- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 74 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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22 out of 22 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"A great GPS unit for first time buyers"
Pros: Compact size, quickly recalculates routes, lots of POIs
Cons: Doesn't come with wall charger or carrying case
Summary: All I wanted was a basic, no-frills, affordable GPS unit. I've searched stores, the internet, and CNet looking for one that would fit my needs. At first, Tom Tom One seemed a viable solution; it's cheap, basic, and has that nice compact size quality I look for in all my gadgets. It received fairly good reviews on CNet, but I could not get over the cons I kept reading. I wanted a Garmin brand because it seemed more reliable, but I could not get over the price. I don't need to look at pictures on it or listen to mp3s (I already have an 80g iPod). All the extras were things that wasn't important to me. A calculator? Currency converter?? I saw it as lame add-ons with the sole purpose of jacking up the price. Then I saw the Nuvi 200. The most basic of basic Garmin GPS units. I kept dragging my feet on purchasing one because I was afraid I'd make the wrong choice and regret it. Last week, I received as a gift from a friend. I'm very happy with it. It's small, sleek, with a bright screen. The vehicle mount is tiny, but the suction cup is extremely strong and it definitely holds it in place. I've been using it for fun so far just to see how it works. Granted, there are a few flaws with it. For starters, my Garmin doesn't always pick the most efficient route. While driving to the airport, it kept insisting I take interstate when the expressway I was on would've taken me there in almost half the time. On my way back home from dinner, it wanted me to pretty much drive around town to get back to my apartment when the road I was already on would get me home with two quick left turns. Also, there are no external controls except for the on/off/hold switch, so if you need to change the volume, you'll have to go through a few screenshots. My biggest complaint is that the keyboard is arranged alphabetically instead of QWERTY. I don't understand why'd they do that.. Lastly, it doesn't come with add-ons you'd think would be included such as a wall AC adaptor, a USB cable for your computer, and a case. All that was included in the package was the unit itself, the vehicle mount, and DC adaptor. However, it's an acurrate device and is exactly what i was looking for in a GPS device. It's perfect for a first-time GPS user. It's ready to go out of the box; no need to install anything, just turn it on and go. It's the perfect size for tossing into my purse when I leave my car. It has an auto-complete function when entering street names which is cool for when you're spelling out a long name. I personally love the way it quickly recalculates routes for when you miss a turn. All in all, a great gadget for your car.
Where to buy
Garmin Nuvi 200:
$119.99 - $190.85
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$119.99 | Yes |
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Flash-Memory-Store.com
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$190.85 | No |
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