13. Adding a Stop to the Route

Figure 54: Adding a Stop Along the Route

Search for a destination while already en route to a destination address and the nuvi 250 will ask whether you want to use this as a new destination address, or if you want to continue to your original destination by way of the new address.

14. Stopping the Route

Figure 55: Stopping the Route

Tapping on the Menu button while navigating to an address brings up the menu shown above. From here, you can stop routing to the destination by tapping on "Stop", or detour around a problem area by (such as a traffic jam or closed road) by tapping on "Detour".

Including the Stop button is a nice feature. In testing various GPS devices, I have found that canceling a route can be surprisingly difficult (for example on a TomTom or iGo-based device). Garmin's GPS units have unparalleled ease of use (probably a large part of the reason Garmin enjoys a majority market share of the GPS navigation industry)

15. Garmin's Maps - How accurate are they?

Figure 55: nuvi 250 Ships with NT v8 Maps

The two main suppliers of mapping data are NAVTEQ and TeleAtlas. NAVTEQ's maps (in North America) are superior to TeleAtlas', so it's very good news that Garmin continues to use NAVTEQ in their GPS devices. The nuvi 250 ships pre-loaded with Garmin's City Navigator North America NT v8, and although these maps are better than TomTom's maps, they're getting a little long in the tooth and not as current as the NAVTEQ maps Magellan is using in their RoadMate 2xxx/Crossover/Maestro units.

The good news is Garmin's much needed map update is scheduled to be released any day now (Garmin officially says the release is due out "sometime in the Spring"). The bad news is that Garmin will not be offering free map updates to consumers - even if you buy your GPS the day before the updated maps are released. That means you'll likely have to spend in the neighborhood of $135 to get more current maps when Garmin releases City Navigator North America NT v9 this Spring.

It's worth noting that even with its aging maps, Garmin's NAVTEQ powered maps are very good. Still, if you're looking for the absolute latest maps available, you might want to wait until Garmin starts shipping units with v9 pre-loaded (or buy now and pay to update later).

16. Custom Vehicle Icons

If you have fantasies that you are secretly the captain of a tank brigade, the USS Enterprise, an off-road sand buggy, or Santa's sleigh, Garmin's got you covered. Custom vehicle icons are available for (free) download via Garmin's website, and allow you to replace the standard blue arrow on the map with custom icons that range from silly to the sublime.

Figure 56: Garmin's Custom Vehicle Icons

Downloading and installing the custom vehicle icons is simple:

• navigate over to Garmin's Vehicles web page
• Download the icon(s) you want (you can also download them all at once)
• Unzip the icons
• Connect your Garmin GPS to the computer
• Drag the icon(s) over from the PC to the Vehicles folder on the Garmin
• Disconnect the GPS from the PC
• Power up the GPS, tap on Settings -> Map -> Vehicle

If you're a current owner of a Garmin GPS, note that the custom icons will work on all Garmin nuvi, zumo, and StreetPilot c5xx series units.

Figure 57: Custom Vehicle: Garmin Man

Just one of the many custom vehicles available: the screen above shows the "Garmin Man" vehicle.

Figure 58: Custom Vehicle: Tank

For the Hummer drivers out there...

17. Configuring Preferences

Figure 59: Accessing the Settings Menu

Many aspects of the nuvi can be customized to suit your individual preferences. To access the Settings pages, tap on the wrench icon from the Main Menu, then tap "Settings".

Figure 60: Settings Menu, Page 1

Page 1 of the settings menu allows you to customize system, security, navigation, and time preferences. Scroll down (by tapping on the down arrow in the lower right hand corner) to see page 2, shown below.

Figure 61: Settings Menu, Page 2

Page 2 of the settings menu is where you'll find the time, language, display, and map settings.

Figure 62: Configuring System Settings

The System settings page allows you to enable/disable the "GPS Simulator", set the "Usage Mode" (available options are Automobile, Bicycle, or Pedestrian), and specify whether you want to use Miles/Feet or Kilometers/Meters.

Figure 63: Configuring Garmin Lock

Garmin Lock is an anti-theft feature that requires a 4 digit PIN (that you specify) be entered every time the device is powered on. When Garmin Lock is enabled, the device is disabled from performing any functions until the 4 digit code is entered.

Safe Mode (enabled by default) makes it so you cannot enter an address while the vehicle is in motion. You'll likely want to turn this feature off, otherwise you'll have to be stopped before you can enter a destination.

Figure 64: Configuring Navigation Preferences

The Navigation settings menu is where you can specify routing preferences and enable/disable avoidances.

Figure 65: Route Preferences

There are three Route Preference settings to choose from: "Faster Time", "Shorter Distance" and "Off Road". In my testing I found "Faster Time" almost always chose the best route.

Avoidances are things you want the GPS to avoid making you do. There are six defined "Avoidances" to choose from:

• U-Turns
• Highways
• Toll Roads
• Ferries
• Carpool Lanes
• Unpaved Roads

By default, U-Turns and Unpaved Roads are marked for avoidance. Selecting an avoidance means the GPS will avoid making that maneuver, or taking that type of road. For example, if you wanted to avoid highways on a given trip, you could select "Highways" under Avoidances and the nuvi will route you to your destination without using highways.