Garmin Nuvi 200

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CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 59 reviews
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Product summary

The good: The Garmin Nuvi 200 boasts a compact design and is easy to use. It offers accurate directions and some nice tools for the traveler.

The bad The bad: Though the Nuvi 200 is more affordable than other models in the series, we wish the price was slightly lower based on the included feature set.

The bottom line: 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.

Specifications: Destination: Automotive; Weight: 5.2 oz; Audible assistance: Navigation instructions; See full specs

Price range: $132.95 - $419.85

See all products in the Garmin Nuvi 200 series

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Bonnie Cha
Reviewed on: 05/23/2007
Released on: 05/16/2007

The Garmin Nuvi series of GPS devices enjoys a fair number of fans. The Nuvi 660 and the Nuvi 350 have earned an average of 7.5 and 8.6 user ratings, respectively. And it's not hard to see why. These ultraportable gadgets not only serve as navigation aids but also offer travel-friendly features, such as travel guides and foreign language dictionaries--all while delivering solid performance and ease of use. However, we've always winced at the jaw-dropping price tags.

Well, it seems Garmin heard our cries, as the company has released a new family of Nuvi devices that are more wallet-friendly. The Garmin Nuvi 200 series includes three models: the Nuvi 200 ($428.56) with preloaded maps of the United States and Puerto Rico; the Nuvi 250 ($482.16), which adds maps of Canada; and the Nuvi 270 ($599.99), which comes preinstalled with maps of the United States, Canada, and more than 30 European countries. For our review, we took a look at the Nuvi 200. This entry-level model boasts an even sleeker design and continues to deliver the same intuitive interface and accurate directions. It strips out some of the more advanced travel and multimedia tools to cut costs, but even so, we wish the price was slightly lower--more in the $300 range. Still, with a little shopping around, you can probably find a deal and for the money, you'll get a solid portable navigation system.

Design
At 3.8 inches wide by 2.8 inches high by 0.8 inch deep and 5.2 ounces, the Garmin Nuvi 200 isn't that much bigger than today's latest smart phones or PDAs; in other words, it's pretty compact. It helps that the GPS antenna is now integrated into the device, unlike older Nuvi models like the Garmin Nuvi 350, which had a flip-up antenna. And while the Nuvi 200 is probably a little too bulky to fit into a pants pocket comfortably, you'll have no problem carrying it in a bag, using it on foot, or transporting it between vehicles.

The Garmin Nuvi 200 is small enough to use on foot and can easily be thrown into a suitcase for use during your travels.

A 3.5-inch (diagonal) QVGA touch screen dominates the face of the Nuvi 200. The display itself is bright and sharp with a 320x240 pixel resolution and features an antiglare coating. Unlike the Mio C220, we had absolutely no problems viewing the Nuvi's display in various lighting conditions, including bright sunlight.

Aside from a power/lock slider switch on top of the device, there are no other external controls, so all commands are registered via the responsive touch screen. While we like the minimalist design, we think a volume dial on the side would've been nice. There is an SD card expansion slot on the left side, and the speaker and power connector/mini USB port are on the back.

The Nuvi 200 comes with a number of accessories, including an easy-to-install and secure vehicle mount.

See more CNET content tagged:: Garmin Nuvi,; Garmin,; Puerto Rico,; Canada,; vehicle

User reviews

Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 59 reviews
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Showing 3 of 59 user reviewsSee all 59 user reviews
4.0 stars

36 out of 36 people found this review helpful

"Excellent product, but there are oversights . . ."

by abmcgoey on October 15, 2007

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4.5 stars

19 out of 19 people found this review helpful

"A great GPS unit for first time buyers"

by randalynadams on June 23, 2007

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4.5 stars

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

"Excellent entry level GPS"

by nedsg on July 4, 2007

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Garmin Nuvi 200

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