Garmin Nuvi 205, 205W, 255, 255W
Garmin announced four new Nuvi models in the 200 series this morning, dubbing them the “2×5″ series. The biggest news is that now traffic, by way of MSN Direct, will be offered in these devices. These devices will also come with a new “shaded elevation mapping display” which we can only imagine is similar to that found on the HP iPAQ 310. They get a few more welcome updates as well.
A faster 333MHz processor is said to speed up map drawing and route calculation time. Garmin is also releasing a new “HotFix” feature which will likely be similar to TomTom’s QuickFix system of acquiring satellite signals faster.
Like the 200 versus 250, the Nuvi 205 and Nuvi 205W will have maps of the contiguous United States (hey, they actually got it right) while the Nuvi 255 and Nuvi 255W will offer the United States and Canada.
The new Nuvi 2×5 series will have the ability to connect to traffic services through the purchase of an optional traffic cable. Other Nuvi 200 series models were not compatible with those traffic receivers.
Expect to be able to get one of these in your car in the next couple of months.
205 – $213.32
205w – $266.66
255 – $319.99
255w – $373.32
I bought the Garmin 205w the problem that I’m having is that the unit constantly chooses to use side roads in lieu of highways. I asked for a rout from flint mi. to mt pleasant mi.
It keep trying to tell to turn off the the highway and go down side roads. How do I pick an alternate rout or tell it to use highways not side roads? I tried both fastest and shortest settings.
Bruce, see the thread “Why does the Nuvi keep trying to take me on back roads?“.
i purchased a garmin nuvi 260. i went to update software from web. after this was complete i unpluged unit from computer and i got a message on the unit that said missing operating system what do i need to do to resolve this issue?
Bought 205w 2 months ago. Take good care of it. Suddenly one day while driving it stopped working even though it was connected to charger. Dead even when I connect it now to my computer. What’s up with it?
so weird… same-thing happened to me today… just driving, and
“gone”NOTHING… plugged it in to my computer… nothing… BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH… taking it back to fry’s… never took it out of my car, had it also about 2 months… mine was a 255. sounds like Garmin’s got some ESPLANIN TO DO!!
press the reset button at the bottom back. it will restart. that works on my 255
Where is the reset button on the Nuvi 255?
bottom back
shud see all the device info sticker
on the same sticker strip
there’s a circle that you can press into
it’s on the far right
if i can’t even turn my 255 on
what i’ll do with mine is
i just press the button for a few seconds
and turn it back on
works every time
Is there a reset button on the Garmin 255W? Looking at mine now and don’t seem to see anything? Thanks.
I am looking to get a basic GPS that has the cheapest (or free) uploads for new maps/current maps. I am debating between the Garmin Nuvi 255W and the TomTom XL 330s. Do either of these have the blue tooth option? Which would you recommend? Thanks in advance!
My NUVI255 has Aust/NZ Maps loaded &I want to Add Canada Maps for upcoming Holiday . (a) can I Use an SD Card loaded with Canada Maps (just plugged in to GPS unit) and will I have to down load the Updated Aust/NZ Maps ( previously the free download after purchase -in PC) or (b) Download a New copy of Canada Maps -& loaded to GPS . After Holiday reload Aust/NZ maps as (a) above – what happens with the Maps loaded in GPS are they overwritten
I appreciate any info you can supply – thanks Gary
I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 255W. I’m pissed at Garmin because I can’t purchase a Europe map from them because I live in Canada. They apparently don’t mind us buying their product but won’t sell us maps for anything other than North America. I tried the store I bought it at (The Source) in Canada and they don’t sell any maps at all. I realize Europe is not a big seller in Saskatchewan but then let me buy the damn thing on line?? I was told Garmin was the best and I love the machine but if I can only get the map for the country I live in – what a waste of money. I’ve e-mailed Garmin but no response to date. If anyone out there has any solutions so I can get their Europe map, please let me know. Thanks.
GARMIN IS A POS…I DID AN UPDATE AND LOST ALL SOFTWARE…NOW ITS AN EXPENSIVE POS!!!!!HOW DO I REBOOT
Here’s another 255W issue :-0
Ours will only successfully charge when connected via USB to a PC or 110v brick. It recognizes our USB car chargers as an external power source
but eventually dies 
.
It’s a though our chargers are \trickle chargers\ and not providing enough to replenish what the 255W uses to function although they work fine for every other USB charged device we use them for.
Newly bought Garmin Nuvi 255 GPS, but not showing speed camera, no max speed alert and asking me to take a route where there is no access to the road..what a bad piece of GPS, please do not go for this.
I cannot download the Garmin Plugin for my 255W unit because I cannot find the correct USB cable with the right connector to plug into the unit. Can anybody tell me where to get the correct cable and what Model No. it is?
Thanks!
It is a USB to mini-USB cable, fairly standard for things like digital cameras. So if you have a digital camera you might already have one.
The Garmin part number is 010-10723-15
Can I use an ordinary sd card like the one in my canon camera?
How many Gb do I need for Australia and New Zealand maps?
My 255w will not charge in my new car’s auxilliary plug. Is there a fix for this?
Hi there,
I have a garmin nuvi 255w gps, and I will be traveling to Europe. I am trying to update the gps and find maps for Europe. How do I do this?
I updated my Garmin nuvi 205 and have all of North America like I should. I then did the update for another Garmin nuvi 205 (another account with another paid lifetime update) and the update seemed to load fine, but most of Canada is missing. The only providence it has is New Brunswick. Has this happened to anyone else and does anyone know how to fix it?
I love my Garmin 255w but it is about 1 year old and I am supposed to update my maps and it looks to be almost as expensive as my original gps. Would I be better off just buying a newer one with lifetime updates? Carol
I am using nuvi 255 w , recently having problem with setelite signal. pls help
i purchased a garmin nuvi 205 what i like to know is. do this series have the traffic camera option and if so were do i down load it
Bought a lifetime map update for my Garmin nuvi 255w. Very bad decision. Something happened and now the Garmin will not work. Worked the day before the download. Garmin support says they cannot fix it. Have to send it in. Take around 14 days…we are going on vacation in 3 days. Can’t restore the Garmin to the original maps nor will Garmin refund my money. Customer service don’t care…it is only a job to them. Told me to send in Garmin after vacation. Ha! What a joke. That was the purpose of updating the map. Anyone else experiencing this problem with any resolution?
Regards
Garmin nuvi 255W dead – tried it on computer cable nothing – no charging. serial 1Q6725732
seems to be a common problem! is this a quality problem at Garmin??
I also have problems connecting to satellites. Sometimes it takes 10 to 15 minutes, if it finds them at all. I am in a large city, not the boonies, yet it always seems to have trouble. Looked on Garmin’s website in FAQ but was unable to find an answer. Customer service is basically non-existant on their site! To bad because this could be a great product. Am hesitent to recommend this unit to others!!