Strengths: Easy to use, small enough to carry in your purse or pocket

Weaknesses: Wish it shipped with an AC charger, but does come with car charger

Summary: I have used other GPS devices before. The nuvi is extremely easy to use and I have found it to be accurate. I like the easy to use touch pad and it programs very well. The price is easily affordable and has all the features I need. It does not have Bluetooth, but for a good basic GPS it does the job.

Strengths: TTSSizeMaps and POI databaseScreen VisibilityBattery LifeUS and Canada MapsETA accuracyNo mp3 or other extras that are not needed

Weaknesses: Custom POIs not searchable as part of pre-installed POIs.

Summary: Been researching GPS units for the past 4 months. The biggest features are wide screen, TTS, and POI database. I then decided to favor the TTS over wide screen and went with the nuvi260. Wide screen or not? I initially wanted wide screen but it carried a price premium. However, the smaller screen is actually a positive note. The wide screen doesn't actually show valuable map data (it's wider, but what you are concerned with is what's in front of you). Also, the smaller size is better for transportation/use in your pocket. I can also easily mount the smaller unit much better on my motorcycle. TTS? TTS is a must have. No matter what people review, the TTS is a necessity. Hearing the street names is very convenient. I'm glad I went with a TTS unit (and a selling point for the 260). POIs and maps are using the latest 2008 maps so they are very up-to-date. Only complaint is that when you add custom POIs, they are not searchable as part of the pre-installed ones. The unit includes US, Canada, and Mexico maps! Battery life and screen visibility are great. No complaints about satellite reception. The internal antenna is great. Nice new style over the older nuvis. Estimate time of arrival is accurate to about 1 min. Recalculations are very fast. I highly recommend this unit. Really the replacement for the nuvi 350 minus extras that you dont need.

Strengths: picks up satellite fast

Weaknesses: screen is a little dull looking compared to 350/650 models

Summary: I love this little unit. I downloaded vehicles and voices from the Garmin website. It's a perfect size to fit in your pocket or bag. My favorite thing is that you can plug the cigaretter lighter cord directly into the unit. On the higher end models, you have to plug them into the mount and then the unit. That makes it mode bulky. Also, be careful of the winshield mount. It's hard to get off completely. I'm looking into a 3d party vent mount.

Strengths: Text-to-speech, easy to use touchscreen, great point of interest database, and loud voice directions are clear even with the windows open or radio on

Weaknesses: You can't search POI database with custom POIs, doesn't come with an A/C adapter (D/C for car only is included), and carrying case and USB cable aren't included either.

Summary: The Garmin Nuvi 260 definitely delivers. I'm a first-time GPS buyer and after looking at the Nuvi 200 (which doesn't do text-to-speech), I realized that I needed TTS and the 260 is the only model in the line that does that. It is one of the newest and is incredibly easy to use. It picked up a signal almost immediately from a cold start. Definitely recommended to anyone looking for a regular, affordable GPS without excessive features. This is 100% solid and you can get a great price online.

Strengths: Very portable. Fits comfortably in shirt pocket with no problem acquiring satellite strength.

Weaknesses: Does not speak when screen is locked. Garmin confirmed and is looking into a software fix. This was an unintended design flaw.

Summary: Overall, this is a very good unit. Text to speach, announcing street names is a must if you do not have a passenger in the auto. I did not have any problem acquiring satellite strength on Long Island with the built in antenna. The MP3 and audio book functions are not necessary for the purp[ose of GPS. I have found the unit, so far, to be accurate with directions and recalculation. Only flaw which I have communicated to the manufacturer is that the 'speach' is disabled when the screen is locked. Tech support is following up and believes this is an unintended anamoly that hopefully will be fixed with a software update.

Strengths: TTS - Speaks turn directions street names. Locks on satellites fast. Accurate. Brilliant touch-screen with adjustable brightness automatic day/night colors. Loud speaker. SD card slot.

Weaknesses: No Bluetooh, No $5. USB cable, No AC home charger (has car charger). Has calculater, currency/unit converter, world clock jpg viewer with input for custom points of interest (POI's). Not Waterproof.

Summary: For the serious pocket GPS aficionado : New big brother of the nuvi 2xx line now has TTS + US/Alaska/Canada maps in a sleek charcoal-black case. My personal favorite pocket GPS. (*Note: The nuvi-260 is now available under $250. [street price]. ** If you don't need Alaska/Canada TTS consider buying [2] nuvi-200 US-48/Hawaii/Puerto Rico [no-TTS] units for you yours for a little more than [1] nuvi-260. Also the nuvi-200 comes with a $5. USB cable). However the nuvi-260 is well worth the higher price if you like having TTS and the extended North America maps. (TTS = Text to Speech which announces the street names, Interstate numbers, exit numbers and P.O.I. names)...Excellent easy to learn touch-screen interface and very rugged, includes a simple easy to understand getting-started manual. Garmin has released several new software updates available on their web site and also a flash update for the WAAS enabled Bravo/SiRFstarIII satellite chipset available through their new web updater, along with many new voice languages new vehicle icons. The unit locks on satellites anywhere in the house quickly now. Streets, direction and ETA are clearly marked on the main map screen. Tap the position indicator anytime for current lat/long/elevation, or enter lat/long coordinates for simple geo-caching or even [dry] boating (has an off-road mode). Customizable .jpg splash screen. Has handy .jpg picture viewer you can load pics from your PC via a USB mini cable or use the SD card slot on the GPS unit... The nuvi-260 unit comes with (updated) Navteq NT-2008 maps for US/Canada/Alaska + TTS. (The baseline nuvi-200 has US-48/Hawaii/Puerto Rico only [no-TTS]. The nuvi-250 has US/Canada/Alaska [no-TTS]; or the nuvi-270 which has US/Canada/Alaska + Europe [no-TTS]. The nuvi-260 unit comes with a dash/window mount car charger only. (I put some stick-on velcro on the back of my unit and on my upper dashboard and it works great!) You can buy online an (optional) Garmin 5v AC home adapter/charger $15., must-have Garmin USB mini cable $5. (for updating with your PC); and nice Garmin leather case $15. (recommended). (Check eBay - cheaper)...Long 5 hour battery life off a 3-4 hour charge. Compact size, about the size of a deck of cards; fits easily in a pocket or small purse. Solidly built, clean looks and simple to learn and use right out of the box. Highly recommended, exceeds expectations. Very useful and accurate GPS unit, one of those few truly worthwhile acquisitions. Makes the ultimate gift.

Strengths: Accuracy, convenience, easy to use, voice with street names, portable, bright display, internal antenna

Weaknesses: does not include AC adapter to charge in house, accessories expensive

Summary: The nuvi 260 does everything I expected and more. When I turned it on with just the map and no destinations, to my suprise it was displaying the speed I was going in the lower left corner. It would show each approaching cross street and within a couple of hundred feet after passing the cross street, it displayed the next cross street. It even displayed a half street used to enter a memorial park. When I entered a destination, it calculated and gave both visual and voice guided directions. I purposely made a turn in the wrong direction. Immediately, the nuvi stated "re-calculating" and indicated the next turn needed to get back on track. Overall, I am very impressed at how accurate it is. For example, driving on the highway I was crossing over a river and the display showed the car on the bridge exactly at the time I was on it. I got a great price on mine but think maybe I should have spent an extra $20 to get a refurbished nuvi 350 because it would have included the AC adapter and a leather case. The charger alone lists for $25. Plus the 350 has a few additional features but does not have the internal antenna like the 260 has.

Strengths: Text-To-SpeechFast route calculationVery good signal strength

Weaknesses: No MP3 playerNo Bluetooth

Summary: Very good basic GPS w/ TTS. The higher models have more features but this one suffices. I love how small it is because I can just put it into my coat pocket when I leave the car and not worry about thieves. GPSes are a very popular items w/ thieves nowadays. This is my 3rd different GPS and Garmins is still the best. It's slighter more expensive than the no-name brand but it works way better.

Strengths: Entire US is loaded into memory.

Weaknesses: Screen could be larger

Summary: Owned Garmins for 10 years plus. High quality and great customer support. I would not go to any other brand for price. The quality of Garmin is there. Thanks for the other brands to bring prices down. My original Garmin Street Pilot III and a great price back then was $700.

Strengths: Unit recaculates fast

Weaknesses: I thought the directions that came with it should have been more informative for some a the features it has.

Summary: Just love this unit from the price to the operation of it. I selected this unit over the more expensive ones due to the fact that I do not need a MP-3 player or bluetooth. The text to speech feature really works well a must have in any unit. The unit re-calulates fast when you wavier off course. The poi's are up to date and very helpfull when looking for a place to eat, shop or sleep. This is my first GPS unit and very happy that I purchased a Garmin product.

Strengths: very good GPS recever fast connection with satellite easy to use and it had the feature of vocal directions naming the streets.

Weaknesses: none

Summary: I bought this product for my daughter who is a new driver and ever since we installed the product, we no longer get calls from her on the cell phone to help her find her way navigating the streets.

Strengths: I love everything about it. Its nice and small for great porability, and is so easy to use. Didn't even look at the manual for quite sometime and navigated it without any problem.

Weaknesses: As with any GPS unit, it is only as good as the data it gets from outside companies, and so some of the addresses are off my a mile or so in the database I believe due to 911 address changes.

Summary: I love the unit very much and wish I had bough one sooner. Everything about it is great, from the size to the ease of navigating your way around the menus and options. Plus you can hook it up to the computer and get updates from Garmin as they become available.

Strengths: easy to use right out of the box. no prior knowledge needed about GPS's.

Weaknesses: no weakness found as of yet.

Summary: The Nuvi 260 has just the right amout of features to make it a very useful tool for the price. I would not own a GPS without voice prompting. And speaking street names is priceless.

Strengths: Unit is feature rich for what we intend to use it for. The display and the street annoucement is very clear and accurate. Simple to use touch screen, compatible with MAC, has car charger and mount.

Weaknesses: I tried the unit and compared the route to a route I take to a friends house. At certian points, it instructed me to take a different route. I will try next time to see how it compares.

Summary: Bought the NUVI 260 GPS for my wife for Christmas. After speaking to a Garmin representative regarding the features I was looking for, they were extremely helpful in narrowing down which device suited our needs. We've had it for over a week and use it a few times. My suggestion is that if you are taking a long trip, double check the route with a Map Quest or Yahoo Maps just to see if its on target.

Strengths: nice,portable, easy to read, as everyone else has said

Weaknesses: data is wrong! first thing i put in was my home address, off by a block, every address in my zipcode way way off!

Summary: and there's no way on the Garmin website to tell them that their information is wrong. You'ld think they'ld like to know; It has no idea where Interstate 80 is, even when you're on it! I also noticed that "Does not speak when screen is locked."and it can't hold the current position if you want to go look something up on another screen, you have to start over. The speaking is important, i agree with everyone else, but its pronunciation is very very funny in this area, eg: Probst Avenue is pronounced "Probablist". And every road in Jersey has several names, and roads end out of the blue, and Garmin has no idea. So in major met areas, its not much help; My limo driver used it and we ended up in a shopping mall parking lot instead of newark airport; ok, that wasn't funny.