Garmin Nuvi 255W

It depends on your location, but in general, the traffic service is probably not worth getting. On the other hand, in the Washington DC area it might be worthwhile. Maybe some other members from that area will comment.

If you have barely used your 255W, you probably wouldn't use a new model either. The 255 is a solid unit and if it still works well, use it for a while and see how well you like having it. A new unit could get you up-to-date maps, lane guidance, and some other nice enhancements over the 255.

The camera files will work perfectly well on the 255W.

Alan,

Many thanks for your informed comments. I think for $20, the FM Traffic seems like a good experiment. If it fails, I have another car ready power supply for the unit. I've been stuck in traffic due to an accident between DC and Philadelphia, and that feature would have helped to see the degree of backup.

I am looking forward to the camera files and how that works. DC cameras are viewed as revenue generators... so blatant and yet they are not embarrassed about it one bit.

The issue most people have found with the FM traffic receiver is that the information it receives is incomplete and neither timely nor accurate. And bad information can be worse than no information when making routing decisions. Sometimes the alternate routes it sends you on have worse traffic situations than the route it avoided. But this varies quite a lot for different locations. Hopefully you will find the service in the DC area to be satisfactory.

You will find the POI Factory camera files to be accurate, useful and well worth the effort of installing them.

Traffic updates are at the mercy of the particular station broadcasting them. Depending on which station your unit is receiving they can be a half hour or so late in changes. Also, the traffic data sent is extremely limited in that it primarily covers only the limited access routes so it very will route you to a "bail-out" that is every bit as congested or even more than the primary route. This is where a smartphone or tablet can really shine as their traffic apps monitor more roads and are updated much more frequently.

For me I would grab the FM receiver, as I like having it when it works for me lol.

Welcome to the forum.
In my experience I have found the traffic receiver to be worthless, forever giving inaccurate information. When no traffic, it dispalys traffic, when in traffic diplays green NO TRAFFIC.

I have shut the feature down on both my Nuvi's and find listening to a local area radio station more accurate.

You say you are considering buying one for 20.00.
Make SURE it comes with the Traffic Subscription and not just capable, if it's just capable you will have to shell out another 50.00 from Garmin for the subscription.

On a trip to Atlanta last week, I got into a big delay that I never figured out what the problem was about as I was going there but nothing appeared on my 765T. On the way out of Atlanta there was an indication of traffic delay of 7 minutes as I tooled along at the speed limit - never encountering anything.

Don't blame the Nuvi for the data not being sent by the radio station. It's like blaming the weatherman because the weather changed.

I agree totally that it is not the fault of my 765. The unit is having to rely on information that comes from a third party and changes rapidly. If my post sounded like I was blaming my unit, then I did not word it properly.

Good point, but it doesn't really matter who/what is at fault. The bottom line is that few people find the FM traffic service to be useful, many find it to be drawback rather than an advantage.

I own a 255W & my girlfriend a 255WT. Extremely happy with the unit and highly recommend it.

The FM Traffic Receiver as far as I'm concerned and have observed is completely useless.

Do a Search here for the site that gives you free maps unless you have a lifetime map policy. It's free but you lose the speed limit icon.

Here in SoCal, it works pretty well and is reasonably accurate. Not 100% but reasonably good. A couple of times it has saved me from a 30-45 minute traffic tie up.

Your mileage in your town may vary.

the 255W worked great for me in Illinois.
In Minnesota however, it just cant route stuff all that great. I feel it is due to all the lakes, and not having many routing options.

Still using my 255W. No problems with it ever. I personally don't need the Traffic Receiver. I've done a lot reading on here and some other sites regarding that option and my "observation" is that it doesn't work all that well and people generally regret purchasing it due to it's performance (3rd party info supplying the info). If your 255W is functional, use it. You will probably find that it does what you need it to do and for a great price to boot.