Garmin nuvi 205 3.5" GPS with Voice Prompts (Silver)

Pros: It doesn't connect to bluetooth, it doesn't play mp3's, it JUST has a dbase of maps with the ability to guide you in realtime to a destination. It's all you need to get from A to B.

Cons: battery life; I bought a garmin with similar functionality when they were first coming out. The batteries on that older model lasted 2x as long as this unit. But considering the prive is 1/4 of what I paid for the previous model..I don't care.

Other Thoughts: I wish these manufacturers would start to "get" that consumers sometimes would like to plot a path and UL that to the unit to follow. The POI's are useful, but if I plan a long trip with the family, I want to take my AAA triptik and plot it on the GPS and have the unit follow that. Loading in dozens of POIs to create that path sucks. Such a relatively simple thing to add to a product release..Garmin, please wake up!

Pros: it is easily unerstood how to use it, mounts up easily, had lots of different settings to personalize it GREAT product

Cons: none

Pros: Good signal, small, lightweight, and easy to use.

Cons: re-calculates route at random times and occasionally thinks you're not on a road at all.

Pros: I didn't catch fire.

Cons: Bad navigation. Unit freezes. Slow screen refresh rate.

Other Thoughts: I got the unit and took it on a trip to Houston, TX. Several times, on several different highways, it instructed me to turn left/right onto a roadway that was directly underneath the highway I was driving on. It basically instructed me to drive off the edge of the overpass.

The unit froze on me several times during the one week I stayed in Houston. I had to hold the power button for 10 seconds and wait for it to reboot each time.

Often the unit would show me that I had one block to go before the next turn, even though I had already made the turn. Twice I had to reset the unit because it kept insisting I was one city block away from where I actually was, even if that meant I was diving in a lake. Turning off the unit would not resolve this, each time I was forced to hold the power button for 10 seconds in order to force a reboot.

I returned the unit.

Pros: Lower price, but still a great Garmin, battery life is exceptional if you need it, single usb connection for everything (power, docking, etc), external micro-SD slot for expansion, small and compact on my dash (no big bulk to look around!), customizable features including vehicle types, voice prompts, etc., free first update from Garmin.com

Cons: Only given one FREE update...that is pretty sorry considering if you want to make a customer one that will stay with you, offering free downloads would be a HUGE plus...
Just a tip for Garmin!

Other Thoughts: Newegg is awesome, but I had to get this same day so I bought it elsewhere. However, newegg has everyone's price beat so buy it!

Pros: Just buy one. They are all pretty great...this is my 2nd one to use and its by far better than any map or maps.whatever.com. It saves so much time and hassle.

Cons: doesn't display all the names of the streets that are right next to the street you are on...

Other Thoughts: but it is good about showing you the very next street you are coming up to is.

Pros: Satellite signal strong with fast positional feedback. The map graphics is clear and concise. The display is sharp and bright. The direction announcement is loud and clear. Voice reminders strike a good balance--not annoying. The windshield suction cup is very well designed and sturdy. It is firmly attached to the glass.

Cons: There is a warning message that comes up every time the unit starts to remind the driver not to mess with the GPS control while driving. I wish I don't have to clear this message every time I start my car. I wish there is a way to prevent this message from being displayed.

Other Thoughts: Wonderful basic GPS navigational system. Design and user interface well thought out. This is exactly what I want for a GPS system, and I spent less than $100 for it. Most other GPS systems cost more than $200.

Pros: Voice announces street names, limiting the need to look at screen.

Cons: none

Other Thoughts: Overall a great GPS for the price.

Pros: 1) Newegg delivery and service is outstanding as always (5 eggs).

2) Device does what it promises, is intuititive and accurate for trips made in the mid-west and deep south, including some complicated downtown interchanges (Chicago, Columbus, Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville to name a few). (5-eggs)

3) Loaded with all of the maps I could ever need. (5-eggs)

4) Purchased for a sweet, pre-Christmas price. (5-eggs)

Cons: 1) Take away 1-egg: Points of Interests (POIs) database is not accurate. This is always an issue regardless of which GPS I've purchased. The Garmin is no better nor worse, and I suspect (but don't know for certain) the major manufacturers use the same data set.

*** Note: Always valididate a POI prior to driving by calling the business' phone number listed in the data set. If you use the POI feature often enough you will find a number of businesses that either moved (sometimes years ago) or are out of business given the 2008-2009 economic situation. ***

Other Thoughts: The screen is one of the "small" 3.5" styles, but this is no surprise and acceptable for those on a budget.

I have never had this or any other Garmin lead me astray over the four years I've owned them. The exception, however, is the weak POI data base.

*** Ford has rolled out their Sync system in select 2010 vehicles. This Microsoft based system uses (near) real time POIs and GPS via an internet connection. If this (and other car builder's versions) catches on, companies like Garmin will be deeply impacted. The expense to update their maps software and poor maintenance of their POIs will add to their challenge to satisfy a more educated public. ***

Pros: Easy to read screen. Easy to add favorites. Intuitive name recognition. Free map upgrade upon purchase.

Cons: Doesn't say street names. Doesn't come with home charger cord.