11. MSN Direct Traffic vs. FM TMC

Figure 78: nuvi 265WT vs. nuvi 785T

The nuvi 265WT, 275T, 755T, 765T, and 775T models all include free lifetime traffic service via FM TMC, as denoted by the 'T' in the model number. The nuvi 785T, however, uses MSN Direct for traffic, which requires an annual subscription and begs the question: which one is better? Aside from the fact that the free traffic service is ad-sponsored, which one provides the most accurate traffic information?

I tested the FM TMC-powered nuvi 265WT's traffic service against the MSN Direct-powered nuvi 785T on a recent road trip from New York to Maine. Coverage quality varies by region, and it's quite possible that in another part of the country the results would be reversed, but I found the FM TMC traffic service better at alerting me to upcoming traffic problems.

Figure 79: FM TMC vs. MSN Direct

On several occasions the nuvi 265WT warned of approaching traffic, while the nuvi 785T reported no traffic, even as I drove straight into the traffic.

MSN Direct offers much more than just traffic alerts, and so the decision as to whether MSN Direct is worth the subscription fee will depend on whether you care about the additional service MSN Direct includes, such as weather, news, stock prices, movie listings, local events, and the ability to wirelessly send addresses to the GPS.

For those purely focused on traffic, in locations where FM TMC coverage is good, I believe TMC offers more accurate traffic alerting, and costs less (it's included for free on Garmin's recent "T" nuvis).

12. Navigating to A Set of Coordinates

Figure 80: Main Menu, Page 2

Like previous Garmin nuvis, the 265WT retains the ability to input a set of longitude/latitude coordinates as a destination address.

This capability can be useful for locations may not have an official street address, or used for Geocaching as well.

To route to a set of coordinates, tap Where to? on the Main Menu, and then scroll down to see the Coordinates icon.

Figure 81: Enter Coordinates

The coordinates are pre-populated with the lat/long of your current location. Use the on-screen keypad to input the longitude and latitude coordinates, or touch Format to change coordinates formats.

Figure 82: Select Format

The nuvi 265WT supports the three formats shown above.

13. Walking to A Destination in Pedestrian Mode

Figure 83: Usage Mode

It's a little buried in the menu system, but the nuvi 265WT can be put into pedestrian mode if you want to use the GPS on foot to walk to a destination. To switch the nuvi into pedestrian mode, tap Tools > Settings > System > Usage Mode > Pedestrian > OK

14. Canceling A Route

Figure 84: Main Menu, While Navigating To A Destination

Tapping on the Menu button while navigating to an address brings up the Main 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 right on the Main Menu is a nice feature. I've tested a lot of GPS devices over the years, and have found that canceling a route can be a surprisingly difficult task. For example, looking at the menu on a TomTom GPS, it looks like there's no way to cancel the route at all (you can make this option appear by switching the TomTom to "Advanced" mode, but under the default menu there's simply no way to cancel the current route).

In my testing I found the detour function worked adequately, although there are no options for specifying how far you want to avoid the current problem, or ability to choose from a list of alternate routes, or exclude specific roads from the trip. But it does provide a quick and easy way to get off the current road if you run into a problem.

15. Where Am I? / Saving Your Current Location

Figure 85: Map Screen

Tapping on the vehicle icon on the map brings up Garmin's updated "Where Am I" screen, shown below. This is a great feature that provides one-touch access to your current street address (or closest valid street address), nearest intersection, and exact coordinates, and makes it easy to save your current location into the address book.

Figure 86: Where Am I / Save Current Location Screen

Garmin's well designed location screen also provides one-touch access to find nearby hospitals, police stations, and gas stations.

Tapping Save Location Saving your current location adds the current position to the nuvi's Address Book, and allows you to assign a name the location.

Figure 87: Tools Menu

The Where Am I page can also be accessed by tapping Main Menu > Tools > Where Am I?