Garmin 255w or TomTom 340s GPS units

[left210]

So I have it narrowed down to Garmin 255w or Tom Tom 340s GPS unit. It is for my mother who needs something very easy to use. Anyone have either and can give some recommendations?

 

[Foladar]

I have the Garmin 255w, and it is very easy to use. I like it because it shows the speed limits on it (although sometimes outdated) and the roads all seem up to date in a growing area around here, so that is a plus in my book. If you have any specific questions, I can try and answer them. We've been using it since may.

 

[left210]

How does it do if you make a wrong turn? Does it recalcuate your route quickly? My MIL has a TomTom (not sure of model # but it doesnt have text to speech) and it would just tell us to turn around and go back to its original route even if we were going in the right direction. We finally had to turn it off and start over. For instance we were in our hometown and went to McD which was off its route but then hit the highway which should have been the way we should go but it never realized that.

 

[Zachcod]

I will second the Garmin 255. We have a Garmin that is a couple of years old. We look at gps's online and thought we had a Tom Tom One that would work but we hated it right out of the box. Returned to online dealer. Brought the Garmin 255 and love it.

 

[secretpantssam]

I've used both garmin and tom tom brands, though I'm not sure of either model. I found the Tom Tom brand to be less user friendly than the others. It just seems harder to navigate through the menu and to reset the route. So I would recommend the Garmin on my personal experience.

 

[KKB]

go 255 or higher

 

[debsays]

We ended up with the Garmin that you mentioned. It was the same w/us, between the same two. Two different sales associates at two different stores recommended the Garmin and both said it was user friendly. Ended up w/the Garmin and REALLY like it. Evem take it to FL.

 

[Melynny]

I have had my garmin for a couple of years, it's not the 255. It is the cheapest one that they sold then. I love it. I think I have the 205

You asked what Garmins do when you don't take thier expected route? Ours will try to get you to turn around, if you don't turn around, it says " recalculating" and then shows you a new route. It is very intuitive.

It's not even text to speech and I love it more than the Nav system that is factory installed in DHs Silverado LTZ. He had to take a 5 hour road trip without me a few weeks ago and he lifted MY Garmin and had that cheap 100.00 thing stuck to the window of his truck. That should tell you something. He even likes it better than his 1000.00 factory system.

 

[hipchickie]

My parents are older (70's) and they have the garmin and love it, I bought them a magellan which fell off the windsheild and cracked, and they got the Garmin as a replacement and she said she likes it way better.

I have a TomTom and I HATE that thing - constantly sending me on roads that don't exist, the destination is never where it says it is, (off by hundreds of feet) and it has virtually no POI. I am hoping to get a garmin on Black friday and unload the damn thing on my husband

 

[left210]

Thanks for the info. I went to Target tonight and played around with both of them. Even before I read the posts, my mind was made up - for sure Garmin. It was so easy to use and neither me or the sales guy could get the Tom Tom to do anything. I just need to decide which store to go to for the Garmin on black friday. Maybe I will get lucky and amazon will mark it down before then. Thanks again.

 

[Namsupak]

Here try this link for a list of some of the deals on the 255w. Link
It will search for different items as well.

 

[drinkme]

thanks for the reviews. I was getting ready to buy the TomTom from Amazon on BF. Its supposed to be on sale there for $89. I think I'll switch to the Garmin now.