Garmin nuvi 250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Pink) Reviews

• Best value for the money in my opinion

  
  By AZ0SYM9F2CLAU on 2007-08-24
  I have used Garmin products before and like the reliability and performance. This unit works very well and in addition a great value price wise. The touch screen works perfectly - no more hassling with non-user friendly buttons. Very easy to navigate the GUI and always seems to find a signal quickly. Routes seem to work well for me (have had it for 2 weeks so not fully tested on routing). Voice prompts are functional and options exist for different languages - I like using the English accent voice. Another great benefit is the size - no external antenna and a small thin unit with a big screen (big enough for me)very well packaged. You could carry it around for hikes or biking as it has that mode and can easily fit into a pocket. All in all I'm very satisfied and use it every day for business because it saves me time and money.
  
  

• This is a tough one for me. If you can spend more, upgrade to a pricier model.

  
  By A2032LF6FWWK8E on 2008-05-02
  First off, I bought this as a convenience, not a necessity. I used to use those book type detailed maps and when it was time to replace it for around fifty bucks, I decided to pay about ninety more and get all of the convenience GPS units offer. I hated trying to follow roads from page to page on those book maps. Plus, I only got one metro area for my money.
  For the money I can't complain too much. The June, 2008 Consumer Reports came out two weeks after my purchase and I would refer you to that issue for a detailed review of all the top brands on the market.
  What I don't like about this unit is that roughly half the time I think there are better routes to take. I was hoping it would take into account peak commute times when calculating Fastest Route. I mean it's not the fastest route if it takes you through bottle necks during traffic times. I'm not saying it should have built in traffic alerts. That is a subscription service, but it should at least be smart enough to identify bottle necks and calculate speed as a combination of time and speed limits. It calculates everything as if you are the only one on the road. And in Atlanta you cannot drive like that. There are so many times that navigating to a freeway is not the best option. So, you could tell it to do the Shortest Route, but that is the other extreme. It may have you do some crazy maneuvering just to save a few feet in distance.
  Secondly, when I know I don't like the route it has chosen I tell it to detour. It gives me another route and that is it. If I tell it to detour again, it only goes back to its original route. Very frustrating. Now if I was in unfamiliar territory I suppose it would get me to my destination without getting lost and I would be none the wiser for taking a stupid route. But in my testing of my area, the problem is that I have not built a great deal of confidence in this thing.
  CR rated this one with less than average routing, but if you were to get one of the upgraded models, the routing is above average. So, I can't justify the extra money, but it may be worth it to you.
  ONE LAST THING.....IMPORTANT. I just called Garmin support, which was very fast and helpful btw, and they let me know that a new 2009 North America map was available for my unit that I just bought. It came with 2008 maps, which I assumed was current, but I am eligible for a free download until June 1, 2008. When you register your product online with Garmin, it asks you for the units serial number and then tells you what updates are available. I'm in the process of upgrading and am very pleased to get the most current maps for free. After June 1st you will have to pay for the same map.
  
  

• Its a good entry level GPS system

  
  By A1MOQGHWR4RAK9 on 2007-08-31
  I had a TomTom Go Classic that went kaput. I paid about $600 for it. This Nuvi 250 was about half that but, it has some shortcomings when compared to the old TomTom. For one, the voice is unnatural and tinny by comparison. I miss having the compass and the turning arrow on the screen. The maps and POIs seem a few years out of date but that was also a problem with the TomTom. There do not seem to be any free map updates available. It came with no case, A/C charger or a wire for connecting to the computer. The TomTom Go classic came with everything including maps on CD. All maps on the Nuvi are pre-loaded and aside from storing photos, I cannot figure out what the SD card slot is for. The manual does not explain much. The windshield mount is solid but short, and places the this device farther away from the driver than the old TomTom mount did. It takes 2 hands to remove the device from the holder unles you want to risk breaking the suction.
  
  

• Took a while to acquire satellites

  
  By A1PUWM2I75Y1F2 on 2007-10-28
  I had this for a few months now, used in MA, DC and around Dallas. Before this I was using my LG 8500's (Chocolate cell phone) GPS feature and loved it, except that I had to pay monthly fee and it used up my air time. The major difference I found between the two was the time it took to acquire the satellites; especially when used in a new location. It has been a few times the Nuvi 250 took more than 5 minutes to lock on; the weather was good and I was not in the woods or blocked by buildings; I wasn't patient enough to wait so I just start driving, and eventually it came back to life. The Nuvi 250 usually won't take more than 30 secs to find the satellites but it was very annoying when it got lost.
  
  Another thing I found is that the Points of Interest search was slow and the database does not seem as complete as my cell's. I was just searching for Staples around Concord, MA and it missed the closest one found by my cell. Obviously the data was downloaded to my cell on the fly so it has the advantage of being more up-to-dated and can potentially be more complete.
  
  Other than those I found the Nuvi 250 to be useful; just need to turn it on ahead of time.
  
  
  

• Good Deal on a Basic GPS

  
  By A3BPK9S002757E on 2007-11-23
  I bought my 250 just before we left on a month long trip through the southern US. It performed well. I loved the small size and portability. It was amazingly sensitive and able to pick up satellites even on the ground floor of a two story house. We were able to find a Thai restaurant close to where we were staying in Forth Worth using the POI. DFW freeways are confusing but the 250 did its job. There is a learning curve on using it. If you are in an off map location like a parking lot, be sure to drive a short distance so that the GPS can determine where you are before you make any turns. I ended up spending 5 minutes getting back on route. I turned before the GPS knew what direction I was headed and I got off track. Also, you should know that roads change all the time. In the month we were on the road we used it every day. 3 or 4 times we drove through new construction and the GPS showed us driving through the fields. When we got through the construction the GPS had us back on the map. I looked at the fancier Garmins and decided that I really did not need all the bells and whistles that they offered. My former navigator, my wife, says that the 250 has paid for itself are ready by lowering her stress level. We never argue about directions anymore.
  
  
• Garmin Nuvi 250
  By APBKTNVAHCXYH on 2007-10-31
  I now have two of these units for the family cars. Love 'em! They're very intuitive to use - even my wife was able to work it with hardly any coaching. No sooner had the units arrived in early October, then I got free upgrades to City Navigator v8 from Garmin. The touchscreen works quite well. The voice is clear and plenty loud (I have mine set at 50% volume). And the unit is small (thin) enough to slip easily into a pocket if you have to.
  
  Garmin has mastered the window mount hardware - it works just like a rear-view mirror for adjustability - and it's solid.
  
  Haven't used it much with the battery - it's normally plugged into the car lighter - so I have no input on battery life, but it's certainly a handy option to have. You can take it in the house and do your address entry in comfort.
  
  If you're looking for something super-sophisticated with Bluetooth, an MP3 player, and "turn left at Main Street", you'll want to go to one of the higher level Nuvi's. The 250 tells you to "turn left", just not the street name.
  
  If the 250 were waterproof and a little more shock-resistant, I'd get one for the motorcycle too (went to the Zumo instead).
  
  
• Wonderful basic GPS system
  By A242Y7AFD0KAVA on 2007-11-30
  Does this model have all sorts of nice features like traffic monitoring and bluetooth compatibility, no. Does it get the job done and easy to use, yes. If you're looking for a solid entry level GPS with a nice price point, this is a good model.
  
  It has a comprehensive locations database including hotels, landmarks, gas, etc. Searching it can be a little bit of a pain, but it does get the job done. Takes a little while to get its position when you boot but I haven't lost signal on the road unless I was in a garage or tunnel or something.
  
  The voice isn't bad and handy too.
  
  I'd recommend this if you weren't looking for all the bells and whistles.
  
  
• A practical, handy tool for travel, but cannot trust it 100%
  By A27R0D9XZGAXQH on 2007-12-29
  Bought the product ahead of our trip to Blue Mountain, Canada. The NUVI250 was easy to use and understand its features.
  
  PROS:
  Small and light weight. Literally fits in my shirt's pocket without sagging.
  
  Bright, clear LCD with auto dimming at dusk.
  
  Clear voice prompts.
  
  Quick < 5 sec recalculating.
  
  POIs very helpful: Our car got stuck in snow. We were able to pull up the contact info for a towing company and gave them a call for help. We were thankful for having the GARMIN. It saved us time and headache.
  
  CONS:
  POIs not that up to date. I expect shops that have opened 2 years ago would be in the database.
  
  While trying to each a fastfood restaurant, we were put on a road that reached a dead-end. That was a big dissapointment and raised doubts about the accuracy of maps on this system.
  
  Bottom-line: Although I say its a must have tool for travel, be certain to have a map in your car as a back-up alternative. I still feel hesitant depending on this unit and cannot completely trust NUVI. I also suggest if you plan to seek a POI, call the number as well and verify the address before heading for it.
  
  But if you ask me whether I'd keep the unit or not, my answer is yes, I'll keep it and for sure use it!
  
  
  
• Love it!
  By A2OXGE31AK4EHA on 2007-08-23
  I got this to replace my stolen streetpilot c340, because it was thinner. The only thing that I liked better on the c340 was that it had more voice options.. but both are great user friendly navigations! Also they can be used straight out of the box!
  
  
• A traveling salesmans best friend
  By A2CQOXWY1TBJP0 on 2007-09-07
  I go on the road four or five times a month to several different states and the Nuvi 250 has become my best friend
  finding most location without problem;However it can be confusing I was looking for a small town in upstate NY DELANCEY and the unit did not locate same until I did a search all with the street address and then it was located as De Lancey NY also on the screen map it lists certain roads as CR 16 (County Road 16) but then I tried to locate the road by that name it did not come up; only when I looked up the road by name (Treadwell-Frazer road) did it show on the unit (Do not throw your maps away)It can be confusing to a new owner; some roads are listed as Hwy (route number);others are listed as US (route number)
  Once the information is entered into the unit it has been 100% accurate, Maybe better instructions would help
  
  I would highly recommend this product
  
  
• Power Switch Is Flimsy And Cannot Replace Battery Yourself
  By A7QT04TT3PXOP on 2008-03-17
  I echo most of the comments already mentioned under this 3 star rating category.
  
  Firstly, my experience is the flimsy metal power/screen lock switch hidden under the gray plastic lever. If you expose the unit to impact or vibrations, eventually the weakest 2 of the 4 point connections to the circuit board will shear off.
  
  The metal switch assembly under the slider will pivot away from the board losing it's tongue-and-groove connection with the slider. The slider will not be able to grab the switch assembly to power off the unit. You would have to use the vehicle's DC cord to power off the unit when you turn off the vehicle's ignition.
  
  I don't recommend it, but if you have to repair the switch, you will have to remove the adhesive serial number label to expose 2 T5 Torx screws. The problem will then be trying to open the case. If you use too much force, you risk permanently damaging the 2 short clear sticky tape wiring harnesses which connect the LCD to the circuit board. Your unit will then be worthless.
  
  Secondly, since the wiring harness from the LCD is cheap sticky tape, leaving the unit in a boiling hot or frosty cold vehicle is definitely not recommended. The adhesive will dry up, disconnecting the harness from the circuit board contacts rendering the LCD screen useless. So, follow the instruction manual on the temperature tolerances of the unit on this one.
  
  Thirdly, the battery is encased by a metal cover secured with more fasteners. You must remove the case in order to replace the battery yourself. To repeat, doing so may permanently damage the unit. When the battery dies outside of the 1 year warranty, you may as well recycle and buy another one. Garmin will charge at least $125 (shipping and handling included) for out of warranty repairs. Basically, it's like a $50 dvd player. If it dies, buy another one. But, in the case of the Nuvi 250, it's $219. A lot of money.
  
  UPDATE March 19, 2008: I have added a labeled photo showing the inside of a damaged Garmin Nuvi 250.
  
  
• You can never get lost
  By A1U97RMZWHP9DE on 2007-10-31
  I purchased this GPS from PC Richard & Son, and I did not know what to expect. First time I tried it out was in new york city, where I currently reside. it paints out a whole picture of where you're at, tells you in advance where to turn, and redirects if you make a wrong turn.I tried it out a few times to see if there's any bad thing that I can say about it, and i'm still looking!!! Very affordable and is a must buy
  
  
• First Hand Experience
  By A2703DXPL574W on 2007-06-14
  I saw one in use in Germany,recently,where the roads and streets are not marked clearly as I would like. You need one there for sure. I am going to buy the Nuvi 250 ASAP. I have returned other GPS devices, but this one is a keeper.
  
  
• Got for out of town trips
  By A2LBETEKJAA42W on 2007-06-16
  Bought the Garmin Nuvi 250 for my out of town trips, it was on sale and about $130 cheaper than the Nuvi 350 so I decided to give it a try. It seemed to work fine right out of the package but included very few accessories. I was eager to try it out on one of my trips and I was surprised at how well it worked! The voice navigation was spot-on at turns and informed me well ahead of time of the next turn or exit I should take. The volume and brightness was excellent and provided no problems. I was worried about the re-routing calulation times as I tend to miss a lot of turns. And miss a lot of turns I did (I was sleepy), but the re-calculation times were almost instantaneous and put me back on the right track very quickly. I usually get nervous when I have to drive long distances but with my Nuvi, I can drive anywhere without worrying about getting lost!
  
  Pros: Good sound/brightness levels. Very efficient for the price. Extremely easy to use and mount on windshield. Small, able to fit into jean pockets easily. Can be used while walking or biking.
  
  Cons: Not as much features as the Nuvi 3xx series. Comes with little accessories (dash and windshield mounts, and car lighter recharger).
  
  Conclusion: I have been deciding between the 250 and the 350 for a while and researched the prices at various locations. Most stores had the 250 at around $450 (Canadian) and the 350 for $500. If this is so, then go for the 350 since it's only $50 more but you get a lot more features and accessories. However, I found it on sale at my local bestbuy for $370 (version 8). I think this is an extremely good deal considering that the 250 only has a few less functions (like mp3 player) than the 350 but at a much reduced cost. If on sale, I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good navigator, otherwise get the 350.
  
  
  
• Not Garmin's Best Nuvi but Great for the Price
  By A17HMM1M7T9PJ1 on 2008-10-26
  I have purchased dozens of GPS units, some for myself (Garmin nuvi 350 and 750, Street Pilot 2720 and 2820, Colorado 400T, 60 CSx, Rino 130, the Dash Express, etc.) and many for others, mostly as gifts. This unit was a gift for a friend who gets lost often and needed something basic in order to get around. I purchased the Garmin nuvi 250 in pink at a very good price from Amazon and I am very happy with that decision.
  
  The Garmin nuvi 250 is a basic GPS, still it has some features that make it a great travel GPS. One thing that I like is that it is smaller than my 750 (and all of the other 4.3" nuvi models) and it does not need the built-in flip up antenna that some models have (such as the 300 and the 600 series) so it fits neatly into a pocket.
  
  The main thing that I find missing is the TTS (Text-to-Speech) feature which pronounces the names of the streets. Instead of saying "Turn right on Broadway Street" like units with TTS, the 250 will say "Turn right at the next intersection". TTS is a good feature to have, yet if you look at the written commands on the top of the display they list the street by name even though it will not announce it.
  
  Still, one of the biggest and seldom mentioned benefits of a small, compact GPS receiver is the ability to take it out of the car and navigate as a pedestrian while walking in unfamiliar areas. I have used mine to find restaurants, stores, museums and other places of interest in cities like San Francisco, San Diego, Manhattan, Chicago, etc. If you have even gotten lost on a self-directed walking tour then you can appreciate the freedom that this little guy will give you, knowing that no matter how far you roam you will always be able to find the most direct route back to your car or hotel.
  
  No GPS is perfect. Maps go out of date fairly quickly and updates from Garmin are few and far between (and cost quite a bit). Restaurants go out of business often and I have been standing in front of empty buildings that my GPS directed me to more than once. Still, having a device like this is way better than not having one. If you are looking for a basic GPS receiver then look no further. Garmin is a great brand and I highly recommend this one.
  
  
  
• Good value for the money
  By A35R20ZH5NDCQS on 2008-09-20
  For a simple GPS system, it works well. It doesn't have Text-To-Speech, which means that it says "turn left in 300 feet" not "Turn left on Main Street in 300 feet". For me, that works fine as the less it talks the better. Selects good routes, is simple to set up and use and is easily updated from the web (which i would recommend doing right away as there were numerous updates available, including GPS firmware updates). If you want alot of bells and whistles, you will be disappointed. If you want a simple, trustworthy GPS device for a low cost, this is for you.
  
  
• Dolly
  By AX3XUMFG64YS on 2007-12-13
  A joy to have. Gives intelligent instructions for reversing course by going around the block, or whatever. I would like to have it show the altitude, which it has to calculate anyway, but that doesn't interfere with it's effectiveness as a driving guide. We've named the bright female who gives instructions "Dolly".
  
  
• Perfect for the prize
  By A2Q01T8GB039CN on 2008-01-24
  My decision to buy the Nuvi 250 was easy-my parents already had the 200 model and I liked it. The 250 was exactly the same, with a Canada map addition. This product is great in size, very thin, accurate, and user-friendly. The voice doesn't stress me out (some other brands sound like sandpaper). If I had to mention one drawback, it's the fact that it didn't come with a protective case. I keep mine in an oversized makeup bag since the suction cup is an awkward size.
  
  
• The Garmin nuvi 250 Is Fun!
  By A2BP0CXTYIZXXX on 2008-06-08
  Being new to the GPS world, I was unsure which brand and model to buy. I am happy with my choice, as it is fun and easy to use. The graphics are wonderful, the ease of inputting information is great, and the versatility suits my needs just fine.
  
  
• Great product
  By A1QPV43SWY9CGI on 2008-06-28
  The product works just as advertised. The size is great in that it can fit in a pocket. But you should have the accessory case, that I did buy. One complaint is that in order to register the product you have to do it online and through the device itself. That menas you need a "mini-usb" cable that is an accessory. I ordered it through Amazon with no problem. But it should come with the product. It cost about $10.00 from Amazon. I still have been unable to connect to Garmin with the cable and contacting support has been impossible..
  
  
• Elegant piece of crap
  By A1Z7SCIELT6MP2 on 2008-08-17
  Before I purchased Garmin 650, I didn't have any GPS, so my travels were based on Google or Mapquest maps. Garmine 650 cheated me thrice by giving incorrect information. Yesterday I took my family to South Lake Tahoe, CA. We been there 4-5 times and this was our first visit to Tahoe after the Garmin purchase. The configuration on the GPS was set for the Fastest Time(Factory settings). We thought we would follow our new travel companion (Nuvi 650) although it misbehaved earlier times. It took a different route and we reached 5 hours later at the destination. Instead of pretty straight route I680-I80-US50 it showed us Pittsburgh,Antioch,Stockton, Lodi and what not and finally put us on 50 without touching I80 at all. Even though we followed the route, intermittently it gave us Off-Route and recalculated the routes so many times.
  
  While coming back as soon as we reached I80 Nuvi asked us to take a different route and the estimated travel time was showing 3 hrs 45 mins(fastest route). But since we knew the route, we followed I-80 and after a while recalculated and showed estimated time as 3 hrs 15 mins.
  
  I am not satisfied with this GPS and would not recommend this. I guess I have to take the print(Google or Mapquest) for long distance travel.
  
  
• best invention ever
  By A3EIXLAQOE9EB3 on 2007-10-01
  I don't know how I lived before a GPS, it is amazing, compact, and so much more accurate than internet directions.
  
  
• My Wife Loves it.
  By A3T13T3NZBYTDX on 2008-01-14
  My wife loves this thing. My only complaint is that some of the points of interest, stores, are not up to date.
  
  
• I LOVE IT
  By A9O2K55L9495L on 2008-01-22
  Great product. If you are prone to getting lost like I am, then this product is for you. I got it over xmas and I LOVE IT. I used to stay close to home for fear of getting lost. Now I go any and everywhere with this thing!!! GREAT PURCHASE!!!!
  
  
• Nuvi 250 - Good deal from Warehouse Deals by Amazon
  By ACGAPGY3B1NVC on 2008-02-18
  The Nuvi 250 GPS is simple and easy to use. It is very intuitive. The built in maps cover all of North America. I was using an Garmin IQUE 3600 PDA GPS which did not have any built in maps. The problem with my IQUE, it took time to setup the dash mount and acquire enough GPS satelites links. The Nuvi in contrast quickly attaches to a windshield mount via suction cup and a small 12V auto adapter. Within seconds, the GPS satelites are quickly acquired. In comparison, the Nuvi maintained it connection to satelite links better than my IQUE. The IQUE had a tendency to lose the satelite link in metro urban areas where the Nuvi to date has never lost a satelite link connection. The Nuvi's programming interface is simple to use. WebUpdates are very simple to perform provided you have the USB cable which I had already had from my Streetpilot c330 unit. With an SD memory, you can display pictures, but the Nuvi's performance with large jpeg pictures is fairly slow. But, you didn't buy a GPS to display pictures. The small form factor makes it possible to carry it while walking around New York City. Good luck with your decision.
  
  
• Great choice!
  By A2AASRBO5YZ2U9 on 2008-03-28
  Love the unit! Compact, reliable, great database for points of interest, restaurants, gas, and hotels. Fits in a shirt pocket. Quick satellite recognotion. Best windshield mount out there. 8 hours of battery time make it great for city touring on foot or hiking in the woods. Will give altitude as you hike in the mountains. SD chip reader is nice for viewing digital pictures while on the road. Standard size easier in the pocket, consider the Wide version if your vision is not what it used to be. Dims automatically at night. Pleasant voice and easy all-touchscreen controls. No Bluetooth, but I seldom would need it. Kids names it "Sacajawea" ie. Lewis and Clark, and nicknamed 'her' "Sacki." Good GPS choice, no regrets.
  
  
• Awesome for travel
  By AMTDZC0QAQ03B on 2008-07-23
  I bought this for extensive travel in Southern California this summer and it has been wonderful. I have not needed a map at all--just download the updated maps from the Garmin website and you are set. You can also use settings to avoid freeways, etc., which has been nice for seeing more of Los Angeles. If you screw up and make a wrong turn, it automatically recalculates to find an new route. I am recommending this to all of my friends. Anyone who says they are "directionally challenged" while driving should have one of these.
  
  
• Worth the Price Paid
  By A2ND33616VWVIQ on 2008-08-16
  Purchased the Nuvi 250 just before going on vacation to California. We traveled from Anaheim through Oxnard, Ventura, Ojai, and Santa Barbara; and all points in between. Worked great everywhere. I highly recommend
  it. It's got all the bang for the buck.
  
  
• GREAT GPS!
  By A2BR3YKDEN8LGV on 2008-09-07
  This was my first experience using a GPS. I flew into an area I've never beeen to before and proceeded to drive my son across country to college.
  The Garmin Nuvi 250 was amazing. With no prior experience it was very easy to begin using. The Garmin not only gave me easy voice command directions,but also allowed me the ease of finding the closest fuel station, place to stay and where to find my favorite restaurants. During a horrible 2:00 a.m. thunder storm, the road was impossible to see clearly, but with the garmin I could easily see any sharp turns to expect in the up coming road.
  
  
• Amazing, affordable and simple.
  By A13YLNA7QK3N6Q on 2008-09-16
  First of all, I can't begin to explain on how amazing this little GPS is. I am not afraid to admit that I'm HORRIBLE with any sort of directions, but this Nuvi helps me out so much. Its so simple, easy to see, and the color pink adds some girlyness to it.
  
  Cons: It takes a little while to acquire the satelites, especially when you first turn it on, and sometimes you need to switch between the Fastest Route and Shortest Distance because the directions are kinda weird.
  But other than that, anyone who isn't looking to spend a fortune on a GPS, this is definetely the one for you.
  
  

• GGI International Universal Dashboard Bean Bag Mount for GPS, Cell Phones, etc.
• NAVGEAR ME201133 Universal Dash Mount
• GARMIN 010-10672-02 Nuvi Europe Travel Guide
• Dane-Elec 4GB High Capacity Secure Digital SDHC Memory Card
• Garmin Portable Friction Dashboard Mount for nüvi Series and StreetPilot C5XX Series GPS Navigators (C530, C550, and C580)

• GARMIN 010-10723-02 Carrying Case For Nuvi Series Travel Assistant
• Garmin Portable Friction Dashboard Mount for nüvi Series and StreetPilot C5XX Series GPS Navigators (C530, C550, and C580)
• Garmin A/C Power Cable for nüvi Portable GPS Navigators (010-10723-00)
• GARMIN 010-10936-02 Carrying Case For Nuvi 200 and 300 Series (Pink)
• Garmin Vehicle Power Cable for nüvi Portable GPS Navigators (010-10723-06)