Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
June 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under Garmin GPS
![]() Garmin's nüvi 260W combines the thinprofile and attractive price point of other nüvi 200-series GPS with directions in real street names and a wide screen that lets you see more of what's around you as you drive. Garmin's line on the device is that, "the nüvi 260W gives consumers the most sought-after navigation features, while eliminating many of the premium add-ons. The result is a PND that simply gets you from point A to point B – reliably, efficiently, and with style." As with all nüvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of a high-sensitivity integrated receiver, a slim, pocket-sized navigator with a gorgeous display, detailed NAVTEQ maps that lets you search by name for more than 6 million points of interest like stores, restaurants or hospitals, and an easy, intuitive interface.
The text-to-speech feature of the nüvi 260W means that device automatically calls out street names (saying "turn right on Main Street" instead of "turn right in 200 feet."). This feature lets drivers keep their eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and tricky roadways. See More of What's Around Smart, Powerful Design Garmin Lock First Rate Map Data
Easy To Use Interface
Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 260W features travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. It also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map. This device is compatible with optional content plug-ins available via SD card, such as the Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize nüvi for your travel needs. Garmin has also added the ability for customers to add custom points of interest (POI’s) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras. Trick Your GPS Ride
Visit Garmin.com to get the latest firmware updates for your nüvi to keep it current and performing at its best. Note: Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.Which nüvi is Best for You?Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.
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Product Description
Garmin's nüvi 260W combines the thinprofile and attractive price point of other nüvi 200-series GPS with directions in real street names and a wide screen that lets you see more of what's around you as you drive. Garmin's line on the device is that, "the nüvi 260W gives consumers the most sought-after navigation features, while eliminating many of the premium add-ons. The result is a PND that simply gets you from point A to point B – reliably, efficiently, and with style." As with all nüvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of a high-sensitivity integrated receiver, a slim, pocket-sized navigator with a gorgeous display, detailed NAVTEQ maps that lets you search by name for more than 6 million points of interest like stores, restaurants or hospitals, and an easy, intuitive interface.| Wider screen lets you see more of what's around. Compare these actual size views:
3-inch (diagonal) screen
4.3-inch (diagonal) widescreen |
![]() The nüvi 260W comes preloaded with maps for U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and features an ultra-slim design. |
The text-to-speech feature of the nüvi 260W means that device automatically calls out street names (saying "turn right on Main Street" instead of "turn right in 200 feet."). This feature lets drivers keep their eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and tricky roadways.
See More of What's Around
The 4.3-inch backlit widescreen touchscreen on the nüvi 260W gives you 70% more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push.
Smart, Powerful Design
The nüvi 260W is built with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver for extreme accuracy, as well as an SD card slot for storing your media and additional navigation tools, and a USB interface for loading data.The nüvi display is touchscreen-enabled, making it a cinch to control the device with your fingertips. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to five hours of battery life depending on use.
Garmin Lock
Garmin's patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PIN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location
First Rate Map Data
The nüvi 260W comes preloaded with City Navigator NT North America--road coverage for the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and nearly 6 million points of interest. City Navigator North America NT gives you everything you need to travel North America. Powered by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality digital map data, City Navigator brings you the most detailed street maps available so you can navigate with exact, turn-by-turn directions to any address or intersection.
Easy To Use Interface
Garmin's interface is a key to their success and one of the things that makes their devices such a pleasure to use. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip.
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Beyond Navigation
![]() Browse your stored pictures with an easy-to-use JPEG viewer. | nüvi 260W accepts custom points of interest (POIs). View larger. |
Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 260W features travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. It also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map.
This device is compatible with optional content plug-ins available via SD card, such as the Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize nüvi for your travel needs.
Garmin has also added the ability for customers to add custom points of interest (POI’s) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras.
Trick Your GPS Ride
Custom vehicle icons let you ride in style, at least inside your GPS. See more icon option | Like all nüvis, the 260W supports configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle's position on the map. |
What's in the Box
nüvi 260W, preloaded City Navigator NT for North America, vehicle suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, dashboard disk, and quick start manual.
Visit Garmin.com to get the latest firmware updates for your nüvi to keep it current and performing at its best.
Note: Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.Which nüvi is Best for You?
Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.
| Device | Screen Size inches (W x H) | Included Maps | Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names) | Traffic | Bluetooth | Media | FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system) | Multi-Point Routing | Battery life (hours) | ||
| Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico | AK and Canada | Europe | |||||||||
| nüvi 260 | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Photos | up to 5 | |||||
| nüvi 205 | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||||
| nüvi 205w | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||||
| nüvi 255 | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 255w | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 260w | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Photos | up to 5 | |||||
| nüvi 265T | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 265WT | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 275T | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 285WT | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 465T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 755T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 760 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 5 | |
| nüvi 765T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | |
| nüvi 775T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 |
| nüvi 780 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 5 | |
| nüvi 785T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | |
| nüvi 850 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 855 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 885T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver) | ![]() | Photos, MP3s | ![]() | ![]() | up to 4 | |
| nüvi 1200 | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | |||||
| nüvi 1250 | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 1260T | 2.8 x 2.1 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 1300 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | |||||
| nüvi 1350 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 1350T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | Photos | up to 4 | ||||
| nüvi 1370T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 1390T | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | up to 4 | |||
| nüvi 1490T | 4.4 x 2.5 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | ![]() | Photos | ![]() | up to 4 | ||
| nüvi 1690 | 3.81 x 2.25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service) | ![]() | Photos | ![]() | up to 3 | ||
Product Details
- GPS system preloaded with City Navigator North America NT
- 4.3-inch touchscreen display with 2D/3D mapping perspective
- Turn-by-turn directions with voice guidance and text to speech
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot
- Includes JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more
Customer Reviews
Amazingly Accurate |
| Review Date: February 25, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Auto Buff Guy 2008, Overland Park, Kansas |
| I bought the GARMIN nüvi 260W to help with work and family travels. After extensive research with Magellan, Mio and Tom-Tom, I bought the Garmin for three reasons. 1) Ease of use. 2) Screen clarity. 3) Amazing accuracy. And no, despite where I live, I have no affiliation with Garmin. I don't even know anyone that works for them. I am in the architectural business.
I have tried several GPSs while traveling with business associates, friends or in rental cars. As such, I have seen them in real world action. All of the devices saved me time and most found the place I needed to be. I could used any of them and been somewhat satisfied.The problem: I am a perfectionist. As such, I want the unit to be the best. So, after using a text-to-speech Garmin GPS unit earlier this year, I knew that was one feature I could not live without when I pulled the trigger on a purchase. Text-to-speech is a must have on GPS. A MUST. If you have never used a GPS, trust me, you have to have text-to-speech. It eliminates the frustration of urban driving and having the non text-to-speech units tell you to turn right in 200 feet, only to find two roads that are 200 feet away and have to pick one and hope it is right. I decided to wait until a wide screen GPS came out that didn't have so many bells and whistles and was priced fairly. The GARMIN nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch fit the bill. Pulled the trigger still knowing that GPS units drop in price every month it seems and I would knowingly be mad in 90 days when the unit was 20% cheaper (oh well). Back to the GARMIN nüvi 260W...I am amazed how it can find the driveway of my house at the end of a cul-de-sac directly adjacent to a road that is named the same. It is so accurate that it lets me know if I pulled into the wrong driveway 15 feet away from mine (I know, I tried it). It is so easy to use; I didn't even use the manual - once. It is that user friendly. I even downloaded new voices via the Garmin site without a manual. I like the fact the screen is very clear and refreshes quickly. I can even use my polarized sunglasses with the Garmin 260W screen and it does not distort the screen colors or have numerous horizontal lines (if you use polarized glasses, make sure to try out any GPS screen before you buy. Many look blank when using polarized glasses). The POI seem to be pretty good, but I really haven't used it long enough to evaluate POI depth. I do know that the maps seem to be fairly accurate in terms of new roads since I have yet to find a road that does not exist on the map. Not everything is perfect with the Garmin 260W. The downside is the time to acquire a satellite. The 260W takes longer than I like...sometimes up to one minute. However, once it gets a hold of the satellites, it never looses them. Plus it gets such a strong signal (with no external antenna); I can use the device on my lap in the passenger seat (when I am not driving and after it finds a satellite). Another couple of downers are it has very few voices that work with the text-to-speech feature. I hope Garmin increases the choices via a web download in the future (I want celebrity voices...please). Plus, I would have liked a case, any case to be included for the price I paid. Overall, the unit is amazing and the larger screen size of 4.3 inches really helps those with fat fingers and those that don't want to squint to read a map. I am just sorry I had to wait this long to own one. It is a must have for those that travel to unfamiliar areas. |








nüvi 260W accepts custom points of interest (POIs). View larger.



Amazingly Accurate

US $100.00







