The Garmin nüvi 255W GPS has been on the market for some time now, but I just got one (upgraded from my nüvi 205), so here’s the scoop on it. I’ll be concentrating on what matters most to the PCMech audience (and if I miss anything you want to know about it, chime in with a comment as I’m very familiar with the nüvi line of products.)

In addition I’ll be talking about the things you can do with Garmin GPSes now that you couldn’t do before.

All nüvi models that start with 2 and end with 5 (even if there are letters after it) have the same core GPS functionality. There is no distinct advantage signal-wise between them. And yes, this does mean the 205 has the exact same GPS performance as a 265WT. What differentiates one model from the next is features and nothing more.

For example, what the 265WT has that the 205 doesn’t is:

• Widescreen 480×272 pixel display instead of 320×240
• Full North American map data set (includes Canada and not just lower 48 US states)
• SD card slot instead of microSD
• Speaks street names (i.e. "Turn right on Smith Street" instead of "Turn right")
• Bluetooth
• Has receiver for FM traffic reporting built-in
• Available QWERTY layout for on-screen keyboard instead of ABCDE

Everything else between the two is the same. Both hold 1,000 favorites, have the same battery life, have ecoRoute, etc.

Is widescreen really worth it?

There is only one thing that determines whether or not you want a widescreen model, and that’s the QWERTY layout.

This is what it looks like when punching in an address:

Standard screen models use an ABCDE layout.

If you absolutely gotta-gotta-gotta have QWERTY, then yes, the widescreen is absolutely worth it.

If not, then there really is no reason to have it. The map information displayed on-screen truly does not give you anything the standard screen wouldn’t. The extra 160 pixels horizontal and 32 pixels vertical really don’t accommodate for much extra map information, which is what counts most.

Is map updating getting better?

Yes. The way in which Garmin does map updates is far superior compared to yesteryear.

The first map upgrade is free within first 90 days of use. It’s a huge download (somewhere in the neighborhood of 2GB). Before running it you must close out all your other apps to ensure the transfer goes smoothly. This update takes a very long time because all the data is being transferred via a USB 2.0 connection to the GPS. And as anybody who uses USB drives is aware, sending that amount of data over USB isn’t exactly fast.

Successive map updates used to cost $75 each and were mailed to you in the form of a DVD. You can still opt to do this if you want. However the difference now is an optional nuMaps Lifetime subscription. For $119.99 you get map updates for the life of the device.

What does this exactly mean?

1. It will only work for one registered Garmin device. You can’t transfer a subscription from nüvi to nüvi.
2. It’s a one-time cost.
3. It is a cost on top of the price of the GPS itself.

Bear in mind you are not required to buy nuMaps Lifetime, and your first map update is free, so you can mull it over and decide whether to go with it or not. If you do, the one-time cost covers map updates for as long as the nüvi lasts (which is a pretty long time as they have excellent build quality).

How often are map updates available?

Garmin labels map updates as "seasonal". In plain English, that means around 3 to 4 updates per year. Considering it cost $75 for each update before, nuMaps Lifetime pays for itself in less than six months.

And for those of you who would say, "RIP OFF!", it would only be a rip off if you were required to buy the subscription. You’re not. It’s completely optional. And even without it, you’ve still got a fully functional GPS.

Is firmware updating getting better?

Yes. Previously what you had to do is download WebUpdater to update the firmware on a nüvi.

That’s not required any longer, although you could still optionally use it if you wanted to.

Garmin has it in such a way where a nüvi can now be updated right from the browser (and yes it works in Firefox as well as IE).

What you need to do is register your GPS with my.garmin.com, then click the myDashboard link once logged in. The web site will prompt you to plug in your GPS via USB and will check for updates from there. If it finds any, it will ask whether or not you want to update.

I performed updates on my 255W via this method and it worked fine. No hassles at all.

How does the 255W perform compared to older Garmin GPSes?

Two things make the nüvi 2×5 series better than older nüvis and StreetPilots:

1. SiRF
2. Garmin Hotfix

SiRF is an enhanced positional technology that allows the nüvi to get a GPS signal faster than models without it. This first appeared in the StreetPilot c5xx series.

In plain English: SiRF is the difference between 30 seconds until a signal acquisition and 3 minutes. And while 3 minutes may not sound like a long time, when sitting in the car waiting for the signal so you can go… you get the idea.

Garmin Hotfix technology allows the nüvi to guesstimate where GPS satellites are in relation to the Earth’s rotation in order to acquire a signal faster.

Example: You arrive home from work at 7pm and turn the nüvi off. The next morning at 7am you turn the nüvi on. The nüvi will guess what satellites will be in range at that time of day and purposely seek them out. This results in the nüvi acquiring a GPS signal much quicker.

Plain English: Garmin nüvi 2×5 GPSes acquire a signal really, really fast compared to older models. I have even seen it get a signal in less than 10 seconds after a cold boot. That’s fast.

Does it still take you on "weird" routes to get to places?

Yes. But then again there isn’t any GPS made that routes perfectly. It is a computer, after all.

There will be times when the nüvi will suggest a route, and you’ll think to yourself, "Okay, the way it’s telling me to go is stupid. I know a better way." Chances are you’re correct.

In addition, even with SiRF and Garmin Hotfix, there will be instances where signal will get weak (such as near skyscrapers and dense foliage). No GPS has been able to overcome this – yet.

Does the text-to-speech voice sound any better?

Garmin had television commercials in which the text-to-speech voices sounded perfect but users of the devices were sorely disappointed when they heard the voice for the first time. Each had a tone that for all intents and purposes sounded "digitally raspy".

The old female US voice was Jill; the old UK female voice was called Emily. The new voices are Samantha (US) and Serena (UK). Both are humongous improvements over their predecessors. Using either sounds decidedly less "computery".

These voices do sound like the television commercials portray them to be.

Is there room for improvement?

Always.

But in all seriousness, Garmin does tend to "pull a Microsoft" by offering way too many versions of the same thing.

These are all the 2×5 models:

• 205
• 205W
• 255
• 255W
• 265T
• 265WT
• 275T

Seven models. There only needs to be one. A widescreen with all the features and "World" maps instead of seven different models that are watered down versions of the "best" model.

This is one of my very few gripes about Garmin as a company. Few people want to take the time and effort to examine seven different versions of the same thing just to decide which one is best for them. This is not one of those "choice is good" scenarios. What it does is confuse the crap out of consumers and moreover disenchants the brand as a whole – even if it is a good quality product.

Like I said, there should only be one 2×5 "global" model.

Is a standalone GPS still better than a cell phone GPS?

It always was.

There is no GPS available on any cell phone that can compete with Garmin’s NAVTEQ map data set (unless by Garmin/NAVTEQ directly), SiRF and Hotfix technology.

The only time GPS availability on a cell phone is worth paying for is when you can connect your position other data mediums, such as brightkite.

Strictly speaking as navigator vs. navigator, the standalone will always do a better job as a navigator.

Is Garmin still king of the hill in GPS?

In the United States they are. They have the best phone support; warranty issues (should any occur) are always handled well. My standard advice for anybody that has any problem with a Garmin GPS is not to go back to the vendor but rather West Marine. Why? Because they’re an authorized Garmin seller and can take in warranty issues easily – even if you didn’t buy from them originally. And there’s usually no line when you go and you don’t have to call before going. Big plus.

The way Garmin GPSes route is still best-of-breed even if it lacks other whiz-bang features other GPS makers have.

This I know: When somebody uses GPS for the first time in the US and it’s not a Garmin, the overall experience is usually disappointing. But when they experience the way a Garmin routes, that’s the sell on the technology.

The reason I said "in the United States" above is because while Garmin with its NAVTEQ map data set routes best here stateside, in the UK not-so much. TomTom with its TeleAtlas map set seems to do much better across the pond, but doesn’t perform as well in the US.

This is not to say Garmin GPSes don’t work in the UK and TomTom GPSes don’t work in the US. Both work fine for what they do. But in the US (and Canada), Garmin will do a better job.

Got a question about the 255W or other nüvi? Ask!

I’ll also field questions about MapSource if you happen to use that Garmin software as it is not the most user-friendly thing in the world.

Due to an accident that permanently damaged my nuvi 270 (don’t ask, but it was totally my fault), I was put in the situation where I had to buy another GPS. The base model from Garmin right now is the nüvi 205 and that’s the one I bought. The 2×5 (i.e. 205, 215, 255, etc.) is the updated generation from the older 2×0 line (200, 250, 260, 270, etc.) If a nüvi model starts with a 2 and ends with a 0, that’s the older one. If it starts with a 2 and ends with 5, that’s the current generation. Continued

In 2005 I started using GPS and my first GPS device was a Garmin StreetPilot i3 (I still have it and it still works!) After that I upgraded to the StreetPilot c340, then the StreetPilot c580 and then my current nüvi 270.

On a quick check of the Garmin automotive section of their site (I go by there every so often to see the newest offerings) there is not but a single StreetPilot series model left, that being the big-screen 7200 model. Other than that, all the rest of the models are nüvis.

The StreetPilot series is now one model away from the chopping block.

A few things to note about older "c" series StreetPilots (the most popular of the line):

Yes it can be upgraded to newer map sets, but there will inevitably come a point where you won’t be able to. The reason is because the map database will inevitably exceed the storage space inside a "c" series. (And it’s unknown whether or not you can use an SD card in the slot for future map database releases.)

The bright side is that current-gen nüvi 2xx and 2×5 models are pretty cheap these days. The nüvi 200 and 250 can be had for under 150 bucks easily. And with the nüMaps guarantee you can upgrade the map database free of charge.

Let’s say you’re a current "c" series owner and don’t feel like flipping out the cash for a nüvi or map upgrade. Is it still usable? Yes. And it will continue to be usable until a hardware failure (usually the touchscreen goes first) occurs. True, the maps will be a bit outdated but it will still get you where you need to go as it always has.

But let’s say you do think it’s time to switch over to a nuvi. Are there any utilities to copy your favorites from the "c"? YES. You can get the freely available Nüvi Editor. It connects up to StreetPilots via USB with no problems, downloads all your favorites, and then you can plug in a nüvi with USB and upload them all to the new unit, so you don’t lose a thing.

Either way you can still use GPS as you always have, but if you decided to upgrade to a nüvi, at least you now know you won’t have to re-save all your favorites all over again.

A few days ago I acquired a new GPS unit, the Garmin nüvi 270. Since my StreetPilot c580 is now a discontinued model I figured it was time for an upgrade to one of the newer and (much) thinner nüvi models.

A few notes before continuing: Continued

Upon recent acquisition of a Garmin nüvi 270 I found that I had the ability to manually enter in longitude and latitude coordinates for locations. This is a very convenient feature because you can enter in coordinates directly without having to connect the GPS to the computer at all.

For those that would ask “Why can’t I just enter in a street address instead?” You could do that, but this is useful when you’re browsing the map in Google Earth and don’t know what the street address is (but do know the coordinates).

See video below for details.

Garmin will at times post stuff for their GPS units that has absolutely nothing to do with GPS functionality and all to do with fun.

For Halloween this year they’ve released six vehicle icons called a Boo! Bundle for use in your nuvi (any nuvi), StreetPilot c510, c530, c550 or c580.

These icons replace the standard arrow that’s on the map display when driving.

The six icons are:

"Dead End" (a hearse)

"FrankenScooter" (a green-skinned Frankenstein looking kid)

"Knuckle" (skeleton hand, pictured in this post)

"Sugar Rush" (candy corn)

"Scary Scooter" (kid in ghost costume)

"Vroom Broom" (flying witch’s broomstick)

For those unfamiliar with how to use Garmin custom vehicle icons, this is the process:

1. Connect the GPS to your computer. This will create a drive letter for the GPS (most likely drive E or F, labeled "GARMIN").
2. Each icon file ends in SRF. Copy the icon file to the directory labeled "vehicle".
3. Disconnect the GPS from the computer.
4. Go to the "Tools" section of your GPS and change your vehicle icon there (usually from "Map"). The way to change vehicle icons is also listen in your manual.

Something that Garmin GPS users complain about – and rightly so – is that many new units are sold with outdated maps out-of-the-box. After that these same people are more or less forced into buying expensive map updates that cost $70 per unit.

Garmin has rolled out something called the nuMaps Guarantee that states:

Get the newest maps available and navigate with confidence with our nüMaps Guarantee™. Simply register your new Garmin nüvi or z?mo at myGarmin within 60 days of using your device and you’ll be able to see if a free map update is available for your device.

The nüMaps Guarantee program will begin on October 15, 2008. Anyone who first used their new Garmin nüvi or z?mo on August 17th or later will be eligible for a free map update if one exists within 60-days of the unit’s first use.

So if you’re just purchased a new Garmin GPS recently and felt you were screwed over by having outdated maps – not to worry. You can skip the $70 whack and get a free update.

My personal opinion on this: Perfect? Hardly. But at least it’s a step in the right direction.

The team over at Autoblog acquired an iPhone 3G that touts new GPS features and tested it out.

The verdict can be easily figured out just by the title of their post:

Should’ve bought a Garmin? Testing the iPhone 3G’s GPS capabilities

Before telling you the worst about iPhone 3G GPS, every single thing I knew was going to suck about GPS on the iPhone is 100% true.

• It is NOT real-time GPS. This is unbelievably ridiculous. Even regular cell phones have real-time GPS, meaning real-time turn-by-turn directions. This is NOT in the iPhone 3G.
• No re-routing. Again, ridiculous. I mean, c’mon.. even a sub-$100 GPS unit has a re-route feature, but iPhone 3G? Nope.

I had a few people state to me that now that iPhone has GPS there’s no reason to have a standalone GPS anymore.

I beg to differ.

GPS on iPhone absolutely sucks. A discontinued Garmin StreetPilot i3 built three years ago could run circles around it.

To Autoblog: Yes, you should’ve bought a Garmin.

Note: This is the short version. Last week on my personal blog I wrote a very long-winded article about the Garmin City Navigator North America NT Map Update 2009. And yes the title of the product is in fact that long. But anyway, if you want to read up on what I think Garmin needs to do in order to keep up with the times as far as map updating goes, read up if you wish.

If you have a Garmin StreetPilot c3xx, c5xx, the big units like the 2720/2730 or any nuvi series and live in North America, this update applies to you. No, it is not free and yes, that makes people upset they have to pay for it. However that’s the way things are at present with Garmin and map updates.

We’ll leave the pay factor aside for the time being and concentrate on how to make the map update process smooth and easy.

Step 1. Where to get it?

Register your Garmin GPS at the Garmin web site. All you need is the unit so you can enter in the serial number that’s physically printed on it.

Once registered you will have the option to purchase the update you need.

Step 2. DVD or download?

Get the DVD in the mail. The download takes way too long. Remember, it is a DVD’s worth of information we’re talking about.

Step 3. Install the latest Garmin USB drivers.

Grab those from here. It’s a fast install and painless. To note: Windows (and even OS X) will usually automatically install the drivers, but it’s better to get them manually just to be on the safe side.

Step 4. Plug in the GPS to your computer.

Step 5. CLOSE apps

This is the #1 reason why people have any problem with updating a Garmin GPS. They have a bunch of CRAP running, such as instant messengers, web browsers and so on. This does nothing but SLOW THE PROCESS DOWN. Whether your using Windows or OS X, close those frickin’ apps and KEEP them closed until the update is completed.

Step 6. Pop in the DVD and follow the instructions.

Step 7. Wait. A long time.

The update process takes 1 to 2 hours to complete.

For those wondering why it takes so unbelievably long to complete, remember once again we’re talking about a DVD’s worth of data here transferring over USB. Have you ever transferred over 4GB of data over USB? If you have then you know how long it takes.

There many be instances where the updating program appears to lock up. Trust me when I say it’s not. You just have to wait and be patient. It will complete.

I have performed map updates several times on several different Garmin GPS units. It always takes a long time. As long as you have no apps (or as little apps as possible) running and are patient, the update will complete successfully.

The 2009 update to date has been the easiest by far. The updater app did exactly what it was supposed to do and now I enjoy the latest-and-greatest map data set on my c580.

How to report map inaccuracies

If while driving you see a road that is marked incorrectly, or the intersection that is labeled wrong, or a business listed that is no longer there or the like, remember the following:

Garmin does not provide the map data.

NAVTEQ does.

If you want to report a map inaccuracy, head over to mapreporter.navteq.com. This is where you report inaccuracies. It’s free and stupidly easy to report map errors there.

So if you ever wondered how you can easily report map issues, there you go. No calling or e-mailing necessary.

There is a way to directly send a Google Maps location to just about any mobile Garmin GPS device (StreetPilot, nuvi, zumo, etc.)

Step 1.

If you haven’t done so, install the latest Garmin USB drivers.

Install the Garmin Communicator Plugin (this is so your web browser can “talk” to Google Maps correctly). Remember to restart your web browser after installing the plugin (just like any other plugin after installation).

Plug in your Garmin GPS to your computer via USB.

Step 2.

Go to maps.google.com, map a location first, then click Send.

Step 3.

Select GPS, select brand as Garmin and click the Send button at the bottom.

Step 4.

You will then be taken to the Garmin web site. If all goes well, your GPS is detected and an orange “Send to GPS” button is present. Click that button.

Important note: If the GPS is not found by your computer, confirm it’s plugged in via USB and that it is detected properly.

Once after sending to your Garmin GPS, you should see this under the map:

Click the “here” link will take you back to Google Maps.

Step 5.

Check to see if the Favorite was sent to your Garmin GPS and…

…ta-da, there it is!