Help choosing 255w vs 760 ?

[Daniel636]

I think I need to choose between the 255w and 760 unit.

I am most interested in really good basic GPS features so MP3 and bluetooth are not really a factor.

I don't want a slow frame rate unit or a unit that is tough to understand. If the thing is always behind me, or slow to recalculate route, I will be frustrated.

I need good alternate route selection since construction and accidents are very regular.

I need to remove the unit from my car at night since I live in an urban environment, so it needs to have a well designed mount.

I like to do preplanning and route comparison. I have never had a GPS but have plenty of technical experience.

If traffic works well in NY tri-state , I might consider using it pending price and accuracy

Please help. Thanks.

[Tim]

If you want pre-planning, then the 760 would be the way to go versus the 255w.

[gatorguy]

But since you indicate Bluetooth to be of little value to you, consider the 750 as well, with an optional traffic cable later if you want to go that way. Neither of the two you narrowed down will offer all that you wish for. 255 refresh is twice that of the 760, but for all the other wants, the 255 either does not offer them or they are no better than the 7x0's. Route setup and mount/unmount are both better on the 700's.

[Daniel636]

Thanks for the help. Three more quick things:

What is an "optional traffic cable" noted by gatorguy?
Does the faster frame rate of the 255w make a remarkable difference in use, compared to the 750?
I have since read about the TomTom models. Is there a TT model you might recommend over the Garmin 750?

thanks again

[Tim]

The optional traffic cable will feed live traffic information to the GPS.

[bacevedo]

As for the faster frame rate on the 255 vs the 760 - here is my opinion. Note - I have never seen the 255, so I don't know how much better it looks.

When I am driving in my car, I am not driving by staring at the GPS unit and following it (i.e. driving blind). I am looking at the road and occasionally taking quick glances at the unit to check my progress. (i.e. how far I am from the next turn, etc.)

In that case, the fast refresh rate is most likely useless, as I am not staring at the unit long enough to see the difference. This is especially true in a turn. When I am turning, I am definitely not looking at the GPS unit, so I really don't need it to be "smoother" when turning.

In my humble opinion, the faster refresh rate is a marketing thing catering to our obsessive compulsive issues with electronics. We want things to be perfect, even though we really don't need half of what we are asking for (I am guilty of this as well). Sure, the faster refresh rate is technically superior and looks really nice when demoing the unit to your friends or looks nice for your passengers. But when operating a motor vehicle, I really don't think it is necessary because you should be looking at the road most of the time, not staring at the pretty screen of the GPS unit. To me, the TTS is much more helpful, because half the time, I don't even need to look at the unit at all. It tells me to turn left on Main St. If there aren't many other roads around, I can easilly do that without looking at the unit.

Now, if I saw the 2x5 series, I might change my tune. However, in my daily use with the 760, screen refresh rate has never been an issue. I never thought to myself, I would get to my destination much easier if the screen refresh was faster. And I wouldn't confuse the refresh rate with the unit more accurately showing your location on the map. I am pretty sure (not 100% positive) that a 2x5 series unit is going to have the same "map lag" issues on high zoom as any other nuvi. It will just draw your vehicle 4 times as fast, but still behind where you really are. I don't think that has to do with refresh rate, but just the nature of innaccuracies in GPS and map technology itself.

I would look at the other UI changes on the 2x5 series as more important than the refresh rate, like the next turn indicator arrow on the map screen, etc. However, they are also lacking many features found on the 760.

One thing that is nice on a 760 is it includes the FM Traffic Receiver in case you ever decide you want to use it. Otherwise, it's at least another $100 to purchase separately. Online, you can find some really good deals on a 760 (in the $350 range), making it not much more than a 2x5 series or even a 750.

Good luck with your decision.

Bryan

[Tabs]

Well here's a thought on the refresh rate - a lot of times I'm actually in the passenger's seat using the GPS while someone else drives. (We do this when my band goes out of town for shows) The 255W's refresh does look a lot better than the older units and that's definitely cool when you're just riding along looking at it...