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Garmin nuvi 265T

Discontinued

Reviewed

November 2010

by ConsumerSearch

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

for $329.99

Our Analysis
Specs
311 Amazon Reviews

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 available in 98 metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada, but you'll see ads popping up on the screen from time to time. Experts usually recommend buying a widescreen unit -- such as the otherwise identical Garmin nuvi 265WT (Discontinued) or the Garmin nuvi 255W (Discontinued), which omits the free traffic alerts. Reviews note that if you want more advanced features, you'll have to step up to more advanced Garmins like the Internet-connected Garmin nuvi 1690 (*Est. $320) or the new Garmin nuvi 3790T (*Est. $250) with its ability to "learn" local traffic patterns.

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 show how the nuvi 265T performs in real life.

Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

from Amazon.com

New: $219.99 $219.96

Average Customer Review:

Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

from Amazon.com

New: $219.99 $124.99

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Garmin nüvi 1695 5-Inch Portable Bluetooth Navigator with Google Local Search & Real-Time Traffic

from Amazon.com

New: $319.99

Average Customer Review:

Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic

from Amazon.com

New: $349.99 $249.00

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Garmin nüvi 265/265T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
(311 reviews) Buy new: $329.99 11 Used from $49.00

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org tests the Garmin nuvi 265T 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 265T, 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 4 stars out of 5, with more than 200 reviews posted. Written reviews provide a wide variety of opinions about the unit and its everyday performance.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 265/265T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic, Contributors to Amazon.com

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