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Garmin nuvi 205

Discontinued

Reviewed

November 2010

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

High-end features at a budget price
Fast routing, mapping and satellite lock
More intuitive to use than older Garmin GPS units

Cons

Can't speak street names
Not a widescreen display
Traffic alerts cost extra

Where to Buy

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Our Analysis
Specs
258 Amazon Reviews

Reviews say Garmin has packed extraordinary features and functionality into its entry-level Garmin nuvi 205 auto GPS. Experts and consumers find that the nuvi 205 generates routes and maps more quickly, locks onto satellites more readily and is easier and more intuitive to use than earlier Garmin nuvis. You can also download geotagged photos of your destination to navigate toward, or add a traffic-alert receiver, which costs extra. However, the nuvi 205 doesn't have a widescreen, and it doesn't speak street names (e.g., it says "Turn left in 300 feet" rather than "Turn left on Spruce Street in 300 feet.") Consumers who own the Garmin nuvi 205 say they don't miss those features, but experts say they make navigating easier. They recommend stepping up to the Garmin nuvi 255W (Discontinued) for spoken street names and a widescreen.

The GPS enthusiast websites GPSLodge.com and GPSTracklog.com base their opinions of the Garmin nuvi 205 on their own extensive expert tests. Laptop Magazine testers find the nuvi 205 a little too stripped-down. ConsumerReports.org includes the nuvi 205 in its unbiased, expert tests, but only subscribers can read the report. We found valuable user insight at Amazon.com.

Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

from Amazon.com

New: $219.99 $124.99

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Garmin nüvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

(258 reviews)
Buy new: $209.99 $129.90 41 Used & new from $20.00

In Stock.

Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
1,825 store reviews	In Stock. Get free shipping on orders over $25.00	$130.00	See It
234 store reviews	In Stock. Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com!	$134.89	See It
		See All Stores

Our Sources

1. GPSLodge.com

Blogger Scott Martin recommends the Garmin nuvi 205, based on his own expert tests. His thorough written review evaluates all major aspects of the nuvi 205, including the features that are supposed to set it apart from older Garmin nuvis, such as faster routing and greater ease of use.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 205/255 Full Review, Scott Martin, Nov. 16, 2008

2. ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org ranks the Garmin nuvi 205 alongside many other auto GPS units, testing and rating each model in nine categories, including routing time and info for driver. Each auto GPS unit also gets its own brief write-up.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 205, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

3. Laptop Magazine

The Garmin nuvi 205 is budget-priced, and it feels like it, reviewer Troy Dreier concludes. He tests the nuvi 205's navigation and interface and winds up recommending a competing Navigon model (now discontinued) instead.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 205, Troy Dreier, Dec. 18, 2008

4. GPS Tracklog

GPS expert Rich Owings' review of the nuvi 205 includes basic information, and it links to Owings' hands-on review of the widescreen nuvi 205W for more details.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 205 Review, Rich Owings, Sept. 4, 2008

5. Amazon.com

The Garmin nuvi 205 had accumulated about 200 user reviews at Amazon.com when we checked, with an average score of 4.5 stars out of 5. Written reviews explain the nuvi 205's strengths and weaknesses, and a few compare it directly with the older nuvi 200.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator, Contributors to Amazon.com

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