Garmin nuvi 200

List Price: $200

The Garmin nuvi 200's trump card is "no muss, no fuss" navigation that's absent the frilly features increasingly offered on even the cheapest navs, but fully loaded with Garmin's trademark accuracy and simple operation.

Key Features
  • 3.5-inch screen
  • JPEG picture viewer
  • World travel clock
  • Pre-loaded maps for 48 states
Pros
  • Accurate navigation
  • Simple operation
Cons
  • Bulky design for such a small, cheap GPS
  • Doesn't have text-to-speech functionality like some of its class

Garmin nuvi 200 Overall

If you're just now considering a GPS purchase, you might have landed on the right review. Although the Garmin nuvi 200 has none of the bells and whistles the newest nav devices offer, it's still a go-to product for being easy to program and a reliable router. Reviewers generally can't find anything bad to say about the littlest nuvi, but do recommend being knowledgeable of what you should expect a device in this price range to have before purchasing one. Even text-to-speech functionality -- or in other words, reading out street names -- is not offered.

Prices for the Garmin nuvi 200 start around $120, but should go over $200. The Garmin nuvi 200W has many of the same features, but on a larger screen. The similar nuvi 270 and 250 models feature transatlantic mapping upgrades.

What the Experts Say:

  • "If your navigation needs are simple and you just want to get a device that will remind you of turns and take you to new destinations, the Nuvi 200 would be a great choice." -- GPSReview.net
  • "The Garmin Nuvi 200 series offers drivers and travelers a more budget-friendly version of the popular portable navigation devices, but we think the price is still slightly high for what you get." -- CNET

  • "I'd written about the highly capable [Garmin StreetPilot] c580 GPS the other day with endless bells and whistles -- not all of them useful. Now I've gotten my hands on the cheap-o Nuvi 200 and I have to say, testing them side by side, they gave nearly identical performances in terms of warning me of turns, locking on satellites, and ease of use. ... I'm in love with how it does the basics." -- Gizmodo

Garmin nuvi 200 Performance

The nuvi 200 might be basic, but it "is a Garmin, and it comes with the navigation trust that a lot of people have come to expect," as GPSLodge  writes. "In my testing the directions were sound, and the routes logical." Others agree the nuvi 200 excels at what it was built for: simple but accurate navigation. Reviewers also note how the device's color sunlight readable screen assists in reliable performance. GPSReview.net says, "The screen is bright! It is brighter than the screen on the 300 series and is visible from a wider viewing angle. ... This is one of the best 3.5" screens I've seen."

Garmin nuvi 200 Ease of Use

"Easy" is a keyword in most Garmin nuvi 200 reviews. Right from its cold start, the nuvi 200 seems transparent in operation. According to GPSLodge, the GPS "greets you with the classic 'Where to?' or 'View Map' Garmin interface that is both easy to understand and easy to use."

Garmin nuvi 200 Design

Even though the Garmin nuvi 200 has an internal antenna and only weighs 5.2 ounces, tech writers like those from CNET say it's "probably a little too bulky to fit into a pants pocket comfortably." However, the 200's light weight does make it easy to transport between cars.

Garmin nuvi 200 Features

Few tech reviewers spent time discussing the Garmin nuvi 200's features, probably because there aren't that many extras offered. Nevertheless, "part of the allure of the Nuvi series is its travel features," as CNET reports and the nuvi 200's include a calculator, world clock and converters for the currency and measurement.

Other GPS Devices to Consider

MSRP: $500 Garmin nuvi 500

The Garmin nuvi 500 Series gets favorable reviews because it can handle any navigation situation you throw its way -- in the car, on a bike, on a trail, even on a boat.

MSRP: $501 Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810

The Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 is a premier device that successfully blends GPS navigation with the Harman Kardon brand's reputation for quality audio and video.

MSRP: $269 Mio Knight Rider GPS

The Knight Rider GPS by Mio is the perfect "Where do you want to go today" device for any 80s TV buff, but practical minded navigators can find more efficient devices to get them from A to B.

MSRP: $500 TomTom GO 920T

According to reviewers, the TomTom GO 920T is not the very best of its class, but it's certainly in the top tier. It sports a stunning design and excellent performance, but its voice command feature could use a little work.