What is the BEST Garmin NUVI?? The fam and I are taking a trip to Washington DC next month and have decided to purchase a GPS for the trip. We have a Garmin handheld used for snowmobiling and geocaching but doesnt work so great in the car. I am researching the NUVI's and cant decide on a model...any suggestions?? Just want something that can get us through DC and then around northern Michigan...thanks! What is the BEST Garmin NUVI?? The fam and I are taking a trip to Washington DC next month and have decided to purchase a GPS for the trip. We have a Garmin handheld used for snowmobiling and... » Read More What is the BEST Garmin NUVI?? The fam and I are taking a trip to Washington DC next month and have decided to purchase a GPS for the trip. We have a Garmin handheld used for snowmobiling and geocaching but doesnt work so great in the car. I am researching the NUVI's and cant decide on a model...any suggestions?? Just want something that can get us through DC and then around northern Michigan...thanks! « Show Less
1506513
you should get "traffic" if you put the unit it 2d rather than 3d map mode.
1506514
First of all the traffic update is active ONLY if you use the car adapter with the built-in FM traffic supplied with this unit. You also have to 'Web Update' your unit before using it. Go to this link http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jspMost of the problems like locking up and/or unit weirdness can be fixed with this simple procedure.
1506515
I have aGarmin 265wt and it will not give me the traffic. It give me the code and when I enter it it says it is invalid. How do I get the traffic?
837275
Hey MelissaS, I've been researching the Garmin GPS's for a couple of weeks and can tell you the differences I've seen. The 255W has a few of "new" features in their 2x5 line but the two that I've seen people the most happy with in the reviews I've read are the satellite "hotfix" and the faster processor. The "hotfix" is supposed to speed up satellite acquisition immensely by having the unit remember where it was turned off last so it can calculate where the satellites should be when you turn it back on and from what I've read it works like a charm. The faster processor will speed up things like map drawing and looking up points of interest which people have really seemed to also notice in their reviews. The big drawback of the 255 and 255w is the text to speech voice quality (this is the voice that pronounces street names). Apparently the voice quality isn't as good on the 255 line as it is in the previous products due to the voice engine Garmin has used in this model...most people I've read say they can live with it but some bring it back due to the quality. I would goto a store and try both side by side to see if you can live with the quality. I did that today and was able to understand what the 255w was saying even in a busy store but still think I'll wait for the 265WT in October. Hope that helps!
1168420
I will definitely recommend Nuvi 370 over 270 because of several reasons. Text to speech is definitely very helpful believe me I have a Nuvi 200 which doesnot speak street names, which is sometimes very frustrating. I have missed turns which were very close to each other. Name of the street while driving in busy streets is surely very helpful. This would be even more helpful especially in Europe. Other features are worth the extra $70-$80. Live traffic, Bluetooth are amongst them. I will be buying 370 for my Europe trip pretty soon, just looking for the good price.
772649
I am thinking about purchasing one and have looked at many reviews for all Garmin GPS's. My main concern is that I want the bluetooth since the law about using hands free to talk on your cell phone starts next month. I have come to find out that you can get the C550 street pilot for a lot cheaper then any of the Nuvis with bluetooth. The only bad thing ive found is the street pilot is a bit bulkier, but if I am going to save $200, I dont mind the bulk...think im gonna go with the street pilot C550.
929326
We bought the Garmin nuvi 370 last summer (2008) for $345 at this site (I noticed the price has went up quite a bit). We drove our rental car from Switzerland to Venice, and we used the GPS in Northern Italy. It navigated us directly to our bed and breakfast in the town of Sirmione on Lake Garda. The unit did a great job getting us down to Venice as well...it also worked all over Switzerland and up into Germany as well.
1517079
Hello, My experience with the GPSMAP 62 was not very good. The unit froze up several times during use and each time I had to restart the unit. Coworkers of mine use the GPSMAP 60 and really like it and I have heard the GPSMAP 64 is a good model. I recently purchased a Garmin Etrex 30 and I love it. I paid $200 and it's worth every penny. The new GLONASS technology in the etrex 30 is outstanding, I can be in the thickest timber canopy and still have &gt;20' accuracy. I hope this helps.
1234149
GOOD NEWS! And THANKS for the update, A. Cox. TomTom - clearly - has "heeded the call"! (In my own defense, my experience with TomTom is over three weeks old, and a LOT can happen in that time.)I also agree - to a large extent - with Cox: side by side, I'd probably pick the TomTom over the Nuvi. However, I have not experienced the problems Cox identifies. My decision to go with the Nuvi was based largely upon TomTom's position of mid-December. And - for me - the SD card feature of the Nuvi gives it an edge over the TomTom. But like I said, that is a completely subjective preference. I am going to see if I can't edit or delete my previous post! GOOD NEWS! And THANKS for the update, A. Cox. TomTom - clearly - has "heeded the call"! (In my own defense, my experience with TomTom is over three weeks old, and a LOT can happen in that time.)I also agree - to a large extent - with Cox: side by side, I'd probably pick the TomTom over the Nuvi. However, I have not experienced the problems Cox identifies. My decision to go with the Nuvi was based largely upon TomTom's position of mid-December. And - for me - the SD card feature of the Nuvi gives it an edge over the TomTom. But like I said, that is a completely... » Read More GOOD NEWS! And THANKS for the update, A. Cox. TomTom - clearly - has "heeded the call"! (In my own defense, my experience with TomTom is over three weeks old, and a LOT can happen in that time.)I also agree - to a large extent - with Cox: side by side, I'd probably pick the TomTom over the Nuvi. However, I have not experienced the problems Cox identifies. My decision to go with the Nuvi was based largely upon TomTom's position of mid-December. And - for me - the SD card feature of the Nuvi gives it an edge over the TomTom. But like I said, that is a completely subjective preference. I am going to see if I can't edit or delete my previous post! « Show Less
732955
Works very well. I have bought 3 so far, 1 for me and 2 for family. I have a very good gps with maps but I usually carry the backtrack while hiking or hunting. Backtrack will work good for you if you just want to get back to where your car is.
362845
Gary, I have been researching the same use (snowmobiling) for the nuvi 500. sledgps dot com lists chips available either nationally or by region. The region maps are $50, the national $99. Did you get the 500, and do you like it? I want a crossover/multi mode unit and this one seems to be the only one available. I think the difference between this unit and the 550 is that the 500 has US road and US topo maps, and the 550 has north american roads but no topo maps. I don't know if sledgps maps will overlay on the topo. If anyone has tried this, please reply with info. I have not bought it yet, so can't answer your question directly (I want to be able to though). Finally I am torn on the mixed reviews on the unit. I can handle the missing USB cable, and AC adapter, but has everyone found the unit accurate, both on road and off road? Are the maps updated? Thanks...
355080
Thanks for the update, dsrussell. I'll take your advice and check out the review of the 765 that you mentioned at gpsmagazine.com. It's too bad that the folks at Garmin didn't include this info about the 765 in their owners manual. Must have been an oversight on their end. Again,thanks a bunch!
1258342
I am not acquainted with the Garmin 800. Is it a Nuvi type? I believe that it is compatible with all Nuvi car sytems that have the SD slot. Does the 800 have an SD slot. 2015 udate? Don't believe it would be necessary since AU. & NZ roads would not change that much. I do have my SD for sale since I have used it, and was a life saver, on my only trip to AU & NZ last year. Since they drive on the left side of the road and have MANY roundabouts Down Under, I highly recommend one. I would sell mine at a VERY reasonable price. Respond to n0moe@aol.com (second character is a zero. Hope this helps. John Hosking I am not acquainted with the Garmin 800. Is it a Nuvi type? I believe that it is compatible with all Nuvi car sytems that have the SD slot. Does the 800 have an SD slot. 2015 udate? Don't believe it would be necessary since AU. & NZ roads would not change that much. I do have my SD for sale since I have used it, and was a life saver, on my only trip to AU & NZ last year. Since they drive on the left side of the road and have MANY roundabouts Down Under, I highly recommend one. I would sell mine at a VERY reasonable price. Respond to n0moe@aol.com (second character is a zero. Hope this... » Read More I am not acquainted with the Garmin 800. Is it a Nuvi type? I believe that it is compatible with all Nuvi car sytems that have the SD slot. Does the 800 have an SD slot. 2015 udate? Don't believe it would be necessary since AU. & NZ roads would not change that much. I do have my SD for sale since I have used it, and was a life saver, on my only trip to AU & NZ last year. Since they drive on the left side of the road and have MANY roundabouts Down Under, I highly recommend one. I would sell mine at a VERY reasonable price. Respond to n0moe@aol.com (second character is a zero. Hope this helps. John Hosking « Show Less
1722188
I would suggest you do the system update right away. I used mine for a trip from Baltimore to Toronto, and I definitely should have done the update (because there are now roadways which weren't there a few years ago when this model released). Do the updates and your Garmin will work better than ever.
1371456
From a usability standpoint, it's the best. Where you might have trouble is getting it setup the way you want it. It's not that hard to do, you just have to know what you want out of your gps. I have a network of geocaching friends that I can lean on or you can always call Garmin's support line. They've always been helpful to me.
1444449
Thanks guys for the update. I ended up in buying nuvi 2460LMT and I liked voice command, bluetooth connection with my iphone4. I didn't like Jill's terrible voice and missing map details.When I cross speed limit then I see a blinking red notification on screen. Does you nuvi2460 LMT gives an audible warning when you cross speed limit?Thx
355814
I use my 5915 for geocaching. I wanted one device that I could use everyday in the car (nav, music, pda-functionality) and then could pull out for the occasional cache. I really like the program GPSTuner for offroad navigation (no affiliation, just a happy customer). I also bought a little silicon case on ebay to protect it on the trail. If you do a lot of hiking, etc, then a dedicated, more rugged GPS is probably a better bet though.
1217391
Elaine, we have the Garmin nuvi with North America and Europe (mixed anglo-american marriage); although my husband has some issues with it (over 65 anti technology) he is able to get through it. I love it because it not only has the feature of maps, but also the choice of several (e.g. close restaurants, hotels, gas, etc.) that you can utilize when you travel to unfamiliar territory on both continents. Try to get one with Lifetime maps update; it will save you money in the long run....just 'play' around with it to become familiar; and if you have children/grandchildren; they will be able to figure it out and teach you! (Thank goodness for a techie nephew!)Hope this helps -- Elaine, we have the Garmin nuvi with North America and Europe (mixed anglo-american marriage); although my husband has some issues with it (over 65 anti technology) he is able to get through it. I love it because it not only has the feature of maps, but also the choice of several (e.g. close restaurants, hotels, gas, etc.) that you can utilize when you travel to unfamiliar territory on both continents. Try to get one with Lifetime maps update; it will save you money in the long run....just 'play' around with it to become familiar; and if you have children/grandchildren; they will be able to... » Read More Elaine, we have the Garmin nuvi with North America and Europe (mixed anglo-american marriage); although my husband has some issues with it (over 65 anti technology) he is able to get through it. I love it because it not only has the feature of maps, but also the choice of several (e.g. close restaurants, hotels, gas, etc.) that you can utilize when you travel to unfamiliar territory on both continents. Try to get one with Lifetime maps update; it will save you money in the long run....just 'play' around with it to become familiar; and if you have children/grandchildren; they will be able to figure it out and teach you! (Thank goodness for a techie nephew!)Hope this helps -- « Show Less
336335
Scott, I appreciate that you asked this, because I am doing the same comparison. I have not made a choice, but I am leaning toward the TomTom one because of price, and it (currently) has the most up-to-date map. I also found this comparison article here: http://www.sciuridae.co.uk/tomtom_one_v3_vs_garmin_nuvi_200.htm - A plus for the TomTom is price for the features, but it has a short battery life and does not come with an A/C charger, only the cigarette lighter thingy. The Garmin is higher priced, but has better graphics. From what I have read so far, both are excellent choices.