Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $189.00 You Save: $40.99 (18%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $62.95 (click here) Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Customer Review: Great device for price and performance
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been waiting patiently to buy and install a GPS navigation/video entertainment/radio combo device in my SUV, but I was taking a road trip and needed a guide. I decided to purchase the Garmin Nuvi 260W just for this trip and a few others coming up soon and if I didn't like it before the 30 days I would simply return it. This little device is awesome and everything I need for $800 less than what I planned on spending to get an "internal" unit installed. I bought the device 2 hours before I was leaving for my road trip and was able to figure out how to use the basics of the device without reading a single word from the manual. Even the window mounting device was easy enough to figure out and that little suction cup is amazingly strong! I literally had the device mounted and giving me directions in less than 15 minutes. And that includes the initial setup required by the device!!
After getting home from my road trip I connected the device to my PC, via standard USB (Type A) to mini-USB (Type mini-B) cable, registered the product on Garmin's web site, and was able to instantly download the 2009 map details for the device. Download and install took several hours (2.8GB of data), but it was simple and pain free.
My initial feeling is that I don't like the fact that i have to mount the device to the windshield and would rather have a "professional" looking Navigation system in my dashboard, but for $800 less you can't go wrong! This little device does everything as advertised.
Technical details:
- finding satellites were fast and I never lost connection in the middle of a trip.
- love the 4.3 inch screen. It is definitely big enough to see from several feet away.
- Text to speech is awesome! Tells you the exact street names before turning.
- battery life is as advertised, but I'm sure with extended use it will lose some life like any other.
- Detour option is great! Hit menu and then detour and you have an alternate route.
- POI's are plenty!! I was able to find a local starbucks with ease although it couldn't tell me if it was a full blown starbucks or one that was in another store like Barnes and Nobles or Stop N Shop. That's nitpicking, but it would be nice.
Overall, I have no complaints on this device just yet. If you are looking for a simple device that gives you accurate and quick directions this is the one to get! If I experience any issues in the future I will repost!
Customer Review: My first GPS
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought a Garmin GPS for my daughter 2 Christmas's ago...don't remember which number but..it was over 200.00 and she has and still does love it.
I decided to get one for myself and was browsing Garmin, Tom Tom and Magellian...so I went again with Garmin...now which one? LOL There are so many out there..hard to pick..but money was an item for me at Christmas time...so this was a discontinued item and was re-furbished as well.(260W)
It was supposed to arrive on Christmas Eve and my office would be closed...so that meant I would not get it until the following Monday...but...as luck would have it...I got it on Weds, and was very pleased with the fast shipping - this was free shipping...
The box/packaging would not lead that this was anything other than a brand new unit...also read other reviews..the one year warranty still applies regardless from Garmin...I had heard that getting a refurbished one registered was a hassle..now I did have to go and buy a mini USB cable - no my Blackberry phone cable, nor my camera mini cable worked..did not fit...but I was out and a Best Buy was close...they had one and it fits..16.00..but had it...so went to the Garmin.com site and was able to register the unit immediately..no hassle whatsoever! and downloaded some updated software, downloaded new "vehicles" from the garmin garage...I chose a horse, since I ride alot! left it on overnight to charge....all very easy!
So have had a couple days now...love it..and have saved many spots I frequent as favorites...very easy to use and I am NOT a tech person...so if I can do this anyone can! LOL
Find it funny that some of the streets the device calls by different names...live in the country so there are lots of Farm to Market (FM) roads and County Roads (CR)...but the device calls them by some other name..
Only wishes for Garmin are: #1..make the touch screen more sensitive..I made several errors when typing in an address due to having to touch "hard"...#2 get some equestrian maps for TEXAS...I ride and love to explore new trails!
It appears that I can plug in lat./longt and think...if I were stranded and put in "where am I?" that would be helpful for something in the 911 rescue to find me? I can see many safety things that would be good for me driving alone at night with this unit..
Customer Review: Poor turn indication
Summary: 3 Stars
I have used a Magellan GPS a few years ago in a rental car but bought this one on sale and thinking that it would do the job. While I am relatively happy with this unit here are my thoughts.
Pro:
1. Clear understandable voice
2. Love the ability to find a store/restaurant from wherever you are. This is the best feature! In a strange town I have needed to find a Home-Depot or a Wal-mart and this unit guides you there and then back to where you started wonderfully (by re-selecting your start loc)
3. Speed indication, although it is hard to read.
4. Time to destination, quite accurate.
5. Distance to next turn.
Con:
1. The unit calls out street names, however the voice inexplicably, incredibly calls out "Doctor" for all names that have a "Dr." in them. Of course it is "Drive" as in "Turn left on River Drive" but instead you hear "Turn left on River Doctor". Someone should have been fired over that mess up.
2. Volume doesn't go loud enough. Between road noise and moderate music it is difficult to hear sometimes.
3. The turn indications are unclear. While the unit is talking you through the lead up to the turn, when the turn comes it is not clear if it is this turn you are supposed to take or the one just ahead. On a number of occasions I have missed a turn because of this. The Magellan has the tone/bong signal that occurs at the turn making it very easy to figure out when to turn.
4. Seems to take forever to find satellites and sometimes in the middle of driving. Not sure if this is any worse than other units though.
5. Takes you along terrible routes sometimes. Down tiny roads with lots of stops when a better route is nearby, and that is set to quickest route, not shortest. Sometimes taking a freeway exit, then tells you to get right back on the freeway. (Other units may do the same though).
6. Power connector on the back, kind of awkward, the side would be better for me.
7. Doesn't seem to have distance remaining to destination.
8. Couldn't see how to set "Current position" so that I could explore the city I am in and then have it take me back to where I started.
I am going to purchase a Magellan next time.
Customer Review: GARMIN NUVI 260W Wide Screen YES!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're in the market for a compact and portable "street talking" GPS for use in vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian mode, the GARMIN NUVI 260W Wide Screen would be an excellent choice. This model pronounces Hawaiian Street names well, announces Interstate Highway ramp numbers & names well, and basically provides navigation in full-color 2-D or 3-D views.
You can select between "Fastest Routes or Shortest Routes", and "avoidances" such as (if you want to) avoid unpaved roads, tolls, freeways, U-turns etc. Find restaurants, schools, shopping centers, gas stations, ATM', recreation, community centers, etc. etc. near, at or around your destination or your position. In otherwords, unreal stuff.
Touch-screen features are easily accessible and intuitive (meaning easy to use! This isn't a high-learning curve device so it's fun to use).
Screen brightness, and voice sound levels are all crisp, clear, and adjustable! You can use the GPS right out of the box with the included DC adapter (for in the vehicle use or for recharging your 260W). With this in mind, I would highly recommend that you purchase the GARMIN AC-charger for a perfect fit so you can charge it in your home instead of your vehicle.
A carrying case really helps protect your GPS, and a removable protective plastic sheet designed for the 260W screen would complete the system. These accessories don't cost that much more and over the long run, it'll just keep your GPS runnng and protected. Eventually, the GARMIN UPS cable to download GARMIN operating system updates would probably be compelling to get but with a brand new unit, that can be much later.
Just realize that ALL GPS units may have minor inaccurate databases so when driving with GPS, always drive with the best of your human abilities and don't be lulled into thinking just because it tells you to turn right on Piikoi Street (when it's a one-way street heading Mauka)you follow a mistake calculation. The beauty of it is if you decide to take a different route, the GARMIN GPS will constantly "Recalculate" your route so that you'll reach your destination.
You can also use it as a tool for teaching a student driver to navigate and learn street names and locations at the same time! The GARMIN NUVI 260W is well-worth it.
Customer Review: Simple and It Works
Summary: 4 Stars
What people says on the reviews are are good and the best references
for any products you want to buy,and I did what I think the best steps
to do if you are new or want to know more about the product(s).Take time and don't make quick decesions.There !! I found this simple device that could take you and point you just where you want to go:
Garmin,nuvi 260w, a clear voice, easy to operate.Other reviews says
sometimes this gadget will loose you or lead you to another road or
highways, yes it does but!! don't forget to change the three options
to select.From Navigation menu, theres route preference: faster time,
shorter distance, and off road. I leave mine always to "faster time"
cause I noticed that when I experimented and change to "off road", the
GPS wants me to go district roads,you know,like, going to the mall,restaurants,etc. You get this feature also even you set it on "faster time", which is good.Yeah guys, I liked it. Other users need more to do some experimentations before they"ll feel sorry and say negative remarks. Always check your settings and before you turn it on the FIRST TIME go outside your house aim to the west or "open" sky so our Navigation satelites will pick-up the signals.It comes with suction cup for windshield but I bought a portable friction mount cause I don't want a round mark on the glass(you know what I mean,guys).This mount is nice. It DON't slide and stays there where you want it.Also it does not come with USB cable and re-charger that plugs in to cigarette lighter. Yeah I bought all three, no problems, they all works,they all are cheap.One thing I forgot to mentioned why this GPS really works,this is one of several occations. We have to meet a long-time family friends from Mass.,visiting here in Florida, staying in up-scale hotel which I don't know where to find it. I google it first from the Computer and way we went.(oh you don't have to do this,it is anoher experiment of mine).Turned the GPS on, same setting,then pinpoint the highway then onto back roads nuvi260w the voice speak the names,turn here,turn there and the icon flag appear,we stopped, cause we're there. AWESOME !! Only though was a mistake? I was on the wrong gate. The guard says "sir, the other side" LOL.