Got a Nuvi 275T

[jwight]

In preparation for an upcoming trip across the pond, thought it would be neat to have a US/EU GPS. First Garmin for us so it's taking some adjustment. Initial impressions:

Pros:
Free map upgrade*
Free traffic service*
Voice* directions by street
Upload POIs via USB from online map programs

Cons:
*total download time 8 hours! 3.5 for the first one (file corrupted!!!), 3.5 for second one, an hour to upload new map to the GPS
*yes, if you're in one of only 50 cities covered by NAVTEQ traffic
*very nice lady with British accent; unfortunately, generated by something akin to the first version of whatever Stephen Hawkings uses
Clunky vehicle icon - seems to be the size of a house
Map upgrade only included USA map, not the EU map

Couple of road trips coming up soon so maybe I'll get used to it, but for now - a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

[Dunerunner]

Yea, Garmin needs to work on the voice synthesizer, my Kenwood sounds like the computer from 'War Games'...."Would you like to play a game?"

[jwight]

Should also add Product Support as a "pro." Have sent them two messages so far; in both cases they responded in less than an hour with the info I needed.

Should also mention the "eco drive" feature - let's you program in all your car's specs (mileage, fuel cost) then monitors your driving (mainly acceleration) and computes and "eco score" for each trip.

[eddie.vandermark]

Sorry to hear that you had that handful of issues with your Garmin. I bought a Nuvi 265T back in June and have been incredibly happy with it. My map update took the first time, I couldn't imagine the frustration you had with that.

I took a road trip about a week after I got my nuvi and found the free traffic updater was great in all the major cities we hit in the midwest. I live in Austin and traffic here is just a nightmare, and having that free traffic updater has been an absolute blessing!

As far as the voices and car icons, you can go onto garmins website, register your product and you can download different voices and car icons (at a small fee). I will admit that the options for different voices aren't that great, but, they have a ton of different car icons to choose from.

Hope you get a little better use to your new garmin.

[ckgonska]

I have no issues with my 265WT.
3.5 hours to download ~2 G, are you using Dail-up?

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

Yea, Garmin needs to work on the voice synthesizer, my Kenwood sounds like the computer from 'War Games'...."Would you like to play a game?"

I'm generally happy with my Kenwood. The voice guidance occasionally breaks up a bit though. And, I always get a kick out of the way it pronounces Alabama (Ala-Bay'-mah).

Also, I've found that choosing the "Shortest route" usually does not work out so well. Mine will attempt to guide me down roads which would only be passable by an ATV, or in a few cases, roads which apparently have never existed (MS Streets & Trips has done that to me also). That's a drag, because I like to take the scenic route, and my GPS isn't very useful for that.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by ckgonska

I have no issues with my 265WT.
3.5 hours to download ~2 G, are you using Dail-up?

No, we are stuck with AT&T DSL, which apparently stands for Damn Slow Loading.

[24-42]

Originally Posted by jwight

In preparation for an upcoming trip across the pond, thought it would be neat to have a US/EU GPS. First Garmin for us so it's taking some adjustment. Initial impressions:

Pros:
Free map upgrade*
Free traffic service*
Voice* directions by street
Upload POIs via USB from online map programs

Cons:
*total download time 8 hours! 3.5 for the first one (file corrupted!!!), 3.5 for second one, an hour to upload new map to the GPS
*yes, if you're in one of only 50 cities covered by NAVTEQ traffic
*very nice lady with British accent; unfortunately, generated by something akin to the first version of whatever Stephen Hawkings uses


Clunky vehicle icon - seems to be the size of a house
Map upgrade only included USA map, not the EU map

Couple of road trips coming up soon so maybe I'll get used to it, but for now - a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

I have a 855 and kept changing voices until I found "Lee - Australian", I find him to be the easiest to understand.
Hope that works for you.

Donald LaFavor

[Bobb Todd]

[QUOTE=jwight;259746]In preparation for an upcoming trip across the pond, thought it would be neat to have a US/EU GPS. First Garmin for us so it's taking some adjustment. Initial impressions:
....................
I have a 270 that I've used for 2 trips to France and in the car at home.

Here in NA it's useful. In Europe it's indispensible. With the number of roundabouts and 4-5-6-7 streets all meeting at one corner we went everywhere in France and Spain without getting lost.

Compare that to our pre GPS trip to Portugal where we got lost MANY times.

[jwight]

For all you Nuvi experts - can you review the entire trip itinerary somehow? Have this feature on another GPS and it's very handy for checking how the GPS intends to route you - before setting off. Don't seem to be able to do this on the 275T.