GPS Navigators Review

It’s true that old-fashioned paper maps are still reliable; perhaps, only a few people will argue with that. But in this generation where time is very much important to everyone, it is best to have automation. Good thing, GPS devices came in to the picture. These gadgets have actually been known for decades now, but it was only during the last couple of years when they became a hit with consumers. Before, having a GPS device is considered as a luxury since they used to be way, way expensive then. Now, however, the gadget seems to be more of a necessity than just merely lavishness.

GPS manufacturers are also more consumer-friendly now as they make models that have all the basic features of a GPS device at very reasonable prices. A good example of that is the Garmin nüvi 255W. Garmin has been a household name for GPS devices for quite some time now because of the quality of their products.

The Garmin nüvi 255W, although considered to be an entry-level GPS, has all the necessary features of a GPS device. It has full map information preloaded, as opposed to other models in the series that only have regional data. One of the most notable features of the 255W is the “Where am I?” option. This is very much helpful for users who are lost and not able to recognize their current location. This feature may also be used during emergency situations and the user is not able to tell 911 the exact address or nearest landmark. Other than the street name and address, the “Where am I?” feature can also provide the nearest gas station, intersection, police station, and even hospitals.

As mentioned, time is gold these days. It seems like everyone is in a hurry and want everything done fast. The Garmin Nüvi 255W has no problems coping with that. This model has notably quicker response time when starting up, calculating the route, entering the destination, and even coming up with a reroute compared to other models and other GPS brands.

In terms of design, the Garmin nüvi 255W has wide viewing screen, which occupies most of the front side of the device. The screen has a resolution of 480×272 WQVGA which displays images clearly with full colors. This GPS device is also touch-screen making it easier to navigate, especially that the on-screen keyboard has significantly less, almost null, delay time than other touch-screen models. Also, to avoid unnecessary entries due to the screen’s sensitivity to touch, there is a locking mechanism found on the top portion of the front panel. This mechanism is a slider that when it is pushed towards the Lock icon, it locks the touch-screen functionality. This is actually just the secondary purpose of the slider; its primary function is to power on and off the device by pushing the slider towards the Power icon.

Having all of these great and solid features in a GPS device that costs as low as $149.99, this Garmin nüvi 255W is indeed a best buy especially for those who are looking to have a GPS for the first time.