Garmin nüvi 260 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
by Garmin
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin nüvi 260 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Customer Review: Don't ever use this in a rush
Summary: 2 Stars
I've been holding this review in for 6-7 months, I really need to just post it. Here goes;
I've purchased this Nuvi to assist me with a Florida to Houston TX relocation over a year ago, so I've owned it for roughly 15 months. The drive from FL to Houston went well.
But let me say, if you live in any part of Inner Loop Houston, don't even waste your time with this thing. It doesn't update quickly enough to get you on the right street unless you're driving 5mph (and you know how Houstonians drive), and it can't deal with the service lanes that run alongside the highway.
But those are small complaints, my largest complaint about this device - the COLD START time is insane. I leave this thing plugged into my car 24/7, I've worked in the Satellite ISP industry and am well aware of how long GPS triangulation takes on an actual cold start -- a cold start being days/weeks/months of no use, or a major change in location. I'm also aware that there are some times where a 3-d signal is not achieved, or you need to wait an extra long amount of time to achieve it - but this happens EVERY TIME I turn this device on after not using it for 5-6 hours.
I pull out of my garage, wait for the Nuvi to come on (this also takes ridiculously long), and then enter the address (why do you always have to select the city? Why can't I make a default city?) and then wait.. wait... wait.. 10-20 minutes EVERY single time that I leave my house for the GPS to achieve signal (unless I've already used it THAT day). It's insane. I'm new to Houston, and it's ridiculously easy to get lost - and half of the time I have to find a parking lot to pull into and just SIT AND WAIT for a signal.
I seriously waited 22 minutes the other day for signal. I left my house, drove about 6-7 blocks, stopping frequently due to stoplights - and finally had to pull into a CVS and just sit there until triangulation occurred. I've learned to leave the house 30 minutes early if I need to use the GPS because I'll likely spend 1/2 of that time pulling signal.
Everyone else has covered the horrible update practice that Garmin thrusts upon you, so I'll skip that.
Most (actually I'm pretty sure everyone) I know out here uses a TomTom, and it seems to work fantastically. I actually borrowed one for a few days and had a blast with it.
Customer Review: Perfect GPS
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are looking for a gps that just does gps, this is it. I waited while the price fluctuated down to about $260 and then pulled the trigger--got the Visa card also, so I'm saving $30.
The text-to-speech is fine. I have a Garmin c320 without it and I have never had a problem without TTS, but it's a nice addition for not too much money. The real issue seems to be when there are multiple streets close by--if the corners are far apart, it doesn't really matter whether it tells you to turn on Jones Street or in 100 yards. Even with short street blocks, when the c320 says, "turn in 100 yards," I don't have any problem, since I know what 100 yards is. So, I did fine without TTS. My wife and kid, however, can't estimate distances worth a darn, so the text-to-speech will be useful for them. The downside of it is that it doesn't say, "turn on Jones Street in 100 yards." It just says, "turn on Jones Street." So, you have to look for street signs. To each his/her own...
The POI file and maps, are, as always, out of date the minute they publish them. There is a Walmart in our town that moved down the street 10 years ago; it shows both the old one and the new one. Same thing with a road that was planned years ago but never built by the county--it's still in the mapping database. That problem will never end with gps units; I bought a Garmin because they have a BIG database in their POI and they use Navteq maps. I do like the TomTom idea of allowing customer editing of the maps and database (Map Share), although somebody will surely play games with that--maybe take a competitor out of the POI database... Perhaps Garmin will do that in the future. But for now, the Garmin advantages and maps outweigh the limitations for me.
I used Garmin customer service with my c320 because my power cord went toes-up at 11 months. They were pleasant, apologetic, and immediately sent me a replacement. I anticipate good customer service with them if I ever need it with the 260.
The unit does just what I want--gets me where I want to go. It doesn't have bluetooth or the other high-end stuff; but I just want to go from A-Z and know where I am as I get off the interstate to go around traffic jams. I'm pleased as can be.
Customer Review: Fantastic Basic GPS Unit
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my first GPS purchase, but not my first time using one. My girlfriend has one which I have played around with many times. This Garmin is great at doing what a GPS unit should do: get you from point A to point B. No frills, no useless programs and no bells and whistles. The reason I went with the 260 is because it was one of the cheaper models that actually speaks the street names instead of just telling you to turn in 300 ft. Also, if your destination is a POI, it will even tell you what side of the street it is on. Great little tip for those of you like me who travel for work and are consitantly in new and confusing cities (Philly, really, was it so hard to make streets that are parallel to each other?).
The navigation of the menus is pretty easy. There is a little bit of a learning curve and it can get a little confusing when you are deep in menues as it doesn't state just which one you are in.
The speaker is just fine. Even with the windows down and going full speed on the interstates, the volume at 80% is plenty loud. 60% when the windows are up. The down side to this is there is no external volume control. It is on the first page of the menu though, so it is just a small annoyance.
The maps are very accurate and up to date for an older model unit, plus the ability to upgrade the vehicle icon is pretty cool (I am using the little R/C looking car.)
I don't like the fact that Garmin did away with the power cord plugging into the mount and moved it to the unit itself, but it makes sense if you want to plug the unit into your computer to update it. Now you don't have to bring the mount out of your car.
It acquires satellites very quickly and calculates to routes incredibly fast. The stock voice is a little annoying when you miss a turn though, she sounds like she is agrevated at you when you hear "recalculating."
All in all, I am extremely happy with this unit. I don't need bluetooth, mp3 capability, voice recognition or any of the other features the more expensive units are coming out with. Just tell me how to get to the hotel from the air port and then to a pub for a cold beer and this unit really shines at doing just that.
Customer Review: Great navigator
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered this just recently to take on a trip to NJ (from NC). It worked great the entire time. In fact, it was so easy to use that I didn't even have to refer to the enclosed instruction booklet. The interface was just so intuitive and user-friendly that I was able to get it working immediately upon plugging it into the cigarette lighter in the car.
What I love is the estimated time or arrival at your destination that displays in the bottom left corner of the screen, all based on the speed you're travelling...and it keeps recalculating that time when you either have to slow down or get a chance to speed up. Also, there were a couple times that I made a wrong turn (my mistake, not the NUVI's), but the device immediately sensed my mistake and recalculated a correction route to get me back on track.
I also loved the ability to be able to find places to eat in the vicinity of where you're driving, along with guided directions on how to get there. Definitely get a device that has vocal directions (as opposed to having to look at a screen to know when to make turns), because when I was on I-95 going north, there was no way I would have been able to take my eyes off the road...just being able to hear the 'person' tell me what turns to take made all the difference.
The only time the unit gave me any slight problem was one day in NJ, when it was very very cloudy out, the satellites were not able to get a lock on my car when I punched in for directions on how to get a place about 25 miles away. It kept searching and searching and finally after about 5 minutes it gave up and said the satellites could not locate me. I attributed that to the dense clouds that were hovering overhead. No biggie, tho, as it worked fine later in the day and for the rest of the trip.
The only suggestion I would make to Garmin is to include the AC power adaptor in the kit as opposed to having to buy it on your own. I've had some trouble locating it in all the electronics stores in my area (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc), and will have to probably order it online somewhere.
Overall GREAT product at a GREAT price, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone!
Customer Review: Everything I've ever wanted in a GPS
Summary: 4 Stars
I've wanted a GPS for sometime, and was surprised by my wife for our anniversary with the nuvi 260. My requirements for a GPS were pretty minimal, but I'm glad my wife bought this one.
Pros:
- It does actually have the voice that indicates when and where to turn. Very handy versus having to look at the screen
- Nice and portable, I love being able to bring it with me in different cars. It was fun, we did take it on a train ride, and it even was able to track us on the railroad.
- Fairly decent maps - I've had very few issues locating a place. There were a few instances, but I'll go into those later.
- Menu system works well - Everything is pretty straightforward. It isn't difficult even to type in a specific address. The GPS usually picks it up quite quickly, and provides you with the various options it could be for your selection.
- Remembers recent locations/items
- Does have an expansion slot to view photos, etc. Not a big deal for me, but is a nice advantage
- If you take a wrong turn, etc. it picks right up and tells you where to go to compensate.
Cons:
- It can take FOREVER sometimes to acquire the satellite signals. Sometimes I type in an address, and I could be halfway to the location before it picks up the signal. This is very frustrating, especially when the destination is one that I'm not at all sure where it is. For those destinations that I know the general area, it's not too bad.
- I realize the maps are outdated (although the copyright for the software is 2008 on the GPS), but some of the restaurant locations I've tried going to were completely wrong. For my anniversary, for instance, we were trying to find the local Dairy Queen. It also listed a separate restaurant option called Dairy Keen. Turns out, there has never been a Dairy Queen in the city. Not sure how the GPS had that. Incidents like this have happened on several occasions.
In the end, I'm still very satisfied with the unit. I'm glad I have it, and really have no reason to look at getting another. It does all I've ever needed in a GPS.