Editorial Review:Product Description:With easy-to-use Touchscreen displays, the nuvi 205 can route to addresses, restaurants, hotels and more with turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance. nuvi 205 will say 'Turn right in 500 feet.' New appealing features include MSN Direct compatibility, HotFix, Garmin Connect Photos, digital elevation maps, automatic time zone updates and smoother map updates. nuvi 205 is compatible with an optional MSN Direct receiver (GDB 55). This optional MSN Direct receiver provides premium content such as traffic updates, weather, gas prices, enhanced movie listings, stock info, news, local events and a send-to-GPS feature for trip planning. nuvi 205 is the most affordable option, with mapping coverage of the lower 48 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. It offers five million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions. The map data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Bright 3.5 diagonal color display, 320 x 240 pixels, QVGA TFT display, with white backlight High-sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time and more Built-in travel kit includes features such as picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator Configurable vehicle icons - allows users to select a fun, customized car-shaped icon; users can download additional choices Offers a three-dimensional mapping perspective or 2D overhead view Built-in lithium-ion battery - lasts up to four hours depending on usage Dimensions - Width 3.8 x Height 2.8 x Depth 0.8 Weight - 5.2 ounces
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Love my New GPS so much I got another!
I decided that I wanted a GPS for my car. Mainly because I had seen a friend use her TomTom to find a place to eat. That was something I didn't know they did.
Usually I am a major researcher. I research everything from cars to coffee pots before they are purchased. (let not even talk about the length of time it took to purchase a house and looking at upwards of 5+ a day!)
But my husband and I went to Best Buy to get a new TV. I let him do his thing and traveled the store playing with the newest gadgets when I came up to the GPS counter. I started playing with them seeing which would do what. So fun! When a sales man came over I ask to borrow his computer to get on the company website and read reviews, he laughed but allowed it. All 3 units I was looking had had a 4.0 rating or higher. So back to the devices I went.
My husband came over as he hadn't seen me in an hour, I told him I was going to get one of them but wasn't sure which. So he started messing with them also. We finally came to the agreement on the Garmin nuvi 205 only because he said he wanted one for his truck also and since they had different colors He wanted black and I got red.
After placing them in our vehicles, learning them was a snap. There are directions but I found I didn't even need them. Setting up took no time at all for it to connect and locate me.
I am going to get my boss one for Christmas as he goes places all the time and carries map books. He also knows nothing beyond checking email on a computer but I am sure that he will have no problem with this little gem!
Rating: -
Garmin Nuvi 205 - Great Basic GPS With Updated Features
The Garmin nüvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator is one of several updated models in the 200 series. It's funny to admit this, but using some of the higher end versions has actually made me like this model more. Sure, this doesn't have the 4.3 inch widescreen of the 600 series, or the W models like the Garmin nuvi 205W and Garmin Nuvi 255W. And it doesn't give you Bluetooth like the 600 series and others. But what it does give you is a GPS unit that covers the basics very well, is very affordable, and has been updated with a LOT more features than entry level models from the competition. So if you need a starter GPS, this is probably the daddy of them all right now.
Pros:
+ Great performing unit for a starter GPS unit
+ Comes with all the things you need, GPS, window mount and car power adapter
+ Updated Garmin features including HotFix to speed up satellite acquisition
+ Included compatibility with MSND traffic service (though not great in all areas)
+ Improved pedestrian mode
+ Improved interface with slick look and feel
+ Cool extras like photo navigation and cool web features
+ Nice pricing
Cons:
- Still some software issues to be worked out with updates
- 3D view still needs some work
- Not the least expensive starter unit on the market
- Garmin still overcharges for map updates
- Traffic services not great in all areas
Pros
The updated interface is very nice, though many of the changes are subtle in terms of functionality. The look and feel are definitely slicker, but there are also extra directional markers. In order to really access all the extra info, you have to change your settings to display "most detail." Either way, those who've used the 200 will definitely notice the improvements.
The main complaint that all GPS units have to overcome is the dreaded delay in finding satellites. All models and all brands have this issue to one degree or another. Now with the Hotfix, the 205 and other updated models do find satellites a little faster than before. You will still have issues locating satellites indoors, but under standard use outdoors you will see it find satellites faster.
The other feature that is aided by the update is pedestrian mode. This feature is not used too often. In fact, it's somewhat hard to find in the menu settings. But the problem that was often encountered with the older generation of products was that in cities like NY with tall skyscrapers, it was very hard to find and hold a signal long enough to use pedestrian mode. Now, it can still take a while but is noticeably faster and more reliable.
Some of the newer Garmin features like photo navigation and send custom location info to your GPS unit are really slick. You can go to the Garmin website to access these things and more. Still, those are all true extras. You don't need those things to enjoy the main function of this guy, which is to give you directions via GPS navigation.
You will also need to consider accessories such as the Garmin Portable Friction Dashboard Mount for Nüvi Series. The included window mounting suction cup may not be enough for your needs.
Cons
There are some things you should know about the MSN Traffic Service. For some people, this is going to be a great service. For others, not so much. Garmin should be given extra points for integrating the functionality. This service has been offered with other models for a while I'm very familiar with it. The shortcomings are not totally the fault of Garmin. The bottom line is that the MSN traffic data may be stale depending on where you live. You need current data to reroute around rush hour jams or accidents. It's not ready for prime-time everywhere yet. And when the service improves, believe me I plan to use it full time.
The 3D terrain maps are the result of people clamoring for altitude data. Well, the data is now there, though it seems somewhat limited. These 3D maps are not very useful and it is difficult to display the information without zooming out to distances that are not ideal.
Certainly, Garmin isn't the low cost provider when it comes starter units, updated maps and POIs. But those cons are all minor. Overall, this is a nice improvement and a great starter unit.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an upgrade for your Garmin nüvi 200 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator, you are probably going to want to step up to the Garmin nüvi 660 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator or better. If you need a starter unit for yourself or as a gift, the 205 definitely needs to be on your list of models to consider.
Enjoy.
Rating: -
Never get Lost again
Garmin nuvi 205 3.5 " GPS
What a great tool and great value! This is a great basic system that met all of our needs. If all you are looking for is a GPS to keep your eyes on the road and out of a map while keeping the cost low...this is your baby.
Rating: -
My first GPS
Very good product. Very good idea. This is my first and it was quite an experience. Before GPS I would go camping and to find the nearest store to buy groceries I would go street by street. Now I press "shopping" in the GPS and find dozens to choose from including name and distance. After that it takes me there turn by turn.
In particular this GPS was very good, but if you can afford the ones that give you the street name, go for it instead.
Rating: -
Well Worth the Investment!
Due to some issues with my internal navigation system, I came to the realization in order to maintain my sanity, I really needed to invest in a GPS. I wanted to keep the cost down, but wanted also to get allot of bang for the buck. After completing the research, it was clear that the Nuvi 205 was the way to go. From opening up the box and turning it on, I found it incredibly easy to use! I have tried to use it for places that I know where I am going and how to get there and have found that there were very few times that it didn't follow the same route I would have taken. It is not perfect, but does a good job for sure. If you need to hear the street names be read to you for turning, you need another model because this one won't do that. It will however tell you when a turn is coming up and tell you to "turn right/left here". If you are unsure about a turn, the GPS also displays the road name and distance before turn on the screen making the whole thing pretty easy to follow. All of this said, it is not a perfect system. There have been times when I knew where I was going and in testing the GPS it took me a route that was longer distance and time then I needed to take. The other thing I have found is that the announcement to turn does come up on you pretty quick, but as I said before, if you look at the display, it sets you straight. All in all I am very happy with my purchase. In fact I have talked it up to a few people and some of them are now going to purchase the Nuvi 205 for themselves. For what I spent vs. what I got, it was well worth the investment!
