Description

Amazon.com Product Description This is a refurbished GPS. Refurbished generally means that the unit has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the navigator back to like new conditions. Some GPS may contain cosmetic blemishes.

Garmin's nüvi 255W improvesupon its 200-series predecessors by adding top-of-the-line features such as FM traffic updates or MSN Direct content to an entry-level line. But Garmin is also introducing some significant improvements with this new series, like a predictive technology that provides faster satellite lock, a redesigned screen with more information, terrain maps, and an exciting new photo navigation feature. The 255W adds complete maps for North America and Text-to-Speech, so you get turn by turn spoken directions with the real names of streets (e.g. "turn left in 50 feet at Nebraska Way", rather than merely "turn left in 50 feet"). The 255W also offers a wide 4.3-inch (diagonal) screen that displays 70% more of the road around you.

The nüvi 2x5 models all sport the slim design that Garmin introduced with the 200-series last year, so they all fit comfortably in your pocket or purse, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that makes them convenient for navigation by car or foot.All of the models include useful travel tools like a JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more.

Important Product Information: This device features a "screen lock" feature. This is a standard feature on all nüvi 2x5 and 7x5 Garmin units. If you slide the "Power" key to the right, it will lock the screen and prevent any accidental touches. Once the screen lock feature is engaged, the screen will go black/gray after about 15 seconds to save power on the device. To unlock the screen, just slide the "Power" key to the center position. This feature is really targeted for "Pedestrian" mode so that a user can put the device in his or her pocket/purse and quickly unlock the screen instead of powering on/off continuously. For more information, see page 5 of the product manual.

Key Features/Benefits for all 2x5 Series Navigators

• New -- HotFix (Long Term Ephemeris Prediction) finds satellites faster (Learn more)
• New -- Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Basemap shows 3D shaded terrain features (Learn more)
  
• New -- Faster 333 Mhz processor offers faster, smoother map drawing and vehicle icon motion through turns
  
• New -- Redesigned user interface offers more information (Learn more)
• New -- Photo Navigation lets you upload geo-coded photos from a phone, geo-coding camera or photo site and navigate to them. (Learn more)
• New -- Add Enhanced MSN Traffic and Content with the optional GDB 55 antenna and charger (Learn more)
• New -- Send addresses directly to your Garmin from Google Maps or Mapquest (Learn more)
• New -- Automatic Time Zone Transition
• Text-to-Speech gives directions with real street names
• 4.3-inch Widescreen shows you more of what's around you as you drive (Learn more)
• Memory Card Slots so you can add maps and travel guides, or store photos (MicroSD card slot on 3.5-inch units; SD card slot on 4.3-inch units)
• Preloaded Maps with Navteq data of North America + Hawaii + Puerto Rico, including 6.5 million searchable points of interest (Learn more)
  
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery for easy portability (up to 4 hours per charge)
• Custom Vehicle Icons let you personalize your navigator (Learn more)
• Integrated Antenna for a slim form factor
• Where Am I? -- instantly shows you all of the emergency services nearby (Learn More)

What's in the Box
nüvi 255W, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America or Europe (full coverage), Vehicle suction cup mount, Vehicle power cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual

Which nüvi is Best for You?:
Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators

Learn More

New -- Improved Interface

One of Garmin's key product philosophies is to make extremely complex technology easy to use for anyone right out of the box, and perhaps nowhere is that better exemplified than in the user interface for Garmin's portable navigation devices. Garmin's interface is a key to their success part of what makes their devices such a pleasure to use. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with turn-by-turn voice directions, 2-D or 3-D maps and smooth map updates as you navigate. This year, Garmin has redesigned its interface to include much more useful information.

Old Interface

New Interface

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New -- HotFix™ – aka: Satellite Ephemeris Data Prediction

Your GPS device locks onto transmissions from a dedicated network of Satellites in order to determine its position. Until the device gets a "lock" on three satellites, it can't effectively navigate, so decreasing the time it takes for your device to get "satellite lock" is always a goal of GPS manufacturers. With Garmin's new HotFix technology, your Garmin GPS remembers the position of all satellites it is tracking when you turn it off, and calculates their movements in order to predict where they should be the next time you turn it on. This gives the device an idea of where it should look for satellites, and dramatically decreases the time it takes for your Garmin to get its position and start navigating. HotFix can predict satellite positions for up to 3 days after the device was last turned off. 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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New -- Navigate by Photo

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. Choose from Panoramio's collection of photos from around the world. Easy to use interface displays photos on Google Maps. Search for photos by location name or map area boundary. Transfer photos directly from Garmin Connect to device with the Garmin Communicator. View photos in Google Earth. Supports Internet Explorer 6+, Firefox 2+, Safari 3+ on Windows and Mac.

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New -- 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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New -- 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. Hook up your Garmin to the computer via it's USB port Search for the location you want Click the Send link in the info window for the address. That will bring up a popup "Send to" form. Pick GPS, then pick Garmin and hit the "Send" button. The address will instantly transfer to your Garmin device, The point will be saved as one of your favorites, and you can navigate to it or view it on a map just like with any other favorite. 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!

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Traffic-Capable for Either FM Traffic or Enhanced MSN Direct Content

MSN Direct Enhanced Traffic and Content

With an optional receiver, you can access enhanced dynamic content from the MSN Direct service. Check the weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, get enhanced movie listings, stock information, news and local events when you travel with your unit. Even plan trips from the convenience of your computer, via Windows Live Local, and wirelessly send custom to your nüvi. Check out a full description of MSN Direct content features, or a coverage map for MSN Direct services. A 3-month subscription to MSN Direct is included with the receiver. After that, subscription fees are $49.95 per year, or $129.95 for a lifetime subscription.

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. A 3-month subscription to TMC Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network is included with the receiver. For more information on subscription fees, coverage in individual cities, and traffic data networks in the United Kingdom and Europe, check the Garmin website.

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Widescreen -- See More of What's Around

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 Important note about map updates: Due to our high volume of sales, almost every Garmin portable GPS navigator sold by Amazon.com will come with the most recent map version. If you ever do need a map update, you can purchase one from Amazon.com at our Garmin Store.

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Garmin Lock

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.

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Trick Your GPS Ride

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.

Screen Size inches (w x h)

Included Maps

Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)

Traffic

Bluetooth

Media

3D Terrain Maps

Photo Navigation

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 200

2.8 x 2.1

Photos

up to 5

nüvi 200w

3.81 x 2.25

Photos

up to 5

nüvi 250

2.8 x 2.1

Photos

up to 5

nüvi 250w

3.81 x 2.25

Photos

up to 5

nüvi 260

2.8 x 2.1

Photos

up to 5

nüvi 260w

3.81 x 2.25

Photos

up to 5

nüvi 270

2.8 x 2.1

Photos

up to 5

nüvi 205

2.8 x 2.1

MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos

up to 4

nüvi 205W

3.81 x 2.25

MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos

up to 4

nüvi 255

2.8 x 2.1

MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos

up to 4

nüvi 255W

3.81 x 2.25

MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos

up to 4

nüvi 350

2.8 x 2.1

FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 8

nüvi 360

2.8 x 2.1

FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 8

nüvi 370

2.8 x 2.1

FM (receiver included)

Photos, MP3s

up to 8

nüvi 650

3.81 x 2.25

FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 7

nüvi 660

3.81 x 2.25

FM (receiver included)

Photos, MP3s

up to 7

nüvi 670

3.81 x 2.25

FM (receiver included)

Photos, MP3s

up to 7

nüvi 680

3.81 x 2.25

MSN (receiver included; 1-year free); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 7

nüvi 750

3.81 x 2.25

MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 5

nüvi 760

3.81 x 2.25

MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 5

nüvi 770

3.81 x 2.25

MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 5

nüvi 780

3.81 x 2.25

MSN-enhanced (receiver inc.; 3 months free) receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 5

nüvi 850

3.81 x 2.25

MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 4

nüvi 880

3.81 x 2.25

MSN-enhanced (receiver inc.; 3 months free); FM (with opt. receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 4

nüvi 5000

4.5 x 2.7

MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)

external battery only

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Basic MSN Direct Content Features
	Traffic Reports Find the best route through traffic. Your GPS device uses MSN Direct traffic data to select the best route for you to avoid traffic congestion. Check traffic flow. Know at a glance where to expect slowdowns in traffic. Get accident warnings. Receive warnings about accidents, road closures, and construction in the area that may affect you.
	Gas Prices Compare local gas prices. See a list of recent gas prices in your area and an indication of how recently the prices were reported. Find your way to the savings. Once you find the best price in your area, use your navigation system to guide you to the gas station.
	Weather Reports Stay on top of current conditions. View the current weather conditions in your area, including today's high and low temperatures, chances of precipitation, and more. View the three-day forecast, Plan ahead by checking the three-day weather forecast for your area. Check weather in other cities. See current weather conditions in major cities across the country.
	Movie Times Search for a movie. Find the theaters in your coverage area that are showing the movie you want to see. See which movies are playing. View which movies are playing in your coverage area or at your favorite theater. See show times and get directions. Once you find a show you want to see, check the show times and use your GPS device to guide you to the theater.
Enhanced MSN Direct Content
	Web Favorites (Send custom destinations to your GPS with Live Search Maps) Powerful trip planning: Use Live Search Maps on your computer to look up an address, search for a business, or plan a trip Choose your favorite location, and then MSN Direct delivers the address, phone number, and more straight to your navigation system. Visit Live Search Maps at http://maps.live.com.
	Local Events See what's happening near you. Find nearby events to see what's happening in your area. Find the events that interest you. Browse events sorted by category. Search for an event. Get details about a particular event.
	Stock Quotes Watch the stocks that interest you. Select stocks that you want to keep an eye on, and then see regularly updated stock prices and daily changes. Get a little more detail. Touch a stock in your list to see daily highs, lows, and trading volume.
	News Headlines Browse the headlines at a glance. See breaking news and other major news stories of the day. Read more details. Select a headline to read all the details about the news story on your navigation system.
MSN Direct Coverage Map
Get detailed info for your Zip Code at the MSN Direct website.

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Customer Reviews

 Good product! - Sep 02, 2010

Great product. it is worth the money as it helps you travel around big cities. Easy to use as well.

 BEWARE OF REFURBISHED! - Sep 02, 2010

This item may be great new and maybe some people have luck with the refurbished they sell on Amazon- It didn't work and was missing pieces.

 Awesome - Sep 01, 2010

Perfect for the road or city, accurate and quick !!

a GREAT GPS !!!

 Works very well - Aug 31, 2010

Received the GPS today. Very nice product. Clear text-to-speech voice and plenty loud. Fast satellite signal aquisition. Simple, intuitive user interface. Nice wide screen. Downloaded the new maps in a little under-an-hour using computer at work. I still wonder if I should have bought the 265WT for the included FM receiver but I have a hard time justifying the extra $48+ for a feature I probably won't need that often. As someone who felt some ambivalence about purchasing a refurbished unit I am pleased to say that I have no regrets.

 My second Garmin - Aug 31, 2010

My first Garmin GPS was a 205W and it was a great starter. My new Garmin 255W speaks street names and it is even better. I had great help from Garmin support downloading the latest maps.

 Very good buy on this GPS! - Aug 31, 2010

Word of suggestion..do the free map update through Garmin. You get a one time free map upgrade.

 Great GPS - Aug 31, 2010

Love this product. Read other reviews for details (and the reason I bought this particular model)

 Disappointed - Aug 31, 2010

I wanted to like this GPS. I thought given Garmin's quality this would be one of the better GPS units out there. But honestly, our cheap TomTom did a much better job at routing and provides more features such as displaying the calculated routte as text. This Garmin 255W Refurb takes the most mind boggling routes. There are little to no options to control what route is calculated (such as shortest vs toll vs interstate). The 255W constantly takes us the dumbest routes which many times in cities are the unsafest areas of town. This past weekend's trip home it took us through all these side streets that were very unsafe in a town we were not familiar with. No rhyme or reason. TomTom never took us through routes like that. My wife is even tired of the voice on this unit and we now drive with it on mute.

On the plus side the fact that 255W does do text to voice is a nice feature and it was quick to re-calculate routes was nice as well (just disappointed many times where those calculated routes ended up taking us).

Needless to say, I'll be putting mine up for sale and picking up a TomTom again.

 Love it! Love it! Love it. Have I mentioned I love it?! - Aug 30, 2010

I had an awful Jensen unit that I won as a door prize. I guess you get what you pay for. It usually didn't tell me to turn until after I had passed the street. So I needed something a little better without all the bells and whistles. This unit is perfect and performed flawlessly since it arrived. Easy to set up, easy to use. What else could you ask for?

 Impressed - Aug 30, 2010

I was very impressed with the turn around time from when I ordered and when I got the item. "Fast" I am still learning some things on it, but over all it seems to be simple.

 I'm a new person! - Aug 30, 2010

Before I bought my Garmin GPS 255, I would always get lost and it would stop me from venturing out in unfamiliar places. This gadget is simple to use and durable. I am no longer afraid to venture the unknown!! I love Garmin <3

 Nice device, but - - - - Aug 30, 2010

I purchased the device thinking Garmin would provide the first map update at no charge as they have done on others. This was not the case, and with the cost of the update I would have been better off just buying a new one rather than the refurb. It is a very nice unit, and the display has a very wide viewing angle allowing both the driver and the passenger to see clearly. I've not had issues with the included map, but haven't yet tried it around the airport expansion project in Indianapolis.

 Garmin Nuvi 255 W- great GPS - Aug 29, 2010

Easy to use and it pronounces names of street very well and understandable.
and easy to set up and figure out right out of the box

 Excellent product - Aug 29, 2010

I'm very delighted with this product while I'm using this in New York for my summer trip.

 Does a good job - Aug 29, 2010

I've been idly shopping for a replacement for my beloved Mio 230 (there are apparently no map updates for that model) and bought this refurbished model on the not-a-big-deal-if-it-doesnt-work theory. And ... it works great. The only thing I don't like is that you have to hit several buttons to mute or unmute the voice. And a very minor point -- I can't figure out if there's a way to display current time. But overall, easy to use, accurate as far as I can tell. I had no trouble getting the free map download, although it took a long time.

 I Love This! - Aug 29, 2010

I did not buy this product from Amazon however I wish I had! I originally bought mine from Best Buy & Amazon is a good $40-$50 cheaper than Best Buy. I could've returned it but decided not to because it was such a hassle. However I do not regret buying this product. I also was debating between this Garmin & the newer Garmins but I did some research & a lot of people complained about there being so many features packed on the new Garmins that the screens freeze up. So I went with this model & I absolutely love it! There are so many different voices to choose from (I prefer the female British accent; Serena). This Garmin actually says the name of streets too which is awesome because when I'm driving, I don't even have to look at the Garmin, I just listen to it. I also love the "Go Home" feature which the older Garmin's do not have (my parents have an older Garmin so that's how I know). You set your house's location in the "Go Home" section then when you want to return back home from your trip all you have to do is hit the "Go Home" button, very convenient. It has a favorites section where you can store your favorite places. I put this Garmin to the test by using it to drive to my boyfriend's house. I live in Pennsylvania & he lives in New Jersey so we're 2.5 hours away. It got me there just fine, right house number & everything! A few other features this Garmin gives that are nice is if you put in the mpg your car gets & the average price of gas it will calculate the approximate cost it takes for you to make the trip. You can also go online & update it whenever free of charge (maps have to buy though, but if you register the product then simple updates are free). You can also change the icon of your car on the Garmin to a different icon (like it gives you a truck, a ball, an SUV besides the car). I also like how when it gets dark outside background of the Garmin will change from white (daytime) to black (nighttime). I've also been on a lot of backroads with this Garmin & never once lost satellite signal. Absolutely love this, I've recommended this product to several of my friends. I have not yet once had this Garmin freeze its screen on me. It's perfect! & I am a 19 year old girl. If you're a parent & you have kids that are in their teen years & are driving, this would make a nice gift. I would've loved it if I would've gotten this as a gift from my parents (you also don't have to worry about them getting lost). It makes things so much easier for me than having to download directions & print them out from Mapquest.

 Garmin review - Aug 28, 2010

The product is everything I expected it to be. It is easy to use and the features are very nice.

 GARMIN NUVI 255 - Aug 28, 2010

Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)
I HAD SOME ISSUES WITH SOME ROADS IN A SMALL TOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA BUT OTHER THAN THAT IT IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY!

 My 2nd One and I still swear by it - Aug 28, 2010

This is my 2nd one of these and I would buy a 3rd and 4th if necessary. I broke my first one while out drinking one night so I made sure to get a case for it this time. I know there are a lot of other ones out there with a lot of bells and whistles, but for me, this one does the job and at an unbeatable price too!

 Nuvi 255w (Refurbished Unit) - Aug 28, 2010

Originally, I was going to get a TomTom GPS unit (because I've used them before), but when I noticed the great price on a refurb Garmin (which I've never used), and the many good ratings, I decided to get it. I was not disappointed. First of all, the large screen size is really nice and makes reading the map very pleasant. Like many GPS units, it's very simple to use and the touch screen works very well in an age where everyone seems to have an Apple iTouch or iPhone. The voice on the phone is embarrassing at times, especially here in Albuquerque where many street names are in Spanish...talk about inaccurate pronunciation! I experienced the same thing in Honolulu, where the Hawaiian street names sound ridiculous on the Garmin GPS unit. Thankfully, you can disable the voice function. Another thing that's kind of funny...the unit often tells me I'm at my destination (a residential address) and is typically 3 houses away from actually being there. After I noticed this, I just started looking around when the Garmin says I'm close to my destination.

Here's what I love about this GPS:
-The large sized touch screen makes the device easy to use
-While driving, it rapidly recalculates your route if you go somewhere it did not tell you to go.
-The price is very nice, especially on the refurbished units and mine has never had any problems of
any kind.
-Compared to a similarly priced TomTom One, I prefer this Garmin because of its larger size.

I highly recommend this GPS unit.

 Great GPS at a solid price - Aug 27, 2010

I am pleased to have been able to purchase this gps at a price better than Wal-Mart, Costco and other online retailers. This is my second garmin 255w gps. The satellites find the unit very quickly and able to calculate route much faster than Tom Tom or Magellan. The menus are easy to use as well. You can download additional voices and cars to show on the screen. You can not buy a better gps than this for the money.

 Awesome product - Aug 27, 2010

I recently got a job in Dallas. Having lived all my life in a small town, this was a HUGE adjustment. This Garmin GPS has been well worth what I paid for it. Several times I've missed a turn or gotten on the wrong road, but it will find an alternate route fairly quickly. Awesome product. I would recommend to anyone moving to or travelling through a new area.Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

 Garmin 255W - Aug 27, 2010

Love the Garmin 255W. Just got back from Palm Beach, Fl. and used is like crazy. It was great !!!

 Garmin Nuvi 255W-perfect GPS - Aug 27, 2010

This GPS is the perfect size and has all the features a pleasure driver could want. It has good voice direction and good visuals and it fits perfectly in my center console...handy but out of sight when not in use. This is my 2nd Garmin and this one is more streamlined and has more features. I bought a refurbished model & it's perfect.

 WOW Great Buy - Aug 27, 2010

I was a little skeptical at first. I was surprised how easy it was to setup.
I am happy we made the purchase. I would definitely recommend this to a friend.
The maps are very easy to read. This Garmin re-routes very quickly. Great Buy.