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Garmin nuvi 205

*Est. $130

Reviewed July 2009
Garmin nuvi 205

pros
  • High-end features at a budget price
  • Fast routing, mapping and satellite lock
  • More intuitive to use than older Garmin GPS
cons
  • Can't speak street names
  • Not a widescreen display
  • Traffic alerts cost extra
 
 
Where to Buy
  • Dell

    for $169.99

  • Best Buy ®

    for $109.99

  • eBay

    for $114.50

 
 
 

Reviews say Garmin has packed extraordinary features and functionality into its entry-level Garmin nuvi 205 auto GPS. Experts and consumers both 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 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 that feature, but experts say it makes navigating easier. They recommend at least stepping up to the Garmin nuvi 255 (*Est. $165) for spoken street names. The most highly recommended under-$200 GPS is now the Garmin nuvi 265T (*Est. $180), which not only speaks street names but also includes Bluetooth and free traffic alerts for the life of the unit (the alerts cost extra on the nuvi 205.)

The GPS enthusiast websites GPSLodge.com and GPSTracklog.com conduct extensive expert tests, and both recommend the Garmin nuvi 205 as a top entry-level navigator. Laptop Magazine disagrees, finding 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.

Where To Buy
 
 
Featured StoresStore RatingNotesTotal Price
DellDell rated 3.50 (1716 reviews)1716 store reviewsIn Stock. Free Shipping!$169.99
Best Buy ®Best Buy ® rated 4.00 (8337 reviews)8337 store reviewsIn Stock. FREE SHIPPING! Now accepting PAYPAL!$109.99
eBayeBay rated 4.00 (1175 reviews)1175 store reviewsIn Stock. $114.50
 
 
 

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 different categories (routing time, info for driver, etc). 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 model from Navigon instead.

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

4. GPS Tracklog

GPS expert Rich Owings calls the Garmin nuvi 2x5 series "the best entry-level GPS on the market." This 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 more than 80 user reviews at Amazon.com when we checked, with an average score of 4.5 stars (out of five). 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, Contributors to Amazon.com, July 2009

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