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Jeremy's Rating: 
If you are looking for a reliable and accurate GPS, and if you mainly use the GPS device for navigation, and don’t need additional features like Bluetooth, Traffic Reporting, or MP3 Player, then I don’t think you will find a better choice than Garmin nuvi 205W when it comes to affordability, quality, and performance.
The nuvi 205W has been on the market since 2001 and is still one of the best selling portable vehicle GPS. For less than $90, this entry-level GPS has almost become a commodity for drivers.
Key Features
See More with 4.3-inch Widescreen
The “W” in 205W denotes it’s a widescreen model. The price difference between a 3.5-inch screen and a 4.3-inch screen model is only around $10.
Having used both 3.5-inch screen and 4.3-inch screen devices, I can tell you first hand that the 4.3-inch widescreen is so much better. You get a much better view of your surroundings and can be better prepared for a turn when you are in an unfamiliar environment.
Well Designed Display Layout
In the upper left corner of the screen you will see a turn signal indicating the next turn approaching and the distance from it. This is great because you will know when you need change to the appropriate lane and get ready for the turn.
The name of the street you are on is displayed at the top. At the bottom of the screen, it shows the speed limit of the current road you are on, the current speed you are driving, and the estimated time of you arriving at the destination.
This layout provides lots of information you need for navigation but still maximize the view of the map.
Where Am I gives you exact location and more
Know Exactly Where You Are
Got lost? Need to tell emergency personnel where you are? With nuvi 205W’s “Where Am I” locator, just tap the screen and it will show you the exact latitude and longitude coordinates.
In addition, it also shows you the nearest hospitals, police stations, and gas stations. This is definitely a handy feature in case of emergency.
HotFix Satellite Prediction
The HotFix feature uses your last known position to calculate your current location when acquiring satellite signals. The result is you can start navigating faster.
Back in the days when I was using my old Garmin iQue 3600, when I first powered on the unit, I had to wait at least a minute or two for it to acquire satellite signals before it’s ready for navigation. Now with HotFix, the nuvi is ready within a few seconds.
Sideview showing SD card slot
Excellent Portability
The nuvi 205W has the sleek, trim design that Garmin introduced when the 200 series first hit the market. This GPS will fit easily in your purse or pocket just as the other styles. It contains a rechargeable lithium-ion battery therefore it is simple to navigate by car or by foot.
This portability makes this device one you will grab as you head out the door in your auto or on foot every time so you will always have directions to your destination.
Other Features
This compact unit will not obstruct your vision as you drive. It provides a QWERTY keyboard, which allows the driver to input destinations easily. The SD card slot let you plug in optional microSD cards with software like Garmin Travel Guides so you get additional detailed travel data on attractions.
The nuvi 205W also includes a photo viewer, wold travel clock with automatic timezone transition, currency & unit converter, and a calculator.
These applications intermix with a 4.3 inch diagonal display screen to produce a great system that is hassle free and easy to use. Switching between screens is easy and the battery life is great (up to 4 hours).
What Are The Limitations of Garmin nuvi 205W?
Only a vehicle charger is included and not a USB cable, which you will need if you need to update the maps.
The preloaded maps only covers the lower 48 states, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico (no Alaska or Canada). This could be a big downside for some people.
The voice direction does not say street names. It will tell you to “turn right” or “turn left” but won’t say “turn right on Elm Street.” Note the street name is still being displayed on the screen. If this is a problem for you, then for additional $15 you can get a nuvi 255W which is basically 205W + text-to-speech function. And for another $7 you can get a nuvi 265WT that is nuvi 255W + Bluetooth + free Traffic Reporting.
How Much Should I Expect To Pay?
Most places I checked sell nuvi 205W for around $100. Amazon.com has the best price for under $100 with free shipping. With newer models coming out, the price of nuvi 205W is being pushed down regularly. Be sure to check the price here when you are reading this as the price may have dropped again. Or compare prices from 45 retailers.
What’s In The Box
- nuvi 205W
- vehicle power cable
- vehicle suction cup mount
- Quick Start manual
What If I Need To Update Maps?
The nuvi 205W comes with Garmin’s nuMap Guarantee. You get one free update provided that you registered your nuvi 205W within 60 days. Beyond the free update, you can buy a one-time update for $49.99 or get lifetime updates for $89.99.
Must Have Accessory
You will need to USB cable for updating maps but there is one thing I highly recommend you buy together with the nuvi 205W. That is the Portable Friction Mount.
Here is a photo I took to give you a side-by-side comparison of the included suction cup mount and the friction mount.
Comparing suction cup mount with friction mount
Notice how obtrusive the suction cup mount is. It completely blocked the van in front of me. I also don’t like the power cable dangling from the windshield.
It is a big pain if you use the GPS on more than one car and need to move it from car to car. The suction cup mount is really designed to stay in one place. Moving it tends to get dirt on the cup which will then lose its suction.
The friction mount grabs onto the dashboard firmly and doesn’t move at all when you drive. Personally I think it should be the default mounting option for these Garmin nuvi’s.
What Is the Best Place To Buy nuvi 205W?
The place I would recommend you buy nuvi 205W is Amazon.com. Not only do they have the best price with free shipping, their customer service is also the best. It’s been my experience and countless other customers’ that Amazon go out of their way to meet customer satisfaction.
They also makes return super easy and in most cases they will pay for return shipping cost. You get a peace of mind when buying from a reputable company like Amazon.
Click here to check the latest price at Amazon.
Specifications
Physical & Performance: |
|
| Unit dimensions, WxHxD: | 4.8″W x 2.9″H x .8″D (12.2 x 7.4 x 2.0 cm) |
| Display size, WxH: | 3.81″W x 2.25″H (9.7 x 5.7 cm); 4.3″ diag (10.9 cm) |
| Display resolution, WxH: | 480 x 272 pixels |
| Display type: | WQVGA color TFT with white backlight |
| Weight: | 6.1 ounces (172.93 g) |
| Battery: | rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Battery life: | up to 4 hours |
| Waterproof: | no |
| High-sensitivity receiver: | yes |
Maps & Memory: |
|
| Basemap: | yes |
| Preloaded street maps: | yes (regional) |
| Includes lifetime map updates: | no |
| Ability to add maps: | yes |
| Built-in memory: | internal solid state |
| Accepts data cards: | SD™ card (not included) |
| Waypoints/favorites/locations: | 1000 |
| Routes: | 0 |
Features: |
|
| Voice prompts (e.g. “Turn right in 500 ft.”): | yes (internal speaker) |
| Speaks street names (e.g. “Turn right ON ELM STREET in 500 ft.”): | no |
| Voice-activated navigation (operate device with spoken commands): | no |
| Lane assist (guides you to the proper lane for navigation): | no |
| trafficTrends™ (calculates routes based on predicted traffic flow): | no |
| myTrends™ (predicts routes based on user’s navigation behavior): | no |
| 3-D building view (displays buildings in 3-D): | no |
| Auto sort multiple destinations (provides most direct route): | no |
| Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation): | yes |
| Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road): | yes |
| Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.): | yes |
| Bluetooth® wireless technology: | no |
| Garmin nüLink! Services: (receive accurate real-time travel information): | no |
| FM traffic compatible: | yes |
| XM® compatible for U.S: | no |
| Speed limit indicator (displays speed limit for most major roads in the U.S. and Europe): | yes |
| Where Am I? (find closest hospitals, police & gas stations, nearest address & intersection): | yes |
| Garmin Locate™ (marks position when removed from windshield mount): | no |
| ecoRoute™ (calculates a more fuel-efficient route) : | yes |
| Qwerty or ABC keyboard (choose keyboard layout): | yes |
| Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest): | yes |
| Garmin Garage™ vehicles compatible (download car-shaped icons to your device): | yes |
| Garmin Garage™ voices compatible (download custom voices to your device): | yes |
| Photo navigation (navigate to geotagged photos): | yes |
| World travel clock, currency & unit converter, calculator: | yes |
| Picture viewer: | yes |
| MP3 player: | no |
| Audio book player: | no |
| FM transmitter: | no |
| Headphone jack/audio line-out: | no |
| Garmin Lock™ (anti-theft feature): | yes |
| Touchscreen: | yes |
| Motorcycle-friendly: | no |
| Trucking-friendly: | no |
| Geocaching-friendly: | no |
| Marine-friendly: | no |
| Additional: | This USB mass storage device is compatible with Windows® XP or newer and Mac® OS X 10.4 or later. |
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