Add reviews to your site
Find out how you can add reviews and ratings to your website or shop! Read more
- OVERVIEW
- EXPERT REVIEWS (27)
- USER REVIEWS (483)
- REVIEW ANALYSIS
- PRICES
- DETAILS
What people think about the Garmin Nuvi 205 / 205W: (BETA!)
We compute this summary by analyzing 510 reviews from across the web.
price
5
- Can still be a bit pricey
- I feel that ifor the price
- I feel that ifor the price, it should also tell you the name of the road
- Actually, all the accessories are fairly expensive considering the low cost of the unit
- Expensive
- Great GPS for a great price
- A+++ Price was great too..Way to go NewEgg
- school or otherwise I couldn't find built-in and it's upgradeable for custom POIs and an optional traffic reports (with an expensive antenna and possibly subscription fees
- there hasn't been on business, address, school or otherwise I couldn't find built-in and it's upgradeable for custom POIs and an optional traffic reports (with an expensive antenna and possibly subscription fees
- For the price
- garmin's are usually more expensive per feature than other manufactures
- It doesn't have a lot of the features some of the more expensive ones have that are nice
- it's a garmin so it's more expensive
- No TTS, it's a garmin so it's more expensive,map updates need to be upped to a year after purchase not 60 days
- For the price, it is fantastic
- And the price is about the best your going to get
- Can not bet it for the price
- Alot of features for this price of gps
- That price you can buy a 1.5TB hard drive
- Very nice gps and price was also good
- Cheap
- Cheap, with OK graphics
- price
- price, quality
- consider value for money
- small, lightweight, big memory, MicroSD support, consider value for money
- Great Value for the price
- Outstanding abilities for price
- great price
- Pros: Price
- It does the job for a great price
- fair price & does a good job
performance
5
- Rerouting can be slow
- Doesn't pronounce street names, Rerouting can be slow, Maps lack refinement
- Slow, poor design of maps and annoying as heck
- Speed limit indicators are not always correct
- Speed limit indicators are not always correct, do not rely on it
- and trip routing/rerouting times are slightly faster than the competition
- Start-up, destination entry, and trip routing/rerouting times are slightly faster than the competition
- Faster refresh than earlier units like the 200 or 350
- speed limit and car speed is great
- Speaker is great and it even has a screen where it tells you how far you have traveled, your average speed, your top speed etc
- Processor could be faster as unit has to "think" about stuff a little too much when running thru menus at times
- Faster route often takes me through some odd places
- The current speed limit and how fast you are going
- Fast recalculation route
- This GPS has a notably faster route calculation than the nuvi 200 model
- fast lock ons
- Fast
- speed of recalculating route
- Fast startup
- Turns on Fast
- Quick for loading routes
- Turns on Fast, Quick for loading routes,
- Ease of Use and speed of processor
- Fast routing
- New processor
- New processor, great routing, fast routing, and loud speaker, comes in Black, Red, and White
memory
5
- Wish it included USB calbe for computer
- standard usb cable is all you need to connect to a computer
- big memory
- easy computer connection
LCD
3.5
- The screen could be a bit bigger
- The screen could be a bit bigger, but no big deal
- Unable to customize screen (icons
- Unable to customize screen (icons, fonts, etc
- Screen smudges too easily
- The screen is bright and cleer
- Richly colored screen with excellent clarity
- bright screen and automatically sense the light to adjust its brightness
- I love the wide 4:3 screen
- screen size good
- For whatever reason Garmin decided to make the on-screen keys for letters and numbers *smaller* compared to older nuvis and StreetPilots
- Didn't come with stylus or screen protector
- It will show a charging screen so you have to charge overnight before using
- the screen can be hard to see in direct sunlight
- At full brightness, the screen can be hard to see in direct sunlight
- (My fingerprints on the screen definitely don't help.)
- "Have to Accept" screen at beginning
- Doesn't say street names but the names are displayed on the screen so that's not a big issue
- screen size
- Small Screen, Still expensive at 200 bucks
- Arrow-on-screen in top left corner is another must-have
- big screen
- Very nice, big screen
- Bright LCD display compared to other older models
- Good directions on screen and very accurate when travelling
- Clear screen easily seen.Intuitive ease of use.I found the speed limit warnings useful and was surprised to see temporary Average Speed Limit warnings flash up on screen where found
- Wide screen
- wide screen, features for the $$
- Clear screen
- Fast routing, Clear screen
- Clear quality on the screen
- Nice bright screen
interface
5
- The interface doesn't look very sophisticated
- The interface doesn't look very sophisticated, but it gets the job done
- The volume control is in the touch interface
- The volume control is in the touch interface, not on the unit itself
- The Garmin Nuvi 205W features a large touch screen and an easy to understand interface
- I like that the product is user friendly
- Great Points of Interest interface and customizable vehicle icons
- The GPS offers a very user friendly interface and can be navigated easily
- I like the user interface
- I like the user interface, thats why I bought it
- user friendly
- Great interface
- easy pc interface
- simple interface
- Easy to download to and update.Vary user frendly
- on line
- easy interface and navigation
- Fast startup, easy interface and navigation
- friendly interface
- VERY user friendly
- The GUI
maps
3
- Maps lack refinement
- Small inaccuracies noticed with maps, sometimes odd route selections, not as many advanced functions as tom tom
- it should also tell you the name of the road
- in the future you'll have to buy map upgrades to update your maps and POIs
- Also, keep in mind that while this is up to date as possible, in the future you'll have to buy map upgrades to update your maps and POIs
- Premium version of TMC traffic info
- This gps (mine
- processes info quickly
- Auto-zoom on map finally done right
- THIS IS FIRST GPS I BOUGHT
- Updated the map via the online site
- Updated the map via the online site, North america only, was searching for restaurant pop eyes chicken, Wisconsin, Milwaukee and I went for a detour, 1hour, when i finally arrived at my destination there was no pop eyes chicken (New Berlin), instead I was in the middle of the intersection
- MAPS - you better have a good understanding of the roads you are driving on
- The maps I have looked at for this company are highly inaccurate and do not reflect routing changes made in my area several years ago
- The only thing I have against the GPS is that when i don't turn it on for a day
- This does NOT include maps of North America
- It has maps ONLY of the lower 48
- It has maps ONLY of the lower 48, and they're not up-to-date either
- the overview description for this product clearly states "The unit ships with City Navigator NT street maps of North America" which it clearly does not (It only has Continental US
- I'm disappointed in Newegg, the overview description for this product clearly states "The unit ships with City Navigator NT street maps of North America" which it clearly does not (It only has Continental US, which is definitely not the same as north America
- can't find certain places when you search (have to go on the map and look around yourself to find it)
- Its as if the GPS antenna or circuit is no longer there
- can be dangerous...No more free updates for the refurbished or new GPS units
- It does not contain map for Canada
- No full instruction manual with the product.Some maps very out of date where road improvements several years old were not updated.Additionally points of interest/petrol stations/supermarket prompts not always reliable.Perhaps these can be refreshed on a download which I have not tried yet
- Needs a button on main map screen to mute volume for the part of the journey you know where you're going and then press this again when you need verbal directions
- Sometimes gives conflicting verbal directions, have to watch map
- Less real GPS features
- Less real GPS features, does not show on ramp entry, does not announce street names
- map updates need to be upped to a year after purchase not 60 days
- I think map detail
- as with most GPS
- I think map detail, as with most GPS, could be more detailed
- road travel
- It updates efficiently online and is VERY accurate when on the road
- great gps if you don't need all the bells and whistles
- The Garmin Nuvi 205W is very solid GPS device which comes with the basic package of features
- Other model gps has that built in
- This is a great GPS system
- This is a great GPS
- Map update was included for free after registering with Garmin
- I was able to download a free 2009.1 map
- After registering at Garmin's website, I was able to download a free 2009.1 map
- free map update (HUUUUGE download tho)
- Words sometimes say go left when map shows go right though
- One free map update within 60 days of purchase (via computer hookup
- Garmin has a great data base that lets you update your map set for free one time if you register
- good GPS
- comes loaded with 2009 maps
menu
0.5
- My other con is, you have to go to menu in order to see the time
- Menu hierarchy is a little clumsy
- Getting out of the menus requires you to hit back until you are at the main menu
- Simple menu
usability
5
- I was able to find out how in the owner's manual
- was a block or two off at first i am sure was something i did with a little more use ought to work better
- Must go outside the first time to use it
- Must go outside the first time to use it, to set it up
- Not to easy to sort out the options for switching motorway etc on / off but I have only had it for a few weeks so I'm sure it will get easier with experience
- Very easy to use
- Very easy to use, - Premium version of TMC traffic info, - Good reactivity in menus
- easy to use
- Pleasing menus, easy to use, good support from manufacturer, well made windshield mount, standard usb cable is all you need to connect to a computer
- easy to operate
- downloads not that easy to navigate for novice PC users
- doesn't seem to use interstates and has poi's that don't exist
- Operating Manual
- Easy to use interface
- ready to use out of the box
- Easy to use interface, ready to use out of the box
- Very easy to set up
- Easy to use, processes info quickly, easy on the eyes and the battery lasts long
- and very easy to use
- Pretty accurate, keeps sat reception well, and very easy to use
- Easy to see and read with no confussion
- Overall easy to use
- Easy to use & accurate
- Hes not techie at all but he found this GPS easy to use
- Very easy to use right out of the box and comes with everything you need for U.S
- use mine for deliver service and love it
- Very easy to use
- Very easy to use, has a bright, low reflective touch screen, and hasn't taken me to anywhere non-existent yet
- Very easy to update and directions are very clear and give you plenty of warning BEFORE you have to turn
- Device is easy to use and nice form factor
- It's very easy to use right out of the box
- easy to read
- easy to use with a little reading and can download new icons from garmins website
- cant get to lost, easy to use with a little reading and can download new icons from garmins website
- Easy to use &
- simple
- simple, user friendly, free map update (HUUUUGE download tho), friendly voice that doesn't get mad at you :D, gets you where you need to go
- simple to use
- Cheap, simple to use, accurate, fast lock ons, easy pc interface
- Very easy to use, and accurate
- Inexpensive and simple to use...meaning that it does what it needs to do without stressing you out if it should get stolen
- it is more than adequate for my simple needs
- Personally, it is more than adequate for my simple needs
- This GPS is extremely easy to use and easy to set up
- The picture viewer is nice to use when not navigating
- Easy to use menus
- Easy to use menus, simple interface, good for first timers
- Easy to use, just set you destination and listen to the directions
- Very simple to use
- Easy to follow
- Ease of use - user friendly
- Easy to use, generally clear in daylight
- and is easy to use
- It does exactly what it says, and is easy to use
- Excellent product - bought it as I wanted to use it in the USA
- size , easy to use
- So easy to use
- you don't even need the manual for most things
- So easy to use, you don't even need the manual for most things
- Even use it when I know where I'm going for the traffic information and then let it take me on a diversion if traffic info shows there will be delays
- Very easy and simple to use
- Easy to use & good value for money
- it was very easy to get up and running with it
- Easy To Set Up
- Slim design and easy to use
- I like how easy it it is to use
- Easy to use , very fast
- Wide screen, easy to use, sleek design
- Easy to use, slim design, Easy to transport
- Easy to use and very reliable
- and easy set up
- So easy to use, and easy set up
- Easy to use and figured its different functions rather quickly
- Easy to use and very accurate addresses
- didn't even have to read the manual
- Ready to use out of the box, didn't even have to read the manual, great price
- easy to operate , beautiful
- Easy setup and use
- Easy setup and use, Loads of information
- Ease of use and features
- Easy to use, Show routes and updates every year, long battery life
- easy to follow directions
- VERY user friendly, ease of entering addresses, easy to follow directions
- Inexpensive, easy to use
- Ease of use
- Pros: Price, Easy to Set up, Ease of use, Installation done well
- easy to operate even though I haven't used all the features yet
- Easy to use,Bright display,Loud enough to hear
- Relatively easy to use and clear with the directions
- Economical, easy to use, fair price & does a good job
voice guidance
3
- Voice is a bit robot-like
- Unable to change voice
- robot voice doest say street name
- direction voice
- Haven't found any yet - I would have liked a guy's voice
- Easily understandable voice directions
- Mine has voice directions
- even better on the ears thru a superior digital voice replication
- Richly colored screen with excellent clarity, even better on the ears thru a superior digital voice replication
- articulate spoken turn by turn directions
- friendly voice that doesn't get mad at you :D
- clear voice
- Very reliable, clear voice, beautiful layout great colors, 99% accurate, recalculated drive
- Size and clarity of the voice commands
screen
5
- skip this model and go for one that's the same cost as this unit plus the antenna
- Also, if you are going to get the optional traffic antenna, skip this model and go for one that's the same cost as this unit plus the antenna
- not on the unit itself
- The suction cup manages to detach from my window daily
- Cannot select major route changes (you must take the new route manually and the unit will recalculate based on what you did
- Good display and graphics
- Display big and bright
- Display is nice
- Display is nice, screen size good, features would be great IF THEY WORKED
- The display is easy to read...Touch screen is very responsive
- Great unit right out of the box
- Ease of use, nice size display, battery life is average
- Bright display
image quality
5
- quality
black level
5
- You can even replace the car with the Black Pearl pirate ship
- Beautiful glossy black
- Beautiful glossy black, touch screen, batt life
- comes in Black
viewfinder
5
- Compact...does not obstruct view with the Garmin dashpad mount
color
5
- and White
control panel
5
- Mounts easily to dashboard or windshield
keyboard
0.5
- The erase key for text is at top right and a bit annoying to use as you have to somewhat shove your finger in the corner of the screen to make it work
- no qwerty keyboard
lens
5
- This system is GREAT
battery
2
- Very poor battery life
- Battery life is terrible if screen is at 100% brightness with voice on (you'll get 2 hours at best
- I lose half the battery charge on it
- The only thing I have against the GPS is that when i don't turn it on for a day, I lose half the battery charge on it
- very short battery life
- easy on the eyes and the battery lasts long
- Just play with it for a couple of hours and you've got it figured out
- As for battery life
- we used it in my son's car on battery power for over 2 hrs
- As for battery life, we used it in my son's car on battery power for over 2 hrs
- very, very short battery life
- Battery only last about three hours before recharging is needed
- battery 3-4hours
- not waterproof, battery 3-4hours, no electric compass, no altimeter
- Battery run out fast
- battery life
- Battery life is questionable
- Battery life may not be quite 4 hours but with the charger doesnt matter
- short battery life but not a problem as it recharges quickly
- and left it sitting on the counter the next day and the battery didn' t drop even one segment
- I don't know how long some reviewers expect the battery to last
- Decent four-hour battery life
- Runs for hours without power cord
- long battery life
- Great battery life too
reception
4
- Zero reception on satellites even after a hard reboot
- Sometimes it loses signal
- Loses reception inside tall buildings
- Sometimes lose signal on overcast days
- keeps sat reception well
- HotFix technology makes signal acquisition the best yet
- a 3.5-inch model that has the satellite screen (hold the top left signal bar and it shows up
- Finally, a 3.5-inch model that has the satellite screen (hold the top left signal bar and it shows up
- To recieve Frq.Modulated signal
zoom
3
- Zoom a bit slow
- rapid recalculation
resolution
5
- bright crisp screen resolution
- Works out of the box with no software to download, bright crisp screen resolution, articulate spoken turn by turn directions
connectivity
0.5
- You'll get a couple more features like bluetooth
- You'll get a couple more features like bluetooth, etc
- Mini USB charging / data connector prone to failure
- Doesn't include a USB
- No USB to USB mini cable included to register device/update software
- It doesn't come with the USB cable to register or download new maps/extras
- No USB cable
- Only has 2 Canadian provinces, no USB cable, no owners manual, doesn't know numbered highways
portability
5
- Mounting cradle is bulkier than competing models and not very portable
- to weight
- light
- easy to carry (even in a pocket)
- Very sweet looking GPS, small, light, easy to carry (even in a pocket), nice loud speaker, bright screen and automatically sense the light to adjust its brightness
- light weight
- light weight, only one cable visible (power cord 12Vdc
- Small enough to fit in a male's standard jeans pocket
- I bought the carrying case which easily slips into the pocket when away from the car
- lightweight
- portable
- very light weight
- Great, very light weight, easy to operate even though I haven't used all the features yet
build quality
5
- Quality Construction
- very durable
- reliable, accurate, very durable
size
3
- but no big deal
- Not a big deal I suppose but I notice it
- It is slightly buggy when you pull into a big parking lot
- Maps a little outdated some gas stations are not the anymore and a dennys was closed 3 years ago and still showed it but in general is good for long trips
- I put a little to much trust in newegg's description and am now stuck with a unit that does me no good since I bought this as a gift for someone who goes into canada on a regular basis
- Wonderful little addition to your vehicle
- It tells you when to turn as well as the distance left until turning
- I like the little extras it has available to download
- size
- size, waypoints,
- Unfortunately, I put a little to much trust in newegg's description and am now stuck with a unit that does me no good since I bought this as a gift for someone who goes into canada on a regular basis
- but not a big deal
- Doesn't include a USB, but not a big deal
- I don't know how this would work in a big city
- No big deal though
- garmin has a large online community
- It's accurate, garmin has a large online community, comes loaded with 2009 maps, tools to add POI's
energy efficiency
1
- But it doesn't have an integrated power connector
- I have to wrangle with hooking up the power connector and managing the wires and locking it into the windshield mount
- So, when I go somewhere, I have to wrangle with hooking up the power connector and managing the wires and locking it into the windshield mount
- Cannot have it mounted and plugged into a power source at the same time
- every morning I find the unit beneath my seat or suspended from the steering wheel by its power cord
- then power on for the first time
- Just open it up, charge for the first time, then power on for the first time
- Upon the first power-on
- Upon the first power-on, it has to acquire the satellites for the first time and initialize it's settings
- only one cable visible (power cord 12Vdc
- no electric compass
- will not operate properly while using car power cable
design
3.5
- you have to be fairly accurate about the city where you're looking
- Also, while the database seems complete, you have to be fairly accurate about the city where you're looking
- design
- Very sweet looking GPS
- Looking for gas stations using the Points of Interests function is actually pretty convenient
- sleek design
- Good design of the housing
- slim design
- cool features, slim design, very helpful
remote control
5
- Volume control is good
- Volume control is good, certainly is louder than my brother's Magellan
sound
4.5
- sound went dead after 3 days
- i run mine on mute cause the sound just annoys me(as with all brands
- great gps if you don't need all the bells and whistles, i run mine on mute cause the sound just annoys me(as with all brands
- Also lots of free downloads like addition vehicles and sound sets
Users who looked at this also looked at:
