No more excuses...Nuvi 200 Review

Having used Garmin products in rental cars, I was fairly familiar and comfortable using GPS. I knew that the GPS beat the heck out of Mapquest, guessing or stopping to ask for diretions.

The TomTom v. Garmin debate is a legit one and I found myself falling on the Garmin side, simply based on ease of use. For me, past experience with the Garmin made the choice a no brainer. There are tons of reviews highlighting the positives and negatives for both companies and their products. You should think long and hard about what you need, want and expect from a GPS and then make the decision. For me the below were considerations and if they help you in any way, I'm glad.

Street Names (audio), is not necessary for me. I just need to know when to turn and which direction. The 200 tells me "Left turn in 200 feet" and displays on the map as well as text box that the street name is "Austin". I don't need the computerized voice to botch a name, I can SEE it for myself.

POI, is not that important as I generally know where I am going. I also can figure out where a gas station or fast food restaurant is. It is nice as an option, but for the most part is a bonus feature. Who cares if some of the listings are out of date? Will you REALLY be so sad if a McDonalds wasn't where you expected it to be?

Accuracy, there are some new developments that have streets listed and some that do not. Here again, unless you are in real estate or drive a cab, is information that is not NECESSARY. Having a GPS does not absolve you from having or being able to ask for some directions or some help from actual living and breahing people. I have found that the Garmin is accurate.

Universal usage. In the two weeks that I have owned and used the Nuvi 200, I have been to NYC, Hartford CT, Boston MA, Cape Cod MA, NJ, Philadelphia PA, Albany NY-> Buffalo NY, Detroit MI, MIlwaukee WI and Charlotte NC. I have turned the unit on, waited less than a minute for the aquiring of signal, punched in my destination and been on my way.

WARNING: Almost every hotel I stay in lately has a disclaimer upon checkin regarding GPS and SatRad theft "in the area". In my NYC neighborhood, there have been a rash of thefts too. IF you have suction cup marks on your dash, you are asking for it. IF you have hanging power chords in your car, you are asking for it. Don't be a dummy, pay an extra $20 and get the "portable friction mount" which is a sand/bean bag weighted mount with a gummy underside (so it doesn't slide on your dash). This mount is used by AVIS and other rental companies who don't want their Garmins stolen. There is no visible evidence that you have a GPS if you use this mount. Tuck it away in the console when not in use. There are so many other vehicles that theives will target, make yourself less of one.

I can see how this GPS is going to become habit forming. No more checking or rechecking destination or routes. Just punch in and go. My atlas in the backseat is going to get awful lonely.