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AllanHvass
Denmark
396 Posts |
 Posted - 22 nov. 2009 : 18:16:38
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There's a sale on the Nuvi 255T with newest European maps and a TMC receiver - price around $140, which is rockbottom here in Denmark.
I currently have the Nuvi 350, but maps is almost 2 years old, I've fancied for a while to get TMC traffic info. Other than that, I'm quite happy with my old Nuvi 350, and won't spent a great deal on getting lane assists, widescreen, and what else there's standard on midprice GPSes.
I'm considering giving the old Nuvi 350 to my wife, so we will both have one.
I don't use the Bluetooth nor the MP3 player at all on the Nuvi 350, which seems to be the main benefits over the 255T. Are thing else major I would lose? Are there any benefits of the 255T compared to the 350, considering it's a somewhat newer model.
I've seen that the 255T requires you to enter house number before street name - this is quite backwards for Danish addresses. Can that be changed? And if it can't find a house with that number on the street you're entering, will it still match the street name when partly entered, but suggest closeby house numbers?
Also, it seems from the user guide, that the power plug goes straight into the Nuvi rather into the dashboard docking station, so you have to fool around with the cable everytime you insert the Nuvi, rather than just docking it. Is that correct? And if so, is there a better docking station available?
Other pros/cons to be aware of? |
Best regards
Allan Hvass
Using Nüvi360, Secondarily SmartPhone QTek 8020 with Mapopolis & Holux GPSlim-236 |
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SergZak
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 22 nov. 2009 : 19:34:51
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On address look-ups, the house number is always entered before the street name with no option to change it.
All of the 2x0/2x5 series have the non-powered cradle mount. Even the newest 1xxx series (expect for the 1690T I believe) have the non-powered mount. So yes, you will have to fumble around with plugging/unplugging the unit whenever you wish to remove it from the mount.
Lets see what else you may miss...
*Note that this is what you can expect when going from the 3xx to the 2x5 series. Many of the omissions/addition from units are not mentioned in Garmin specs and reviews and are discovered by users who have actually made the switch.
Cons:
1. Garmin has omitted (from all nuvis after the 3xx/6xx series) the attention tone "bong" sound that comes before the spoken direction
2. Waypoints/Favorites names are no longer displayed on the map screen while driving
3. Displayed map detail has been dramatically reduced
4. The green info banner at the top of the screen has been changed to display the road you are currently driving on instead of the former next upcoming cross street display. (This is when you are NOT navigating a route)
5. Reduced quality TTS (text-to-speech) voices ("turn left on Elm street"). Some may notice this, others may not.
6. No MP3 player
7. No audio out/headphone jack
8. Non-powered mount (mentioned above)
Pros:
1. Next turn arrow indicator in upper left corner of screen (see numerous screenshots posted at Garmin, Amazon, etc.)
2. Slimmer (no fold-out antenna)
3. Free traffic (with ads)
4. On-screen speed limit indicator (on roads that support it)
5. ecoRoute
6. Newest maps with nuMaps Guarantee...depending on how old the maps are on the 360, this may be the best reason to purchase a new unit as the price of new maps alone will approach the cost of a new unit.
others feel free to add on... |
nüvi 3790T, nüvi 765T, nüvi 855, nüvi 760, nüvi 750 |
Edited by - SergZak on 22 nov. 2009 21:04:11 |
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danham
USA
6379 Posts |
Posted - 22 nov. 2009 : 21:36:59
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Nice summary.
The only comment I'd add is kinda from left field: I can't imagine spending money to upgrade from a 350 and not buying a nuvi that does advance route planning. But I fully understand that means more money and also that it's not everyone's top priority. "Jes sayin," as the kids say [g].
-dan |
- Nüvi forum moderator -
Nüvi 760 in a '10 Jetta TDI Diesel SportWagen & BMW F800 ST (350 & 680 stolen/recovered!)
Supporting a Vespa trek: >> details <<
Language Guide / US Topo / GPS III+ / MacBook with OS X & Win XP / Cape Cod, MA
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AllanHvass
Denmark
396 Posts |
Posted - 22 nov. 2009 : 22:43:11
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Hi SergZak - GREAT comparison!! Thanks a bunch for the info, hope others will find it useful also.
The real bummer is the primitive cradle option - can't imagine I can live with having to fumble around with plugging in the power cord every time. That's probably the deal breaker for me - and will also mean I won't even buy it as a lowcost option for my wife (Garmin, are you listening?).
The housenumber thing: Perhaps it's a US+UK thing versus some European countries. Perhaps when selecting Danish as language, it will have road entry before house numbers.
On your numbered con list point 1-4 (2+3 especially) are real negatives as well, thanks for making those clear. Number 5 is not relevant as TTS doesn't work in Danish on Garmins anyway, and 6+7 I put no value on.
On the Pro list, primarily new cards were the interesting part - it's actually cheaper than just buying new cards for my Nuvi 350 :-) Soo...
Danham - yeah, I like the best stuff on most of my electronics. But really I have not missed much on my 350 ever, at most a little more advanced routing than just 1 via point, so I was really not looking for an upgrade of the unit before I saw an offer on the 255T that gave me new maps, TMC traffic (which is free and without ads in Europe...) AND an extra unit for my wifes car all for the price less than a normal map upgrade.
Back to think... |
Best regards
Allan Hvass
Using Nüvi360, Secondarily SmartPhone QTek 8020 with Mapopolis & Holux GPSlim-236 |
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SergZak
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 22 nov. 2009 : 22:56:54
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My 765T lists "Dansk-Nanna" as a TTS voice. I don't know about the 2x5 series though...they do have different TTS voices than the higher-end nuvis...maybe someone with a 2x5 unit can comment if they include a Danish (Dansk) TTS voice.
I also changed the unit from English to Danish (Dansk) and address search still uses house number before street name but that is with US maps...
Switching to EU maps, and changing the language to Dansk, the address search now *seems* to be asking for a street name before the house number but I cannot be sure as I have zippo understanding of Dansk. I do know that previously, the search went directly to the numeric keypad for the search (number first) but is now going to the full keyboard (including numbers along the top) for the text entry. The initial text in the text entry box when entering this screen says "Indsaet vej"
EDIT
Using EU maps with Text set to American English & Keyboard set to Danish, the unit is definitely now asking for a street name before the house number. |
nüvi 3790T, nüvi 765T, nüvi 855, nüvi 760, nüvi 750 |
Edited by - SergZak on 22 nov. 2009 23:17:00 |
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danham
USA
6379 Posts |
Posted - 22 nov. 2009 : 23:24:09
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@ Allan:
Bear in mind that the workarounds for "faking" multiple via routes on a 350 will also still work on a 255, so your point is well taken. In other words, you can split a route into legs: A-to-C with B as a via, followed by D-to-F with E ... etc. as described in a topic linked from our FAQ.
-dan |
- Nüvi forum moderator -
Nüvi 760 in a '10 Jetta TDI Diesel SportWagen & BMW F800 ST (350 & 680 stolen/recovered!)
Supporting a Vespa trek: >> details <<
Language Guide / US Topo / GPS III+ / MacBook with OS X & Win XP / Cape Cod, MA
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AllanHvass
Denmark
396 Posts |
Posted - 22 nov. 2009 : 23:27:42
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SergZak - thank you so much for your time spent testing out this!
So basically it's down to a annoying car mount and display with less map details (and some time to retrofit the TMC antenna) versus new maps and an extra device covering both our cars.
I suppose the 255 doesn't fit in the 360 car mount? That would give the best of worlds in the primary car setup. Nor is such a mount available as an addon anywhere for the 255? |
Best regards
Allan Hvass
Using Nüvi360, Secondarily SmartPhone QTek 8020 with Mapopolis & Holux GPSlim-236 |
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SergZak
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 22 nov. 2009 : 23:32:34
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| Nope...the 2x5 won't fit in the 3xx mount and there is no 2x5 3rd party mount that will do what you're looking for since the only power connector on these newer units is the mini-USB connector. |
nüvi 3790T, nüvi 765T, nüvi 855, nüvi 760, nüvi 750 |
Edited by - SergZak on 22 nov. 2009 23:33:13 |
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ryguyMN
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - 23 nov. 2009 : 20:57:36
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| As a user of the 350 and 255, I didn't miss the upcoming cross street on the green info banner that much with the 255. When I'm trying to look for a street, I'm in routing mode anyway, so I know exactly where to turn. Guess I just didn't see this feature loss like others have going from the 350 to 255. |
Ryan - Minneapolis, MN, USA
Current nuvi's: 350 - Unit SW: 6.10, Traffic: GTM 12 | 255 - Unit SW: 6.00, Traffic: GDB 55 (not active)
Maps: City Navigator® North America NT 2010.30 |
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Going from Nuvi 350 to 255T - pros/cons?
