GPS

Garmin Nuvi 205

Price range:

$89.99 - $212.97

Summary: The Garmin Nuvi 205 has a 3.5-inch LCD screen. Notable features include photo viewer and trip computer. It has preloaded maps covering the 48-contiguous states, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

25 people have reviewed this model.

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Type: Navigators with traffic optional

About - Garmin Nuvi 205
The Nuvi 205 is part of the GPS test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, GPS models like the Nuvi 205 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Entering destination/POI: Based on the logic and ease of programming an address or point of interest into the system. Includes whether the database allows dynamic searching for addresses, if letters are grayed out, ease of entering into navigation menus upon start-up, and ease of finding points of interest. Info for driver: Based on the on-screen and audible information given to the user during navigation. Includes type and font size of on-screen information, ability to speak proper street names, languages supported, and amount of audible information given including descriptions of the next maneuver. Routing options: Based on the number of options for fine-tuning the route plotted by the system. Includes multi-destination routing, avoidance of toll roads, biking routes, walking routes, and RV/truck use. Also includes availability of foreign map databases.

About - Garmin Nuvi 205

The Nuvi 205 is part of the GPS test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, GPS models like the Nuvi 205 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Entering destination/POI:: Based on the logic and ease of programming an address or point of interest into the system. Includes whether the database allows dynamic searching for addresses, if letters are grayed out, ease of entering into navigation menus upon start-up, and ease of finding points of interest.
Info for driver:: Based on the on-screen and audible information given to the user during navigation. Includes type and font size of on-screen information, ability to speak proper street names, languages supported, and amount of audible information given including descriptions of the next maneuver.
Routing options:: Based on the number of options for fine-tuning the route plotted by the system. Includes multi-destination routing, avoidance of toll roads, biking routes, walking routes, and RV/truck use. Also includes availability of foreign map databases.

About This Brand
By far the biggest selling brand, with more than 50 percent of the market. Based in Olathe, Kan., Garmin was founded in 1989, and today it has 7,000 employees. Garmin GPS navigators have consistently scored near or at the top of our ratings. In addition to portable GPS units, Garmin makes a variety of fitness training devices and products for marine and aviation use. The company announced plans to sell its own telephone with built-in navigation two years ago, but the scheduled release date has been pushed back several times.

About This Brand

By far the biggest selling brand, with more than 50 percent of the market. Based in Olathe, Kan., Garmin was founded in 1989, and today it has 7,000 employees. Garmin GPS navigators have consistently scored near or at the top of our ratings. In addition to portable GPS units, Garmin makes a variety of fitness training devices and products for marine and aviation use. The company announced plans to sell its own telephone with built-in navigation two years ago, but the scheduled release date has been pushed back several times.

Features & Specs - Garmin Nuvi 205
Screen size (in.) The diagonal length of the display screen measured in inches and rounded to the nearest tenth on an inch. Screen size (in.)	3.5
Bluetooth hands-free calling Allows user to make and receive hands-free telephone calls using the unit's internal speaker, microphone, and screen. Automatically quiets directions while call is being made. Can display user's telephone book, and shows caller ID on the screen. Can also dial phone numbers of point of interest locations. Requires a Bluetooth-compatible telephone. Bluetooth hands-free calling	No
Spoken street names Commonly referred to as "Text-to-Speech," this helpful feature is the ability to pronounce proper street names. For example, a system with this feature would say, "Turn right on Truman Avenue" rather than, "Turn right in 500 feet." Spoken street names allows the driver to confirm directions with street signs without looking at the screen. Spoken street names	No
More features and specs

User Reviews - Garmin Nuvi 205

Average User Rating

(based on 25 reviews)

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Displaying Reviews 1-3 of 25 See all 25 user reviews

Easy to use, accurate and up-to-date

By GPS User from Fayetteville, NC on 1/31/2010

Pros:

Acquires Satellites Quickly, Compact, Easy Menus, Easy To Read, Easy To Set Up, Large Screen, Reliable Performance, Simple Controls

Best Uses:

Faster Routes, Finding Specific Address, Planning Trips, Rural Navigation, Urban Navigation

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

How are you with directions:

Great w/Directions

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

There is only one thing I would add to this GPS. It tells you when you should arrive at your destination, but I would like to also see how far it is also.

It works great for me.

By Blueblood from LEXINGTON, ky on 1/18/2010

Pros:

Acquires Satellites Quickly, Compact, Easy Menus, Easy To Read, Easy To Set Up, Reliable Performance, Simple Controls

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

How are you with directions:

Bad w/Directions

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Sometimes misses exact address.

Gets the job done.

By John Smith from Dallas, TX on 1/15/2010

Pros:

Compact, Easy To Read, Reliable Performance, Simple Controls

Cons:

Routing Problems, Short Battery Life

Best Uses:

Rural Navigation, Urban Navigation

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

How are you with directions:

Great w/Directions

How long have you owned it:

Three-to-six months

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I use this GPS to find my way to my sister's house and back and to my parents' house and back. One hour urban and two hour rural drives respectively.

This thing is a great workhorse for the money. But it is a workhorse with squirrel DNA stashed away somewhere. The routing is not the same going to my parent's house as it is returning from it (and there are no one-way streets involved). Also, the phases of the moon seem to dictate what route I get from my house to my parents'.

BUT, I can live with the quirks because it does the job. I have yet to give it an address that stumps it. I have yet to fail to get where I wanted to go.

It's the best of the cheapies.

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