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Garmin nuvi 205W

Discontinued

Reviewed

November 2010

Pros

High-end features at a budget price
Fast routing and satellite lock
More intuitive to use than older Garmin nuvis
Widescreen display

Cons

Doesn't speak street names
Traffic alerts cost extra

Where to Buy

for $134.00

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The Garmin nuvi 205W is the widescreen version of Garmin's entry-level navigator, the Garmin nuvi 205 (Discontinued). 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 Broadway 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 (Discontinued) does speak street names, and experts and owners recommend it instead.

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.

Where To Buy

Garmin nüvi 205W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

(450 reviews)
Buy new: $249.99 $134.00 33 Used & new from $54.00

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

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

4. Which? magazineDetails/Subscribe

Which? is a U.K. publication similar to Consumer Reports. It thoroughly tests 99 GPS units (including several popular U.S. models), picking 21 Best Buys.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 205W, Editors of Which? magazine

5. Amazon.com

The Garmin nuvi 205W had earned a 4-star rating out of 5 at Amazon.com when we checked, with about 300 reviews posted. Eighty-five percent of the reviews award the unit 4 or 5 stars, although criticism is included.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 205W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator, Contributors to Amazon.com

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