0ur opinion:

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Go wide with the ultra-cool nuvi 260W that speaks street names. This widescreen navigator is simple to use. nuvi 260W comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (P0ls) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. lt even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nuvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. nuvi 260W sports a sleek, slim design and fits comfortably in your pocket or purse. lts rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot. Navigation is just the beginning. nuvi 260W includes many travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. lt also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map. The optional SD cards slot lets you add additional features. High-sensitivity receiver RoHS version available Built-in memory - lnternal solid state with SD Card slot Waypoints/favorites/locations - 500 Voice prompts Speaks street names 3D map view Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation) Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road) Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.) Custom P0ls (ability to add additional points of interest) Configurable vehicle icons (select car-shaped icons for map navigation) World travel clock, currency & measurement converter, and calculator Unit Dimensions - Width 4.8 x Height 2.9 x Depth 0.8 (12.2x7.4x2.0cm) Weight - 6.1 ounces (172.93 grams)

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Garmin's nüvi 260W combines the thin profile and attractive price point of other nüvi 200-series GPS with directions in real street names and a wide screen that lets you see more of what's around you as you drive. Garmin's line on the device is that, 'the nüvi 260W gives consumers the most sought-after navigation features, while eliminating many of the premium add-ons. The result is a PND that simply gets you from point A to point B – reliably, efficiently, and with style.' As with all nüvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of a high-sensitivity integrated receiver, a slim, pocket-sized navigator with a gorgeous display, detailed NAVTEQ maps that lets  you search by name for more than 6 million points of interest like stores, restaurants or hospitals, and an easy, intuitive interface.

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

Wider screen lets you see more of what's around. Compare these actual size views of a 3-inch (diagonal) screen and a 4.3-inch diagonal widescreen

The nüvi 260W comes preloaded with maps for U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and features an  ultra-slim design.

Text-To-Speech
The text-to-speech feature of the nüvi 260W means that device automatically calls out street names (saying 'turn right on Main Street' instead of 'turn right in 200 feet.'). This feature lets drivers keep their eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and tricky roadways.

See More of What's Around
The 4.3-inch backlit widescreen touchscreen on the nüvi 260W gives you 70% more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push.




Smart, Powerful Design
The nüvi 260W is built with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver for extreme accuracy, as well as an SD card slot for storing your media and additional navigation tools, and a USB interface for loading data. All this is wrapped up in a package that measures 4.8 x 2.9 x 0.8 inches (W x H x D) and weighs just 6.6 ounces. The nüvi display is touchscreen-enabled, making it a cinch to control the device with your fingertips. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to five hours of battery life depending on use.



Garmin Lock
Garmin's patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PlN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location



First Rate Map Data
The nüvi 260W comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty P0l 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.




ln addition, the nüvi 260W accepts custom points of interest (P0ls), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming P0ls




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







Easy To Use lnterface
Garmin's interface is a key to their success and one of the things that 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.





Beyond Navigation

Browse your stored pictures with an easy-to-use JPEG viewer.

nüvi 260W accepts custom points of interest (P0ls). View larger.

Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 260W features travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. lt also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map.




This device is compatible with optional content plug-ins available via SD 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.




Garmin has also added the ability for customers to add custom points of interest (P0l’s) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras.








Trick Your GPS Ride

Custom vehicle icons let you ride in style, at least inside your GPS. See more icon option

Like all nüvis, the 260W supports configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle's position on the map.

What's in the Box
nüvi 260W, preloaded City Navigator NT for the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Canada, vehicle suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, dashboard disk, and set up and go guide.


Note: Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.

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)	lncluded Maps			Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)	Traffic	Bluetooth	Media	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 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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Testimonials

Average Buyer Rating:

Buyer's feedback: - * Works great with easy to use functions ...
This GPS system is for all of those who want only a navigation system and none of the fancy add-on features, like bluetooth. Sometimes it can take a little time to locate the satellites, but overall, it's a great system. Gives accurate directions with easy to understand prompts of what to do next. For example, if you just turned onto a road, the GPS will say "Turn left on Elm St in 5.6 miles." You then automatically know which lane you will need to be in well in advance. Get one today and you'll never know how you lived without it.

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Buyer's feedback: - Garmin Nuvi 260W 4.3" wide-screen
I had never used a GPS before getting this Nuvi 260W. I am so impressed with how well it works, guiding me through city traffic without any problems at all. I'm very glad I spent the extra $ and got the wide screen; it is much easier to see and use than the smaller screen. Garmin doesn't provide hardly anything in the way of a user's manual, BUT the Garmin user community at http://home.comcast.net/~ghayman3/garmin.gps/index.html and http://www.poi-factory.com have some great resources for Garmin users, including down-loadable Points of Interest, tips, red light and speed camera locations, and much more. Of course there is Garmin's own site for downloading things like updates, additional maps, firmware upgrades, and other items for sale.

The 260W talks to the driver as changes in direction, such as an intersection, are approaching, are near, and better turn now, fella! In the rural area where I live, we have not been cursed - yet - with red light and speed cameras. I had downloaded the set of known and shared locations for those cameras but naturally nothing seemed to happen. Then on a recent trip through a large city the Nuvi suddenly sounded an alarm as I approached a camera monitored intersection. It sure made me drive even more carefully!

Not every street, road, intersection, etc are included in the GPS database, but in my experience 99% are. The notable exception being some back country roads.

Unless you really need fancy extras like Bluetooth, MP3, and all of the fancy other stuff, then this is a great basic device. It does exactly what you would expect from a GPS. So far, it has been a great travel aid and value.

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Buyer's feedback: - * FIVE STARS ONLY BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A 4.9 RATING! ...
I bought this GPS unit on the recommendation of Consumer Reports (June, 2008) and these Amazon.com entries. I'm in full agreement with the majority of owners that the Garmin nuvi 260w is a reliable five star-rated product and for those few who find technical problems or glitches (I too have found a couple) I'd give it a 4.9 rating if it existed. Like any piece of electronics there is the possibility major defects do indeed occur. If this is the case I'm certain the manufacturer and/or retailer will replace the unit. On the matter of price per unit I bought mine at Costco $249.99 which includes the Garmin Vehicle Power Cable that I suspect is lacking from other retailers. Amazon.com beats the competition like Best Buy by as much as 50% when it comes to accessories like the Garmin AC Power Cable or Portable Friction Dashboard Mount (free shipping and no taxes!), both of which I regard as necessities, not accessories!

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Buyer's feedback: - Core function is very good, but some tweaks would be nice
After researching the myriad choices of portable GPS units, I chose the Garmin nuvi 260W. From everything I read, Garmins were the best regarded, so that narrowed down the choice to a single manufacturer. There are over a dozen Garmin's to choose from, so that was only the first step in the process!

A friend of mine had used a narrow-screen model that did not announce street names, and he was of the opinion that speaking the street names was of utmost importance and the widescreen display would probably be useful in seeing more of the map at once. He ended up purchasing the nuvi 650 for a great price, and he's very happy with it.

After seeing his 650 in action, I agreed about the Text to Speech (TTS) function. Having the unit tell you to "turn left on Maple Street in 1 mile" instead of just "turn left in 1 mile" is very helpful when you're driving. You don't have to look at the display to know what the street is, and that can be very helpful.

The widescreen display is less must-have than TTS, but I would still recommend getting it over the narrow screen. If you have points of interest loaded, being able to see a little more of the area in front of you could be especially helpful, and I like to see where the GPS is going to be taking me to get a better idea of how things will be happening as I progress down the road.

More than once, I've been able to take the right turn because even though the spoken instruction was unclear (this is a problem when there are multiple lanes on a freeway, with exits on both sides, and the GPS tells you to keep left, but it doesn't mean to take the left-hand exit, just to keep left of the right hand exit ramp), I was able to see where I should be going to take the proper route.

The 650 has a flip-up antenna, which I didn't want to have, because I intended to use it in pedestrian mode, and I didn't want to look any more geeky than I already would. Plus, I didn't want to have a flip-up appendage that could get caught on something, etc. The 650 has a longer battery life than the 260W, which may have something to do with that external antenna, I don't know. I have found that my friend's 650 is just a hair slower at recalculating than the 260W, but the difference isn't significant.

The Send to GPS feature of the software plug-in that you install on your PC is a very handy feature, indeed! It allows you to go to Google Maps and find a location, and then choose "Send to" and select your Garmin as the destination. I did this before our trip to Minneapolis, and it was very handy to have our hotel, my brother-in-law's house, the zoos, and a park that we wanted to visit in our favorites for easy selection in one place. Since the favorites list is sorted by distance from your current location, all the Minneapolis sites in our favorites were listed first when we got into the area. Very cool feature!

Overall, the 260W performs better than I expected it to. I've never had a GPS before, so I don't have any comparisons to other manufacturers and I primarily wanted it to help me get around unfamiliar cities on some summer trips. It never got us lost in Boston, Cape Cod, or Minneapolis/St. Paul, and it actually helped us on several occasions find gas stations and restaurants where we would never have found them as easily on our own. It handles roundabouts, freeways, and city streets with ease and I find it to be a valuable asset that I'm now recommending to others when before I was somewhat ambivalent about their usefulness.

So on to what could be better:

The speed at which the GPS acquires satellite lock when first turned on is slower than I would like. It sounds as though they have improved this on the next generation (255W) series. The wait seems very long when using it in pedestrian mode, and you're looking at it, waiting for a signal lock. However, if I turn it on, mount it on the friction mount in the car, and then get buckled in and the car turned on, it's waiting and ready by the time I'd be ready to choose a destination.

Pedestrian mode is frustrating at best. I tried to use it walking around Boston and in Minneapolis and it was very disorienting as the display kept panning left and right as it was trying to get a lock on the direction I was walking. Perhaps with time, I'll get more used to using it in pedestrian mode, and I do want to try switching it into 2D mode to see if that would be better.

Battery life is very short. The specs say to expect up to five hours, but I would say that 2.5 hours is more accurate in regular use. I fully charge the battery and let it get as low as possible before I recharge it, so as to maximize battery life, and I would say that 3 hours is the most that you should expect from it.

Having the included car charger is a necessity on a long trip. Even though it interfaces with a PC and gets recharged with a USB mini connection, you will need to use the Garmin-branded charger if you want to use the GPS at the same time it is charging. Otherwise, it goes into "PC sync" mode and the display is unusable. The charger cable has a right angle connector on the GPS side, so that makes it easy to have the cable connected while it's sitting in the friction mount.

The information that the GPS displays while in guided driving mode is useful, but considering that we have lots of screen real estate with the widescreen model, not much information is available without having to go into other screens.

It displays the time of arrival and the distance to next turn, which are helpful stats, but I found myself wishing that I could see my current direction, speed, trip mileage, or miles left on my trip as well. The center "menu" button is quite large, so there's definitely room for a little display that could be pressed to switch between those other data points.

The 3D display mode is the best for city driving and when you're having to make turns, etc., but it's pretty much useless when you're on the freeway and your next turn is dozens or hundreds of miles away. In those cases, I think the overhead 2D view would be more useful, as it would be able to show you your relative position to nearby towns on the map. Switching from 3D to 2D modes is not easy, as it takes several button presses to get there. I would like to see this be possible with a single button press.

I would also like a simpler way of seeing the stats of where I am at any given time. You can press the arrival time display to see your current direction, speed, and other data, but you can't see your current GPS coordinates or altitude unless you press the car icon and it shows your coordinates and asks you if you want to save it as a favorite.

The "where am I" feature in the 255W appears to address this need as well as making it easy to know your approximate address (in front of 307 Maple Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin), which would be very helpful when calling 911, and find urgent points of interest, such as gas stations and hospitals. This is a feature that Garmin should bring to all possible existing models, due to its usefulness and safety benefits.

Based on the fact that the 255W appears to address many of the shortcomings of the 260W, I recommend purchasing the 255W instead. If really long battery life is your concern, check out the 650.

If you are interested in playing music from a single unit, check out the models that have that feature. My friend's 650 handles music really well, pausing the music to give instructions and then automatically resuming playback, with good volume balance between them. While the music player isn't on par with an iPod, it's certainly useable and it saves on the number of devices you're carrying around and having to plug into an accessory outlet, etc. I was more impressed with the music features of the 650 than I expected to be.

The core functions of the 260W are spot-on, and from my understanding, all the nuvi GPS units use the same mapping information. It then comes down to which features you are interested in. I really like the 260W, and now I wouldn't want to travel without it!

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Buyer's feedback: - * Awesome ...
This is the best toy I have ever purchsed. I used it while I was on vacation and was able to get around to places unknown to me and was able to take me to the hotel. I felt like a little child with a new toy. I just love my gps.... I can go anywhere without fear of not knowing where I am going...as well as getting back home. I travelled less due to getting lost too often, now I love to get on the road and explore places.
Thanks to Garmin nuvi 260 text to speech GPS. Oh by the way..I love it even more because it tell more than once when I am approaching my exit and destination. Cheryl/New York