Handheld GPS Reviews - Customer reviews - GARMIN 010-00656-00 Nuvi 250W Widescreen Travel Assistant

Manufacturer: Garmin

List Price: $589.27
Our Price: Too low to display
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Refurbished Price: $125.95
Used Price: $145.00

Average Customer Rating: -

Product details

Offers (37)

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Spotlight customer reviews:

Name: Kevin Carlson
Location: Everett, WA USA
Date: 2008-07-10
Customer Rating: -

Summary: A reasonably good value
Comment: I've had okay results with this model, with a few caveats (which are probasbly not specific to this device):

No case is included with the device.
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).
Occasionally, it gives the wrong side of the road for a destination.
Losing satellite lock while driving, and never getting it back, can be a real irritation.
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?)

All in all, way cooler than a plain map, but the technology as a whole is not yet perfected...

Name: R. Eichelberg
Location: Aurora, CO United States
Date: 2008-01-24
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Excellent Product
Comment: 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.

Name: S. Dimmick
Location: Jersey Shore area, New Jersey
Date: 2008-03-07
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Useful, but only to a point
Comment: 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.

Name: PJ
Location: GTA, Canada
Date: 2008-03-19
Customer Rating: -

Summary: 250W versus the 250
Comment: 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 on both units resulted in an on-screen checkered flag inaccurately positioned roughly 20 metres 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.

All-in-all, two handsome and slim units providing a good degree of peace of mind. Oh, and yes, I do have maps in the car just in case...

UPDATE April 6, 2008: The 250W got me from the Toronto area to Montreal to Quebec City to Montreal to the Toronto area with one problem. The only problem was it was difficult to determine which "turn right" exit ramp to take where there were two right turn exit ramps spaced metres apart and approaching fast. Of course, I took the wrong exit but the 250W was quick to correct and guide me on track. This is where a "text-to-voice" unit is preferable. It was scary driving at night in unfamiliar territory especially with the highway signs in French.

The 250W surprisingly locked onto the satellite signal while inside one of Montreal's long highway tunnels.

The store where the 250W was purchased offered 30 days of price protection. The unit dropped another $22.60 and the store refunded me the difference.

Name: Chicago Pro
Location: Chicago
Date: 2008-04-13
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Nice, but could be better
Comment: I had a C340 previous to the NUVI. I like the larger/wider screen, making it a bit easier to read at a glance. I definitely miss the street names being given vocally as part of the driving directions however. "Turn Left" is definitely not as user friendly as "Turn Left on Main St" - despite the occasional mispronunciation - hey, it provided entertainment value once in a while.
The NUVI also seems to be slower acquiring satellites from a cold start than the C340. It does seem to be more sensitive to the signal, often times able to obtain a lock inside a hotel room.

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