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Note that after I entered the Garmin traffic map I forgot to switch back to regular map display, which is a more detailed and attractive color display. I also should’ve pressed button for ‘Traffic On Route’ and you would’ve seen language there was ‘no traffic’ on my particular route. Click on my video response to this one which covers the Traffic Reporting function in greater detail.

For this video, I had the Garmin screen brightness down to 50% (default)-should’ve had it at 100% but I forgot about it. I’ve had it lower than 50% (default) and the display is just fine, so if using the unit without the charger you can save battery life.

Do note that Garmin does NOT recommend use of a screen protector for this GPS.

This Garmin Nuvi 265WT comes with FREE Lifetime Traffic Reporting for so long as you have your unit and Garmin subscribes to the service. The Free Traffic and Bluetooth were major selling points for me.

However, I still also enjoy my Mio Moov 200 which is considerably less expensive and was my first auto GPS. But the Garmin is definitely more user-friendly/intuitive and the touchpad is definitely better; the Moov 200 commands small fingers or use of a stylus for the touchpad; surprisingly, the Moov is a slightly better navigator when ‘push comes to shove’, IMHO, and it ‘appears’ to lock on satellites faster, But the Garmin matches the Moov and indeed has a Distance to Go (to the destination) contained in the Trip Computer-touch the Speed Button in the Map to get there. Moov 200 also has only a 3.5″ screen, while this Garmin’s 4.3″.

The Garmin Nuvi 265WT has to boot up every time you turn it on, and it displays a Warning screen not to use it while driving-something you can ignore as I did in making this video-but it is generally ill-advised not to heed the Warning. So we’re talking about 15 seconds delay there (no big deal) in accessing the main screen. By that time I’m usually locked on satellite anyway.

The mount on the dash (windshield in CA is unlawful) places it in a position where doing simple scrolling for Traffic, etc. should not pose much of a safety risk, and it’s a GREAT, SECURE mount, whether on dash or windsheld. The Mio’s dash mount was useless to me as it would not stick securely. The Garmin mount is a quality mount.

If Bluetooth and Traffic Reporting are important to you, in addition to a larger screen, this Garmin seems to be a good choice. OTOH, I believe it was slightly overrated by a major consumer reporting organization, but not by much. As I use it more and more, I like it more and more because there is a slight learning curve that results in better understanding and appreciation for the unit Go figure about a week before you have mastered the unit and its potential.

Keep in mind that no GPS is perfect. That same consumer reporting organization rates its highest GPS at high 70’s on a scale of 100, and this one, and the 265T, weren’t far behind.

On this Garmin Nuvi 265WT, note the speed limit for the road you’re navigating is posted on the map screen lower left at about 8 o’clock. That’s pretty cool. Observe the icon at 65 mph while I was on the freeway, it disappearing on the off-ramp, and then changing to 40 mph once the vehicle made the turn onto Nordahl.

Another cool feature is the ability to program in traffic light speeding cameras/red light cameras where the unit will warn you in advance, and you can also be warned about school zones on your route.

Clarification re POI’s: It’s great if you search by CATEGORY as the display of local POI’s in a particular category pops up almost instantly; the problem I encountered dealt with POI searches BY NAME.

In that case, if you know the address and enter it as a Favorite you can avoid some difficulty re delay or frustration using the NAME search re POI’s. It’s sort of ‘hit n miss’ because the POI database, though containing millions of entries, may only contain 10%-20% of all possible POI’s in the country, according to what I’ve read (which may or may not be accurate).

Please add your comments, questions, and suggestions and rate this video.

Also, check out my other videos on the Garmin Nuvi 265WT.

UPDATE: 5/25/09. Battery has died on the Mio Moov 200 after nine (9) months, so I can not navigate with it unless it’s hooked up to the car charger or other power source. It’s lost its charge, though the unit appears to work okay when on auxiliary power. There’s a 1-year limited warranty- I don’t know if this would be covered.

I’ve used the Bluetooth on my Garmin for one day now and it worked well.

6/2/09: If ‘5′ were the ‘perfect GPS’ (which does not presently exist), I’d rate this Garmin about ‘3.6-excellent.. I’ve come to this conclusion after about two weeks of use.

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Read the full review at:
http://www.4tay.com/blogs/Adam-Parker/Garmin-Nuvi-200w—Review/1/1/684/

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http://www.boattest.ca/boatsandplaces/TestReports/Report.aspx?id=154&Make=Crownline

Test boat engine:

MerCruiser 4.3 L MPI Alpha
Drive, 220 hp, 262 ci/ 4.3 L, V6 gasoline engine,
with a 21″ pitch aluminum propeller.
ACCELERATION (mph/sec)
0-20 / 5.43; 0-30 / 7.16; 0-40 / 10.66 ; 0-45 / 15.13
TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)
4800 / 50
CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)
2500 / 22.9 ; 3000 / 30.1; 3500 / 37.5 ; 4000 / 43.1
SPEED TESTING BY Garmin GPS
Specifications
LENGTH: 19′1″
BEAM: 7 ft 8 in
WEIGHT: 3,100 lbs
FUEL: 102 L
PRICE: $34,568

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