The Garmin Nuvi 255W is a great basic GPS. It has a 4.3” wide touch screen so that you can see 70% more of what’s around you when you’re driving. Preloaded maps of the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico come with the device and it also comes with a full battery charge so it is ready to go right out of the box. Garmin makes it easy to add travel guides and additional maps as well as store photographs with the built-in memory card slots.

Other features that make the Nuvi 255W so popular include:

* A searchable database of 6.5 million points of interest.

* A faster processor which provides smoother drawing of maps

* Enhanced MSN traffic

* Automatic transition between time zones

* Direct interface with Mapquest or Google Maps

* Voice prompted turn-by-turn directions

Like all of the 200 series models before it, the 255W includes a slim, sleek design, a rechargeable lithium ion battery, a world clock, a currency converter, a JPEG picture viewers, and a measurement converter.

The Garmin Nuvi 255W has added another dimension to the already-popular 200 series by incorporating many improvements in its technology. For example, it has predictive technology that allows much faster satellite lock and text-to-speech which gives you spoken directions that include the names of the actual streets. All of these features are designed to make your driving life easier, and the Garmin 255W will do just that.

You can find useful reviews from those who have actually purchased the Garmin 255w at Amazon.com. For popular GPS systems you can find several hundred consumer reports that will help you make the best decision possible regarding your new device. Customer reports are located on each product page, usually about half way down. Garmin GPS systems usually have a pretty high rating by their owners. In fact, 95% of reviewers at Amazon rate the nuvi 255W as either 4 or 5 stars.

You can find more in depth product reviews at TopGPSProductReports.com.

There are so many different makes and models of GPS systems on the market these days that it can be an overwhelming chore just figuring out which one will best meet your needs. Every model has pros and cons that need to be evaluated before you make a final decision. For starters, you might want to look at price. GPS units start out at slightly more than $100 and can range up to $1000, depending on the features and accessories you need or want. When you look into the choices that are available, one of the options you’ll want to examine is the Garmin Nuvi 255w.

Garmin products are considered to be the Cadillacs of the GPS world, and the Nuvi 255 is no exception. Like all 200 series models, the slim 2×5 unit fits easily into a pocket or purse for pedestrian use, but also mounts on the windshield for use while driving. Directions are given text-to-speech using clear, concise instructions. Instead of hearing "Turn left in 2/10's of a mile" as in some more basic models, the 255W includes the street name in the verbal directions, "Turn left on Main Street". in 500 feet".  Since your GPS will speak to you, albeit in somewhat robotic tones, you won’t be distracted by having to look
at the 4.3” screen very often.

The Garmin Nuvi 255 is preloaded with maps of all of North America. In addition, the unit has a JPEG picture viewer, a rechargeable lithium battery, a currency and measurement converter, and a world clock.  Touch screen technology makes for easy viewing, especially with its anti-glare display. The fact that the screen is larger than those of many GPS units means that you get a view of more of the area using a Garmin 255.

All GPS systems have some drawbacks and the nuvi 255 is no different. You should also realize that some of the capabilities involve seperate service agreements which will increase your costs. Although software updates are part of the package, you’ll only get map updates by paying extra fees. These updates can be purchased singly or as lifetime deals. Also, if the battery ever needs to be replaced, you won't be able to do it yourself which will be an added expense. Although the battery is designed to last for a number of years, if it should happen to crash on you, you may or may not be able to find a technician who’ll be able to change it for you, especially at a cost that’s economically-feasible.

Other Garmin Nuvi 255w reviews have commented that the user’s manual is too basic to be of any assistance, but some say that the operation is so simple that anyone should be able to figure it out. There is a website available, ostensibly to help you should you have problems, but it, too, has been panned as being lacking in helpful information and user-unfriendly. If you’re trying to plot the route of a long trip, it’s also likely that you’re going to end up frustrated because there isn’t enough memory to do long, elaborate planning like this.

General consensus has it that the Garmin 255 is going to be easy to use and give you all of the features you need to travel in unfamiliar territory. This model does not come with Bluetooth capabilities to allow for hands free calling. However, if you’re looking for the basics and a unit that’s going to be reliable and efficient, the 255w will probably be a good fit.