UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.
The slim Garmin nuvi 250, one of the entry level nuvi models, has preloaded maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. It sports a 3.5 inch color touch-screen display and, as with other nuvis, includes voice-prompted directions, picture viewer, calculator, currency converter, unit converter, world clock and 6 million points of interest. The Garmin Lock security feature is provided as well.
, one of the entry level nuvi models, has preloaded maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. It sports a 3.5 inch color touch-screen display and, as with other nuvis, includes voice-prompted directions, picture viewer, calculator, currency converter, unit converter, world clock and UPDATE: A newer model, the nuvi 255, offers these features and more.
Drop down to the nuvi 200 and you lose the maps of Alaska and Canada. Otherwise the units are identical. The nuvi 260 goes the other direction, adding one feature — the ability to call out upcoming street names, also known as text-to-speech, so you’ll get “turn left on Highway One in 500 feet” rather than “turn left in 500 feet.”
Compare prices on the Garmin nuvi 250
The nuvi 270 adds maps of more than 30 European countries, in addition to the North American maps. The Garmin nuvi 250W, adds a 4.3″ wide-screen to the nuvi 250′s feature set.
A newer model, the nuvi 255, adds text-to-speech and a range of new features to the 250.
To compare other nuvi models, check out our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.
More Garmin nuvi 250 reviews
- Consumer-authored Garmin nuvi 250 reviews have been posted at Amazon.
- GPS Magazine posts a nuvi 250 review, in their typically comprehensive manner.
- GPSLodge has posted their own Garmin nuvi 250 review,
- PC Magazine has posted a nuvi 250 review, giving it a 3 out of 5 star rating. I have to say, I think its a little unfair, since their harshest criticism is that it “lost satellite lock indoors more easily than the 350.”
- GpsPasSion has posted a nuvi 250 review thread.
- Consumer-authored reviews of the nuvi 250 are being posted at CNet.
- PC Mechanic has also posted a nuvi 250 review.
- The Tech Zone reviews the nuvi 250.
- A.P. Lawrence posts his own Garmin nuvi 250 review.
- A video review:
I’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…
Other Garmin nuvi 250 resources
- Here is a nuvi 200 series mini-site.
- Confused about so many models of GPS receivers? Try the Garmin auto GPS comparison tool or check out our own comparison chart.
- There is a dedicated Garmin nuvi message forum at GpsPasSion.
- A PDF version of the Garmin nuvi 250 owners manual.
- Five tips for nuvi newbies
Compare prices on the Garmin nuvi 250 at these merchants:
- Check the current Garmin nuvi 250 price at Amazon.
- Find a great deal on the
Garmin nuvi 250 Portable Automotive GPS System with North American Maps
at TigerGPS, where you get free shipping on orders above $250. - Get the Garmin nuvi 250 for an amazing price on eBay.
- Check out our GPS deals site for current specials and rebates on a wide range of GPS receivers
- Scroll down for more live price comparisons
From the official Garmin nuvi 250 web page:
Simple navigation at an affordable price — that’s nüvi® 250. This entry-level Personal Travel Assistant comes with preloaded maps for North America or Europe. For added flexibility, choose nüvi 270 with preloaded maps for both continents or save more with nüvi 200 which offers less map coverage at a lower price. Like all nüvi 200-series members, the 250 features an easy-to-use colorful touchscreen and ultra-slim design — perfect for everyday navigation.
Navigate With Ease
nüvi 250 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator® NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. In addition, nüvi 250 accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.
Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 250 features many 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. Optional plug-in SD cards for our line of 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.
nüvi 250: It’s a whole nü way to travel.
Please note: Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.
Garmin part number: 010-00621-00
Suggested Retail Price:
$535.70 U.S.D. (for domestic US market only)
nüvi 250 Features:
- Receiver: high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS receiver
- Display: 2.8″W x 2.1″H (7.2 x 5.4 cm); 3.5 diag (8.9 cm), 320 x 240 pixels; QVGA color antiglare TFT with white backlight
- Unit dimensions: 3.8″W x 2.8″H x .8″D (9.7 x 7.1 x 2 cm)
- Weight: 5.2 ounces (147.42 g)
- Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, up to 5 hours of battery life depending on use
- Includes Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature
- Fingertip touchscreen interface
- Look up addresses and points of interest
- Choose 2D or 3D maps
- Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cameras with POI Loader
- Built in Travel Kit includes picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters, calculator and more
- SD card slot
- USB interface for loading data
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