Ok..now I feel morally obliged to offer my review after reading so many other reviews to base my buying decision. The inner voice kept asking me to post a review even though it is boring like mowing somebody elses lawn.
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br /I have used nuvi 205 couple of times and find it really well designed. Garmin has tweaked the screen-interface and I must say that it really works in favour of the users.
br /Users care less about mp3 and other cosmetic stuff provided in nuvi 350. All we care about is a smart GPS that guides us through the best route. 205 has all those ingredients!!
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br /Nuvi 205 does not have spoken street names but it does have voice guidance that says something like " turn right in next 1 mile". Users who typically find guidance through one of those green-freeway-signs are smart enough to figure the street name. Moreover, the street name is right on top of the screen. In my view, it is a waste of $$ to pay 100 bucks more for just yelling street names when it is right in front of you. Satellite acquisition and Route recalculation also seemed to have improved a bit. I have not used the traffic support and POI to offer any good comments. One little feature I find cool is the speed limit mentioned on the screen. This way user doesnt have to be on lookout for signs showing the limit. Of course, this is of little use to people who drive in left lane @ 70...
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br /And for those of you who think that GPS should offer more..205 does have photo navigation, customized car-shaped icons, world travel clock, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator.....I wouldnt really give big grades for having them..
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br /Hope that this review helps users..to navigate to the best GPS!!

br /The Garmin nüvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator is one of several updated models in the 200 series. It's funny to admit this, but using some of the higher end versions has actually made me like this model more. Sure, this doesn't have the 4.3 inch widescreen of the 600 series, or the W models like the Garmin nuvi 205W and Garmin Nuvi 255W. And it doesn't give you Bluetooth like the 600 series and others. But what it does give you is a GPS unit that covers the basics very well, is very affordable, and has been updated with a LOT more features than entry level models from the competition. So if you need a starter GPS, this is probably the daddy of them all right now.
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br /Pros:
br /+ Great performing unit for a starter GPS unit
br /+ Comes with all the things you need, GPS, window mount and car power adapter
br /+ Updated Garmin features including HotFix to speed up satellite acquisition
br /+ Included compatibility with MSND traffic service (though not great in all areas)
br /+ Improved pedestrian mode
br /+ Improved interface with slick look and feel
br /+ Cool extras like photo navigation and cool web features
br /+ Nice pricing
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br /Cons:
br /- Still some software issues to be worked out with updates
br /- 3D view still needs some work
br /- Not the least expensive starter unit on the market
br /- Garmin still overcharges for map updates
br /- Traffic services not great in all areas
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br /Pros
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br /The updated interface is very nice, though many of the changes are subtle in terms of functionality. The look and feel are definitely slicker, but there are also extra directional markers. In order to really access all the extra info, you have to change your settings to display "most detail." Either way, those who've used the 200 will definitely notice the improvements.
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br /The main complaint that all GPS units have to overcome is the dreaded delay in finding satellites. All models and all brands have this issue to one degree or another. Now with the Hotfix, the 205 and other updated models do find satellites a little faster than before. You will still have issues locating satellites indoors, but under standard use outdoors you will see it find satellites faster.
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br /The other feature that is aided by the update is pedestrian mode. This feature is not used too often. In fact, it's somewhat hard to find in the menu settings. But the problem that was often encountered with the older generation of products was that in cities like NY with tall skyscrapers, it was very hard to find and hold a signal long enough to use pedestrian mode. Now, it can still take a while but is noticeably faster and more reliable.
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br /Some of the newer Garmin features like photo navigation and send custom location info to your GPS unit are really slick. You can go to the Garmin website to access these things and more. Still, those are all true extras. You don't need those things to enjoy the main function of this guy, which is to give you directions via GPS navigation.
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br /You will also need to consider accessories such as the Garmin Portable Friction Dashboard Mount for Nüvi Series. The included window mounting suction cup may not be enough for your needs.
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br /Cons
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br /There are some things you should know about the MSN Traffic Service. For some people, this is going to be a great service. For others, not so much. Garmin should be given extra points for integrating the functionality. This service has been offered with other models for a while I'm very familiar with it. The shortcomings are not totally the fault of Garmin. The bottom line is that the MSN traffic data may be stale depending on where you live. You need current data to reroute around rush hour jams or accidents. It's not ready for prime-time everywhere yet. And when the service improves, believe me I plan to use it full time.
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br /The 3D terrain maps are the result of people clamoring for altitude data. Well, the data is now there, though it seems somewhat limited. These 3D maps are not very useful and it is difficult to display the information without zooming out to distances that are not ideal.
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br /Certainly, Garmin isn't the low cost provider when it comes starter units, updated maps and POIs. But those cons are all minor. Overall, this is a nice improvement and a great starter unit.
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br /Conclusion
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br /If you are looking for an upgrade for your Garmin nüvi 200 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator, you are probably going to want to step up to the Garmin nüvi 660 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator or better. If you need a starter unit for yourself or as a gift, the 205 definitely needs to be on your list of models to consider.
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br /Enjoy.
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I had to give the Nuvi 205 a 5-star rating because it's better than the Nuvi 200, which has an average of 4.5 stars at Amazon. All in all, I'm glad I got the 205 vs. the 200. Not in any order are the following improvements I appreciated most:
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br /The faster screen refresh is noticeable. There's a YouTube video where the 205 is compared with the 200. You can see a huge difference.
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br /The redesigned display is more intuitive with arrows vs. "left"/"right". Personally, I think the screen design looks better, too.
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br /The ability to import addresses on the computer from Google map is very nice since entering the address via the touchscreen is a bit cumbersome.
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br /BTW, the documentation is very, very light. There was no mention of how to use the map importation feature so I appreciated the Amazon product page including the link to download the plug-in. Also, I didn't know I could download more vehicles till I dug around the Garmin website.
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br /About text-to-speech, which this unit does NOT have, I don't think I'm going to miss it. Usually I have the radio or iPod blaring, and my car is pretty noisy anyway, so it would be hard to hear the street names called out. In fact, I keep the volume down and rely on the very intuitive display. You clearly see the upcoming street name to turn on and even if there are a bunch of streets bunched up together, the main map would show them all and it would be easy to differentiate the one you want.

Very good product. Very good idea. This is my first and it was quite an experience. Before GPS I would go camping and to find the nearest store to buy groceries I would go street by street. Now I press "shopping" in the GPS and find dozens to choose from including name and distance. After that it takes me there turn by turn.
br /In particular this GPS was very good, but if you can afford the ones that give you the street name, go for it instead.

I owned Nuvi 200 in the past. I had to part with it rather unexpectedly, and Nuvi 205 was the replacement I got for it.
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br /It exceeded my expectations.
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br /First on its predecessor Nuvi 200. A very good unit. Found directions well, had 95% accurate map, useful features and good layout to use them.
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br /Nuvi 205 kept most pluses and expanded features.
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br /Graphical interface was refreshed and looks smoother than its predecessor. Nuvi 200 was well laid out, this just puts it in a better wrapper.
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br /It comes with NT2009 maps - newest maps! if you buy nuvi200 now, it may come with 2008, 2007. You'd need to register it and HOPE you get a free map update.
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br /When you zoom out on a map now you will see all your saved locations! this is great, and was not available in nuvi 200.
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br /I particularly like the "where am I", which shows where you are, your grid coordinates, closest address and intersection.
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br /They added a tracker, so you can see what roads you traveled down.
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br /I tried it on foot, and it was ok. Compass was hard to read and I went to reading the sun to figure out which was is North, but using the tracker I was able to approximate how far I went into the woods, where return trail and how far am I away from it.
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br /The only two degrades from nuvi 200 was the favorites. It now has two extra clicks to go through to get to them. When its rerouting instead of explicitly writing "rerouting" it shows nothing, which can be misguiding.
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br /I would recommend it as a good GPS to people in US. for foreign service it does not have the maps and you may consider a different model that does.

My family and I visited New Orleans for the first time. We had just bought the GPS and are ecstatic. Don't know how we could ever have vacationed without it. We have bought 3 more for our extended family.

I decided that I wanted a GPS for my car. Mainly because I had seen a friend use her TomTom to find a place to eat. That was something I didn't know they did.
br /Usually I am a major researcher. I research everything from cars to coffee pots before they are purchased. (let not even talk about the length of time it took to purchase a house and looking at upwards of 5+ a day!)
br /But my husband and I went to Best Buy to get a new TV. I let him do his thing and traveled the store playing with the newest gadgets when I came up to the GPS counter. I started playing with them seeing which would do what. So fun! When a sales man came over I ask to borrow his computer to get on the company website and read reviews, he laughed but allowed it. All 3 units I was looking had had a 4.0 rating or higher. So back to the devices I went.
br /My husband came over as he hadn't seen me in an hour, I told him I was going to get one of them but wasn't sure which. So he started messing with them also. We finally came to the agreement on the Garmin nuvi 205 only because he said he wanted one for his truck also and since they had different colors He wanted black and I got red.
br /After placing them in our vehicles, learning them was a snap. There are directions but I found I didn't even need them. Setting up took no time at all for it to connect and locate me.
br /I am going to get my boss one for Christmas as he goes places all the time and carries map books. He also knows nothing beyond checking email on a computer but I am sure that he will have no problem with this little gem!

Due to some issues with my internal navigation system, I came to the realization in order to maintain my sanity, I really needed to invest in a GPS. I wanted to keep the cost down, but wanted also to get allot of bang for the buck. After completing the research, it was clear that the Nuvi 205 was the way to go. From opening up the box and turning it on, I found it incredibly easy to use! I have tried to use it for places that I know where I am going and how to get there and have found that there were very few times that it didn't follow the same route I would have taken. It is not perfect, but does a good job for sure. If you need to hear the street names be read to you for turning, you need another model because this one won't do that. It will however tell you when a turn is coming up and tell you to "turn right/left here". If you are unsure about a turn, the GPS also displays the road name and distance before turn on the screen making the whole thing pretty easy to follow. All of this said, it is not a perfect system. There have been times when I knew where I was going and in testing the GPS it took me a route that was longer distance and time then I needed to take. The other thing I have found is that the announcement to turn does come up on you pretty quick, but as I said before, if you look at the display, it sets you straight. All in all I am very happy with my purchase. In fact I have talked it up to a few people and some of them are now going to purchase the Nuvi 205 for themselves. For what I spent vs. what I got, it was well worth the investment!

Great product, very easy to use. Requires downloading the update before use, takes 5 mins or less. Comes with eveything you need in the box.

Garmin nuvi 205 3.5 " GPS
br /What a great tool and great value! This is a great basic system that met all of our needs. If all you are looking for is a GPS to keep your eyes on the road and out of a map while keeping the cost low...this is your baby.

We purchased this product at a much lower ($30.00 less) price than anywhere else we shopped. We received it 2 days after purchase and use it for every expedition outside our normal driving area. While I've always enjoyed getting "a little lost" it's great to know that I can't get "too" lost.
br /Thanks

This is the only GPS system I've ever owned. The teenage girl at Circuit City showed me how to use it in the store in about 8 minutes. You won't even need the manual. You'll wonder how you got along without one of these. I'm not sure what features you get with more expensive units, but I have yet to want a feature that this unit doesn't have.

Excellent product, got it on sale, which is a must. Improved screen layout than the nuvi 200. Doesn't say street names, but they can be easily read off the screen. Tells you on which side your destination is when you arrive.

Slow response and poor quality of communication.
br /Product was not delivered on time and package lost. I had to negotiate with UPS to find the lost package by myself.
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