Re nuvi's 255 and 205

 

On the Garmin site, when doing the comparison between the two models.

The 255 model states for Maps: Yes
and the 205 model states: regional.

Can someone explain what is meant by regional. I would imagine that it is restricted in some way, but to what degree.

The more I read on these units, the more intrigued I become. My only concern with this new microprocessor and the Hotfix feature is the reliability of it when it's first released. Has any other GPS manufacturers used this technology, and if so how has it worked.
I guess someone needs to be the guinea pig.

In US, 255 includes Canada/Alaska, 205 does not.

While I can not comment on how the rest of the world works, here in the USA the 200/205 are United States only not including Alaska nor Canada (might include P. Rico but I forget for sure) where as the 250/255 models have ALL of North America so it includes Canada and Alaska.

I assume in the rest of the world they do something much like that where the 205 might be, say Ireland only while the 255 includes all the UK or some such.

So basically if you are in the US and need Canada and/or Alaska, get the 255. If you are ok without those, then the 205 works.

PT

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Garmin nüvi 200 (my first GPS), 780, & 3700 Series. And a Mac user.

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I haven't bought a map update yet. But it appears to me that, when you update the maps in the 200/205, you can get the complete NA map. In fact, you may have to since I'm not sure the regional is available as an update. Or, if it is available, it may cost the same as the NA. Maybe someone else knows better.

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nuvi 200 | lifetime maps

I looked into this a little

I looked into this a little bit and I am still not clear if you can update a 200/205 to a 250/255 with buying the full map or not.

I do know, however, if you want to buy the discounted update maps each year @ $75, you can only get the same maps as come installed in your unit when purchased. So if you have a 205 and buy the $75 v10 (whenever it comes out) updates, you will only get the same non-Canadian/Non-Alaska maps.

Perhaps buying the full version ($139 I think or something in that ballpark) will allow you to upgrade a 200/205 to a 250/255, but if so, it will be at full retail price.

As I said in my last post, if there is any reason to think you will need the Canadian and/or Alaska maps, the extra cost for the 250/255 will be cheaper than trying to add it later.

PT

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Garmin nüvi 200 (my first GPS), 780, & 3700 Series. And a Mac user.

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I've seen the $75 Garmin NA maps sold on Amazon for $50. Are you saying that the 200/205 will not accept the whole thing when you try to load it?

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nuvi 200 | lifetime maps

255

Thank you for the info on the mapping. Sounds like it would be wise to get the 255 if leaving the country. Being from Canada I sometimes make my way over the border.

Does anyone have any information on this model aside from what the website states.

I am not clear if you can or can't...

dminz wrote:

I've seen the $75 Garmin NA maps sold on Amazon for $50. Are you saying that the 200/205 will not accept the whole thing when you try to load it?

I don't know. As I said above, it was never really made clear to me about the full price maps. But Garmin, through an email exchange when I inquired about Canadian maps, seemed to indicate for the $75 update price you could only get the updates to the maps that shipped in your unit. But you could buy the Canadian maps separately either on DVD or on SD cards and use those. But I don't know if the DVDs will load the stuff onto the Garmin itself or if you can load maps onto SD cards only.

Clearly I ain't too clear on the whole process. wink

PT

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Garmin nüvi 200 (my first GPS), 780, & 3700 Series. And a Mac user.

205 255

So, does anyone have a date for these yet. Holding out, but need one soon.