen
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Sep 20, 2008
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br / I have had other Garmin units with smaller screens and as we all get older, so do our eyes. I started finding myself putting on glasses to set my routes. I decided to purchase this unit because of the large display and compact size. I travel extensively for business and find this unit not only easy to read but reflective of the Garmin reputation for quality. When you purchase this unit, make sure you also purchase the USB cable to hook it to your computer after you get it to download updates for your GPS. Amazon sells it for under $10 and it isn't included when you get it from Garmin. I guess these want to make the extra profit without giving it to you.
Garmin nuvi 250W, GPS
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Sep 2, 2008
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My family loves our new Garmin nuvi 250w ! The minute we took it out of the box, we started using it. That's how user-friendly it is. We like several things about it: the wide, easy-touch screen, the fact that it fits into a pocket, the reliability of the directions, it's easy to read large letters, and it's fun to use! The price is great too!
Just the ticket!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Aug 30, 2008
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After all the review reading and research.I purchased this for my wife.
br /She is far from a techie guru. I was pleased with Amazons quick shipping and Garmins quality. You could pay more but this dose the trick.
br /Easy to use, very visible 4.3" screen and finds location with out any delay.
br /She is far from a techie guru. I was pleased with Amazons quick shipping and Garmins quality. You could pay more but this dose the trick.
br /Easy to use, very visible 4.3" screen and finds location with out any delay.
Garmin GPS
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Aug 26, 2008
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Nice and compact to fit in my purse-I won't leave it in the car! Images are clear. Gets me from pt A to pt B with no problems. Good enough for me!
it will get you there
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jul 6, 2008
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This is a great little device with many helping features. I don't know why I managed to get by without it. This makes traveling so much more enjoyable, knowing your not going astray. This makes for one happy trip.
Patti's GPS
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jun 20, 2008
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I bought a Garmin Nuvi 250W GPS for my husband and myself because we take a lot of road trips and we needed help navigating unfamiliar cities. Amazon. com made this purchase so easy and affordable and we have already used the GPS several times and are very pleased. We appreciate Amazon.com's quick delivery and ease in ordering on the internet.
Excellent when you're able to get a satellite signal!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jun 6, 2008
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This is a good value for the money. Obviuosly there are units that perform way better according to other reviews, but they cost significantly more.
br /
br /Pros: I love the screen on this unit the image is very clear and sharp. The voice prompt is also excellent - loud and clear. Finding an address is a breeze. I find the favorites and Go Home features particularly very helpful.
br /
br /Cons: Aquiring satellite signal is a major issue with this unit. This is the only reason I find it hard to give a higher rating. I drive almost the same route to and from work everyday and my unit loses and regains satellite signals about 4 or five times on each trip. Sometimes it never regains the signal for the rest of the trip. This could be a major pain if you lose satelite signals on a trip you're not familiar with.
br /
br /Pros: I love the screen on this unit the image is very clear and sharp. The voice prompt is also excellent - loud and clear. Finding an address is a breeze. I find the favorites and Go Home features particularly very helpful.
br /
br /Cons: Aquiring satellite signal is a major issue with this unit. This is the only reason I find it hard to give a higher rating. I drive almost the same route to and from work everyday and my unit loses and regains satellite signals about 4 or five times on each trip. Sometimes it never regains the signal for the rest of the trip. This could be a major pain if you lose satelite signals on a trip you're not familiar with.
Garmin 250w GPS
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jun 2, 2008
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On the most part, this is an easy to use GPS with quick response when the recommended route is missed or detoured. It does not announce the street names, but the directions are clearly given when to turn or enter a highway. Only a couple times on my last trip did I get no response for my hotel directions and that was because they were newly built and the locations were only known by the street address. Bottom line is it sure beats studying the maps and I wouldn't go on a trip without it. I've rented GPS units with smaller screens and I recommended the widescreen version as a purchase plus.
a good basic portable GPS
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Jun 2, 2008
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I'm one of those people who doesn't need all the bells and whistles in a gadget. I also need something user friendly. This item is a good basic simple GPS that is easy to use. The only drawback: not enough information in the memory sometimes. That's what you get with the low price. My sister has an incredible built-in system (also by Garmin) in her car. It is also about six times the cost of mine. Do I want to pay that price for the additional features? No. I'm happy with my GPS.
Garmin 250w
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: May 31, 2008
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Great buy. The 200W would be fine if
br /Canada maps not needed.
br /Canada maps not needed.
Nice little unit
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: May 30, 2008
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This is a very nice little unit. Widescreen is defintely nice. I was delighted to see that it had parking garage locations in the db. I give it 4 stars because others at this price do offer text to speech and/or traffic but reviews for those are somewhat lacking.
Nuvi 250W
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: May 30, 2008
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I bought Nuvi 250W with dashboard mount accessory. Very pleased with it. Easy to set up worked straight out of the box. The mount means no windshield marks for would-be thieves to see when Nuvi is mounted via a suction cup.
Garmin Nuvi 250W GPS
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: May 28, 2008
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This unit is great! We had the 200W and returned it because it didn't work in Canada. We took this to California last month and it helped us navigate the busy roads of Southern California. The wide screen makes it easy to read. All and all I would recommend this unit.
Great for travel!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: May 18, 2008
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I took my new navigator on a recent trip. I fully realized the benefits of the device when it gave me easily-followed directions to my hotel from the airport after a tiring day of cross-country travel. The directions to the hotel I got from the car rental attendant were very confusing, so I was delighted that I could depend on my new Garmin navigator to get me to the hotel.
slow in connecting with satellite
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 2.6 out of 10
Created: Feb 5, 2008
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I had a factory-installed GPS in my car, which I crashed, and liked it much better than this Garmin. My brother also has this same one and has the same problem. It takes FOREVER to connect with the satellite. I am not very happy with it and wish I had my car back that had it factory-installed. I do realize that it was more expensive that way, but now I only use the Garmin when I really have to. Also, my son has it in Honolulu, HI and their Garmin does not get satellite coverage there at all, so they can't even use it. That is very disappointing for him too.
Good unit
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 2.6 out of 10
Created: Aug 7, 2008
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Pros: Great picture, reception, a lot of features. Great for Geocaching.
br /
br /Cons: Takes a while to acquire satellite's at first.
br /
br /Cons: Takes a while to acquire satellite's at first.
Never let me down, but was missing a couple little handy features
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 2.6 out of 10
Created: Jul 10, 2008
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I used this Garmin for almost a year before my car got broken into and it got stolen (side note: if anyone lives in an urban area, I recommend getting the friction dassh mount...I left my car on a street in Manhattan for about 20 minutes, and the only thing on my dashboard was the small black mounting disk, and my car got broken into and the GPS was stolen, along with other valuables. The friction dash mount is a great investment, you can hide it easily and leave no trace of the fact you own a GPS.)
br /It never led me down the wrong street, its arrival times were always accurate, and its routes were almost always perfectly chosen. I never had any functional problems, and the fact that the display automatically switches between night and day display depending on the time is very handy. The maps were very detailed, I usually had great reception, etc etc.
br /So why did I only give it 4 stars? I just recently bought a new GPS and decided to go with the Tom Tom. The tom tom is slightly less reliable in terms of choosing routes to take, but the Garmin lacked a few tiny features that I really wish it had.
br /The main feature it lacked was the inability to choose to avoid certain routes along your destination. With the Tom Tom, you can look at the whole travel route, pick one certain road anywhere in the route, and choose to avoid it. The garmin doesn't offer you that feature, it just offers you a simple "recalculate route" function - BUT, it only recalculates it to avoid the very next road you're about to take, meaning you could eventually end up back on the road you wanted to avoid! Not that big a deal, but I live around the Westchester/NYC area and I know certain routes are trouble for traffic and/or other inconveniences, and it was a pain not being about to choose what to avoid.
br /The battery life is fantastic also.
br /Overall, the Garmin is very very reliable and never steered me wrong, but the Tom Tom (although slightly less reliable) has more little adjustable features that I liked.
br /It never led me down the wrong street, its arrival times were always accurate, and its routes were almost always perfectly chosen. I never had any functional problems, and the fact that the display automatically switches between night and day display depending on the time is very handy. The maps were very detailed, I usually had great reception, etc etc.
br /So why did I only give it 4 stars? I just recently bought a new GPS and decided to go with the Tom Tom. The tom tom is slightly less reliable in terms of choosing routes to take, but the Garmin lacked a few tiny features that I really wish it had.
br /The main feature it lacked was the inability to choose to avoid certain routes along your destination. With the Tom Tom, you can look at the whole travel route, pick one certain road anywhere in the route, and choose to avoid it. The garmin doesn't offer you that feature, it just offers you a simple "recalculate route" function - BUT, it only recalculates it to avoid the very next road you're about to take, meaning you could eventually end up back on the road you wanted to avoid! Not that big a deal, but I live around the Westchester/NYC area and I know certain routes are trouble for traffic and/or other inconveniences, and it was a pain not being about to choose what to avoid.
br /The battery life is fantastic also.
br /Overall, the Garmin is very very reliable and never steered me wrong, but the Tom Tom (although slightly less reliable) has more little adjustable features that I liked.
Great Product! Too Bad It Had Issues
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 2.4 out of 10
Created: Jan 18, 2008
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Loved the big bright screen. No problems with the routing or maps. I just got a dud, that didn't want to work when I plugged it into the cigarette lighter adapter. It worked fine while running on the internal battery but when I plugged into the power cord in the car, the unit would go into computer transfer mode every time. Garmin tech support was very helpful but they could not resolve my problem so I returned the unit. Haven't decided what to replace it with. It will probably be another Garmin though, because the Magellans appear to have more issues than the Garmins and the Tom Tom's just don't impress me.
Garmin reliability? Remains to be seen
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 2.4 out of 10
Created: May 22, 2008
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Garmin nüvi 250W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
br /I think the unit that I bought has not been updated recently. I entered an address I knew to be where it was but I was directed in the opposite direction. Of course I ignored it and started driving towards the right place. Only when I was just a mile away when the unit gave the correct directions. Also, the unit did not have a new toll road in Austin, Texas, opened a year ago, in its memory.
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br /But I haven't really used it much. I intend to use it a lot more when I retire at the end of 2008. I gave it 3 stars because its reliability remains to be seen.
br /I think the unit that I bought has not been updated recently. I entered an address I knew to be where it was but I was directed in the opposite direction. Of course I ignored it and started driving towards the right place. Only when I was just a mile away when the unit gave the correct directions. Also, the unit did not have a new toll road in Austin, Texas, opened a year ago, in its memory.
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br /But I haven't really used it much. I intend to use it a lot more when I retire at the end of 2008. I gave it 3 stars because its reliability remains to be seen.
Garmin nuvi 250w 4.3 inch
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 2.4 out of 10
Created: May 18, 2008
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I would like to have known before I ordered that The text to speech did not give the name of the street just before the turn.
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awsome nuvi
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 2.4 out of 10
Created: May 9, 2008
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this modern convienence is the bomb, nothing but props.
br /It is fast, clear, the words are very clear and concise.
br /excellent update from the web feature and you can upload as many vehicles as you want. Nuvi Rocks!
br /It is fast, clear, the words are very clear and concise.
br /excellent update from the web feature and you can upload as many vehicles as you want. Nuvi Rocks!
Garmin Nuvi 250W
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 1.8 out of 10
Created: Jan 31, 2008
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The Garmin Nuvi 250W does not track and acquire satellites well in my 2003 Toyota Tundra. It works flawlessly in a Lexus and a 2008 Toyota Tundra. Consider another GPS if you own a truck like mine.
Garmin stinks
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 1.4 out of 10
Created: Jan 19, 2008
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Bought Garmin 250W and used first time and found out I355 isn't on database. Garmin said oh well they were not informed of the road yet by the state. They said I can buy update in summer 2008. I feel like I bought something with out all the parts. The road was completed before I purchased and was under construction for 3 years. Now it'll cost me more money to update. I'd try Tom Tom or another before purchasing a Garmin. John Ulrich
250w
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 1.2 out of 10
Created: Feb 23, 2008
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A bit pricy but excellent piece of electronic. Good support from Garmin but website can be confusing, if you have questions call them.
Wrong manual
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 0.8 out of 10
Created: Jul 29, 2008
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I made a purchase of Garmin 250W, but it came with a manual for 200W, AND I am very disappointed.
Garmin Nuvi 250w buyer beware!!!!!!!!
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 0.0 out of 10
Created: Jun 16, 2008
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Garmin nüvi 250W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator I was so happy to get my new garmin but when i opened it i found that it did not work at all. Spent much of my time trying to contact the bogus seller with a bogus e-mail. Now i am trying to get in touch w amazon about this and a lot of good that has done me, not!!!! over $200.00 down the drain. If you buy this and it is DOA your on your own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never again will i buy anything from amazon!!!