Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
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| Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Product Description |
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HotFix™ – aka: Satellite Ephemeris Data Prediction
Navigate by Photo |
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![]() | Using Garmin’s unique Web site — Garmin Connect Photos — users can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google’s Panoramio photo sharing community and download them to the nüvi for a richer navigation experience using pictures as a guide.
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3D Terrain Maps
| Shaded relief terrain maps show you when to expect hills, mountains, forests and other natural features. Topographic terrain maps are viewable when using the 2D "birds-eye" view. | |
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Send Addresses Directly from Google Maps or Mapquest
tching to try out a new restaurant, or setting off on a road trip to locate the best toffee apples on the east coast? Now, it's easy to search for locations on Google Maps or Mapquest, then transfer the addresses directly to your Garmin GPS navigator.
The process does require a small plugin, which you can get at Garmin's website at http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3739. You can send business addresses to your Garmin device from these countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. | ||
Search for the location you want.![]() | Pick "Send to GPS".![]() | Go!![]() |
Traffic-Capable for Either FM Traffic or Enhanced MSN Direct Content
FM Traffic
![]() | With an optional receiver, you can get alerts from TMC Clear Channel about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. All you have to do is simply touch the screen to view traffic details and you'll be ready to detour around any problem area. And if you end up missing a turn, or you're forced into a detour that is not relayed through the traffic receiver, the nüvi's sophisticated automatic routing will get you back on track in no time. In most areas, TMC Clear Channel traffic broadcasts are continuous — there's no waiting for scheduled traffic news updates or random alerts. Because traffic broadcasts are received via a "silent" FM data channel, you can still listen to music or news programming on your car radio without interference from incoming FM traffic data transmissions. |
Widescreen -- See More of What's Around
| The super-bright, 4.3-inch (diagonal) touchscreen display gives is anti-glare for ease of viewing during the day and automatically changes its color profile for easy viewing at night or in dim light. It offers 2d or 3D perspective views. The widescreen format gives you 70% more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push. | |
Wider screen lets you see more of what's around. Compare these actual size views of a 3-inch (diagonal) screen![]() | and a 4.3-inch diagonal widescreen![]() |
Where Am I?
On any nüvi (including this one), you can just tap "Where Am I?" to find the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address and intersection. Also see your exact latitude and longitude coordinates.First-Rate Map Data
![]() nüvi accepts custom points of interest (POIs). View larger. | The nüvi comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps for all of North America, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, including a hefty POI database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. Garmin gets its map data from NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. In addition, nüvi accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs |
Garmin Lock
Garmin's patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PIN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location
Beyond Navigation
Browse your stored pictures with an easy-to-use JPEG viewer.![]() | Navigation is just the beginning. The nüvi 2x5 models features travel tools including a JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. This device is compatible with optional content plug-ins available via microSD card, such as the Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize nüvi for your travel needs. For Accessory Map Cards and Travel Guides the Units Feature: a MicroSD Card Slot on the 3.5 inch Units, and an SD Card Slot on the 4.3 inch Units. Garmin has also added the ability for customers to add custom points of interest (POI’s) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras. |
Trick Your GPS Ride
Custom vehicle icons let you ride in style, at least inside your GPS. See more icon option | All Garmin nüvis support configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle's position on the map. |
Notes
- Optional software for language translation, detailed travel guides, and savings programs allow you to customize your nüvi to fit your travel needs
- Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me
- Visit Garmin.com to get the latest firmware updates for your nüvi to keep it current and performing at its best
Which nüvi is Best for You?
Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.
| Device | Screen Size inches (W x H) | Included Maps | Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names) | Traffic | Bluetooth | Media | FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system) | Multi-Point Routing | Battery life (hours) | ||
| Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico | AK and Canada | Europe | |||||||||
| nüvi 205 | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||||
| nüvi 205w | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||||
| nüvi 255 | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 255w | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 260w | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Photos | up to 5 | |||||
| nüvi 265T | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 265WT | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 275T | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 285WT | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 465T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 755T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 760 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 5 | |
| nüvi 765T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | |
| nüvi 775T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 |
| nüvi 780 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 5 | |
| nüvi 785T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | |
| nüvi 850 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 855 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 885T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | |
| nüvi 1200 | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | |||||
| nüvi 1250 | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 1260T | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 1300 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | |||||
| nüvi 1350 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 1350T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 1370T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 1390T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 1490T | 4.4 x 2.5 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 1690 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service) | ![]() | Photos | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
Product Details
- 4.3 Inch Auto Navigator with Anti Theft Feature
- Voice Prompted Turn by Turn Directions
- With HotFix, It Calculates Your Position Faster to Get You There Quicker
- Compatible with Optional Enhanced MSN Direct Content
- JPEG Picture Viewer, World Travel Clock, Currency Converter, Calculator and More
Video Reviews
No video reviews found for this product.
Customer Reviews
Usually OK, but beware rural areas |
| Review Date: September 3, 2010 |
| Reviewer: I. Novick, Long Island, NY |
| I bought the Nuvi 255W in February and had no problem with it when driving the the Metro NY area. The problems started when I took it to Nova Scotia for a driving vacation. On the first morning the unit just died. I called tech support several times and was given a waiting time of over 45 minutes. Since this would have cost more in cell phone roaming fees than buying a new unit, I bought a new Nuvi 255W. The driving directions in rural Nova Scotia were quirky and downright dangerous at times. Many times the unit directed me to turn onto "unpaved (and unnamed) road" which sometimes was only a hiking trail (no, the unit was not on pedestrian setting). Even some of the named roads it chose were unpaved. I stopped trusting it altogether unless I was driving within a built up area. I would buy Garmin only if you don't plan to drive in rural areas. |
USB mini cable to register product -- they don't supply |
| Review Date: September 3, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Michelle Peel, |
| I was surprised that Garmin didn't include a mini USB cable that is needed to register their product. They want to sell you one for $15. That's my only gripe. |
the quality of product |
| Review Date: September 3, 2010 |
| Reviewer: tekhok, |
| i used it not offense i just bought it for 3 weeks it seems shutdown itself that make me hate it so far i still don't know why i would like to send it back factory. i try to check battery still full. you should think too much when you need to buy refurbish product. |
You get what you pay for. |
| Review Date: September 3, 2010 |
| Reviewer: tdog315, |
| I busted my old garmin so I had to buy a new one. The 255 works fine and everything, but when you are driving it doesn't show the name on the next street to take. Sometimes it shows you the street your on or the street you will be on in two exits. But the screen always show the right map and the vioce works fine. So overall good just the one thing that is a little annoying. |
Excellant GPS |
| Review Date: September 3, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Aimee Arnold, Montana, USA |
| We had to return the first one due to it losing the satellites constantly. We got another one and it's been flawless. Very easy to setup. We didn't use any instructions at all. Very intuitive just go through the setup step by step on the screen and you can't go wrong. We also like the ability to choose a truck as the icon as we mainly use this when we pull the camper cross country. Garmin is awesome. |


















Usually OK, but beware rural areas





