I got a chance to test drive a Garmin Nuvi 250W recently. This is one of the least expensive vehicle navigation GPS units on the market, but it performed very well. I was impressed with the screen size which is a full 4.3 inches. It's a touch screen, and Garmin made this one easy to use. The menu options are large enough that you can easily run the GPS without fumbling around. It was also very responsive, moreso than some other touch screens I've tried.
One of the first things I noticed was how quickly it locked on to the satellites. It onlt took a few seconds the first time I used it and no more than 30 seconds any time I turned it on. The second thing I noticed was the simplicity of the start-up menu. It offers you two main options on the screen, "Where to go" and "View Map", as well as two smaller options in the lower right corner, the menu page, denoted by a wrench symbol, and the volume page, denoted by a speaker symbol. You simply touch "Where to go" to enter an address or destination, or touch "View Map" if you just want to use the map without entering a destination.
To test the unit, I entered an address across town and used the GPS to navigate to the destination. I was very pleased with the turn-by-turn voice directions, and the accuracy of the unit. I was very easy to navigate my way to the location and the Nuvi 250W lead me there with no problems. I really liked the screen. It's easy to read and the extra width is really helpful if you want to know what's around you as you travel. The status bar at the top of the screen alerts you to what streets and exits are ahead which I found very helpful as well.
I also like the fact that this unit is very thin. It's like a mini flat screen TV. You can easily slide it into the glove box, your pocket, or a purse.
My wife also gave the Nuvi 250 the thumbs up. She took it on a trip to Storm Lake, Iowa which is about an hour and 45 minute drive for her. She said she used the Nuvi and followed the directions it gave an knocked 15 minutes off of her travel time. She also said it was able to re-route her very easily if needed, and she also like the trip calculator feature.
For the low price, it's going to be tough to beat this little unit. I give it the thumbs up.
What's in the Box:
* nüvi 250W
* Preloaded with City Navigator® NT for North America
* Vehicle suction cup mount
* Vehicle power cable
* Dashboard disc
* Quick start manual
The price on the sponsor forum is for a remanufactured unit, what does that mean?
DT
-------------------- "But now I will send for many fishermen," declares the Lord, "and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill and from the crevices of the rocks.
Jeremiah 16:16
My wife goes to alot of seminars and training sessions, held all over creation, and usually at hotels. She just punches in the add'y at home and she is off. Without it, she would be a nervous wreck, driving in some of these places Even worse, she might actually try to make me drive her there !!!
big G
-------------------- You can tell how big a person is, by what it takes to discourage them! "Hooks"
Quote: The price on the sponsor forum is for a remanufactured unit, what does that mean? DT
Great question!
Remanufactured units are great way to save money. In my opinion, anytime you can get in on a remanufactured product you want, as long as it carries the same warranty as the "new" unit, grab it. This unit carries that same one year warranty as "new".
Here's how this works. When electronics are manufactured and come off the assembly line, about one in ten are tested for quality assurance at most places. If that batch meets QA standards, the entire batch is put into distribution. Those units end up in the hands of customers and a number of them are dead on arrival, or have technical problems right out of the box. Since they are under warranty, the customer sends the defective unit back to the store, or to the manufacturer. Those defective units are then "remanufactured" (repaired) by the manufacturer, and (here's the key in my opinion) each unit is tested before it is then put back into distribution. Technically, it can not be sold as "new". So, they are sold as remanufactured units, usually at a healthy discount. The key for me is that instead of 10 percent of the units being tested, 100 percent of the remanufactured untis are tested before they are put on the market. You've got a better chance of receiving a working remanufactured unit than a working "new" unit. And both are covered under the one year manufacturer warranty. In my opinion, it's a win-win. The unit I have is remanufactured. No one would ever know the difference if we didn't write it on the box.
That's a rather lengthy explanation, but I think it's important that our members understand the advantages of remanufactured units. Again, as long as the warranty is the same as the "new" warranty, you have nothing to lose and can save yourself a few bucks in the process.
-------------------- Wade Kuehl - Jolly Ann Marine & Outdoors
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Quote: My wife goes to alot of seminars and training sessions, held all over creation, and usually at hotels. She just punches in the add'y at home and she is off. Without it, she would be a nervous wreck, driving in some of these places Even worse, she might actually try to make me drive her there !!!
big G
No kidding, Glen. Tamara "borrowed" my Nuvi and I haven't got it back yet. I have a feeling that one is hers now and I'll have to get one for myself.
-------------------- Wade Kuehl - Jolly Ann Marine & Outdoors
FREE Shipping on EVERY Order!
Click on the Jolly Ann Marine Banner above to visit our website!
Quote: Wade, I am looking for a similar system, but I would like it to run the Lakemaster Contour chips also. What is available that does that?
Scott
Scott, The only option that I can think of that meets your requirements is the Lowrance XOG GPS. It has turn-by-turn directions and can run the Lakemaster and Navionics maps just like your H2OC. It's a little smaller screen than the Nuvi 250W, at 3.5 inches, but will be similar to what you're used to with your ifinder. I have the XOG for $249 shipped.
One thing Scott, it is described as "weatherproof", not waterproof, so be careful with it on the water.
-------------------- Wade Kuehl - Jolly Ann Marine & Outdoors
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Click on the Jolly Ann Marine Banner above to visit our website!
Just an update here... After having the Nuvi 250W for a few weeks I am still very pleased with it. Tamara and I used it on a trip to Omaha last week and it performed very well. I think I'm most impressed by the easy-to-read screen. I find the screen quality to be top-notch, especially in this price range. The navigation feature has been incredibly easy to use and it's been spot-on accurate for us.
-------------------- Wade Kuehl - Jolly Ann Marine & Outdoors
FREE Shipping on EVERY Order!
Click on the Jolly Ann Marine Banner above to visit our website!
Product Review: Garmin Nuvi 250W Auto GPS
Electronics biz. must be good 
Even worse, she might actually try to make me drive her there !!! 
