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"Best GPS I Have Ever Owned!" on by NormanKerns
Pros: + User Interface is very easy to use
+ Display very bright and clear
+ Satellite lock has been almost INSTANTANEOUS every time I use it
+ Accuracy. 99% of the time it is very accurate
+ Best routes
+ Speed Limit signCons: - GPS showed that I was driving when I wasn't
- "Arrival Time" has little to no basis in reality
- Tinny speakerSummary: I bought this unit online from a private seller, it's a refurbished one, but looks good as new. Has a stuck (not dead) pixel, but nothing to make it not work. This is my first official portable GPS that I own. I've used GPS units before and have one in our Acura RL, so I have experiences with other types and brands.
Edit Link
I've used it a few times and will try to give my input in as much details as possible. I live in Minneapolis, MN and driving a Honda Del Sol when I use the GPS.
Ease Of Use: The User Interface is very easy to use, pretty much straight forward and I like how it's setup much better than my friend's TomTom. You don't need to be a techie like I am to be able to use this. If you can read, you can use this. I love how you're able to customize the animated vehicle on the GPS. I found a vehicle with my lucky number, 24 on it, so LOVE IT!
Display: It's very bright and clear, the scrolling is smooth on the screen when you're driving and your icon is tracking where you are. I'm using the latest 2011 North American map and everything looks great! Even when I switch to 3D mode, the screen is scrolling smoothly and doesn't skip (very, very little). The 4.3" screen is nice, just the right size and you won't have crossed eyes using it.
Bluetooth: When I went to pair my crap cellphone (RAZR V3t) to the 265WT, it worked like a charm. I am quite impressed with the Bluetooth, the call is clear, people can hear me fine and overall, a nice feature to have, so I don't fry my brain with the cell radiation. (O:
Software: The Garmin software installed on my computer without a hitch. I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit. I was able to log into my GPS with the USB cable with no problems to update my map. I recommend using computers running Windows XP Pro or newer. I'm a computer IT guy and anything below XP Pro, you're going to likely run into problems.
Satellite: This unit picks up the satellite pretty good when you're outside and even picked up the signal inside our condo too. When you're in the clear outside, picking up satellites takes less than a few seconds. I'm impressed at how accurate it is when I am driving and don't think it can get any better.
ReRouting: I purposely took wrong turns to see how fast the unit re-routes me and it's pretty fast, I don't think anyone will have a problem if they miss a turn. Keep in mind when you're using a GPS, you can't expect it to be so precise at telling you when to turn. You just need to see what street is coming up next on the GPS and use your own judgment by paying attention to the highway signs. This is much better than printing out sheets after sheets of directions on bing maps or google maps. Using a GPS is just an extension to what you know to help you get to where you're going. The Garmin even picked up the detours that is going on in my area, so that is very nice and saves time.
Maps & POIs: The 2011 maps works great and with loads of POIs loaded on to the GPS, it's nice to know where a gas station is when you need one. I really love this feature and makes me feel a lot more confidence being on the road knowing I can find something when I need it. As I mentioned before, upgrading the maps is a breeze if you're using a good computer.
Lifetime Traffic: I use the car adapter with the traffic receiver, I've noticed a couple of coupons that pops up, but it does NOT get in the way of your viewing at all. Not sure what others are saying when they complained about it blocking their maps. Take my word, it does not get in the way and you can even TURN IT OFF.
CONS: The only thing that I found wrong (which is nothing) was that the GPS showed that I was driving when I wasn't. lol! It only lasted a few seconds before the icon on the GPS stopped moving. Gave me a good laugh more than anything, but I think it's the satellites messing with the GPS.
Overall, this is a GREAT GPS and I'd HIGHLY recommend this to anyone that is looking for one.
*** P.S. If you will buy this GPS I suggest you have compare price before you decide at: www.amazon.com/gp/*************?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Foffer-listing%2FB001ELJ9QK%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Ddp_olp_new_map%26condition%3Dnew&tag=***************&********=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957
Updated on Oct 27, 2011
Suggest compare prices before you decide at: http://beam.to/Nuvi-265WT
Enjoy! -
"Great bang for the buck." on by cnastro
Pros: Widescreen; Free traffic for life; Bluetooth Speaker; Sleek and slim
Cons: FM Traffic Transmitter wire is a bit thick making it too big to be hidden underneath your dashboard
Summary: I love the nuvi 265wt. I have used the GPS on my iPhone for awhile but it isn't reliable or practical to use on long car trips.
UPDATE: by the way none of the people I've called through the Bluetooth speaker have reported any problems hearing me and I can hear them just fine. I haven't experienced any of the problems that cnet and other reviewers have.
This is my first GPS. After researching for awhile I decided on the 265wt. I really didn't want to spend more than $200 on a GPS but after seeing that traffic is included free for life, normally $60, and that a Bluetooth speaker is included, which I was looking to purchase as well and normally cost $70-100, I decided on the nuvi 265wt. I purchased it from a reputable buyer on eBay for $300 plus s&h.
I love the widescreen. The fact that it says the street names is great (the voice is a little robot-like but you get over it quick). The frame rate is pretty good. It's a good beginner GPS because it's very easy to use. Everything is self explanatory.
I do have a gripe with Garmin's customer service. I called up because I thought the traffic wasn't working (it was working fine...it was just my own stupidity that made me not realize it) and a person answered. I thought "wow! a person right away!" She asked me how she can direct my call and I told her I thought I was having a technical issue and she put me on hold and connected me to a computer with a series of voice prompts. Press 1 to purchase...press 2 for technical support. After I went through the prompts my call was answered quickly but still...why ask me how you can direct my call if you're just going to make me go through a bunch of computer options anyway? Not a big deal but it just irked me.
In conclusion the Garmin nuvi 265wt is a GREAT GPS system. Especially for first time buyers that want a lot of features without taking a big chunk out of their wallet.
Updated on Oct 29, 2008 -
"Almost totally happy!" on by finder333
Pros: Easy to set up, easy to view screen, great volume and fast recalculations.
Cons: Turn announcements needs to be a little sooner.
Summary: I found when using this model in a large city with multi-lane interstates, the turn announcements would not arrive soon enough for me to make needed lane changes at times. If the announcements would arrive sooner I would be totally happy with this model. Outside of this problem and when used under less congested conditions (multi-lanes and speeds over 65 mph) I would give 5 stars!
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"nice options for the price" on by Achevelle
Pros: nice big screen and turns called out by street name very helpful
Cons: speaker for the blue tooth is not to clear when you turn the volume up
Summary: if you purchase this for the nav then it is a good deal but do not get your hopes up if you plan on using it as a hands free device for your phone
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"GReat product for the price" on by philnat1
Pros: Clear pictures. Friendly user buttons
Cons: Traffic not effective yet in Montreal Canada
Summary: This is my first GPS ever. Was going to buy the 360 but the sales rep said it was discontinued and suggested the 265T series. The wider screen was more appealing to me. Found it on Ebay and the seller was in my living town. What a coincidance. I was able to save on S and H fees. SP bought it for 300$ an excellent price. I loved this product right away. Easy to use. The text to speech feature is unbelievable. When you go off track, it quickly recalculates your new route. On the off side, the traffic component is stll not available in Montreal (should be available in 2009). Also when using phone through the unnit, the caller finds that the voice does not look so clear.
So great buy for the price. Do not hesitate to buy this unit.
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