Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote with Color Touch Screen Review.

 "Fantastic Remote: Simple to Program, Even Easier to Use!" 2008-02-04
By Jennifer Ray (Nashville, TN United States)

A year ago, I purchased the Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control and have liked it so much that I had determined to buy a second remote this year in order to have one upstairs and one downstairs. Although both the Harmony 880 and the new Harmony One each control many devices (I currently have 14 devices configured on each), it became tiresome to have to go to a different floor of the house to grab the remote for the other level. Then Amazon Vine received the Harmony One remote from Logitech for review, and I was thrilled to be able to review it.



The Harmony 880 and the Harmony One are very similar in functionality and programming. Both are programmed using a USB interface to your PC and the Logitech Harmony Remote Software. Both can handle multiple devices with considerable ease, allowing for most users to configure every remote-controlled device in their home. Both remotes can `learn' from the original remote if you are not able to configure a device using the model number. Both of these remotes enjoy a rechargeable dock.



Where the significant improvements are in the Harmony One over the Harmony 880 are the feel of the device in the hand, the improved backlit hard buttons that are easy to see in the dark, and a dock that cradles the remote much better (making it more difficult for your cat to knock the remote out of the dock! LOL). Also, with significant spaces between buttons on the Harmony One, it is easier to feel your way around the remote without looking.



If you are replacing an older Harmony remote, the Logitech Harmony software offers the opportunity to `replace' the currently configured device with the newer device, transferring your device setup for all the TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc. to the new remote with little effort. As I did not want to replace, but add a new remote, I didn't use this function myself.



For those of us who are adding a new remote, I was a bit disappointed in the Harmony Remote software. You cannot have multiple remotes under one Logitech account. Instead, you must set up a separate ID for each remote. Many people use the same ID for most computer programs and online sites requiring one, and this requirement may cause some trouble for us in the future. I can easily imagine that the next time I need to program this remote I may have forgotten the ID I used to set it up with. While I keep pretty good track of my IDs and passwords, it will be hard to remember a year from now that I had to use a non-standard ID for this one. I would like to see the software revised to allow for multiple remotes in one account, and the ability to copy configurations from one to another.



On the bright side, the software really does make it easy to configure your televisions, Tivos, DVD players and more. If you have the model number of that device, this is the simplest method of configuring it, and with an extensive database of model numbers - including some very old tvs and the like (judging by my own setup), it is a pretty sure-fire way to set up your Harmony One Remote quickly and easily.



Of course, there are times when you simply cannot find the model number for a device. My bedroom television does not have a model number anywhere that I can find it. So, I used the `learn' function on the Harmony One Remote to teach the Logitech device the correct codes, using my original remote from the television. Even if you haven't the original remote, the remotes are still easy to configure using the brand name and the device type (i.e. Sharp TV) in the Harmony software.



Programming custom buttons for devices is very easy. I like to control the volume on my television while the remote is in Tivo mode, so I simply used the TV remote to program the volume buttons on the Harmony One Remote for the specific TV I will use. This procedure is as simple as lining up the two remotes and clicking the button you are configuring, then letting the Logitech software do its magic!



So far, I have configured a variety of devices with this remote easily: TVs, TiVos, DVD players, VCR, Cable Boxes, and an A/V receiver. None were problematic, and all work very well. I highly recommend the Harmony One Remote for anyone who wants to combine all their remotes to one and prefers ease of configuring. Oh, and it looks pretty sharp, too. Especially with my own photographs downloaded to run a pretty screensaver!

 "The couch potato's Excalibur" 2008-01-30
By Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia)

Using Logitech's Harmony One universal remote control, I can't help but hear Queen's "I'm In Love With My Car" playing in my head. That may be overstating the appeal of this device a bit, but not by much. I haven't been this impressed with a technological gadget since the Flip video camera. The concept of a universal remote control that replaces the various "factory" remotes that come with most home entertainment devices isn't new, but Logitech takes it to a whole new level with this device.



The Harmony One remote includes the remote control unit, a rechargeable battery, charging station with power adapter, USB cable, and a CD that is used to program the device. Setup is extremely user-friendly. Once you have the software installed, you're asked to provide the make and models of the devices you want to control, as well as a few questions on how those devices are used. The software then programs the remote accordingly. The total setup time is roughly 30 minutes, and doesn't require any significant computer skills.



In addition to providing basic operational control over a huge array of audio/video components released since roughly the dawn of time (the dawn of remotes at least), the setup process programs key actions that are real time savers. Instead of using my TV remote to switch the set to Video 3 and then turning on the DVD player to watch a DVD, I just touch the "Play a DVD" button and the remote makes it happen. How cool is that? Right now I have a TV, DVD player, stereo, and iPod home unit controlled by the remote, and as I add or upgrade components, I can use the software to update the remote accordingly.



The remote's design is a wonder all by itself. In addition to the usual array of buttons you expect to find on a universal remote, the Harmony One also boasts a touch screen that works well beyond expectations. The ergonomic design makes the device fit perfectly in your hand, with your thumb resting right near the most utilized buttons.



If you've gone out of your way to make sure you have the best possible home audio and video system, you really need to invest in this uber-cool remote control. It's the perfect accessory for the flat-screen/HD/Blu-Ray era.



UPDATE: I recently upgraded my TV and DVD player, and updating the remote software took less than 10 minutes, including a bit of very user-friendly troubleshooting when things didn't work perfectly the first time. That's one more great feature of this ultimate remote control.

 "Unbelievably easy and intuitive set-up, a nearly flawless remote" 2008-02-11
By W. C. Bryant (Columbus, OH USA)

I need to qualify my perspective by allowing that the last time I took a chance on a universal remote, it was the Phillips Pronto. A thick, wide, heavy brick of an object with a monochrome touch screen. The programming process was so drawn out, that I never got all of my devices into it, and subsequently, this expensive piece of electronics sat in that box full of cables and other bits that resides in everyone's closet. So I admit to being apprehensive a bit when the Harmony One Advanced arrived.



Immediately as I opened the box, I was delighted at the look and feel of the remote. It has some substance, but isn't too heavy. The weight is fairly balanced front to back even with the battery inserted. The front face is a high gloss black, with a touch of silver at the bottom, the back a comfortable matte black rubber-type feel. It is, for lack of a better word, a 'pretty' remote.



So I did what the instructions said; I gathered the make and model numbers of the nine (9) pieces of equipment I wanted to control. I set aside an hour to start the process, and figured I'd continue later as necessary. After installing the software on my laptop, I connected the remote to it, and started following the prompts. I entered all those make and model numbers -- and lo and behold, that was the whole of my set-up experience. I chose how the devices work together, what settings they each need in order to perform an 'Activity' (such as watching a DVD, or playing an Xbox 360), and that was it. After about 10-15 minutes, I was disconnected, and using my new remote without a single hitch. I love that you can hit different activities on the touch screen, and the remote will control multiple objects at the same time, or you can select devices and control each individually as if you had the original remote.



After nearly a month of use, I only have a few concerns. That high gloss black on the face shows fingerprints and grime very easily. I feel like we're constantly wiping it down with a cloth they provided with the package. This isn't a complaint so much as it is an observation. Furthermore, there are already some very fine scratches over the touch screen. I may have to blame one or more of my three dogs for this one though, and not Logitech's choice of materials.



All my old remotes now live in that box with the old pronto. I don't keep them around just in case, because no scenario (no matter how complicated) has required them in my use over the last month. I added a new device (an HD-DVD player) a week or two ago, and it took just a few minutes to have it working just as well as the rest in the Harmony One's interface. This is a brilliant remote, and I literally couldn't be much happier with it. The only feature I wish it had, was its own 'sleep' timer for all the devices. Not all of my electronics do that on their own, and it would have been a nice touch to have been granted that ability by way of the remote's function.



Outside of those with specific RF or Bluetooth needs, I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with this remote. A wonderful addition (subtraction, considering I went from 9 remotes to 1 in this room) to my entertainment experience. Thank you, Logitech!

 "A few minor negatives, like no RF support, but an outstanding remote!!" 2008-01-23
By T. Bux (Barnesville, PA United States)

This is one high end remote, and for as sophisticated as it is, it works wonderfully in a beautifully designed ergonomic frame that is easy to setup and use.



Presentation: Logitech presented the Harmony One in an elegant display box, showing the gleaming black case through clear plastic. The box graphics are nice and do a good job adding to the whole experience. No blister packs here, this feels like you are opening something important.



In the box you will have the following:



Universal Remote

Charging Station

USB Cable

AC Power Adapter

Lithium Ion Battery

CD-Rom with Logitech Software

Installation Guide



Setup: Setup is a cinch, though I must admit I did have some trouble connecting this unit to my Intel iMac. After installing the software the unit did not want to acknowledge my USB connection. There was a number to call. The call center help was very friendly and helpful. Above average tech support. The problem was resolved and we moved forward.



The software is easy to install, and once installed you hook up your remote to your computer through the supplied USB cable. The software then asks you for the items you want to control. (Note: It would be helpful in advance to have the makes and model numbers of everything you want to control.)



After you setup all the items you want to control, the software then asks you how you have your components set up to work. For example, if I want to watch TV, I need to turn on my Dish DVR and turn my TV on and to Video 1. These are called setting up activities, and I'll get to a little later.



After this is all setup to your liking, the software installs the information to your remote, reboots it and you are off to test it out.



I mentioned before the concept of "Activities". One of the major drawbacks of universal remotes in the past was having to control different components, and switch between them to do tasks. This remote does it for you. When you want to watch TV, you simply push the "Watch TV" icon on the color touch screen. The unit will then do all the tasks, turning on the DVR, TV, Sound system, etc, you had to do separately. It is really neat, and a nice time saver.



If you are having trouble, and the system is not working as desired, you can either hook the unit back up to the software or you can utilize the on remote help. The remote will guide you through some dialogue boxes on the color screen to help you resolve your problem.



Remote Operation: The remote works with easily with a surprisingly large number of units. I use a DVR and the buttons seemed laid out perfectly for DVR operation. It also worked my VCR and DVD recorder/player as if it was designed for it, unlike most universal remotes I've used.



It also worked a few things things I never thought of. It works my Sirius Starmate Replay, which I have in its boombox on the living room table. It also worked my relatively cheap Durabrand amplifier as if it was designed for it. For each of these speciality items, special control buttons appear on the touch screen for controls that are specific to that unit and that unit's remote.



Another nice feature is the motion activated backlight. The unit itself is a shiny jet black, and in a dark room you would never be able to find the buttons. But simply pick up the unit, and it lights up, buttons too, for you to easily control.



The only negative I've found is that it doesn't have RF support. I have a Dish Network DVR, and the second television needs to control the DVR through RF, which this unit cannot utilize. So be warned if you need RF, this unit will not do it.



Bottom Line: Few glitches aside, I was extremely impressed with this remote. It is smart, sexy, and works great. From those of you with just a few items to control, to those with dozens, this remote has more than what it takes to control all your audio, visual, and other household units.

 "A worthy replacement for any universal remote new or old!" 2008-01-30
By Lars Milano (Chicago, IL)

Just received this new gadget and although I have not had it for a long time, my initial impressions are overflowing with praise. Logitech upon acquiring Harmony has somehow found the list I made a few years ago about everything I thought was wrong and would do differently with the Harmony line of remotes and have found a solution to them all in this magnificent new version. At least that's what it seems like.



This remote will be replacing my trusty old Harmony 880, which will be relegated to the bedroom after I had inadvertently sat on and crushed the lcd screen on my relatively new Harmony 550 (may it rest in peace). Apparently, the Harmony 880 is a bit more durable than the slimmer 550 because I've been known to sit on that by accident on several occasions without inflicting any damage to the unit. I'm hoping this new beautifully designed Harmony One will be have also have durability to match its looks. Only time will tell, and I will update this review in the near future after I've spent some more quality time with the device.



The quick and dirty:



Form factor and Ergonomics: Brilliant! Fits nicely in my medium sized hand, comfortable to hold, and nicely weighted. Logitech has answered one of my few complaints about the 880 by having raised buttons on the new Harmony One to offer the user some tactile sense of which button to press without having to look down. Also, the rearrangement of buttons makes everything more accessible and the new touch screen looks sharp and works very well - the icing on the cake.



Ease of Use / Programmability: Harmony remotes have always excelled in this regard. The web-based software is intuitive and very easy to setup. It is always updated and has improved greatly over its many versions though the years. Works with both PC's and Macs with a USB port in terms of programming. The activity-based setup with the help functions makes this easy for anyone to use, including the most technology-phobic or electronically-challenged individuals, like my grandmother. My only wish is that perhaps a future software update will allow the user to further customize the icons and graphics on the touchscreen to suit personal tastes.



Functionality: It does everything you need a remote to do. It would've been nice if it had RF and bluetooth functionality (to control the PS3 and other specialized devices) but there are very viable workarounds to that (Nyko bluwave IR for the PS3) and in reality, I have no need for RF functionality. Harmony offers the 890 and Universal offers a few models that do RF but none of them can match the Harmony One's user-friendliness. Perhaps Logitech will release an RF version of this remote in the future, but there is likely a small market for it. Lastly, the charger base is a significant improvement over the 880. For you 880 owners out there, I'm sure you've found its charger base to be unreliable and often unwilling to actually charge your remote unless you position it just right. Logitech has fixed this on the Harmony One. Yet another problem solved. We'll how see it holds up over time but so far, this remote is approaching perfection.



Value: Is this remote worth $250? Depends who you are. Are you a techno-geek gadget-freak or a more practical and sensible person? A Harmony 550 can do just about everything the Harmony One can at a fraction of the cost but then it doesn't look, feel, and work as nice. The Harmony 550 is your Toyota corolla of remotes: dependable, practical, reliable, economical, until you bang it up by accident and it doesn't hold up very well (in my case, inadvertently sit on it). The Harmony One is your Lexus of remotes (or BMW or Mercedes, pick one). It does everything the toyota can but just better and more upscale, and it appears more durable and just feels much nicer... you know, in case you're wondering where the $250 went.



Conclusion: Highly recommended! If you don't have a decent universal-type remote yet, you can't go wrong with this one. It's the best out there but comes at a price. If you already have an 880 or 890, it's a tougher proposition unless you really have $250 burning a hole in your pocket. If you have a 550 or similar and wished it was nicer or just jealous of the Harmony One's fancy touch screen, perhaps you might accidently sit on it and justify an upgrade? It's ok, I won't tell.

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor Review.

 "All I hoped for!" 2006-08-29
By M. Leuzinger

With a few one-star reviews, I was a bit hesitant to order this. Now, after two weeks of use (10 runs of 2 to 2.5 miles each), I have no regrets with the purchase whatsoever.



I haven't had any of the problems reported by any of the one-star reviewers. It syncs to the satellite in a reasonable* amount of time, seems to track my pace very well, tracks distance well, and the heart rate monitor seems WAY more accurate than the dedicated exercise machines at my local gym.



*by reasonable, it does take a minute or two to sync to the satellites each time. That's the only thing I could possibly think of improving, but it's not a big deal. Being the super-impatient person I am, I often turn on the watch, set it on my front porch, go back in and change into my running outfit, and by the time I come back out it's ready to go.



I haven't seen the pacing issues others have reported. I'm a beginning runner... but if I keep a solid pace... it reports about 10mins/mile... if I push a little harder... about 9mins/mile... if I let up... about 11mins/mile. It seems very consistent over my entire 2-2.5 mile run.



I have a 2.1 mile run where I've done the same exact route about 6 times... and when I compare the maps of each run... they overlap almost exactly.



I have thyroid and heart issues, and this watch gives me the confidence to know I'm not exceeding my max hr for too long (I can easily get into the 180's) and gives me the feedback and stats to keep me motivated.



Last but not least, I've bought dozens and dozens of items from Amazon over the years, and this is the first review I've taken the time to write - hope that gives you an indication of how happy I am with this product. ;-)

 "An Improvement" 2006-04-19
By J. L. Stankus (Gig Harbor, WA United States)

This is a definite improvement over the 301. I had several complaints with the 301:

(1) The heart rate monitor did not track well, and would often jump up to 240, which was a problem when looking at average heart rate later;

(2) The tracking was bad sometimes in the woods, where I run (it could vary half a mile on a four-mile course, and even worse, the elevation could spike 1,200 feet at times and completely change the profile of the run);

(3) The unit was not ergonomic, the buttons were difficult to push, and the screen was hard to see; and

(4) It took forever to acquire the satellites.



The heart rate monitor comes with a new sensor that is more flexible, comfortable, and offers more reliable data. The tracking is much better and more consistent. The unit is much more like a watch, the display is great, and the buttons are much easier to push while on the go. However, it still takes a while to acquire the satellite signal. It is a bit improved, and is not dissimilar from other Garmin products, so I'd have to say that it's OK.



The BIGGEST improvement is that this model is more like a typical GPS in that it offers many different modes and screens to track various types of information (one can toggle between three different screens). For example, on one screen, I have the current time, sunrise, sunset, and running time. On another screen I have the grade, altitude, average pace, and current pace. On yet another screen I have heart rate, calories, distance traveled, and heading. It is totally cool.



I use this thing for running, biking, rollerblading, mountaineering, skiing, and just about everything else outside. I am really happy that I spent the money for the upgraded version.

 "Better than 405 & Polar...GOOGLE EARTH alone is worth the upgrade!!!" 2009-05-27
By Y. R. Wu (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

I use mine for cycling and running, the direct link to see your workouts mapped on GOOGLE EARTH is FANTASTIC!!!! (the included software is far more stable than the junk Polar included with their HRM's.



Heart rate strap with replaceable battery is coded and comfortable. It's better in my opinion than the Polar products (of which I've owned three)



This is much better than the Forerunner 201 which I previously owned (locks on satellites 10 times faster) and I'd avoid the 405 unless you really want to use this watch as a normal day to day wristwatch (check out the 405 reviews)



One nice feature is being able to customize the display screens. Another review criticized the 305 for the numbers being too small to read while exercising. I don't have an issue but would point out that you can significantly increase the size of the display by simply displaying fewer fields.



My only complaint is that it's easy to leave it on and run the battery down - which is a bummer if you're just about to work out. I wish there was an "auto off" feature which would shut it down if it detects no movement or heart rate within an hour or so. Fortunately, with Li-Ion batteries, as little as a 10 minute charge gives you enough juice for a 90 minute run.



If you've found this review to be helpful, please let me know!

 "Has changed the way I run" 2007-03-06
By P. Lange (Connecticut)

I have had the 305 for about 6 weeks and am very pleased with it. It is my first GPS watch and has exceeded my expectations. I had read the concerns with the altimeter and agree, it does not provide useful or accurate information so no surprises there. The real issue for me was how well it would measure distance. I have found it to be very accurate and reliable. I have several runs that I have clocked with the car and measuring tools on Google Earth; the Garmin hit my mile split expectations anywhere from spot on to 20-30 feet from what I believed the true splits to be. At the end of the 10 mile run I was also within 20 feet of expectation. So maybe one mile measures a few feet long, another a few feet short, but cumulatively it was right on my prior expectations.



The heart rate monitor does jump around a bit on pulse rate but once I settle into a run it seems more reliable and is certainly useful. I have found that if I put the chest strap on a few minutes before running I don't get the wild initial readings when I start running.



As to my headline that it has changed the way I run, because the distance measurements are so accurate the Forerunner has freed me from the old measured courses I have run for years. Instead I just take off wherever I feel like going with complete comfort as to splits, pace and distance (and yes, I am one of those who really cares whether I ran 5.00 versus 5.25 miles when calculating my pace). I set the watch to ring at each mile so I can simply glance down and figure my pace. It is also great when traveling as you can run any distance accurately without any planning effort.



I also enjoy downloading data to Sporttracks (third party free software) to see my runs overlayed on a map. Often it maps so accurately it will clearly show which side of the street I ran on and where I crossed from one side to the other. Running has never stopped being fun, but the freedom this device has afforded me has added a new element of enjoyment.

 "Amazing" 2006-06-26
By Claffey (Washington DC Area)

I bought this product with some trepidation, after reading the mixed reviews on Amazon.com, so I made sure that my supplier had a good return policy. However, I have to say that it is an amazing piece of equipment, and kudos to the people that developed it. Sure it has some kinks that I am prepared to put up with, bearing in mind that this technology is in its infancy (especially at this size). I am training for my first marathon and I have found the forerunner to be great for logging and keeping track of my runs and my overall progress. Sure the real-time pace is not hugely accurate, but I feel very confident that it keeps very good track of my distances and overall pace for each of my runs (if I do an out-and-back run, the plotted course and calculated distances are very close). As I do most of my weekday running in boring suburban DC neighborhoods, it is liberating that I don't have to do the same measured route every time to keep track of my pace. I can wander at will, and head towards home when I am getting close to my desired number of miles. The virtual running partner is a great motivator. How else can you get a running partner to start the run at the same time and place as you and to run at a constant pre-set pace? It was a little annoying when I was ahead of him/her and needed to wait to cross the road; meanwhile I watched him/her passing me out!! I tried the auto-stop function for the first time this weekend, it worked ok, but did have some kinks...maybe it was because of very heavy rain and lightening we were having. The heart rate monitor seems to work fine. I have found signal strength to be no problem (I live in DC area, not sure it that makes any difference). My neighborhood has plenty of trees and the parks that I run in are heavily forested (its summer here). As I drove into the park this weekend during the storm my satellite radio kept losing signal under the (very wet) tree cover, but the forerunner seemed to work fine (except for the autostop). I wish their maps were more detailed, they just have the major streets, I guess Garmin chose to provide a stripped down version.....they should have done a better job there. Overall, as a technophile, I love this piece of equipment, and look forward to seeing how they improve it in the future. You do need to understand the limitations of this device though (e.g. somewhat accurate real-time pace information, undercounting overly twisty routes). I guess I am lucky that I have had no problems with it so far (it has only been a month), but I will update this if I need to call their customer service.

Amazon Kindle ClearTouch Anti-Glare Screen Protector (Single Pack) Review.

 "Great screen protector!" 2009-03-24
By Ethan B. (CA)

Loving my Kindle 2, I was seeking a product to provide adequate protection for its all-important screen. BoxWave's claim is that their screen protector is "the perfect blend of anti-glare and optical clarity". Hoping that this was true, I carefully read the instructions on the ClearTouch packaging. They are very straightforward, providing five detailed steps for the installation of this screen protector.



I cleaned the screen with the provided lint-free cloth, peeled off the backing of the screen protector, and carefully aligned the ClearTouch with my Kindle screen. Amazingly enough, the ClearTouch acted like a "smart" protector and settled perfectly to the screen area.



One issue that arose was a few initial bubbles under the ClearTouch. These disappeared once I followed the package instructions and pressed the bubbles out with the included applicator card. Being a bit inept at this sort of thing, I had also managed to get a few specks of dust on the screen. I removed the ClearTouch, washed it per the instructions, and reapplied. There were some water bubbles, but again, these were easily removed.



My overall experience with BoxWave's ClearTouch has been a positive one. Any issues with bubbles are fairly easy to resolve, and I love how the ClearTouch is so unnoticeable! I would strongly suggest this screen protector for anyone who truly loves their Kindle.

 "Great fit!" 2009-03-10
By mafreund (New Jersey)

Ok. I admit it. I am anal when it comes to scratches on my techno gadgets. Having said that, after recently receiving my Kindle 2, I was worried that the screen might get scratched. I ordered this directly from the manufacturer. I didn't realize Amazon sold it, but that is besides the point.



I love it. It installed just as instructed. I have a tiny, tiny air bubble at the bottom of the screen that refuses to go away. Other than that, you don't even notice that it is there. My mind is at ease :-)

 "Best Screen Protector Money Can Buy" 2010-04-11
By Avid Reviewer (San Jose, CA)

I have a 1st Generation Kindle. I have been looking for a Boxwave Anti-Glare (as opposed to the glossy version) Screen Protector but Amazon only sells it for the Kindle 2. I took a gamble and ordered it anyway, thinking I can always trim it if it's too big (assuming, of course, that the Kindle 2 screen is bigger than the Kindle 1 screen). It turns out the ClearTouch Anti-Glare Screen Protector for the Kindle 2 is a *perfect* fit for my 1st Generation Kindle. Woot!



First off, to address complaints about trapped bubbles, all screen protectors will potentially leave some bubbles behind no matter what. You will not find a screen protector that doesn't. With that said, the Boxwave Screen Protector is the best screen protector money can buy. I have been using the Boxwave brand of screen protectors for years for all my electronic gadgets and I've been extremely happy with them. They're pricier than most other brands of screen protectors, but they're well worth it. They are *very* high quality screen protectors - you really *do* get what you pay for! I was trying to save a few buck$ by getting one of these for my Kindle - boy, was that a mistake! I ended up tossing it out and getting this Boxwave screen protector instead.



Pros

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- Fits both 1st and 2nd generation Kindles



- Anti-glare

The anti-glare surface is at least as anti-glare as the original Kindle screen.



- Protects screen from finger smudges, scratches, dirt, and other undesirables

The screen protector serves an important purpose even though the Kindle doesn't have a touch screen. Having a screen protector on the Kindle gives me more room to grab on to the Kindle. I like to grab on to my Kindle without having to worry about inadventently leaving prints on the screen or scratching the screen.



- Lasts a long time

The screen protectors are very durable and will probably last the life of your Kindle. Since the Kindle doesn't have a touch screen, you will not be wearing the screen protector out by tapping on it with your finger or with a stylus.



- Invisible

You can't tell there's a screen protector on your Kindle if you've properly applied the screen protector.



- If you decide to remove the screen protector, it will not leave a sticky residue behind.



Cons

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- Leaves bubbles

To be fair, *all* screen protectors *are* going to leave trapped bubbles behind. I have two minuscule bubbles trapped in my screen protector but these are hardly noticeable, especially when the Kindle is turned on. Don't fret if you have a bubble or two trapped in the film. These typically diminish or disappear over time. The included plastic card and microfiber cloth will help in removing any bubbles.



- Pricey

But you do get what you pay for! The Boxwave screen protectors are about the best quality screen protectors I've ever seen.



Tips

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- First align the screen protector with one side of the Kindle screen (left or right, depending on whether you're left-handed or right-handed), ensuring that the film is not slanted. SLOWLY lower the screen protector from one side of the Kindle, all the while making sure you carefully monitor the alignment of the film to ensure it isn't slanted. AS SOON AS you find that it's been misaligned, peel it off right away and restart the process. The film has a certain amount of rigidity to make it easy to work with (it has the rigidity similar to that of a transparency film). As you lower the film, push out any trapped bubbles. If you made a botch of the application, use a piece of scotch tape to pull the one corner of the film up so you can get a handle on the film to peel it off completely. Start over. A small plastic card and a microfiber cloth is included to help you smooth out the film.



- Thoroughly clean the screen before you apply the screen protector. Use a Swiffer duster or the included microfiber cloth to clean off any dust on you Kindle. Don't be lazy or try to cut corners - any specks of dust that get stuck on to the screen protector will be almost impossible to remove! (I use a Swiffer duster and some cotton balls soaked in alcohol to clean my screen before I apply the screen protector).



- Some people suggest that you use a pin to prick the bubbles. I wouldn't recommend it since you risk damaging you screen. (It would be rather ironic, wouldn't it, if you damaged the screen while you're trying to protect it?). Like I've mentioned, the trapped bubbles typically diminish or disappear over time anyway.



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The Boxwave Anti-Glare Screen Protectors are the best screen protectors you can get for the money. The problem with trapped bubbles is a problem inherent in all screen protectors and shouldn't deter you from getting the Boxwave Screen Protector. Be sure to observe the application procedures outlined above and you'll be very happy with the results!

 "Does just what it says, easy to apply" 2010-04-05
By S. E. Seater (Raleigh, NC, USA)

After reading several negative reviews, I did not plan to buy this screen protector, and in fact, I bought a different one. However, one of these screen protectors came with the silicone skin that I also bought, so I decided to try it. It went on easily and works just fine. The other protector that I had deliberately bought remains unopened in my Kindle case as a backup.



Bubble-free application is easy, but you have to take some care. There are two steps to a bubble-free application: cleaning the Kindle screen and applying the protector properly.



(1) Clean the Kindle screen before you apply the screen protector. I cleaned my Kindle's screen in two steps. First, I dusted it lightly with a lint-free cloth. Second, I sprayed it with a small amount of lens cleaner for eyeglasses and then wiped that off.



(2) Apply the screen protector. The screen protector comes sandwiched between two clear films. Each film has a tag sticking out, one of which says "1 Back" and the other of which says "2 Front". (Some early reviews say the two films were not identified, so apparently these tabs have been added since the screen protector first appeared on the market.) The "back" side goes against the Kindle screen, and the "front" side faces you after the screen protector has been applied. So, you peel off the protective films in numerical order. Start by peeling off the film with the "1 Back" tab. That uncovers the clingy surface that will go against the Kindle screen. Be careful not to touch that surface with your fingers lest you get hand oils or dirt on it. Hold the screen protector by its edges and align its bottom edge with the bottom edge of the Kindle's screen. Gradually let the protector fall against the screen, moving from bottom to top, by pressing it and lightly rubbing it with the card applicator that comes with the screen. You may have to pull off the last millimeter or two if you get a bubble and then push it back down. Work your way all the way to the top. You should end up with no bubbles. You then can peel off the film on the other side ("2 Front").



Note that the screen protector is somewhat stiff. That makes it easy to apply, but it also means that if a tiny speck of dirt gets between the protector and the screen, the speck will hold the protector off the screen well around the speck itself, resulting in a very noticeable bubble. If you get a speck under the protector, peel the protector back far enough to reveal the speck and then lift off the speck by touching it with the sticky side of a piece of adhesive tape wrapped around your finger. You can use the protective film you peeled off the protector to lift the corner of the protector so that you don't touch the protector's sticky side with your finger.



The package for the screen protector says it is removable and washable. The protector has no adhesive on it. It is just a very sticky plastic. It therefore is easy to remove. Just peel it off. Because there is no adhesive, I presume both sides of the protector can be washed, but I don't know for sure. You can clean specks of dirt off the sticky side of the protector by pressing the sticky side of adhesive tape against the protector and lifting off the dirt. I did that with a makeshift protector I made from the original protective film that the Kindle came with. It worked fine with that film, so I presume it will work with this much heavier protector.



By the way, that makeshift protector had quite a few small bubbles under it, but they made no difference to the readability of the Kindle. My experience is that bubbles are more esthetically displeasing than a serious interference with function. Also, the makeshift protector was shinier than this dedicated protector, yet I had no trouble reading the Kindle even in bright sunlight. Glare seems not to be a practical problem.



This protector is an excellent product.

 "Good quality, doesn't glare" 2010-01-25
By J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ USA)

It took less than 2 minutes to apply this to my kindle. If you've ever applied a screen protector to a phone, laptop, or anything really, you know that it just takes a bit of patience to apply evenly.



If you do get a speck of dust, or in my case, and unfortunate cat hair under the protector, you can just use a piece of clear tape (sticky side) to remove it, without damaging the protector.



The included "squeegie" was sturdy enough to do the job.



The protector itself doe not hinder reading clearly, and maintains the lovely anti-glare matte finish of the naked kindle.



Overall, following the simple instructions, this was installed quickly and easily. Being the bit of a klutz that I am, my Kindle sure appreciates it!

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

 "Best GPS I have ever Owned" 2008-12-11
By Michael Simpson (Leesburg VA)

I have owned quite a few GPS units all including Phone, Laptop and Dedicated. Flat out before I even get started the Garmin Nuvi 265WT is the best I have ever owned. Let me just make a couple of comments on the most important features.



Touch Screen Interface

Very intuitive and easy to use. Touch screen is responsive but not instantaneous. What I particularly like is the ability to switch to a top down view by touching the screen. Once done you can use your finger to drag the map around at any zoom point. Once done you can hit the back button and resume your 3D view.



Turn by Turn

You have two options here. You can use one of the Text to Speech voices or one of natural voices. The text to speech voices will give you more information such as street names. This is what I use and even though you can tell it's a computer generated voice its quality is superb. The 265WT does a good job at keeping you updated. Also at any time you can hit the turn Icon and it will speak the distance to the next turn, giving you street name as well as direction. The audio is quite loud and in my noisy little Scion I have no problem hearing the messages.



Maps

I have found the map accuracy quite good. I live in Northern virginal and it seems to be very well updated as many of the very new streets included.



Automatic Routing

Very effective. You can choose between the quickest or the shortest with options to avoid U-Turns, Highways, Toll Roads, Traffic, Ferries. The automatic rerouting is faster than my TeleNav phone and my Laptop computers.



Points of Interest

On my TeleNav phone GPS system I can enter any business in the national database and I can get directions, address and phone number. This is where the 265WT falls short. The TeleNav system has the advantage of searching online. Since the 265WT is limited to onboard memory there is a limit to the number of points of interest. A good example is I was looking for "Off Broadway Shoes" and the unit could not find them. However a search for "Payless Shoes" worked very well.



Traffic Alerts

The lifetime free traffic comes at a price. You will get popup adds. These are very small popups that supposedly only come when you are in the menu. This is not true. I have gotten them while in the navigation screen. For now they it seems to be once per trip but there is nothing to say they wont start getting more frequent. The other thing I don't like about the messages is that you have to hit them to continue and doing so takes you out of the nav screen to a kind of favorites screen. You have to hit the back button to get back to your navigations screen.

How well does the traffic system work. I live in Northern VA and have coverage throughout my area. The included radio fails to pick up a single signal without using an external antenna. Sadly you can just go down and purchase an FM antenna.. The Power cable has a 3/32" jack. What I did was to pick up a 3/32" plug from Radio Shack and soldered a 4' wire to the tip pin on the connector. Once draped out one of the windows I get very frequent traffic updates.

Once you start getting traffic reports I found them to be accurate and they do help. You can automatically avoid high traffic arias or do it manually as they accrue.

I am still debating if the popup adds are worth the effort.



Bluetooth Integration

This is my favorite feature. I can keep my keyboard locked Motorola Q in my pants pocket and use my 265WT to make and receive all my calls at a touch of a button. All my phone features are available on the 265WT. Phonebook, Call history, Voice Recognition. The voice quality is quite acceptable on both ends. As a matter of fact the echo I get on my Motorola is not there when using the 265WT as a hands free set.



Picture Viewer

I found this to be a very useless feature. If the photos are very big it takes forever for the 265WT to load them. This may be due to the slow access to the SD card slot.



There are other features like the ability to connect the 265WT to your PC and automatically add favorite locations using GoogleMaps. All in all I am very happy with my purchase and would purchase it again.



FYI the Nuvi 265WT is the same unit as the Nuvi 255W without the Bluetooth ability and the FM reliever cable (GTM 25). You can even purchase the GTM 25 from Garmin. If you don't want the Bluetooth feature and don't currently need the traffic feature you can pick up the Nuvi 255W cheaper.

 "Impressed!" 2008-12-05
By Russell Madaus (Streamwood, IL)

After doing extensive research I decided on this unit. Mainly because the 265wt is one of their newer NUVI products and it had the features I was looking for. If you look at the sites that have reviews on the 265wt, most are from nov/2008. I think this unit was released about 6 months ago. Anyway, here's my opinion on some of the key features of the 255WT.



1. Windsheild mount - works great. The suction cup is very high quality and I have no concerns that it will accidentally detach from the windsheild. I love the swivel capabilites and it allows you a perfect view no matter where you put it.



2. Satellite aquisition time - incredible! once you perform the initial aquistion, you are set. Now when I turn the on it's ready to go in usually under 3 seconds. Awesome!



3. Map directions and screen - wonderful. The GPS unit so far has given me perfect directions and the re-route capability works flawlessly. The screen is clear, bright and easy to navigate.



4. Free traffic alerts - works as described. I love this feature and I hardly saw any ads.



5. Bluetooth - giddy up! I had my Motorola KZR1 synched up in about 15 seconds. Easy to use and sure makes talking on the phone alot more enjoyable when driving. I've had conversations with multiple people and they could hear me fine. One cool thing is if your phone has voice dialing; because it allows you do it through the GPS unit. Also, all my contacts show up (even with multiple phone #'s).



6. And finally...the internal speaker. If you researched the 265WT like I've done you'll see ALOT of people complaining that the speaker is too quiet to hear anything. That was a big concern of mine but I felt I would give the unit a try and if it was that bad then I would return it. My thoughts on the speaker are this. The speaker size/quality could and probably should be improved. It's a cheapy speaker...BUT...I CAN hear the directions perfectly fine and can here the other person talking to me when using the bluetooth phone capability. Side notes: You HAVE to turn down your radio if you want to be able to hear it. Also, I was driving with the windows closed (it's friggin winter), so I cannot say how well you'd be able to hear the directions/phone with your windows rolled all the way down.



Bottom line - it has met or exceeded all of my expectations! I bought it on the day after Thanksgiving (aka Black Friday) and I got an incredible deal! $199.99 with free shipping, no tax, and got %50 off a $25 case logic travel case. I would have spent an extra $150 if I would have bought the same unit from a local retailer.



Finally if your in the market to buy any GPS my suggestion is wait until it gets closer to X-mas and see if the price drops. I'm guessing they'll do it again. I was fortunate to get it when I did and hence saved a nice chunk of change.



Hope this helped!

 "Works perfectly" 2009-06-19
By K. W. Ford (Monrovia, CA United States)

I was a bit confused at first by the 265w label on the device and on the screen during boot up; however, this unit does have the FM receiver built into the power adapter cable and works exactly as advertised. The routing software is much more intelligent than a previous model I've owned, the interface is notably improved and the text to speech for street names is a very nice addition. Hands-free phone features also work flawlessly.

 "Quite pleased. Also great Customer Service and Technical Assistance" 2009-07-07
By Jim D. (Washington, DC USA)

My refurbished 265wt looks and works like new and the features were as I expected. The only thing that I wish it had is the ability to save routes. But you can plan and follow a route by designating a final destination and then again using the "Where To" Feature to add additional locations and then for each selecting the option "Add as Via Point," but you cannot save the route for future use.



I ran into two glitches when attempting to update the map (free within 60 days of first use). Since it was a refurbished unit, the first use date was more than 60 days before I received the GPS and thus I was unable to download the free update. A call to Garmin easily resolved that - the customer service contact person added it to my account for free download. The second problem was that when I tried to install the updated map I got a message indicating there was not enough space and it refused to install. Another call to Garmin and a software expert used "remote assist" (after my giving him permission to take control of my computer from his location) and made live changes to my GPS. After that the map update was successful. In both cases the Garmin personnel were most courteous, very competent, and easy to understand.



I also found the Garmin MapSource program very helpful. It can be downloaded at no charge if you already have another Garmin program, and if you don't, you can first download and install the free Garmin Training Center program and then download and install MapSource at no cost. Working in MapSource to create, to view and to edit waypoints and tracks and other features and then using MapSource to transfer the data to the GPS is far easier than trying to do this directly on the GPS.



Apart from mapping, the "Points of Interest" feature can lead you to unexpected places. After using the GPS "Where To", then "Points of Interest" in the Germantown, Maryland area I selected "Food" to look for lunch. The first two addresses ended up being residential addresses in townhouse developments. Out of curiosity I learned that one house was unoccupied according to a neighbor and at the other house no one answered the door. On my 3rd try I selected the chain "Subway" and that address was right on. Clearly the Points of Interest contains some unreliable information. However, this would likely be true for all Garmin GPS models.

 "Better than a Nuvi 760" 2009-02-03
By Youth Pastor (Dallas, TX)

Before I decided to buy this Nuvi 265wt model, I had bought the Nuvi 760 model on Black Friday. The 760 model was okay at best. I had it for about three weeks until I realized that the upper right hand corner would not respond until after pressing that corner at least five times. So I decided to return the Garmin and I was thinking about getting a tomtom or magellan. But then I saw the 265wt on sale for $200 and I decided, since I bought the 760 for $250, maybe I could save money and just give Garmin one last try...As soon as I opened the 265wt, I fell in love with it!



The 265wt FAR OUTWEIGHS the Nuvi 760 by a mile! The screen refresh rate on the 265wt is much better, the satellite locks on faster, the colors are brighter in my opinion (and yes, they were at the same brightness level!), and the free traffic is so much better on the 265wt. With the 760, I had free MSN Traffic for three months and comparing that with the 265wt traffic, they are exactly the same. Except with the 760, you have to pay a yearly subscription. Furthermore, with the 265wt, you can custom load POI's (Points of Interest) and so I have loaded mine with all the locations of In-N-Out Burger and Rudy's BBQ in America, which is awesome. They also have Custom POI's which show you where speed camera's and red light camera's are, if that's your kind of thing. But I'm a law abiding Texan, so I never mess with Texas and that kind of illegal stuff...



The only thing that the 760 had that the 265wt doesn't have is mp3/audiobook and the FM Transmitter with audio jack.

About the FM Transmitter - it was a cool feature but it wasn't practical because in Dallas, where I live, there are thousands of radio stations. There are hardly any open radio stations. You think there's an open one, but then all of a sudden, you hear the voice of a person speaking a different language (must have been Chinese Talk Radio) or you hear a Mariachi Band playing. Then you go one decimal point higher, and there's the Hip-Hop Station. With so much static in Dallas, the MP3/Audiobook Player really becomes useless...



The only time I was able to use the transmitter without static was when I took a trip up to Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, there isn't much radio stations as there are only cows and fields in Oklahoma. I finally was able to put the 760 to the true test of using the MP3 player. However, what I found really dissappointing was that as I was listening to Richard P. Feynman's Audiobook, "The Elementary Particles and the Laws of Physics: The 1986 Dirac Memorial Lectures", I fell asleep on I35 and almost got into a car crash near Oklahoma City. It was then I realized that the Nuvi 760's MP3/Audiobook player was more of a driving hazzard than a helpful tool to get me safely to Norman, OK where I needed to go.



Therefore, HANDS DOWN the 265wt is not only a better GPS than the Nuvi 760, but it's also a FAR SAFER GPS!!! If you want MP3's or Music without static, get an Ipod and connect it to your car. It's far better...

SanDisk 16 GB Class 2 microSDHC Flash Memory Card SDSDQ-016G (Bulk Packaging) Review.

 "Works with a Sansa Fuze" 2009-03-28
By K. Bunker (Salt Lake City, UT)

The card arrived when they said it would. Took it out of the box and stuck it in my MP3 player, the Sansa Fuze (2GB model) and it recognized it immediately and I was able to start putting music on it (didn't need to format it). I put about 10GB of music on it which took roughly 2 hrs to load. After the initial upload of all my music. Adding a new album only took a couple of minutes. After I disconnect the Fuze from the computer it took approx 8-10 minutes to refresh the media library. I have the latest firmware update for the Fuze (maybe older firmware versions are slower - I don't know). The upload speeds didn't bother me because I'm only loading my whole library once and then its only a song/album or two at a time and that's only a few minutes. The card came with a SD adapter - so if you have a SD reader your set. I now have a 18GB MP3 Player!

 "Works great in my EVO 4G" 2010-07-03
By Jeffrey Tschiltsch (Chicago, IL United States)

Bought this to upgrade my EVO 4G Android smartphone and have no complaints, works perfectly. Good value for the money (and now they're even cheaper!). Note when I bought mine it was delivered directly from Amazon (which I wanted as there are counterfeit cards out there).

 "Great for my Blackberry 8900!" 2009-06-09
By Tarun Chachra (Hillsborough, NJ)

Indeed this is a class 2 micro sd (hc) card but for syncing media and storing files on my blackberry it is perfect. Class two (2) cards are generally meant for storage and not a lot of back and forth transfers as they have a high failure rate in that scenario. However, if you are going to sync media once in a while and just update your music/podcasts/audiobooks and pictures then this card is perfect.



It is a bit expensive...but you are getting 16gb and that is a lot of storage...all things considered.



The packaging is in one of those foil bags and it does come with a regular SD adapter to stick into a memory card reader.



I have used it in a Blackberry Bold and now the Blackberry 8900 and it works perfectly. I have not really noticed the speed degradation... The initial sync of all of my media (9gb) took a while...but that would take a while on anything....now with regular updates it is quick and easy and thus Highly Recommended.

 "Good Performer, especially for the price..." 2009-04-04
By Samuel R. Landers

It may only be rated for a sustained 2MB/sec minimum, but this little card will easily sustain over 10MB/sec for the majority of its writes. It is a good deal, well worth the money. I recommend it for everything, just by an appropriate SDHC adapter and it becomes the universal standard for all your memory card devices. I own 5, with adapters for sony memory stick pro duo (for my PSP), SDminiHC and SDHC adapters, as well as a SD to MMC card for my camera.

 "Works Great in Nexus One" 2010-03-05
By J. Cortez (California)

Had this for about a week. Works perfectly for the Nexus one. Transfer speeds are higher than expected.

Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Review.

 "Garmin Nuvi 255w" 2008-07-01
By Schultzie (Northeast PA)

I actually could not decide between the Garmin Nuvi 255w or the 750 model, so I decided to buy them both for comparison. I mounted them both to my car windshield and gave them various addresses to find together. I found that both models took the same routes and announced upcoming turns and street names at practically the same time. One thing I noticed about the 255w was that it was updating my position on the road more often, I'd say about 3 times as often as the 750. This made for smoother graphics on the 255w of the vehicle moving along displayed roads, where the 750's display was more of a "jerky" movement. I also found that the display on the 255w was a bit brighter, clearer, and more vivid than on the 750 in both daylight and at night. Another feature I like on the 255w is the graphic turn indicator in the upper left corner, which the 750 lacks. This is a small arrow which shows upcoming turns and the distance to that turn. It also show things like a fork in the road, (ie: a Y intersection), and which fork you will be taking. The 750 just displays text on the top line for upcoming turns without the arrow. It's just a little extra feature on the 255w which I happened to really like. The 255 also automatically adjusts the font size of displayed text so that even lengthy text will fit.

Another feature on the 255w is a display of the posted speed limit on the road which you are currently on right above your current displayed speed. I found myself not even looking at my car speedometer as I could easily see my current speed and the speed limit of my route at a glance. The 750 doesn't have this feature. I also like how they moved the zoom in (+) and zoom out (-) buttons on the 255w to the same side of the screen which makes it a bit easier. On the 750 the zoom buttons are on opposite sides of the screen.

Now there are some features on the 750 that the 255w does not have. The 750 can broadcast it's sound over your FM radio with the supplied cigarette lighter cable, and it has a headphone jack, which I found to be nice features. The 750 also has an MP3 player and an Audio-book player, which the 255w does not. Another really nice feature of the 750 is the car locater. This is a great feature if you are parking in a really big lot, such as at an amusement park or a fair. The 750 marks your location when you remove it from the car, then you take it with you and it remembers where you parked and takes you right back to your car. The 255w doesn't have the car locater.

I also thought the the voice prompts of the 750 where more pleasant sounding than the 255w's. The 750 sounds more like a real female voice, where the 255w sounds more robotic.

Another thing to consider was that I paid $50 less for the 750 and it came with the FM transmitter cable and a USB cord to connect it to your computer for updates and downloads.

My final decision was to keep the 255w and return the 750 because I really liked the graphic turn indicator and the posted speed limit and current speed indicators. I didn't find a need for the 750's MP3 player and Audio book player, but that is up to personal preference. Since the USB cable was not included with the 255w, I purchased it on this site for $10. I also intend to purchase the MSN direct cable when it is available in August 2008.

 "Best In Its Class - Great For Traveling" 2008-08-07
By EmbeddedFlyer (Seattle, WA United States)

If you spend much time driving in unfamiliar territory, especially if you rent cars in big cities, a good portable GPS makes an amazing difference. And the Garmin 255W is the best one I could find in the $250 - $350 range.



First this thing just plain works. I haven't had any issues with mine. It was easy to set up and figure out right out of the box, and it's easy to use. It never has had trouble getting sufficient signal unlike earlier and cheaper models.



I chose the 255W for several reasons: It uses some of the newest and best maps available. It has one of the more usable touch screens for entering destinations. It's fast to acquire satellites. And Garmin almost always comes out on top in reviews--especially in routing.



Ultimately, you buy a car GPS to get you from Point A to Point B as easily and efficiently as possible. And that's what the 255W does best. If you've ever had a "Brand X" GPS take you on some strange route that adds 20 minutes to your trip, has you turn the wrong way down a one way road, tell you to turn AFTER you've passed the street, frequently loses the satellite signal, or has old maps missing streets, you know how important this stuff is.



The 255W has a really clear display that's easy to see in any light. It's small enough to use on foot. The windshield mount works great and it's easy to toss in the glovebox when you park. It even tells you the speed limit on most roads. The "points of interest" feature works very well to find places to eat by type of cuisine, gas stations, etc.



The difference between the 255W and 205W is the 255 speaks street names and includes Alaska and Canada. The 205 and 205W will tell you to "turn right in 500 feet" which isn't as helpful or obvious as "turn right on Ivy Street in 500 feet". The "W" models are widescreen which makes entering destinations easier due to having a bigger "keyboard" and also lets you see more map area while driving.



All in all this isn't the cheapest GPS in its class but it's one of the best. My only gripe is you need an expensive add-on to get live traffic data--something that's included with the Magellan Roadmate 1430 which is close to the same price. But the Garmin 255W is a better GPS in every other way.

 "LOVE the Garmin Nuvi 255W" 2008-06-29
By L. Smith (CT)

I received this GPS system about a week ago, and I haven't found one thing to complain about yet. The features are great, and all entirely user friendly. No need to read the manual, just plug it in and go! The Garmin Nuvi 255W connects to satellites extremely fast--So when I get in my car and turn it on, we're pretty much ready to go immediately. The new display posts speed limit signs of major roads flush left on the screen, which is a new feature that is also really helpful, if you're driving in an unfamiliar area. The widescreen display makes it possible to view the names of roads that you are passing on the screen--which makes it much easier to differentiate between which road to turn on when there are two streets on your right (not clearly labeled) that are only one house apart...which has happened to me twice... Also, the fact that the Garmin Nuvi 255W speaks street names is also helpful in times like these. In addition, another feature I find to be immensely helpful is how fast the Nuvi 255W recalculates your position if you do miss a turn. I love the detour feature, it saved me a ton of time when I heard there was an accident on the highway and took back roads that I would have never known existed! I would recommend the Garmin Nuvi 255W to anyone looking for a fast, reliable, and easy to use GPS system.

 "Great widescreen, street naming unit at a budget price" 2009-05-16
By Derek

Was exactly what I was looking for. Widescreen unit that spoke the actual street name at a budget price. Was originally shopping on auction websites but Garmin's 1 year warranty doesn't support refurbished units sold on auction websites. Was also scared about it being a refurbished unit, but so far no issues. I've updated the software and downloaded the latest maps, all without issue. Doesn't come in a fancy retail box, but does include the mount and suction cup. Based on my experience, I would recommend the unit to a friend.

 "Great product- very happy" 2008-07-27
By Chuck T. Moser (Bend, Oregon)

I've never owned a GPS personally, but have had the occasional opportunity to use friends and family's GPS that comes with the cars, most notably the ones in Honda's CRV's... and have wanted one ever since.

After picking up the Nuvi 255w, I gotta say, this comes pretty darn close to the experience with the expensive factory-installed units... only smaller. In short, I can't think of much I don't like about it.

It picks up the satellites quickly (I've never noticed a lag), routes fast, has good animation (maybe 6-8 frames a second?), and is very, very accurate. The preloaded maps don't include some of the roads that have been built in our town in the last year (which is to be expected), but does include our street, which isn't even available on Google Maps yet. (Go figure) It's light, looks good and comes with everything you need EXCEPT the USB cable to hook it to the computer. If you don't have this, the only way to charge it is to use the cigarette lighter adapter that comes in the box. I just used the one that came with my digital camera, and it works fine. The screen is easily readable in the sun, and I love how it automatically dims to 20% at night.

One purpose this can be used for, which I never thought of before, is a portable yellow pages. Not only does it give you the address of the business, it also gives the phone number. Pretty cool. I didn't have the problems with the sounds of the voices like others have. They sound good to me... a little mechanical, but good.

The interface is a seller for me. Keep in mind that I don't really have much experience to compare it to, but it's obvious they've put some thought into it. The icons are a bit garish and cartoony, though... it's no iPhone.

The cons: The documentation sucks. Not that you really need it... the directions didn't tell me anything I didn't already know after fiddling with it for 10 minutes.

It doesn't ALWAYS speak the street names... most of the time, though.

Some of the voices are annoying. The British accent seems to talk in slow motion, but I think it's the easiest to understand.

I think they could work a little harder on the interface from a design standpoint. Nothing major, just a few tweaks here and there could really make it shine.

The Mac support is little lacking.



All in all, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. It truly is a great value, and I have no regrets. My only advice to Garmin is to reduce the number of different models by more than half. It's a nightmare to try and make a confident decision with the sheer amount of choices and features that seem to make little sense as to why some are more expensive than others.