Garmin Nuvi 205 / 2X5 Series | nuvi 265T, 265WT and 275T with Hands-free Bluetooth and Lifetime Traffic Alerts Review

Garmin’s nuvi 205 series has been expanded from just the 205 and 255W to include the Garmin nuvi 265T, 265WT and 275T. Garmin advertise the 205 series as their simple-to-use, low-cost personal navigator. The new models add two popular premium features – traffic alerts (signified by the T) and hands-free calling. Significantly, the new models come with lifetime traffic alerts rather than an introductory subscription. The lifetime traffic alerts from NAVTEQ Traffic mean there are no extra subscription costs for the data to allow you to steer clear of traffic accidents, road closures and construction. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity provides the convenience and safety of being able to place and receive phone calls, using the unit’s built-in microphone and speaker, without taking your eyes off the road ahead.

garmin nuvi 265WT

Differences between three additional models are minor (fully detailed below). Briefly, the nuvi 265T is the base model while the 265WT has a 4.3 inch widescreen (vs 3.5 inch) and the nuvi 275T has Transatlantic maps (North America + Europe) vs North America only for the other two models.

All Models have Built-in Traffic Receiver and Lifetime Traffic Subscription

All the Garmin nuvi 205T models have a FM TMC (Traffic Message Channel) traffic receiver. Even, if most of your travel is along routes you are familiar with, real time traffic information is a beneficial service which could influence you to purchase a GPS. Accessed via a FM TMC traffic receiver, the traffic data received can provide traffic warnings and allow your GPS to calculate new routes around problem spots. TMC data provides quick, accurate notification of situations impacting traffic such as accidents, road construction, police and emergency services. Traffic severity is displayed in a color coded format (green – low severity to red – high severity along the route you are currently driving on.

Digital traffic data is available from specific FM broadcast stations in a fast growing number of major metro areas throughout the United States and Europe.

The inclusion of lifetime access in the purchase price is a significant change to how Garmin have previously marketed Traffic services with a limited trial and a subscription required if you wish to continue use.

Garmin Nuvi 205 Model’s Redesigned Map Screen

Garmin has introduced a new map interface which the following touch icons;

1. Turn Indicator to view information about the next turn in your route and to repeat the instruction for your next turn.
2. Text Bar to preview the upcoming turns in your route.
3. Traffic Icon to open the Traffic Menu
4. + and – for zoom
5. Speed to view information about your trip, such as the odometer
6. Menu to return to the menu page
7. Arrival to display a map of your route

Speed zones are also conveniently displayed next to your current speed at the bottom left of the screen.

Other notable features of the Garmin nuvi 205 series

Garmin’s HotFix Satellite for faster location fixes from a cold start
Garmin Connect Photos – navigation using geo-tagged photos from Garmin’s free web service
JPEG picture viewer
1000 Waypoints/favorites/locations
Garmin Lock theft prevention using PIN
World travel clock, currency & unit converter, calculator

Differences in the Garmin nuvi 205 Models – Summary

Garmin nuvi 205 no hands-free calling with Bluetooth wireless, not FM traffic compatible
Garmin nuvi 255W no hands-free calling with Bluetooth wireless, not FM traffic compatible
Garmin nuvi 265T 3.5 inch screen, traffic receiver, lifetime traffic alerts from NAVTEQ Traffic, hands-free calling with Bluetooth wireless, North America maps, micro SD memory cards
Garmin nuvi 265WT 4.3 inch widescreen, hands-free calling with Bluetooth wireless, traffic receiver, lifetime traffic alerts from NAVTEQ Traffic, North America maps, SD memory cards, Qwerty or ABC keyboard.
Garmin nuvi 275T 3.5 inch screen, traffic receiver, lifetime traffic alerts from NAVTEQ Traffic, hands-free calling with Bluetooth wireless, Transatlantic maps (North America + Europe), micro SD memory cards