garmin nuvi 260w vs 255w: any ideas about what's different/the same or what makes one unit more desireable than the other??
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!
1020415
thx, I guess i'll stick with 540TM :-) I am upgrading from old Garmin that had no map updates and traffic and hopefully it would be worth it at this price. I did use one of the TOM TOM models (smaller one) for a 2600 miles trip in the west coast and routing was really good.
892678
I use the charger to connect my Garmin nuvi 255W to download update from Garmin Website. I have not used it to charge the 255W.
9024
I'm surprised no one has given you a suggestion. On the off chance you are still looking, I'll add a comment or two. Obviously, any of the units you have listed "could" do the job very well (I've heard good and bad things about each of them). Multiple routing (which my unit doesn't have) would be very nice to have if it's implemented properly. I originally wanted the Magellan because I liked its features better than the others (especially the AAA feature), but didn't want to take a chance (their customer support is terrible). And any unit that allows you to exclude/avoid a road is a good one to get. The Nuvi 200 really is a basic unit and has no Text-to-Speech (which I prefer even though some names are butchered). The 200 also comes with only the lower 48 states (adding Canada can get very expensive), so I would suggest the 250 or 260 (the 260 has TTS). The newer 260W (wide-screen) is probably priced too high right now. As far as ease of use, they all work similarly, but Garmins are probably the easiest and most logical (with Magellan a close second). TomTom will give you many more customizable options, plus has Mapshare (a really great idea). No matter what you decide to get, I'm sure you will be pleased. Just remember that they all have various quirks (even the big, expensive models).
2027815
Yes, this home wall charger will work with your Garmin Nuvi 2557. The wall charger is one of the smarter purchases I've made!
1687231
It's working for my Garmin nuvi 660, but I don't know about the charging port of your 260w
2085634
AFAIK, only the 7x0 series and up have multi-point routing. The other Nuvi units allow for one waypoint to be added. Larry, if the 265wt has multi-point routing, it's the first I've heard about this.Edit: Larry, I just checked with some people on gpsreview.net and they agree with you. This is a undocumented feature. Thanks for your input!
1513329
Well I've got the 255W and have tried all of this stuff. It used to display the Garmin logo before turning off completely. Now it is just dead. Pressing any of the corners of the screen while sliding the powers witch for 8, 15, 30 , or even up to a minute. Does absolutely nothing. It has been charged with the provided car charger as well as a USB and still it is stone dead. Judging from my experience and the posts on this thread the 255 is a dud.
640593
Hi Pam, I believe so. I have a nuvi 1450 and it is very identical to the 255W. From the online photos I saw both GPSs appear to have the same socket. Hope that helps :)
1655799
I'm having the same problem with my Garmin 260W. I got mine from a seller on eBay and believe she knew she had a faulty device and just sold it that way. Any suggestions other than purchasing a new one, let me know. Thanks!
6190
How about the 885 without MSN Direct, and adding the GTM 20, which gives Navtec fm traffic? That's what I'm considering doing. Might want to call Garmin to see if this option will give you what you want. If you do, would you report back?Yes. 855 is the one i mean. Sorry for the confusion.
772650
Looks to me like they're pushing Nuvis. Type garmin in google and go to the manufacturer's site. You can compare 4 side by side at a time.
851731
I have a 255w some times it goes crazy taking you to a different place then you plugged in. The map update is close to $100.So I'm Locking for a GPS that advertises when there product maps were installed.
1405839
According to Garmin's website, the following devices are compatable:nüLink!™ 1695 nüvi® 1260T nüvi® 1370T nüvi® 1390LMT nüvi® 1390T nüvi® 1490LMT nüvi® 1490T nüvi® 1690
1503231
Anna sorry I don't know. I bought for a Garmin Nuvi 255W, which it works perfectly for.
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!
731072
I ordered the Garmin nuvi 255 for $179 from Amazon and Garmin nuvi 265T for the same price from tigerdirect.I have read very good review for the 255 but some negative for the 265 T such as the speaker is not good for bluetooth.Is the speaker for the text to voice the same quality for both unit?Am I able to buy a cable for the 255 if I have the GTM25 FM cable for the 265t?Is the quality the same for both except the 265t has the bluetooth and the live traffic?Is it best to buy the 265T because they are both the same price?Please answer soon as I will need to return or not accept one unit. I ordered the Garmin nuvi 255 for $179 from Amazon and Garmin nuvi 265T for the same price from tigerdirect.I have read very good review for the 255 but some negative for the 265 T such as the speaker is not good for bluetooth.Is the speaker for the text to voice the same quality for both unit?Am I able to buy a cable for the 255 if I have the GTM25 FM cable for the 265t?Is the quality the same for both except the 265t has the bluetooth and the live traffic?Is it best to buy the 265T because they are both the same price?Please answer... » Read More I ordered the Garmin nuvi 255 for $179 from Amazon and Garmin nuvi 265T for the same price from tigerdirect.I have read very good review for the 255 but some negative for the 265 T such as the speaker is not good for bluetooth.Is the speaker for the text to voice the same quality for both unit?Am I able to buy a cable for the 255 if I have the GTM25 FM cable for the 265t?Is the quality the same for both except the 265t has the bluetooth and the live traffic?Is it best to buy the 265T because they are both the same price?Please answer soon as I will need to return or not accept one unit. « Show Less