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: A must have for home health
Summary: 5 Stars
I have really put my Garmin Nuvi 260 to the test and am very pleased.
I work in home health in a fairly rural area and search for several locations every day. So far I've been able to locate every address in the GPS, but sometimes it has taken a bit of trial and error. For instance, the location city in the GPS is not always the same as the postal address. You can enter 'search all cities' but I usually start with the closest small town and find it pretty quicklly. If the search gives me more than one similar address, I check out the map to see which one sounds similar to the clues my patient has given me. When entering an address on a hwy, you just enter the number of the hwy. With streets with multiple names, you enter the first name (except North etc) then it gives you a list of roads to choose from.
I have programed it for the fastest route and, with the exception of a bridge being out, have agreed with the route it has taken me.
I disable the Avoidances for dirt roads when using the GPS for work and enable the Avoidances for U-turns when using it in our truck when pulling the horse trailer.
Twice, when leaving a driveway or parking lot, the voice has prompted me to turn right when the screen showed the arrow correctly turning to the left. Once, the destination was some 200 yards beyond where the GPS said it would be. Other than that, I've had no problems.
I have not lost my satelite link for more than a second, even during a nasty thunderstorm.
I set the unit in map mode when not using the location finder so that I can see the names of approaching roads, especially at night.
I chose this particular unit because Garmin gets such good reviews, and because of the text-to-speech feature. I no longer have to fumble for directions in my laptop that may not be correct. I get to my destinations a lot faster and I'm a whole lot less frustrated when I arrive. It's a great investment.
Customer Review: This is a great investment!
Summary: 5 Stars
My Garmin Nüvi 260 was a great investment! Its preloaded maps, voice prompts, and rechargeable and long-life battery are just a few of its characteristics which every driver needs. If you run into traffic or a closed road, its detour option comes in extremely helpful. The Nüvi 260 also gives users the option of various routes. Because time is an issue for many people, users may chose to take the quickest route. However, others may opt to take the route with the shortest distance, which may end up taking a little longer but helps to conserves gas.
Its turn-by-turn voice prompts and street names are so helpful. Many GPS devices simply highlight the directions on the screen. However, with the Nüvi 260 users can keep their eyes on the road as it verbally relays directions. This is not only a convenience for the driver, but is also beneficial in preventing vehicle accidents.
The Garmin Nüvi 260 includes a rechargeable, long-life battery. It comes with a power cable that plugs into the smoke thing.
Also on the list of pros, is the device's ability to save locations as favorites. When the driver travels somewhere often, but maybe not often enough to remember exactly how to get there each time option keeps the user from reentering the location each time. Its ability to save a home location is also helpful. Wherever you are, just touch on home and it will get you there without having to enter the address or find it in your list of favorites.
Although I have not had the need to use it, this Garmin also has a SD card slot. This allows users to upload pictures for viewing or a slide show.
These are just some of my favorite characteristics offered by the Garmin Nüvi 260. I have never had any complaints with the device and recommend it to anyone looking for a GPS device.
Customer Review: A real stress reliever
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this GPS to replace the less-than-stellar offerings I've had on my Palm. One motivating factor for purchasing it at this time was a planned trip to Pittsburgh, PA, which has some of the most confusing roads of anywhere I've been. I decided to delay my review until I had a chance to try it out in Pittsburgh.
The unit has been excellent! More than once it got us back to where we needed to go when we took a wrong turn (or no turn when we should have). It seems that every time I thought "I wish it would do" something, I found out that it did. The text-to-speech is also very intelligible. However, one of the biggest pluses is that my wife, who normally has problems with all but the simplest user interfaces, had no problems interacting with it while I was driving. We were both also very pleased with the speed at which it computed routes.
I have no qualms about giving this product 5 stars, something I don't do unless a product is nearly perfect. Great job, Garmin!
Update: After I originally posted my review, we were leaving Pittsburgh and at one point the GPS attempted to direct us the wrong way down a one-way street. Upon further investigation, I determined that this was not an issue with the Nuvi per se but with the NAVTEQ database; Google Maps also uses NAVTEQ as its data source and attempted the same wrong-way routing. I have reported the discrepancy to NAVTEQ.
Also, while traveling back home, I managed to lose part of the car mount I took along, a combination of the cradle from the included suction mount and the arm from the optional friction mount. Those parts are not normally available separately, but Garmin stepped up to the plate when I contacted them, shipping me a new suction mount and dash mount (which uses the same rotating arm the friction mount uses) free of charge.
Customer Review: Possibly not as good as Nuvi 200
Summary: 5 Stars
I gave 5 stars still because has same (more) features than the 200. But, not sure if price increase over 200 is worth it.
Below is my review of the 200 and how it relates to the Nuvi 260...
I purchased this item over a few other entry level models after reading many reviews. I have to say that I was immediately impressed with simplicity of operation and that I didn't need the skimpy user manual (LOL--only a few pages). The volume was crystal clear at every volume level. One would be hard pressed to miss the announciation of street names from the Nuvi 260. There were a few glitches such as the system reset itself for no reason after turning off/on the car (lighter), not finding local businesses (I knew they were there and I have latest map), but would try to send me 100 miles away to a Staples store. Also, I wish the favorites were sorted alphabetically. Another nuisance is having to manual enter addresses (better if it could be done from web or pc). There were a few occassions when the unit just shut off from three battery bars to none without warning, but I tend to run from battery a lot more than power source. I was very happy with unit, but continued to read reviews and everyone kept touting the text to speach feature and I caved in and returned and got the nuvi 260. However, I immediately noticed two things. (1) for whatever reason, there was about 100MB more free space than the Nuvi 200, and (2) the TTS (Text to speach) voice was no where as clear as the 200 (although you have option to use same voice in settings as 200 but without TTS), and the volume was not as strong--almost tinny. I'm really torn; better clarity and volume versus TTS for about $50 to $60 more. I like voice announciation of streets, etc. but I just don't know. I definitly wouldn't pay a lot more for TTS. Overall, I'm impressed with either unit.
Customer Review: Good product, map data is outdated
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall I like the Garmin...this unit:
- is compact (about the size of a pack of playing cards)
- is priced well at Amazon
- performs OK
- has map data that is old
I chose the nuvi 260 because it is a 'basic' GPS that also announces street names as you navigate.
One has to remember that GPS units are a navigation aid, and not a total replacement for driving directions.
Big con: The map data in this unit is dated....streets in my subdivision that are 5 years old are not in the 2007 dataset. I did contact Garmin and they will provide a complimentary copy of thier 2008 map data when available.
Route calculation: Another 'troubling' performance issue is the way routes are calculated...at times it is clearly not the best way.
It would be great if these devices had a 'learning' mode to allow a user preferred route to be chosen, especially when traveling on streets not yet in the map data.
When on a route (from point A to point B), one of the most useful features is the 'countdown' of distance to your next turn or maneuver...it allows you to be a bit more relaxed and confident during driving.
One aspect of these GPS units is just viewing the map of the area as you drive (without being on a specific route). It really helps you learn more about the areas you drive through! Also, the compass and speed display indicators are useful.
I use the dash mount vs the suction cup mount on the windshield. It is much easier to take the unit off of the dash and put it on the floor while out of the car (as GPS units are common theft items).
Overall, it has been a good unit, and since I often rent cars and travel to unfamiliar areas, it is a great portable aid that I will not be without.