
- High-end features at a budget price
- Fast routing and satellite lock
- More intuitive to use than older Garmin nuvis
- Widescreen display
- Doesn't speak street names
- Traffic alerts cost extra
The Garmin nuvi 205W is the widescreen version of Garmin's entry-level navigator, the Garmin nuvi 205 (*Est. $130). Although it adds to the cost, some reviews say the nuvi 205W's widescreen can be easier to see than the nuvi 205's smaller screen. Testers say both models generate routes, draw maps and lock onto satellites more quickly than previous Garmins. The devices also allow users to navigate by downloading geotagged photos of their destination. However, the nuvi 205W does not speak street names (e.g., "Turn left on Elm Street in 300 feet," rather than just "Turn left in 300 feet,") which experts say makes a GPS unit's directions easier to follow. The Garmin nuvi 255W (*Est. $175) does speak street names, and some reviewers recommend it instead. But the most highly recommended under-$200 GPS unit 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 205W.)
ConsumerReports.org's test of the Garmin nuvi 205W is thorough, expert and comparative. The U.K.'s Which? magazine conducts similar tests. Reviews at GPSLodge.com and GPSTracklog.com do not compare the nuvi 205W to other GPS units, but they are based on in-depth testing. We found a good number of user reviews at Amazon.com.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Stock. | $172.99 | See It | ||
| In Stock. Free Shipping! | $189.99 | See It | ||
| In Stock. FREE Shipping! Reliable Since 1909! | $139.97 | See It | ||
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
ConsumerReports.org tests the Garmin nuvi 205W in nine different areas, ranking it against many other GPS models. A chart presents details of the unbiased tests, but only subscribers can read the report.
Review: Garmin Nuvi 205W, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
2. GPSLodge.com
This thorough, well-illustrated review covers both the Garmin nuvi 205W and the similar Garmin nuvi 255W. Although the nuvi 205W performs well in Scott Martin's tests, he recommends stepping up to the nuvi 255W for spoken street names.
Review: Garmin Nuvi 205W/255W Full Review, Scott Martin, Oct. 26, 2008
3. GPS Tracklog
Rich Owings tests all major aspects of the Garmin nuvi 205W and boils down the results into this concise report. The entire nuvi 2x5 series "has set a new standard," Owings concludes.
Review: Garmin Nuvi 205W Review, Rich Owings, July 30, 2008
Auto GPS Runners Up:
5 picks including: Amazon.com, PocketGPSWorld.com…
4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, PC World…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSMagazine.com…
3 picks including: GPSLodge.com, PC World…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…
2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…
2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Laptop Magazine…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, PC World…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSReview.net…
2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…
|
TomTom GO 930T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Receiver
from Amazon.com
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Garmin nüvi 205W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Garmin nüvi 255 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Garmin nüvi 500 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Navigon 2200T 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-To-Speech and Free Traffic Alerts
from Amazon.com New: $160.44 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Garmin nüvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
TomTom GO 730 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Garmin nüvi 755/755T 4.3 Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Garmin nüvi 5000 5.2-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Magellan Maestro 4350 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth & Integrated Traffic
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: $148.50 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
TomTom ONE 140-S 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
TomTom XL 330-S 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Navigon 7200T 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigation with Bluetooth, Text-to-Speech, and Free Traffic Alerts
from Amazon.com New: $493.99 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Nextar I4BC 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Back-up Camera
from Amazon.com New: $129.99 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
















