Garmin's nüvi 255W improvesupon its 200-series predecessors by adding top-of-the-line features such as FM traffic updates or MSN Direct content to an entry-level line. But Garmin is also introducing some significant improvements with this new series, like a predictive technology that provides faster satellite lock, a redesigned screen with more information, terrain maps, and an exciting new photo navigation feature. The 255W adds complete maps for North America and Text-to-Speech, so you get turn by turn spoken directions with the real names of streets (e.g. "turn left in 50 feet at Nebraska Way", rather than merely "turn left in 50 feet"). The 255W also offers a wide 4.3-inch (diagonal) screen that displays 70% more of the road around you.
The nüvi 2x5 models all sport the slim design that Garmin introduced with the 200-series last year, so they all fit comfortably in your pocket or purse, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that makes them convenient for navigation by car or foot.All of the models include useful travel tools like a JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more.
Important Product Information: This device features a "screen lock" feature. This is a standard feature on all nüvi 2x5 and 7x5 Garmin units. If you slide the "Power" key to the right, it will lock the screen and prevent any accidental touches. Once the screen lock feature is engaged, the screen will go black/gray after about 15 seconds to save power on the device. To unlock the screen, just slide the "Power" key to the center position. This feature is really targeted for "Pedestrian" mode so that a user can put the device in his or her pocket/purse and quickly unlock the screen instead of powering on/off continuously. For more information, see page 5 of the product manual.
Key Features/Benefits for all 2x5 Series Navigators
New-- Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Basemap shows 3D shaded terrain features (Learn more)
New-- Faster 333 Mhz processor offers faster, smoother map drawing and vehicle icon motion through turns
New-- Redesigned user interface offers more information (Learn more)
New-- Photo Navigation lets you upload geo-coded photos from a phone, geo-coding camera or photo site and navigate to them. (Learn more)
New-- Add Enhanced MSN Traffic and Content with the optional GDB 55 antenna and charger (Learn more)
New-- Send addresses directly to your Garmin from Google Maps or Mapquest (Learn more)
New-- Automatic Time Zone Transition
Text-to-Speech gives directions with real street names
4.3-inch Widescreen shows you more of what's around you as you drive (Learn more)
Memory Card Slots so you can add maps and travel guides, or store photos (MicroSD card slot on 3.5-inch units; SD card slot on 4.3-inch units)
Preloaded Maps with Navteq data of North America + Hawaii + Puerto Rico, including 6.5 million searchable points of interest (Learn more)
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery for easy portability (up to 4 hours per charge)
Custom Vehicle Icons let you personalize your navigator (Learn more)
Integrated Antenna for a slim form factor
Where Am I? -- instantly shows you all of the emergency services nearby (Learn More)
What's in the Box nüvi 255W, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America or Europe (full coverage), Vehicle suction cup mount, Vehicle power cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual
Which nüvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators
Product Details
4.3 Inch Auto Navigator with Anti Theft Feature
Voice Prompted Turn by Turn Directions
With HotFix, It Calculates Your Position Faster to Get You There Quicker
Compatible with Optional Enhanced MSN Direct Content
JPEG Picture Viewer, World Travel Clock, Currency Converter, Calculator and More
Customer Reviews
Garmin Nuvi 255w
Review Date: July 1, 2008
Reviewer: Schultzie, Northeast PA
I actually could not decide between the Garmin Nuvi 255w or the 750 model, so I decided to buy them both for comparison. I mounted them both to my car windshield and gave them various addresses to find together. I found that both models took the same routes and announced upcoming turns and street names at practically the same time. One thing I noticed about the 255w was that it was updating my position on the road more often, I'd say about 3 times as often as the 750. This made for smoother graphics on the 255w of the vehicle moving along displayed roads, where the 750's display was more of a "jerky" movement. I also found that the display on the 255w was a bit brighter, clearer, and more vivid than on the 750 in both daylight and at night. Another feature I like on the 255w is the graphic turn indicator in the upper left corner, which the 750 lacks. This is a small arrow which shows upcoming turns and the distance to that turn. It also show things like a fork in the road, (ie: a Y intersection), and which fork you will be taking. The 750 just displays text on the top line for upcoming turns without the arrow. It's just a little extra feature on the 255w which I happened to really like. The 255 also automatically adjusts the font size of displayed text so that even lengthy text will fit.
Another feature on the 255w is a display of the posted speed limit on the road which you are currently on right above your current displayed speed. I found myself not even looking at my car speedometer as I could easily see my current speed and the speed limit of my route at a glance. The 750 doesn't have this feature. I also like how they moved the zoom in (+) and zoom out (-) buttons on the 255w to the same side of the screen which makes it a bit easier. On the 750 the zoom buttons are on opposite sides of the screen.
Now there are some features on the 750 that the 255w does not have. The 750 can broadcast it's sound over your FM radio with the supplied cigarette lighter cable, and it has a headphone jack, which I found to be nice features. The 750 also has an MP3 player and an Audio-book player, which the 255w does not. Another really nice feature of the 750 is the car locater. This is a great feature if you are parking in a really big lot, such as at an amusement park or a fair. The 750 marks your location when you remove it from the car, then you take it with you and it remembers where you parked and takes you right back to your car. The 255w doesn't have the car locater.
I also thought the the voice prompts of the 750 where more pleasant sounding than the 255w's. The 750 sounds more like a real female voice, where the 255w sounds more robotic.
Another thing to consider was that I paid $50 less for the 750 and it came with the FM transmitter cable and a USB cord to connect it to your computer for updates and downloads.
My final decision was to keep the 255w and return the 750 because I really liked the graphic turn indicator and the posted speed limit and current speed indicators. I didn't find a need for the 750's MP3 player and Audio book player, but that is up to personal preference. Since the USB cable was not included with the 255w, I purchased it on this site for $10. I also intend to purchase the MSN direct cable when it is available in August 2008.
The Garmin Nuvi GPS Navigation System is an incredible tool for all of your navigation needs that will cover every aspect of your driving necessities. Everything that the best and most efficient GPS systems might have, this device will have plus the unique features this brand specifically designed for this type of service.
Aside from the fact that the Garmin Nuvi GPS Navigation System has one of the most accurate receivers in the market, it also offers a text-to-speech highly competent functionality, the most versatile system and a great integrated Bluetooth that makes this one of the most desirable devices out there.
There is nothing like a veteran GPS provider to manufacture some of the most reliable pieces in the market. With the Garmin Nuvi GPS Navigation System, the larger touchscreen display gives its users enough room to handle all of the features and enough space so the maps and instructions might be easily viewed by anyone. The incredible 480x272 pixel resolution presents the user with images that are extremely sharp and colorful. The ideal large screen was built as part of this device due the problems with readability that many other GPS systems won't admit they have. Garmin has been around long enough to know best.
The clean interface and clearly identifiable menus are rich in easy to use features that will keep you away from your user's manual forever. The WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) built within this GPS gadget will make your position location much more accurate and updated than any other, and if you are not only the car driving type, you may switch the device to be used with a bicycle, truck, bus and even as a plain pedestrian.
And if you think that a GPS manufacturer will only be concerned with the device it sells, think again. Garmin offers a full kit with MP3 player, JPEG picture viewer, an audible book player, measurements converters, a world clock and a calculator. With this device in your hands you will be on the top of the world.
The nüvi 2x5 models all sport the slim design that Garmin introduced with the 200-series last year, so they all fit comfortably in your pocket or purse, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that makes them convenient for navigation by car or foot.All of the models include useful travel tools like a JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. 
Garmin Nuvi 255w
