Customer Reviews: Read 56 more reviews...
 Crude Sat Nav Covers East and Western Europe September 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I already have the TomTom One GB 3rd ed sat nav, which i have been very pleased with. Its reliable, up-to-date and re-assuringly has never failed me. I decided to buy another for European maps, and the Garmin 250 appeared to be a good choice. Whilst cheaper than the TomTom, it coverage extended from GB to both Western and Eastern Europe. The other good points are that it is slimmer than the TomTom, so easier to put in my pocket; the windscreen holder is much more effective than TomToms, and the POIs are more meaningful.
However, in use the problems became quickly apparent. First, the manual it comes with is so lacking in detail even basic procedures are left to trial and error. This makes the unit hard to use initially.
The female voice sounds very tinny, unpleasant to the ear. The volume doesnt adjust to the road conditions, so tends to be either too loud or too quiet however you set it. I found the basic maps adequate though the map on the screen lags behind where you actually are on the road.
I tested the unit thoroughly on a long journey from London to North Devon and back. On the journey out, nearing my destination, it guided me down a steep one track back road which was positively dangerous. Fortunately i didnt meet anyone coming in the opposite direction, for that would have meant backing along the entire distance of the twisting lane. The friends i was staying with in Devon were astonished a sat nav would send anyone down such a route, as not only is it dangerous (all the locals avoid it) but far longer than by going on a proper A or B road.
However, as i discovered on the return journey, there may be a reason for this. To avoid going back the same way, my friend drove ahead and i followed in my car, ignoring the sat nav's directions. This was to follow the main route everyone uses to get to that particular town. On following a signpost directing me to the M5 where i wanted to go, i noticed that the sat nav looked as though i was driving through a field and then a river. I cant tell you how bizarre that felt!!
The road i was travelling on through the river was opened in early 2006. The Garmin maps on my device are labelled 2008, but clearly they date from sometime prior to early 2006 and have never been updated!! Apart from the deception involved, this hardly inspires confidence that the Garmin 250 is a reliable device I can trust to take me from A to B.
I checked the same route on my older TomTom, and sure enough, it has the details of the 2006 roads in place. I assume this is because of the online updating TomTom allows via mapshare, which is clearly more important than i had ever realised.
Overall then, three stars for the extensive coverage of Europe, the small size, the windscreen mouting, but really this crude, tinny device cannot be recommended. That said, I've decided to keep mine because it covers countries TomTom just has no maps at all for at present. No better example of getting what you pay for.
 Superb!!!!!!! September 22, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Paid under 90 direct from amazon. What a bargain. European mapping, speed camera alerts tons of points of interest. Very acurate, the detour function has worked a treat on several occasions when stuck in traffic. It might not have all the functions of a 200 + sat nav but I dont need blue tooth, I can pull over and answer my phone, I dont need traffic updates , I've got local radio.
I can not fault it. Does exactly what I want it to.
Brilliant and great value for money September 5, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I cannot fault this product. I have used the Garmin satnav for a couple of weeks now and have been really impressed. The instructions are clear, updating using a pc is straightforward and glitch free and the console is very fast to update routes/ track where I am.
I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a simple, easy to use satnav who doesn't want to break the bank. I am sure there are satnavs around that have more functionality, but this does what it says on the box, which is perfect.
Update costs - Beware September 1, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm satisfied with the product but not so satisfied at the 60 required to update the maps a year later.
Garmin Nuvi 250 August 31, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Simple and easy to use: it does exactly what is says on the tin! It also offers great value for money. Scores 9/10 on my scale of satisfaction.
|
