Garmin nüvi 265/265T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
by Garmin
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Category: GPS or Navigation System
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: GarminBrand: Garmin
Edition: Electronics
Audio: English (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Model: 010-00576-10
Publisher: Garmin
Studio: Garmin
Music Label: Garmin
Product features:
- Bright, 3.5-inch diagonal color QVGA TFT touchscreen with 320 x 240 pixels and white backlight
- Preloaded with City Navigator North America NT
- Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling
- High-sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception
- NOTE: Model number on the box is 265T because the traffic receiver is included; however, the model number on the device itself is 265 as the "T" in 265T refers to the additional component
- Bracketron UFM-300-BX Nav-Pack Weighted GPS Dash Mount/Carrying Case
- NAVGEAR Universal Dash Mount
- Garmin 3.5-Inch Carrying Case
- Garmin Vehicle Suction Cup Mount
- Garmin AC Charger and International Adapter Set
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin nüvi 265/265T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
Customer Review: Fine product, not so good support.....
Summary: 4 Stars
I researched a lot before buying this GPS. I have owned 3 GPS units in the past (still have one of them) and I knew what I wanted to have. Firstly, I wanted updated maps and the Bluetooth connectivity. I also thought that having the "traffic" feature would be nice. When the unit arrived, I immediately opened it and checked out the contents. I was surprised that it did not include an owners manual but only had a quick set-up guide. I gave the contents a quick once over and saw that they had a USB cable that would fit nicely into the back of my iPhone car adapter as well as it's own car adapter that was also included.
I charged the unit as suggested using a USB power adapter that I had for the iPod/iPhone (they did not include an AC adapter). I used the before mentioned USB cable and my iPhone car charger in the car and when I turned it on it acquired the satellites pretty quickly compared with the other GPS units I've tried. Inputting the address is very easy and the setup is quite intuitive. The POI feature is quite nice too and one feature I loved is that you can actually type the name of the place you want to go to like "Fernbank" or "Callanwolde" which are special places in Atlanta and the unit found them and routed a good way to get there.
The maps appear to be fairly up-to-date and so far it has given me good directions. However, it is not perfect and like other GPS units, it will not recalculate the optimum routes if you deviate from it's instructions. Instead of taking the next logical route from the next available intersection, it wants you to turn around and go back to the original route. I guess this would work out OK but it's a little disconcerting when you are driving through areas that I know well and I know the shortcuts.
The problem I had was getting the "traffic" feature to work. I looked in the documentation that was included which was a very brief and sketchy quick start guide and later spent a lot of time surfing the net and navigating through the Garmin website trying to find information about this "traffic" feature. I had zero luck with that. I thought that the seller had sold me a unit without the "traffic" feature. so I called the retailer but they did not know the product well enough to advise me. They did offer to accept the return of it if I was not satisfied with it, but suggested I contact Garmin first. This was the biggest complaint I found with the product. Totally inferior support. I was on the phone on hold 3 different times for quite long periods of time. The Garmin website is also quite difficult to use as their support and contact links are cleverly hidden or at least very difficult to find. They just don't want to talk with you... Finally I found an email address and sent a query while waiting on the the phone through endless messages mostly saying "we are very busy and you'll be better off callings us some other time". Finally I got a human on the line and I quickly found out that the car power adapter that was included contained the FM receiver for the traffic.... OK, I guess I could have read the instructions, except there were none included. (finally the tech support guy emailed me a PDF file with the manual). Anyway, the tech support representative was courteous and knowledgeable and he did help me with my questions even if it took a long time to finally get him.
After that glitch was taken care of, the traffic featured appeared like magic once I plugged the car adapter/traffic receiver to the car. It shows the icon as green (no traffic). yellow (moderate traffic) or red (Atlanta nightmare traffic). However, I have not figured out when and if it will actually re-route you to avoid congestion.. The Bluetooth was pretty straightforward to pair up with my phone and in a few minutes it was working fine. The hands free feature works very well and my callers cannot tell that they are on the speaker phone/GPS. The only problem with the sound of the GPS is that is is not loud enough to hear over the radio when it's playing or if the road noise is too loud (like with the window open). The one feature that is missing and should be there is a mini phone outlet to hook it up to the radio and amplify the sound some more.
The other complaint I have is that the power adapter/traffic receiver is awfully big and clumsy. Also, the connection is in the left side (as you look at it) in the back of the GPS which makes it awkward to place. The suction mount is very well designed. It sticks like superglue on the windshield of my truck or my car. It's very compact and easy to use. I have not tried using the little disk that is included to mount the suction cup in some other (presumably more convenient) place.
As a GPS I give it a 8 out of 10 points. The Bluetooth is also a 8 out of ten The reason they don't score 10 of 10 is because the lack of an audio "out" or a louder speaker. The mounting system is perfect, I give it a 10 out of 10 points. The power cord is so clunky that I give it a 5 of 10 points, worse yet is that you gotta use it in order to have the full features of the GPS.. I bought it as a reconditioned unit so the price was only about $89 dollars. For the price it is hard to beat. However, the clunky power cord with the FM traffic receiver is a big hassle and the little, quiet speaker is unforgivable.
It's not perfect but if you are willing to do with out the "traffic", it's an impressive unit with a very good Bluetooth phone connection. If you don't mind the clunky cord and the tinny voice, it's probably as good a unit as you can get, at least for a low price.
More Garmin nüvi 265/265T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic reviews:
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Description of Garmin nüvi 265/265T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
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