Garmin Nuvi 265WT GPS: First Look

Mid-level car navigator offers free traffic service, with a catch

Garmin continues to expand its popular Nuvi 2x5 series, rolling out new models that make evolutionary enhancements over the older 200 series. This new product line started with the Nuvi 205, which has minor upgrades over the Nuvi 200. Refinements continue on the Nuvi 255, which combines spoken street names and traffic capability. Now, the Nuvi 265WT builds on these models by adding Bluetooth connectivity and most notably free traffic information.

Like those other 2x5 units, the Nuvi 265WT features the latest Garmin interface, with the updated touch-screen keyboard, speed limit icons, and the "Where Am I?" feature that provides nearest intersection and can help the user find or contact the nearest emergency services.

The Nuvi 265T is the standard aspect ratio version and the Nuvi 265WT is the widescreen. We paid $350 for our Nuvi 265WT.

Key features include:

Initial impressions

The Nuvi 265WT is an impressive mid-level navigator with an easy-to-use interface, typical of Garmin products. The next-generation software improves the map screen display with the new distance-to-next-turn representation. It also has some neat extras such as a photo viewer, calculator, and unit converter.

Other changes with the new product generation moves some information and buttons, making the device incrementally easier to use than older models. For example, there is now route information on the confirmation page when submitting a destination, and along with the distance to next turn is a much-welcomed arrow that indicates the direction of the next maneuver. Plus, we experienced faster satellite acquisition with the new HotFix satellite prediction feature.

That said, we do have a few small gripes with the update.

The green text bar at top of page (tap it to get to a directions list) now mainly displays the next road--there is no indication of the current road a driver is traveling on. Another thing that can be improved upon is the detour function. This is just a single option instead of allowing different distances (1 mi., 5 mi., 10 mi., etc.) to route around. Also, as with most Garmins, a user cannot exclude a road from the direction list. This is a feature that users may find desirable, particularly in apply some local knowledge.

What distinguishes this model is its traffic feature. The Nuvi 265T and 265WT includes a receiver that enables traffic information from provider Navteq. The free data comes at the expense of being exposed to advertisements. The text-based ads pop up on the GPS screen when a user is stopped (say at a red light). Initial sponsors include companies such as BP, Walgreens, and Wells Fargo. The general format for these is similar to the ubiquitous Google AdSense text ads, with messages like "BP: Click to win $100." However, tapping the advertisement does not win you any money, but rather it lists all the nearest BP gas stations. Another tap on a selected "interest point" will begin route guidance to the select point of interest. The ads do overlay some navigation information when they appear, but they are not overly obtrusive and many may consider them a reasonable compromise for free traffic information. (However, devices from Navigon provide free traffic without ads.) Nuvi 265T and 265WT owners will not be able to deactivate the ads, even if they do not have interest in the traffic information.

CR's take

The Garmin Nuvi 265WT should be on the short list of choices for anyone in the market for a full-featured GPS unit with traffic services. It adheres to the easy-to-use Garmin tradition, and it includes some useful features, like spoken street names, Bluetooth hands-free calling, traffic receiver, and free traffic services. Although there are advertisements, they are not too intrusive, and may be worth the trade off to eliminate a monthly fee.

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