Not user-friendly, even for experienced users.

This is my fourth Garmin and I bought this unit because of the lifetime maps and traffic. It is a nice enough unit but not as user-friendly as the 50L as far as finding an address goes. It has no provision for entering a zip code, and the "Search near" extra step doesn't make it search within or near the specified city, as one might think. Instead it searches a multi-state area, so it is wasting resources and time searching for the same number and street in all of the cities and towns that it considers to be "nearby". In addition, finding a location by name is very cumbersome bordering on impossible. I entered a name that the Garmin didn't recognize, even though I found that same name in its database once I sorted through all of the categories and subcategories until I got to the "correct" one. The display is nice, the lane assist is great, the rerouting is fine, but these don't make up for the frustration in trying to find my destination within the Garmin.

EZ to use. Reliable and great suction holder!

Works great!! easy to use. I really like the suction holder it just snaps in and it does not come off until u take it off. my parents own a tom tom and the holder its hard to snap in and sometimes it falls off even though it only been used a few times. the lifetime map its ez to load up and notifies you when an upgrade is available. the traffic feature is not very reliable. Some times I could be sitting in traffic and the gps its saying clear ways. it does not come with a storage case so I purchased one at tiger direct for about $6.00. Overall I am very pleased!

Great GPS, but I would go with the 2555 (5" display) instead.

This is my fourth Garmin Nuvi receiver. I had the Nuvi 660. 760, and 780 before I went with the 2455. I have to say that the 780 with MSN direct service was my favorite of my three previous models, but I have to say that this model is by far my favorite of the four. I liked the MSN direct service, but MSN discontinued the service so my Nuvi 780 was just like the Nuvi 760 I previously had. The lane assist feature with the picture of the exit and the exit sign has been a tremendous help. I was amazed that the picture that displays is an actual picture from that exit. This helps give a visual point of reference for the upcoming exit which makes it that much easier to famailarize yourself with the exit. I went ahead and purchsaed the LMT (Lifetime map updates and lifetime traffic) because the map updates can run $50 per update, and that can add up where it it cheaper to just purchase a new GPS instead of doing the map updates. That is one of the reasons I have purchased a couple of the new devices. The only thing I would change about this model is the 4.3" display. I really wish I would have gone with the 2555 instead of the 2455. My previous Nuvis had Bluetooth, but I decided against going with that feature on this because I found that I never used it. The Bluetooth speakerphone was pretty much worthless because callers couldn't hear over the road noise. I find the speakerphone or a Bluetooth headset to be more handy. The only thing I miss about the Bluetooth feature on the GPS is when I would pull up a POI the phone number would display and I could dial the number from the GPS and not have to take my eyes off the road or pull over to initiate the call. Overall I give this GPS a 4/5 with the smaller display being the main thing I would change. I would definitely recommend the Nuvi 2555, and if I had it all over I would go with that model instead. I hope this review helps, and if I can answer any other questions about it let me know!

Good all around unit, extra features that make it a nice driving tool

Bought this item because -it was a Garmin, lifetime maps and traffic updates and for $99 w/free shipping. I don't use it everyday, but it does show me shorter routes sometimes, that I otherwise would normally take. It calculates fast, adapts to changes I make in route and I like the split screen feature that comes on when exiting the interstates. I like that it allows you to view names of restaurants, etc off the exits of highways in advance of getting to them and you can skip to the next exit and see whats available there also. Its a good tool for driving, and for the money a good value.
It was a little quirky once or twice with a turn on a trip, but I think that happens with all gps devices, especially the less expensive ones. All in all a good unit.

Great product! Lifetime map and traffic make it an unbelievable value.

This item was given as a gift, but I did get to see the recipient learn to use this GPS in about an hour, and she is not a very tech savvy person. In the early days of GPS tech she mocked me for using mine, but now she is very pleased with her GPS. A few years ago I bought lifetime map updates for my kids and that cost just about the same as this GPS unit that came with lifetime map updates and traffic. Great value.