Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 154
 Great value for the cost March 9, 2010
G. Goldstein (WA)
One can't be wrong in buying this product.
It works right out of the box, with none of the time consuming web registrations and setups.
Garmin "Hero Maker" 205 March 7, 2010
Eaglesong3 (California)
My wife was skeptical about getting a GPS because we "don't travel that much" which is somewhat true. However, I kept asking and finally got this one as it is a brand I trust and was inexpensive. I couldn't be more pleased with the price / feature set ratio.
The touch screen is fast enough to respond that it's easy to quickly set via points and detours. It's not though and that can be felt with text entry. Not slow by any means but not instant.
The directions were excellent and dragged me around Los Angeles, CA almost as if I knew what I was doing.
Features I like: automatic rerouting is quick; lots of speed, cost, and remaining distance stats available on one easy access screen; directions can be seen in a "google" like format by tapping the top of the screen (this is very helpful in busy cities because you can quickly see when a left turn will be followed shortly by a right and begin merging quickly or start off from an outer left turn lane); easy switch between 3D and 2D maps; speed limit is shown for many roads; with it's extreme portability you can loan it to friends or family if you feel you're the type who doesn't "travel that much."
Features I didn't like: multiple turns in rapid succession are related as "turn left then turn right then turn right" and that gets confusing; navigation sometimes rapidly recalculates when you are approaching a via point (I just mute it until I'm back on my course); no speed limit display in 2D map (I found using the 2D map was easier in the city (where speed limit is important) as you could see the next few turns in street map form whereas you can only see the next turn in 3D mode)
Features I couldn't care less about: fuel cost estimation; eco challenge mode; GPS simulation mode
All in all this is a great item. We found food, shopping, gas, hotels and airports with absolute ease. We felt confident taking an unknown off ramp when the dog needed to potty knowing we would be redirected back onto the freeway regardless of where the off ramp took us. We also knew when we could afford to stop for a quick bite or leg stretch and still not be late due to the constantly updated ETA.
One word of warning is that when it's fresh out of the box and you're playing with it make sure you turn off any avoidances you may have activated. I saw one terrible review for this unit saying it told the person to take every single freeway off ramp they went by. It sounds to me like they had "avoid highways" selected. And if you have "avoid u turns" selected be prepared to be directed around a whole city block if you miss a turn. I chose to keep that on though since I wasn't going to trust the unit to know where U turns were legal or not.
 Great GPS, but nothing's perfect March 7, 2010
Holly Harden (Seattle, WA)
About 1 of every 20 addresses it doesn't recognize (newest areas, I think). It works great, navigates great, recalculates fine when I don't take a directed turn. Really easy to use and read. I like the features, I store addresses in favorites for easy look up and I title them. Viewing the labels of those addresses when viewing the map makes it great for planning routes among locations. The MPH gauge is more accurate than my car's. The estimated arrival time is way off. It doesn't account for stop lights at all. It consistently takes about 1/3 longer for any route than estimated so I just correct for it with a little mental math.
Love my nüvi 205 March 6, 2010
AAA Buying for Results (WI, US)
I would recommend this to anybody, but don't get it Gift Wrapped, it delays the shipping. I waited over two weeks for this GPS and that is unsatisfactory for me, However the product is well made. I have left it in my truck many times overnight and It actually withstands the below zero TEMPs of the Midwest, (NOT RECOMMEND) I will no longer have have any future products gift wrapped, if I need it delivered fast that is.
I Still love Amazon and I guess Sh.t happens... Go for it,the GARMIN Nüvi 205 is easy to use and is a great buy.
Garmin nüvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
GARMIN 010-11230-02 Accessory Travel Pack For Garmin Nuvi 200, 205 and 300 Series
CAR + WALL CHARGER FOR GARMIN 205 265t 260w 255 NUVI GPS
IG2-22A: i.Trek 9" Suction Cup Windshield Mount for Garmin Nuvi 200, 200W, 250, 250W, 260, 260W, 270, 205, 205W, 255, 255W, 265T, 265WT, 275T, 500, 550, 750, 760, 770, 780, 755T, 765T, 775T, 785T, 850, 880, 5000
Very easy to use February 24, 2010
A. Wynn (Oklahoma)
From the moment I took it out of the box and turned it on, I was able to use this GPS system. Of course, I had to figure out how to update the maps and download funny little cars and voices, but they weren't necessary to the initial use. Updating the maps was pretty essential, especially out here in the country, but it wasn't hard at all, and the website walks you through it. One thing: do get the microchip. It doesn't come with it, but it cost me less than $20 for a 4 GB chip. It also didn't come with a USB cable to connect to the PC, but I just happened to have one. If you don't, get one.
I really like the product. For the uninitiated (like me), it's a great entry-level system. I'm sure I'll upgrade to something larger and more expensive later, but for now, this will certainly get me to my optometrist appointment in the city on time! And it's fun, too.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 154
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