Garmin nuvi 200 review

The Garmin nuvi 200 is Garmin's entry level device in their incredibly popular nuvi series of GPS navigators. The slim nuvi 200 has preloaded maps of the 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. It sports a 3.5 inch touch-screen display and, as with other nuvis, the 200 series includes voice-prompted directions, picture viewer, calculator, currency converter, unit converter and world clock. The Garmin Lock security feature is provided as well.

UPDATE: A new model, the nuvi 205, offers these features and more, and has occasionally been selling for a little less than the nuvi 200.

Stepping up to the nuvi 250 adds Alaska and Canada to the map set, while the nuvi 260 adds one more feature -- the ability to call out upcoming street names. This is also known as text-to-speech, giving you "turn left on Highway One in 500 feet" rather than "turn left in 500 feet."

Compare prices on the Garmin nuvi 200

The nuvi 270 has maps of more than 30 European countries, in addition to the North American maps.  Meanwhile, the Garmin nuvi 200W has the exact same feature set as the nuvi 200, albeit with a wider 4.3" screen.

A newer model, the nuvi 205, adds text-to-speech and a range of new features to the nuvi 200.

To compare other nuvi models, check out our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

More Garmin nuvi 200 reviews

• Gizmodo has posted the first Garmin nuvi 200 review, calling it bare bones, fast, capable and highly recommended.
• Numerous consumer-written Garmin nuvi 200 reviews have been posted at GPSNow.
• Dozens of user-written Garmin nuvi 200 reviews have been also posted at Amazon.
• GPS Magazine has posted a detailed review of the nuvi 200.
• User-authored nuvi 200 reviews are also being posted at CNet, where the editors give it a 7.7 out of 10 rating.
• Consumer Reports reviews the Garmin nuvi 200.
• The GPS Guy has posted a Garmin nuvi 200 review, rating it 4.6 out of 5.0.
• Tech Talk reviews the Garmin nuvi 200.
• Here's a brief Garmin nuvi 200 review from IT Business.
• Another brief review of the nuvi 200.
• Tech Review calls the Garmin nuvi 200 a good value.
• A video review of the Garmin nuvi 200:

I'll be posting more hands on reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some...

Other Garmin nuvi 200 resources

• A PDF version of the Garmin nuvi 250W owners manual.
• Here is a Garmin nuvi 200 mini-site.
• Confused about so many models of GPS receivers? Try this Garmin auto GPS comparison tool or check out our own Garmin nuvi comparison chart.
• There is a dedicated Garmin nuvi message forum at GpsPasSion.
• A Garmin nuvi 200 demo from Garmin.

Compare prices on the Garmin nuvi 200 at these merchants

• Check the current Garmin nuvi 200 price at Amazon.
• Find a great deal on the Garmin nuvi 200 Portable Automotive GPS System with United States Maps at TigerGPS, where you get free shipping on orders above $250.
• Get the Garmin nuvi 200 for an amazing price on eBay.
• Check out our GPS deals site for current specials and rebates on a wide range of GPS receivers
• Scroll down for more live price comparisons

From the official Garmin nuvi 200 web page:

Navigate without breaking your budget with nüvi® 200. This affordable entry-level Personal Travel Assistant comes with preloaded maps for the continental U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico or regional coverage in other areas. For even more mapping options, nüvi 250 features preloaded maps for all of North America or Europe, while the transatlantic nüvi 270 includes preloaded maps for both continents. Like all nuvi 200-series members, the 200 features an easy-to-use colorful touchscreen and ultra-slim design — perfect for everyday navigation.

Navigate With Ease

nüvi 200 comes preloaded with City Navigator® NT map data for the continental U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico (no Alaska or Canada detail) or one European region or country (click versions tab to view all). Simply touch the color sunlight-readable screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. In addition, nüvi 200 accepts custom points of interest (POIs) such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.

Go Beyond Navigation

Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 200 features many travel tools, including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. It also comes with Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map. Optional plug-in SD cards for our line of Garmin Travel Guides™ and Garmin SaversGuide™ provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize nüvi for your travel needs.

nüvi 200: It's a whole nü way to travel.                   

Please note: Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.

Garmin part number: 010-00621-10

    Suggested Retail Price:
    $428.56 U.S.D. (for domestic US market only)    

Expected Availability:

2nd Quarter 2007         

nüvi 200 Features:

• Receiver: high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS receiver
• Display: 2.8"W x 2.1"H (7.2 x 5.4 cm); 3.5 diag (8.9 cm), 320 x 240 pixels; QVGA color antiglare TFT with white backlight
• Unit dimensions: 3.8"W x 2.8"H x .8"D (9.7 x 7.1 x 2 cm)
• Weight: 5.2 ounces (147.42 g)
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, up to 5 hours of battery life depending on use
• Includes Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature
• Fingertip touchscreen interface
• Look up addresses and points of interest
• Choose 2D or 3D maps
• Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cameras with POI Loader
• Built in Travel Kit includes picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters, calculator and more
• SD card slot
• USB interface for loading data

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