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Garmin nuvi 265T

*Est. $180

Reviewed July 2009
Garmin nuvi 265T

Best car GPS receiver under $200

pros
  • Free traffic information for life
  • Speaks street names
  • Fast routing, mapping and satellite lock
  • More intuitive than older Garmin nuvis
cons
  • Free traffic alerts aren't available everywhere
  • Onscreen advertising
  • Fewer advanced features than pricier models
  • Not widescreen
 
 
Where to Buy
  • Mwave.com

    for $214.50

  • Dell

    for $219.99

  • eBay

    for $164.96

 
 
 

Reviews say the Garmin nuvi 265T packs all of Garmin's most useful features -- including free traffic for life and spoken street names -- into a budget-priced package. The free traffic is only available in 50 metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada, and you'll see ads popping up on the screen from time to time. Experts and users say the ads are unobtrusive, and it beats paying $60 for subscription traffic alerts. Experts usually recommend buying a widescreen unit -- such as the otherwise identical Garmin nuvi 265WT (*Est. $220) -- but some owners say they can see the nuvi 265T's smaller screen just fine. Reviews note that if you want more advanced features, such as lane assist, 3-D building view and the ability to save your favorite routes, you'll have to step up to the Garmin nuvi 765T (*Est. $350).

ConsumerReports.org's test of the Garmin nuvi 265T is expert and unbiased, and a ratings chart clearly shows how the unit stacks up against competing models. Tests at PC World and PCMag.com are also very thorough, and they include more details about the unit. User ratings at Amazon.com and Newegg.com show how the nuvi 265T performs in real life.

Where To Buy
 
 
Featured StoresStore RatingNotesTotal Price
Mwave.comMwave.com rated 4.50 (1175 reviews)1175 store reviewsIn Stock. $214.50
DellDell rated 3.50 (1716 reviews)1716 store reviewsIn Stock. Free Shipping!$219.99
eBayeBay rated 4.00 (1175 reviews)1175 store reviewsIn Stock. New$164.96
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org tests the Garmin nuvi 265WT and dozens of other auto GPS models on nine criteria, including traffic interface, a particularly important facet of this model. GPS units are ranked from best to worst.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 265WT, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

2. PCMag.com

The Garmin nuvi 265T is an Editors' Choice pick at PCMag.com. Craig Ellison's expert testing covers all of the major aspects of the unit. He concludes that the nuvi 265T has all of Garmin's most useful features at a budget price.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 265T, Craig Ellison, March 2, 2009

3. PC World

Liane Cassavoy says the Garmin nuvi 265T is so loaded with features and information that its 3.5-inch screen feels cramped. The review notes that Garmin offers an identical model with a widescreen, the Garmin nuvi 265WT.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 265T GPS, Liane Cassavoy, Nov. 13, 2008

4. Amazon.com

Users award the nuvi 265T an average of four stars (out of five), with more than 60 reviews posted. Written reviews provide a wide variety of opinions about the unit and its everyday performance.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 265T, Contributors to Amazon.com

5. NewEgg.com

The Garmin nuvi 265T is one of the highest-rated GPS units at Newegg.com, earning an average rating of five (out of five) from nearly 40 users. Although this retail site doesn't attract as many consumer ratings as Amazon.com, it does ask reviewers to describe their level of technical knowledge.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 265T, Contributors to Newegg.com

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