Pros: Accurate, mount,inexpensive, feature content, easy to use.
Cons: Prehistoric graphics, lock feature is useless, no physical volume control.
The Bottom Line: The Garmin 260W is a great GPS for those on the market for an inexpensive and reliable GPS receiver that offers a decent amount of features.
shoplmart's Full Review: Garmin nuvi® 260W Car GPS Receiver
I have a few Garmin's in my GPS arsenal, all of which have proved to be reliable, accurate, and for the most part priced competitively. I chose the Nuvi 260W due to its high feature to price ratio and the fact that this particular model can now be had for under 200 bucks: or about the same price as the less competent Garmin StreetPilot c330.
About the Nuvi 260W:
The Garmin Nuvi 260W is a color touch-screen GPS receiver (or personal travel assistant, as Garmin likes to call them) that can be used in virtually any type of automobile. The 260W measures 4.8" wide x 2.9" tall x 0.8” deep and weighs a measly 6.6 ounces: it's one of the lightest big-screen GPS models on the market. Unlike most of Garmin's Street Pilot Series, the Nuvi models are offered with more amenities. For example, JPEG photo playback, text-to-speech (it speaks street names), SD card slot for external info, and a host of other travel friendly features.
What's in the box:
* GPS receiver
* Internal Lithium-ion battery
* Vehicle suction cup (for windshield) and dashboard mount disc.
* All maps are preloaded by NAVTEQ
* Vehicle power cord
* Manual and quick reference guide.
The Windshield Mount: 10/10
Garmin makes some of the best windshield mounts on the market: the 260W is no exception. The Nuvi 260W comes with a solid windshield mount that keeps the receiver in position no matter how poor the road surface is: something I can't say about some of the cheaper GPS systems on the market, i.e. the Nextar brand. In the six or so months that I have owned my 260W, it has only detached from my windshield on two occasions and that was likely due to the drastic temperature changes of driving from the coast to Mt. Mitchell, where the temp went from near 80 F to 40 F in a matter of 40 miles. Another cool feature of this windshield mount is that it is fully adjustable: it allows you to pivot the GPS receiver from side to side and up and down making it easy to find a great viewing angle. The only gripe I have with most Garmin windshield mounts is the difficulty of removing the unit from the windshield mount. Though I rarely detach my 260W from its cradle, I do occasionally pack it along with me while hiking and thus an easier detachment would be appreciated. It should be noted that CA residents and those who live in Minneapolis Minnesota might not be able to use the windshield mount due to strict traffic laws. That being the case, if you live in CA or MN you'll need to either use the disc mount (included, but doesn't hold very well) or the optional friction mount (highly recommended), which runs about 40 dollars from Garmin's website or even less on Amazon or eBay.
Ease of use and ergonomics: 8/10
Although the Nuvi 260W boasts more features than many base model GPS systems, i.e. the StreetPilot C330, it's just as easy use as Garmin’s more simple models.
The 260W's home screen offers just two simple main menu options: "Where to" and "View Map.” There is also volume & tool icons located in the bottom right hand of the screen. By pressing any of the two main icons, the 260W provides a multitude of self-explanatory sub menu icons to guide you to your destination.
Like all modern Garmin automotive GPS units, all of the navigational functions are via touch-screen: the only physical button on the Nuvi 260W is the power button. While I prefer touch-screen icons over physical buttons, there are a few drawbacks. If you need to adjust the volume, for example, you'll need to toggle your way all the way back to the home screen (not exactly easy to do while driving) and press the volume icon. That being said, I would appreciate a physical volume control.
The LCD 7/10
The Nuvi 260W comes with a 4.3" TFT Color LCD (the 260 is also available with a smaller 3.5 " LCD display). During the daytime hours, the Nuvi 260W provides a bright back-light that allows for superior map viewing, even with the bright sun glaring directly onto the LCD screen. At around sunset the screen will automatically switch to night mode: the background graphics become significantly darker providing an easy to read display without being distracting.
Though the 260 provides an easy-on-eyes LCD, I am a bit disappointed with the graphics. Unlike some modern GPS units, i.e. the Hewlett Packard IpAQ where you can view 3D buildings, the Garmin still only provides a flat geographical environment. While the Nuvi 260W does allow you to adjustment the detail of map and even switch to a psudo-3D mode (3D mode simply changes the view of travel from a birds eye view to a head-on view), it is completely devoid of 3D polygons. To be fair, however, those GPS units that do offer 3D polygons have been getting some pretty horrific reviews due to glitches, so it may be in your best interest to wait until better technology arrives. On a plus side, for a GPS unit costing under $300, the 260W offers better than average graphics, providing a generous amount of color to help segregate geographic features, i.e. rivers, lakes, freeways, side roads, etc.
Screen Info:
* 480 x 272 pixels
* 4 .3"
* WQVGA color TFT antiglare display
* Bright White LED Backlight
Feature content: 8/10
Although the Garmin Nuvi 260W may not provide MSN Direct or a host of other features found on higher Nuvi trim levels, i.e. the Nuvi 680, it does offer its fair share of features.
Similar to the Nuvi 680, by pressing the "Where To" icon located on the home screen, the 260W allows you to choose a multitude of options to help you find a particular destination. For example, you can either manually enter in an address by clicking the address submenu or you can use the POI submenu. The POI (point of interest) menu allows you to find points of interest such as lodging, gas stations, hospitals, banks, food, etc. all of which are sorted by conveniently by more specific submenus and are arranged in order from closest to furthest (the actual mileage of your POI is arranged from your current location is displayed as is the phone number is available). Note: you can always customize POI points simply by clicking on the vehicle icon and saving it to your favorites where it is easy accessible for future use. When you are confident you have found your POI, subsequently clicking the "GO" icon will prompt the 260W to quickly map out the route to your destination (this usually takes less than 10 seconds). Note: the 260W also allows you to add what Garmin calls a “Via Point.” This means you can add an additional POI e.g. a place you would like to eat at on your way to the main POI e.g. grandma’s house.
As with virtually all GPS units on the market, if you don't need specific directions from the 260W, but still want to see your general location on a map you can select the "View Map" icon on the home page. When selecting the "View Map" icon, it brings up a current map of your exact location as well as basic information i.e. your vehicle's speed/max speed, time/distance till you get to your destination, upcoming streets, etc. By touching your vehicle's speed icon (located in the bottom left corner of the screen) you will be given statistics regarding your trip, including your average speed, max speed, total time on your trip, etc. Another notable feature of the 260W is the ability to see your current elevation above sea level and latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates (this feature is not available on some Garmin's lower trim levels).
Performance: 8/10
Signal:
Like any GPS receiver, performance will vary depending on what part of the world you live. The 260W comes with a high sensitivity WAAS enabled SiRFstar III receiver, so it’s likely that you won't lose a signal in most parts of the US (even indoors). Living on the East Coast, I have never had an issue obtaining a satellite signal (satellite strength is indicated on the main menu page). Locking onto a signal is also fast, taking less than 10 seconds to boot up (the first time you use this unit it can take a few minutes to successfully lock onto a signal).
Accuracy: 9/10
The Garmin 260W is generally 100% accurate at providing directions, however I do have some slight gripes here. Even with the newest map updates I still get some off-the-wall directions that lead me to dead end roads or onramps that have been removed for years. As mentioned, however, normally the 260W is able to put me on the best route to any location without any issues. As with any GPS system, newly developed locations can take awhile (sometimes over a year) to be added to the database, so if you live in a new part of a city the 260W may not be able to find a route for you. It should also be noted that some smaller roads are oftentimes not indicated on the GPS screen, so it will appear on the LCD that you are traveling off road.
If you miss your exit or get off course the 260W will automatically recalculate a new route for you to get you back on track. By missing a turn, for example, the 260W will recalculate your route and then provide new directions that will put you and your vehicle back on the route that it initially provided. The only gripe I have here is that if I decide to take a shortcut on the way, I will have to listen to the voice prompts telling me to turn around every few seconds in an attempt to get me back on the highlighted route. The continuous voice prompts can get so annoying that I have had to completely stop the route. As with my higher-end Nuvi 680 there is also a detour option, which will route you around heavy traffic. However, like the 680, the detour option will sometimes attempt to route me way out into the boondocks: sometimes miles off route and sometimes on roads that aren’t suitable for small cars. That said, I don’t use the detour option unless I know the road.
Battery life: 10/10
According to Garmin the internal rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery will last up to 5 hours. I have found that Garmin has completely underestimated this unit’s battery life, as I was easily able to get 7 hours of use out of the 260W without it being charged and with no low battery warning. Unlike the 680 that provides a variety of methods for recharging the battery, the 260W only provides the option of charging the unit via the AC car adapter or the charging it to a wall outlet (wall outlet charger is optional).
Audio: 6/10
While GPS audio quality ahs improved substantially over the past decade, the Nuvi 260W still communicates directions to the driver via a somewhat robotic female-ish voice: it would have been nice to hear a more human sounding voice. However, as it stands the female-ish voice is easy to understand and 260W's small speaker does an excellent job, providing good volume range and good clarity. Unlike many of the lower-end Garmin units, the Nuvi 260W offers text-to-speech. So, instead of hearing generic directions like "turn right" as you approach your turn, the Nuvi 260W will say something more specific like " Turn right on exit 120A" or "Turn left on Nuvi Street" and then it will subsequently give additional directions like "continue to drive 1 mile, then turn left on Bean Street." The text-to-speech feature is very useful as it allows the driver to pay more attention to the road and less attention to the GPS map screen.
Customization: 10/10
The Nuvi 260W is customizable. By clicking on the tool icon on the home page, you can modify most of the 260W's features. For example, you can change the map view from 2D to 3D, change language, and you can even specify the type of vehicle, whether it be your Chevrolet or your Chevro-legs (bicycle, car, pedestrian). I have used this unit in pedestrian mode, and for the most part it's pretty useless. If you need a GPS for off-road purposes, i.e. hiking I highly suggest buying a GPS system that is geared specifically for that purpose.
Reliability: 9/10
I have never been impressed with the feel of the Nuvi’s sheet metal, in fact it feels downright cheap due to its lightweight plastics. But don't let the "feel" of the Garmin units fool you: these are very solid GPS systems. In the six months of owning my 260W, the only problems I have had with it include just some minor glitches with the LCD screen (I have the same problems with the 680): this is no big deal by any means.
Price & Warranty: 7/10
According to Garmin the Nuvi 260W retails for around 350 dollars, but you can get these for far less on Amazon and eBay. Prices can range anywhere from $299 at most online stores to as low as $199 for new units on eBay: it will pay to shop around. I have never seen the 260W sold at a retail store, so you may have to result to online shopping. However, Wal-Mart does carry the regular 260 model (same unit, just a smaller screen) for around $250. As for the Nuvi's warranty, if anything goes wrong with your 260W, Garmin offers a 1-year parts/labor warranty.
Overall: 8/10
The Garmin Nuvi 260W is perfect for those who want a lot of features from their GPS, but don't necessarily need a FM transmitter or MSN Direct (features found on higher Nuvi trim levels). Though I do have my gripes with the Nuvi 260W, when all is said and done the Nuvi 260W is an excellent GPS that offers good reliability, an easy to use format, accuracy that is hard to beat in this class of GPS, good feature content, and a vivid LCD screen. if you are on the market for a GPS in the 200-300 dollar range, the Nuvi 260W is a must-have. This product is recommended 100%.
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