Hands on with the Garmin nuvi 295W
UPDATE: The nuvi 2×5 series has been officially discontinued. For current recommendations, see our auto GPS buyers guide.
The Garmin nüvi 295W
Garmin nuvi 295W ergonomics
Small, sleek and thin, the 295W will easily fit into your pocket. The 3.5” screen is a bit of a compromise for folks used to a 4.3” wide-screen receiver, but I found that I quickly adapted to it. The main place you’re likely to notice the smaller screen is when using the keypad, shown below. It wasn’t really an issue for me, but stubby finger types should beware.
The unit weighs in at 4.8 ounces. The top has a power button and 2.5 mm headphone jack (a 3.5 mm adapter is available). The left side features a micro-SD card slot, contacts for the powered mount and a mini-USB connector. Meanwhile the right side has two volume keys and a button to activate the 3MP geotagging camera.
Garmin nuvi 295W interface
An accelerometer allows the screen to switch between portrait and landscape modes. The main menu, shown below in landscape view, has two parts. Where To? and View Map are always present, while the sliding menu below offers web browser, email, music player, camera, contacts, weather, calendar, tools and settings. The order can be customized (Settings > Applications).
You touch and drag the slider menu to move along it. If you just try to flick it, you’re likely to open a menu item instead.
Once you tap Where To? or View Map, you’ll be in a more familiar nuvi interface. As you can see in the Where To menu below, Google Local search is available for when you have an Internet connection.
The Google Local search screen…
Then there is the familiar map screen, below.
One surprise here. Tap either data field to bring up the screen below, which reveals a tri-axial electronic compass (meaning you don’t have to hold it level), which should come in handy for pedestrian adventures with CityXplorer maps.
WiFi
WiFi setup is drop dead easy. Simply go to Settings > System > Wi-Fi. Nearby networks show up and you select one and enter a password if it’s protected. One note of caution — reception was a little weak at times. It would come and go in my basement, downstairs from the router in the opposite end of the house.
Also extremely easy. Just enter your email address and password. Multiple accounts are supported. The 295W works great for checking email. Don’t expect advanced functionality, like Gmail labels, but I’m guessing that if you want something like that, you’re probably going to end up with a smartphone. Also, the email client does not support HTML messages, so you just get plain text.
Browser
The browser is SLOW. For example, it took 50 seconds to load gpstracklog.com vs. 25 seconds for my Droid using 3G (SkyFire browser)! Nor is there pinch to zoom.
Weather
Touching the weather icon gives you a screen like the one below. Touch the menu icon (three horizontal lines) to update the information or search for weather info near your current location, a different city or a favorite.
Camera
The 3 MP camera is accessed via the slider menu or the camera button on the side of the case. A tap on the camera button initiates focus. When the focus box turns green, depress a bit further to snap the pic. There is no zoom function for the camera itself. Picture quality is about as good as I would expect from a 3 MP camera. From the gallery you can share by email, zoom, set an image as wallpaper or start a slideshow. I don’t claim to be a great photographer, but below are two photos I took. You can see geotagged, full size versions at Picasa.
Garmin nuvi 295W mount
One nice thing about the 295W is the fact that it has a powered mount, which means you don’t have to fiddle with a USB cable each time you use it in your car. It also enables the automatic saving of your last position (saved under Favorites) – awfully handy in those mega-mall parking lots! The unit auto-powers on and off with the car ignition when in the mount.
Garmin nuvi 295W battery life
The nuvi 295W’s battery is officially rated at “Continuous use – up to four hours Standby time – up to 250 hours,” another holdover from it’s nuvifone heritage (see below). You may find battery life much closer to two hours in actuality. You can disable WiFi, but it’s buried in the menus (Settings > System > WiFi). You could also disable GPS, but that’s just as complicated and even less intuitive (Settings > System > General > GPS Simulator – set to on). And you can turn down the backlight. But that’s about it. Short battery life is probably the biggest weakness of the 295W.
Navigating with the nuvi 295W
The nuvi 295W gave me just what I would expect from a nuvi. I saw no routing errors, sluggish behavior, delays in recalculating, etc.
I do have one complaint here though – the speaker is very weak. I’ve read where people say this about other models, but this has the lowest volume of any nuvi I’ve ever used. I doubt that anyone would be able to understand verbal directions given while a semi-loud radio is playing.
One other thing to note here; this model includes multi-destination routing, as shown below:
More nuvi features
The 295W includes the following features, found on many previous nuvis:
- Text-to-speech (so you’ll hear “turn left on Oak Street in one-half mile,” rather than just “turn left on one-half mile”)
- Where Am I? (find closest hospitals, police & gas stations, nearest address & intersection) – to access tap current location icon on map or Tools > Where Am I?
- Garmin Locate™ (marks position when removed from windshield mount) – saved under Favorites as Last Position
- Picture viewer
- MP3 player (though there is no FM transmitter)
- Speed limit display
- Trip log
What’s missing from the nuvi 295W?
Unlike some nuvis, the following features are missing from the 295W:
- Does not warn you when speeding
- Map screen data fields cannot be customized
- Voice commands
- Lane assist and junction view
- 3D buildings
- Bluetooth
- FM traffic compatibility
- ecoRoute
- Audio book player
- FM transmitter
The nuvifone G60 connection
The nuvi 295W appears to utilize components originally created for the nuvifone G60. The case is nearly identical, and the tri-axial compass and accelerometer appear to be holdovers from the design as well. Garmin has apparently found a way to recoup some of their losses from their initial and less than successful entry into the world of smartphones. The only real negatives are that it ended up with the external speaker of a phone, instead of that of a personal navigation device, and the battery isn’t up to constant WiFi access.
Garmin nuvi 295W pros
- Email access via WiFi networks
- Small, pocket-sized
- Easy WiFi and email setup
- Powered mount
- Multi-destination routing
- Fully compatible with pedestrian and mass transit features of CityXplorer maps
- Tri-axial compass
Garmin nuvi 295W cons
- Very short battery life
- Speaker is not loud enough
- 3.5” screen
- 2.5 mm headphone jack
- Very slow browser
- No traffic capabilities (not available as an add-on either)
Recommendation
As I said in the beginning, the nuvi 295W is a good choice for someone who would like email on the go, but isn’t ready to spring for a smartphone data plan. Were it not for the speaker and battery life (more deal killers than the weak browser, IMHO), I’d recommend this without hesitation. As it stands, caveat emptor.
More Garmin nuvi 295W reviews
- Consumer-authored Garmin nuvi 295W reviews
have been posted at Amazon
- A user review of the nuvi 295W posted at GPS Review
I’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…
Other Garmin nuvi 295W resources
- A PDF version of the Garmin nuvi 295W owners manual
- Want to see how the 295W stacks up against other models? Check out this Garmin auto GPS comparison tool or my own Garmin nuvi comparison chart
- There is a dedicated Garmin nuvi message forum at GpsPasSion
- And another nuvi forum at GPS Review
- The official Garmin nuvi 295W web page
- Five tips for nuvi newbies
Compare prices on the Garmin nuvi 295W at these merchants:
- Check the current Garmin nuvi 295W
- Find the Garmin nuvi 295W Wi-Fi Portable GPS Navigator
for an awesome price at BuyDig.com, one of our favorite low cost merchants
- Get a great deal on the Garmin Nuvi 295W GPS 010-00916-00
at J&R Computer/Music World
About Rich Owings
For those of us who live in the mountains or foothills, could you please include information on altitude displays in your reviews? That information often gives good clues about temperatures and potential icing conditions when you are traveling in today’s climate controlled autos.
Thanks Wally. That info should be available on the satellite screen.
Yes. But you have to do something to show it. I would like altitude display on the route guidance view. Even if it is an option to replace some other field that would be OK. One review a few months ago mentioned this as an option, however, when I actually tried the device I could not get it to work.
Yeah, that’s not available on this model. It is on the 7×5, 12xx, 13xx and 14xx. Not sure about others, but I can look if you have a model in mind.
I’ll go check out the models that you mention. Thanks for the info!
You’re welcome! Let me know if you have more questions.
Hi, Rich,
I’m trying to register my 295w, but can’t find where the serial number is located. Any ideas? Also, I’m having a hard time setting it up for e-mail. Again, any ideas? I follow the instructions, but it doesn’t work! I’m aware the latter question may require a call to Garmin on Monday.
Thank you!
Paula
Mmm, not sure about the serial number. Did you look under the battery? Re: email; is it asking for anything other address and password?
Thanks, Rich, for the quick response. After messing around with it for an hour or so, I finally figured it out and inputted the correct info. As for looking under the battery for the serial number–I’ve already inputted a lot of information (contacts, etc.) Will I lose all of those if I take out the battery? My guess is “yes,” but I’ve never owned a GPS before, so maybe I’m wrong. Can you please enlighten me?
Thank you!
Paula
Hehe, good question! I wouldn’t think so. I pull the battery out of other devices all the time and the memory is retained. You could connect it to the computer and back it up first. I’m not sure where contacts would be, but it may be obvious once you do. Favorites are usually in current.gpx.
Thank you, Rich! I’ve got everything squared away on my 295w now. Thanks again for your expertise.
Paula
I purchased this model and got registered it today. I hooked up the device to my PC with the included USB cable and installed the garmin dashboard. From there, I registered on their support site and since my GPS was hooked up it entered the serial number for me.
Just an FYI to any future purchasers in case they don’t want to take the battery out to look at the serial number.
Thanks Matt.
295w ?
How does the screen perform in the sunlight? I’m considering it on a motorcycle. I noticed it is different than other gps devices.
Thanks,
David
I didn’t notice any problems with it in sunlight.
Thanks Rich,
Their is not much hands on info with this device. I would hate to buy it and find out I could not read the screen in bright sunlight.
Many cell phones have this problem so I assumed this device might suffer from the same issue. I may have read a review mentioning this potential weak point.
Since it doesn’t have the same screen type that most GPS devices seem to have It raised my concerns.
Thanks again,
David
Can I configure the Garmin 295W to work with Hotmail?
Ya Mon,
change the SMTP port to 587, TLS encryption, authentication plain, and check the box for validate ssl certificates under mail seetings… Worked for me after some trial and error ….Peace
Thanks for chiming in with the tip!
A modern GPS that won’t let you change the data fields is useless.
Yes, unfortunately most mobile navigation apps haven’t caught up with PNDs yet. I’d love to have that option on Google Maps Navigation for my Droid too.
How do I connect 295 to my car’s sound system to listen to voice commands. Thanks.
There’s no Bluetooth or FM transmitter, so your only option is the audio out / headphone jack. It’s 2.5 mm, so you may need a 3.5 mm adapter. If you stereo has an auxiliary input, you can go direct to that. Otherwise, you would need to buy an FM transmitter that can plug into the audio out connection. Hope this helps.
Hey Rich,
I have purchased a 295w and so far I like the unit. I am working out the details on how I’m going to fit it to my motorcycle. I have purchased a set of earphones that I plan to listen to the mp3 player and directions if needed.
This would also be an option in a car for directions. I used the device with the speaker and altough weak I found it audible at normal levels.
Do you know anyone who makes the screen protectors to fit this model and are they neccessary?
Thanks,
David
I don’t see any that are available for it, so you may have to go with a cut to fit one. I don’t tend to use them on my auto GPS, just handhelds, but then again, I’m not using it on a motorcycle!
Rich,
I was using the wi-fi on the 295 and it works very nicely.
One has to enter the password etc. and your off to the races.
Upon returning to the same location (like a hotel room) I lost all info for that location. Do you know if there is a way to save that location so you don’t have to input the info again etc?
Maybe I did something wrong?
I have had the unit in direct sun and can read but do find it difficult. Not sure this would be much better with another unit (this is my first) Their is a setting for the brightness and I pushed it to 100%
Still experimenting
Thanks for any input.
David
Not only is a 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm adapter required, it’s apparently a proprietary adapter from Garmin. I have 2 different 2.5->3.5 adapaters (1 is 3 pole, the other is 4 pole) that I’ve used with my Phone’s headset jack, but neither works with the 295W. I’ve ordered the adapter from Garmin, so I can’t vouch for it yet.
Not true. You just need a stereo adaptor. I got mine from Wal-Mart and it has a 90 degree bend which is nice because it doesn’t stick out the side. It cost around 12 dollars and came in a set of adaptors
by a company called Scosche, adaptour audio adapter kit.
Later,
David
I think the 295W is a great little unit. Never had another one, so can’t compare, but I like this one. Wondering what capacity micro sd card it will take and whether or not I can add Skype to it? Lou
There doesn’t appear to be anything on Garmin’s site about SD card size, but the nuvifone G60, which it’s based on, can handle microSD cards that are “HC capable, expandable up to 16 GB.”
I don’t see how you would be able to use Skype though, as you need to be able to download their software, right?
Yes, Rich, I would download the software on the sd card. Thanks for all the info. Have a great day. Lou
Lou, I think the 295W uses a custom Linux OS. There happens to be a Linux version of Skype available. I’m still unsure how you could get it going unless you’ve got some good Linux skills. Would love to hear the results.
Yes, I thot the language used was different but quite compatible with Windows. I’ll check the Skype version of Windows first,but quite frankly it’ll be a touch and go, am not really that sure anymore, as the camera onboard the 295 is strictly a photo cam and not a video. There again I mite encounter some difficulties. I’ll let u know for sure. At moment waiting to receive my 4gb cards before I attempt anything. Thanks again. Lou
I have a 16gig class 10 micro SD card in mine. Once I had been playing mp3′s off the card. I stopped the player and then removed the card, causing the 295W to freeze on the double-tap start screen. I waited until the battery expired and then it started as normal once plugged in via USB to my PC.
steve,
Forgive my inability to provide documentation but I read somewhere that the higher class cards won’t work well in the 295w. Go figure.
If there’s no procedure for removing flash memory in the 295w UI, I’d always shut it off before physically removing any non-analog plug
I think the 295w is a fantastic little unit. Somewhat concerned about battery though. Also wondering what capacity micro card it will take and also whether Skype can be downloaded and used using extra memory. Thanks. Lou
@David – I’d run that one by Garmin support. It could be a number of things and might require some firmware tweaks.
Fixed with a software update.
Also running a 16 gig micro sd no problems.
Some people reported no attachment point for a wrist strap. It does have one in the lower left corner.
David
Excellent! Thanks for reporting back.
Thank you for very nice and detailed
reviews.
Rich,
I am so happy with this review that you have made. This is excellent! I have one question about the 295W. Can I play Youtube videos while I am using the browser on WiFi? I have tried to find an answer but nobody appears to post this piece of information on the Internet. It would be great to have an Internet browser as compatible as my computer is.
Thanks in advance!
James
I’m not sure. The browser would have to support Flash or HTML 5. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
I haven’t had any luck getting YouTube videos to play on this unit. When I try, YouTube indicates that I need a new version of the Flash Player. I tried updating the firmware on Garmin’s website, but still no luck.
So if anyone really wants to play YouTube this model probably isn’t for them. I can live without that personally, although it would have been nice. Maybe they will support it in a future release of the firmware.
I will purchase it and find out myself
!
I have been looking for a device with wifi and gps and under 200 dollars for a year. There is nothing else like this, especially without monthly fees. I wish it were advertised more, so buyers looking for a portable wifi and gps in one device could find this easier. They should know that there is something else out there other than the expensive ipaqs (but they have windows) and the ipod touch (but it is media/app friendly) with a $80-$200 gps extension.
Thanks for putting up the quick reply and the website!
James
Sounds like a good unit for you. I expect these will be popular and then Garmin may push them a bit more. Let me know what you think (and about YouTube) once you get it.
Was wondering your opinion for the 295W to be any good with geocaching? I have a nuvi 255W and its not to hot on walking directions off the street. and loses sats when around trees.
I think the biggest problem for the 295 and geocaching is the limited battery life.
Good point re: battery life. It wouldn’t surprise me for the 295W to be better with reception, since its a later generation and is built on the nuvifone platform. I don’t know if it will work with the nuvi geocaching macros though, and of course, the best solution is a handheld!
Just got it. Beware, the FLAC support does not work. One time in 10, I’ll get a FLAC recording to play on it, but many times I select the song or hit play and nothing happens. MP3 works consistently. And I’ve been to Garmin’s website – no updates available for the player.
It seems to work decently as a GPS (except for the very low volume of the voice instructions). As I posted in an earlier comment, you apparently need the proprietary Garmin 2.5mm to 3.5mm headset adapter _FOR THIS UNIT_ to get any sound out of the headphone jack – some adapters I already had did not work.
David Viosca says:
August 3, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Not true. You just need a stereo adaptor. I got mine from Wal-Mart and it has a 90 degree bend which is nice because it doesn’t stick out the side. It cost around 12 dollars and came in a set of adaptors
by a company called Scosche, adaptour audio adapter kit.
Later,
David
Yes, I got my adapter at The Source for $10, works fine.
It might be worth a call to Garmin support to get the FLAC issue in front of their engineers.
I’ve submitted a ticket to Garmin on the FLAC issue. I’ll post back with any response.
I also bought a stereo adapter, then plugged in a little capsule speaker, and now get booming sound. Works great!
This addresses one of my few complaints with the GPS. I did plug an audio adapter from the 295W into my car stereo, great volume from the gps then, but sometimes I want to listen to my radio or CD’S. I did notice the mp3 player does not play in stereo, both left and right play the same combined track, a disappointment. The Wifi works well, you need the browser to load websites without a lot of ads and fluff, otherwise it takes a very long time. Love being able to use the map vertically, I want to see where I am going, not what is alongside, the 3d display makes that worse, shrinking where you are going, and enlarging what you are passing by. I bought this to get my GPSmap 478 off the dash, it has become to valuable to risk theft, since there is no good replacement if you want customized features for both land and marine navigation. I did buy a dash mount option that uses the same mount base as the 478 and older garmin V’s I have. Nice unit, highly recommended, I might buy a second one if I see a super deal on one.
Sinbad Ahoy!
You’re adapter may be to blame for monophony. Stereophonic plugs have a tip and two sleeves. Any more sleeves and you have an adapter for a microphone and earphone set-up. I made that mistake, too.
Try going into ‘SETTINGS’> ‘APPLICATIONS’> ‘BROWSER’ and turn JAVASCRIPT off to help with website loading. I just wish that the browser forced a fixed readable font, you know, a USER MODE rather than Author Mode.
Thanks for your comment on Portrait versus Landscape mode; it’s a good idea to try it out and see if it works better for me. 3D display feels right to me but I’ll try shutting it off for a while, too.
I am sorry I didn’t buy two. I want to attempt some deep ‘customization’ on this unit and I have become so fond of it’s utility that I’d hate to brick it.
Smooth Sailing,
DS
Thanks, my adapter started life with an old chocolate cell phone, and has the four, not three sections between the isolating sleeves. I’ll have to hunt one up somewhere. True stereo sound will make me much more likely to play music though the 295w when driving or in the gym. I’ll turn off the java script too, and see if that speeds things up. Great tips on this thread.
See what you think turning off the 3D, and going portrait. Shows much better detail of what is in front of you, if all you want are directions, then it doesn’t matter, but if you are someone who is a map reader, then the 2d view is more informative.
Target has adapter kits. Brand name-’Scosche’ I got mine there. RadioShack, too, but for a bit more than what they charge for one part, you get a kit of parts.
None of it is (marine) pro grade. You’ll pay big for that or build it yourself.
I am an avid mapreader and hope to never confuse the map with the territory.
Javascript ‘off’ may limit some sites but certainly not all, esp. the better built, more user friendly ones.
Ok, sorry folks. I just tried again with both adapters I have, and the stereo one (3 pole) is now working. I swear I tried them both last night, and could not get any sound except a low rumble. Sorry for the misinformation. Now, to find an headphone cable extension…
I did have a problem once because I didn’t push the adaptor all the way in. I was only getting one channel. Make sure you push it all the way home with a good click.
Does anyone who is using the 295W to play music through the car have any problem with a buzzing noise in the background when the unit is connected to power?
I’ve found that it plays fine on battery power, but as soon as I connect mine to the car power cord, a low level intermittent buzzing/popping sound is heard in the background of the music (or when the music is paused). This is what I heard yesterday when I first hooked the unit to my car, and is the reason I thought the 2.5 to 3.5 stereo adapter I had was not working with the unit.
I use mine on a motorcycle with earplug speakers. No distortion and motorcycles vibrate – wind is much more prevelent. Make sure all your connectors are pushed home and aren’t moving around in and out of contact.
I have a request. I been using mapsource on the pc to plan routes on the pc first and download to the 295w. I don’t like the program it is cumbersome to use. Programs like Mapquest and Google have the features most of us need especially the drag road to where you want that mapsource does not.
I have laid out a map in Mapquest and under the send tab you can send your map to the 295w, however only 2k of info is showing up on the nuvi drive. Does someone else want to try this and see if they have the same problem?
Thanks,
David
I no longer have a 295W to test this. On many units, there is an Import Routes feature buried in the menus, which I suspect may be how these should be imported. There’s been some discussion of using MapQuest with nuvis at http://forums.gpsreview.net/ so you might want to search or ask there.
Hi David,
I tried this out – my first time using generated routes from Mapquest, so not sure what I should be seeing. My file is 2K, but it doesn’t seem to be truncated from what I can see. It’s an XML file, and the tag seems to be ended properly. However, my customization of the route does not show when I view the route in the 295w. Is that the problem you’re having?
WT
David,
OK, I tried with a longer route, and the file that was transferred is now 3K. It still doesn’t reflect the customizations that I did in mapquest to the route, but it doesn’t seem to have a 2K limit for me.
WT
WT I go to the routes and cannot find or view the route on my 295w
The only reason I knew something was there was viewing the flash drive from my pc. Are you actually viewing the route on your 295?
Thanks,
David
WT,
Try a different car. Bad spark plug wires can cause this and older plugs that are not r (resistor rated). If it works fine in another car the problem is the car not the 295w
David,
Yes, I can see the route on my 295w. Did you do an import of the route? After you go into Routes, tap the menu symbol (the three horizontal bars in the right-hand menu) and then choose import. When I do that, I see the route with the cryptic name (MapQuest-140 for example) that MapQuest said it would use when it transferred the route to the GPS.
Again, I can see the route in the 295, but I don’t get any of the dragged customizations I did in MapQuest. It’s like the 295 just plans the route itself. Interestingly, if you go through the steps in Google, it warns you that only the destination address will be sent to the GPS device. Seems like maybe the same thing is happening with MapQuest.
Thanks for the advice about the spark plug wires. I’ll try another car. I am thinking it’s noise in the car’s electrical system. When I finish my permanent install, I plan to add a filter on the circuit that feeds the 295.
David,
In my first para in the message above, I dropped the last sentence: Then, select the route you want to import, and tap import.
I think what happens is that all of your waypoints are sent, but the nuvi still determines the route.
WT, Rich,
I visited the other forum and got a quick answer. You must use Mapquest Classic (I was) won’t work with the new one, (should be fixed)
Furthermore, Once sent to the Nuvi file is their but must be imported (translated might be a better word)
furthermore, In mapquest when you drag the new route you must change the little pin to a stop. Then the nuvi is forced to take that route.
Worked great!
big smile,
Ah, yes. That creates a via / waypoint. That would do it!
I just got mine and I am not sure if I am keeping it. It is nice and you can load GPX files like a PQ and also use a GSAK macro for caching. So far it is nice, but I need to see if I like it better than my Nuvi 500.
Thanks
Hey, good to see you here! I’d love to hear more about your experiences caching with his unit. The 295W has attracted a lot of interest and there are quite a few people interested in caching with it.
I will be going on vacation next week and plan to use it with my Delormes to see how it works. I will give a report when I get back.
Thanks
Cool. Will be looking forward to it.
Hmmm….with a 2 hour battery life, the thing would be dead by 10 am….I start my sales job out on the highways at 8 am…its an hour drive to the city….therefore totally useless product. Also, when parking in a “big parking garage” so I can go shopping or see the dentist, whatever, I could easily be gone more than two hours. Again, making the product useless.
Am I missing something here? What good is a navigation system that only lasts for two hours?
It did work good for caching and I think it has a 3-axis compass. I was getting 2 to 3 hours using Wifi. Linda I do not understand what you are talking about, when you drive don’t you have it plugged in?
Thanks
Yep, what Randy said… You should have it plugged into the mount while driving, so it will be charging. And while shopping, do you really need it on?
hi, nice review.
I have a nuvi 1200 and I had a nuvi 855, the screen refresh on the 1200 is great, also the screen refresh is like to watch a movie on the gps, but on the nuvi 855 it is very slow, some times I missed a turn with the 855 because the pointer on the gps was faraway of the turn, but on real I was on it. How works screen refresh on 295w? thanks
I didn’t notice any lags. It seems pretty good on all the newer models.