255 vs. 260

 

I am looking to upgrade my current GPS, and I have narrowed my choice to either the Nuvi260 or 255. I have read all of the reviews and forums. This forum’s members were especially helpful with suggestions and answers to questions.
One of the last issues that came up during my research was the TTS voice quality. I’ve read that Jack and Samantha on the 255 were not of the best quality. Today I was able to try both units at a Future Shop in Ontario. These are my conclusions. Let me preface my remarks with I past my 21st birthday several decades ago and I wear glasses only when I drive. So YMMV. I know that some contributors have said that trying GPS’s in a store is less then ideal. I disagree because the ambient noise level is similar to the car engine noise along with the radio playing.
The two units were next to each other. The volume was set to 90% for both. I tried both Sam & Jack on the 255 and could barely hear them. The sound was too low and the speech quality was not very clear. The 260 was almost too loud at 90%.
The new interface on the 255 appeared to mean that Garmin removed the lines between the icons (intersections, cities ect.) This change IMHO did not negatively or positively impact the unit.
As far as map quality, they looked the same. Neither was substantially better then the other.
As for the new faster satellite lock neither unit could locate the satellite inside the concrete block building. Therefore I was able to test this feature.
These are my findings, unbiased as I can be. I know that there is a firmware update addressing the voice issue on the 255. I’m sure that the unit tested was not updated but to match the 260 voices the firmware update would need to double the voice level output, and change the pronunciation. Please remember it is a gadget and your MMV.

You need to hear the turn commands

but if there is a fix by software, you might value the traffic features that the 260 does not have.

--
260, 295W, 1490T,2455LMT

All I can say is...

...that I am very happy with my 260. It finds the satellites in less than 2 minutes from a cold start, meaning when it hasn't been turned on for 2 weeks or more (usually less than a minute when it is used daily). It also did just fine when I flew to Florida when it was last used in Colorado. It still got a lock in under 2 minutes. I've never found any issues with my 260, and unless you actually need the traffic feature I would highly recommend the older model. After all, by older I mean only one year. rolleyes

--
Rick - Nüvi 260 - eTrex Summit HC

Support of 255

rapriebe wrote:

...that I am very happy with my 260. It finds the satellites in less than 2 minutes from a cold start, meaning when it hasn't been turned on for 2 weeks or more (usually less than a minute when it is used daily).

I've recently upgraded from the nuvi 200 to the 255. While the TTS is not too loud, street names are pronounced accurately with few errors.

But what I want to mention is TTFF. When I bought the 255, it took less than a minute to acquire first lock. When I switch it on in the mornings, lock on takes no more than about 30 seconds. I did not use the GPS for about a week recently and it only took about a minute to acquire lock.

Satelite lock on time is quick because of HotFix. Plus you can add MSN later on with the optional receiver. All this makes it a good investment.

That's my two cent's worth ...

--
"Life is a journey - enjoy the ride!" Garmin nuvi 255

255W

I have a 255W and agree that the voice is robotic compared to some other models, but Garmin support told me that they are are still working to improve the voice quality. I added the MSN traffic receiver and the fact that it can help you find lower priced gas in your area will help pay for itself over time.

Robotic Voice

thomas8093 wrote:

I have a 255W and agree that the voice is robotic compared to some other models, but Garmin support told me that they are are still working to improve the voice quality. I added the MSN traffic receiver and the fact that it can help you find lower priced gas in your area will help pay for itself over time.

The voice is robotic only if you choose a synthesized TTS voice. If you select a non-TTS voice, which I think is a digital recording of an actual human voice, the 255 will sound just like the 200 or any other non TTS nuvi.

Dr. Nightmare sounds great on both my 200 and 255.

--
><> Glenn <>< Garmin nüvi 2598

.

I tried the 255W and it's true, the non-tts voices are fine. I needed the TTS voices since I drive in area where the streets are very close together and heavy traffic makes me want to just listen for directions. I needed more than turn in XXX feet. The tts voice was bad in my opinion and my car is noisy. I ended up returning it.

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Eat at Joes.

255W Voice

After deciding on the 255W, I started to read all that I could about it. Everybody said the same thing, Poor Voice in the TTS mode. I even had a friend who let me try his. It was like night and day compared to my Nuvi 260. So I called Garmin this Monday and ask if any fix was comming out to fix the voice. He told me yes, this week. I bought the 255W on Tuesday and the voice was tinny and soft. But I could live with it. I ran the updater and there was an upgrade for the software and text and for Jack TTS and Samantha TTS. After install, they did sound less tinny. Today, I checked the Web updater again and their was a new update for Jack TTS and Sam TTS. Ran it, much better. No impovement on the volume. In my car with my 260 the volume was set to 60% , with the 255W I use 70%.
I am happy that I bought the 255W. I will give a workout next week when I drive to Florida for the winter.

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Paul..... Nuvi 765T