Garmin nuvi 260.. Gets You There!

Onboard navigation promises to revolutionize the way we drive than perhaps any other electronics for the automobile in recent history. Up until recently the only way you could take advantage of this feature was through expensive options package bundles totaling thousands on your sale price at the dealer. Since then, numerous companies have emerged offering the consumer a smaller an arguably wiser alternative in a portable package. The Garmin nuvi 260 package includes Charger Cable, Windshield Suction Cup & cradle and manual.

The 2”x 2.5” screen is as large as the upgraded Gamins with many of the same features in a thin portable and attractive unit. Feature wise the Garmin is no slouch calculating just as fast as the more expensive c550 model which I also own. Menu wise the nuvi 260 easily moves between icons which lay out as follows on the first screens you see which include:

1. Where to
2. View map
3. Settings
4. Volume Control
5. Battery Indicator
6. Time
7. Satellite Strength bar indicator

1. WHERE TO
• Address state and address entry
• Points Of Interest – Find local POI i.e
• Shopping
• Restaurants
• Schools
• Amusement
• Parks
• Fuel
• lodging
• Shopping
• Bank
• Parking
• Entertainment
• Recreation
• Attractions
• Hospitals
• Community
• auto services

• Recently Found – Revisit frequently found points of interest
• Favorites – Favorite saved locations
• Extras – Load extras by download
• Intersections – Browse intersections by city entered
• Cities – browse local cities
• Browse Map – see current location with touch sensitive screen
• Coordinates – enter coordinates for navigation


2. VIEW MAP
See the current map including speed, compass, minimize, maximize screen
On map screen Speed window on bottom left includes:

1. Overall avg mh
2. Moving mph
3. max speed
4. Total time
5. moving time
6. stop time

On the Bottom right of the screen there is a compass
On the upper left and right of the screen are minimize and maximize screen controls

3. SETTINGS
include: Settings, Help. Picture Viewer, Calculator. Currency Converter, Unit Converter, World Clock

Settings
• System = GPS simulator
Usage mode = Auto Bike= Pedestrian
Units= miles or kilometers
• Security = Garmin Lock & Safe Mode
• Navigation Time = route preference (faster time, shorter distance) avoidances enable or disengage)
• Time = time format time zone daylight savings auto on/off
• Language= voice text keyboard
• Display – Brightness Adjust, Color Mode, Screen Shot
• Map

Help provides how-to information
Where to - adding stop/change search area/editing saved places/find place by spelling/find place with coordinates or map/ find address/ finding saved places/save current location/setting & going Home/taking a detour/stopping your route
Map – Using Map & Trip information
Tools – Using tools on the nuvi including Calculator, Currency Converter, Unit Converter, Loading items onto nuvi, Unit Converter, Viewing Pictures, World Clock
Troubleshooting
General Information
Shortcuts
Settings

Picture Viewer
Load pictures with the option of a mini SD card and utilize a slideshow function
Calculator Digital numeric keyboard with basic functions
Currency Converter Euro to USD
Unit Converter
World Clock


4. VOLUME CONTROL preset through the menu
5. BATTERY INDICATOR
6. TIME
7. SATELLITE STRENGTH BARS


ON THE ROAD

The nuvi 260 starts out by locating a satellite which can be tricky if you place the unit too high on your windshield or otherwise obstruct the ability to connect to a satellite. Sometimes weather conditions can slow this process i.e. heavily overcast skies, storms. Once located, your destination is calculated, you are voice prompted through your trip. Deviation from the set trip will prompt the unit to recalculate, which processes rapidly. This feature is quite useful when confronted with detours, missed turns or if lost.

Onscreen you will see your car represented by an auto icon which you can download additional versions, but why? You have the capability to either minimize or maximize the map window or review text directions by tapping the top task bar. Turns are broadcast in advance with warning of next turn direction; a most helpful feature. Once underway, you can add stops which will prompt the unit to inquire if it is to be included within the parameters of your original trip.

The Garmin nuvi 260 , like most units is pretty accurate 95% of the time with the degree of error due to old mapping, or need to download updates. I must stress though, that while you may take some un necessary turns, you will always reach your destination.

The ability to add a mini SD card is helpful in that it allows you to add to your library of destinations such as clients, friends, points of interest etc. If I see a particularly interesting piece of real estate, I can save the location for future reference. I also lend out the Garmin to family if they are new to the area and want to see some of the points of interest I have chosen for them as landmarks restaurants etc. I would think every parent would want to have their kids safeguarded with a GPS unit.

While some of the more expensive units have features like Bluetooth, the Garmin nuvi 260 is more than a basic unit; it has everything you need to navigate anywhere, which make it a useful tool for both your business day as well as on your cross country drive with the family. I will say this in closing; once you have used a GPS unit you will have a hard time getting used to not having it.

Downsides, if any, would likely be the annoying cable hanging from your windshield, though you can get about an hour or so of charge where you can do without the cable. Priced under $300.00 the Garmin nuvi 260 is priced reasonably enough for anyone to own.