Best Buy Ratings and Reviews

Best Buy Ratings and Reviews

Customer Reviews for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

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Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Model: NUVI205WBL
SKU: 8877619
UPC: 753759079789
Take along this pocket-size portable GPS with up to 1,000 waypoints to lead you wherever you go. With voice prompting and turn-by-turn directions, this GPS will help you find your way when you travel in the continental United States, Hawaii or Puerto Rico.
Average Customer Rating:
4.018 out of 5
4.0
 out of 
5
(54 Reviews) 54
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Snapshot 54 reviews
5 stars
29
4 stars
14
3 stars
1
2 stars
3
1 star
7
80% of customers would recommend this product to a friend 
(
43 out of 54
)
Customer Reviews for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS
Review 1 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Good Value GPS

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: ltmycpa
from Sacramento, California
on 01/26/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
This is a good value product. Not expensive for a GPS, but does what is needed--to get you where you want to be. You get what you pay for and this Garmin model is great a great value for personal use.
What's great about it: Paid less than $95 for product
What's not so great: Don't know yet
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 2 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

I think it is great!

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: goso
from Higginsville, MO
on 01/22/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
I purchased one for my son for Christmas because he is away at college and it is very helpfull for him. I then decided that I would like one too. It is amazing how it knows all the things it does. I like how it recalculates your directions if you have to make an unexpected turn. Great product for a very reasonable price. I would recomend the Garmin 205W for anyone that wants a GPS. It has a large easy to view screen.
What's great about it: It has kept me from getting lost in unknown areas.
What's not so great: The lighter power cord is pretty stiff.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 3 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

cool gps

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: eselRicky
from Sacramento, CA
on 01/22/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
I think it's the best looking gps, and easy to use.
What's great about it: easy to use, read, and follow
What's not so great: battery life, it's good, but would be better if it lasted longer
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 4 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Garmin Rules

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: scotty599
from Kalamazoo MI
on 01/10/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Sometimes have to play with streets like State Roads, SR, M-xx, Hwy-xx, etc. to find accurate address. Once it finds it you're golden. Redirects very quickly if you miss your turn. Love the larger screen, would never buy a small screen again.
What's great about it: Fast and accurate
What's not so great: Doesn't recognize some addresses
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 5 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Solid product

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: Dregg
from Rockfors, Illinois
on 01/10/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
This GPS was a great buy for the price offered by Best Buy. It has a very good feature set and works as advertised. It was easy to setup and is easy to use. My buying experience with Best Buy online was very good.
What's great about it: Very good value for the price
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 6 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

economical gps

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: cam56
from va
on 01/09/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
this was a gift for my son. He seems really happy. He likes the size, easy to see
What's great about it: simplet because has fewer but sufficient features
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 7 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

So easy a luddite can do it!

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: MissMelly
from Houston, Tx
on 01/09/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
I am afraid of anything electronic and was surprised when I received this item as a gift from someone who knows me well. He was right, as it turned out, because I love my GPS and wouldn't leave home without it! It is user-friendly, and I can easily find a specific address or a list of destinations by category. I use Elfred (an elf from the Christmas themes) as my guide, and he keeps me entertained as well as on the right path. I love this elf!
What's great about it: I avoid anything with a cord but I love this.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 8 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Easy & Afordable

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: Sandy22
from Crystal River FL
on 01/09/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
I liked it well enough. It was my first GPS, I carried it on airplane, plugged it in at my destination airport to my rental car and it was easy to set up and get going. However, after using it for a day, I decided it was well worth a few extra dollars to upgrade to Nuvi 255W and I love it. I am a realtor and it is invaluable when I am showing homes. I live in a fairly rural area, tho, and it sometimes incorrect, but overall, I am most satisfied and would recommend the 255W
What's great about it: Great Value For The Price
What's not so great: I upgraded to one that spoke the street names
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 9 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Where's the programing instructions?

Customer Rating
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Posted by: sd1223
from Falls Church, VA
on 01/09/2010
Value for Price
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Durability
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Ease of Use
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Features
1.0 out of 5
1.0
I assume that the Garmin nuvi 205w is a good portible GPS device based on posted reviews, however, I purchased this as a gift, and, no programing instructions were provided. The recipient is not electronic savy, and, the device is not particularly intuitive, so unfortunately, she left on a recent long road trip with map quest pages in hand and WITHOUT the use of a GPS.
I will look on line for help or visit the nearest Best Buy.
This was my first on-line purchase from Best Buy and not a positive one. I likely will think twice before I make a future on-line purchase from Best Buy.
What's great about it: Price and reviews
What's not so great: No programing instructions !!!!!!!!!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 10 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Garmin 205

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: dragracer
from Kansas
on 01/09/2010
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Features
3.0 out of 5
3.0
This is my second GPS, but my first Garmin. For the money it was a good buy (99.00). Its user friendly for the most part, but cant seem to add midway points if you were on a vacation and want to take a detour. Over all the unit has functioned well. I plan on upgrading to a more powerful unit that has live weather etc...
The Garmin is a very good brand and plan to buy another.
What's great about it: Nice display, good features and good price (it was on sale 99.00)
What's not so great: Hard to add midway points if you wanted to plan your own route.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 11 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Great & Simple GPS

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: AMphilly
from Ewing, NJ
on 01/09/2010
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Features
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Wonderful GPS with the necessary features. Easy to use and great screen. Low on features but it does the basics well.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 12 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Great unit - So good I bought one for my SON!

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: Chefboz
from Greenville, SC
on 01/09/2010
great price - Great unit - functional and graphically nice - a lot of good options. - easy mount and a has good battery life
What's great about it: Easy input - great mount - big screen
What's not so great: a little limited, proprietary - expensive to update
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 13 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Great GPS for the 50+ Parents

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: Rozz25
from Atlanta, Ga
on 01/09/2010
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Very nice and sturdy GPS system. Great recommendation
What's great about it: Easy to use and very simple - mom caught on immediately
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 14 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Not recommended for businesses

Customer Rating
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Posted by: Ty75
from Buffalo
on 01/09/2010
Value for Price
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Durability
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Ease of Use
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Features
2.0 out of 5
2.0
No easy way to add 200 adresses. No software for pc.
What's great about it: The small compact size and number of way points
What's not so great: Limited customization ability
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 15 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Never aquired a satellite signal.

Customer Rating
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Posted by: disgruntledgoat
from texas
on 01/01/2010
Value for Price
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Durability
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Ease of Use
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Features
1.0 out of 5
1.0
I bought this gps in a hurry. I was in dire need of a new gps, and I needed to get somewhere fast.
This gps never did pick up a satellite signal.
I am returning it.
What's great about it: Nothing.
What's not so great: It never picks up a satellite signal.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 16 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Great first time GPS

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: cncsparky
from Ks
on 12/04/2009
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
I received this GPS for Christmas 2008. Although I wanted the 255W, this unit does everything I need. The only difference is spoken street names. The 205W seems very accurate and is fun to use on road trips. I've only had one instance of the unit not getting the satellite signal, and it was during a very heavy rainstorm.
NOTE: Be sure to get all the latest updates from Garmin, especially if you are having trouble with satellite reception. Garmin has a very easy wizard that you download onto your PC to update your unit.
What's great about it: Easy to use, Easy updates
What's not so great: Need to keep up on updates for the unit
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 17 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Never again

Customer Rating
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Posted by: xrayfixer
from Oshkosh, WI
on 10/05/2009
Value for Price
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Durability
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Features
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Worked okay out of the box. Easy to figure out and use. Then I tried to update the maps. In a word, disaster! I'll spare you all the details, but allow me to say their tech support might only be good if you have several days to spend on the phone. If they would have spent the cost of 4 hours worth of tech support on the product, they may not need tech support so badly. I'm done with this thing. Back to Best buy for something different.
What's great about it: Worked okay when it worked for a few months
What's not so great: non existent tech support
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 18 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Quick and Strong Satellite Reception

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: tothepoint
from Dallas, TX
on 09/05/2009
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
I have used various other GPS's and Garmin is by far the best in my experience. It very quickly acquires satellites and begins navigation. Intuitive user functions. Suction cup windshield mount very effective. If you have trouble with it coming "unstuck," just make sure the windshield and suction cup are clean and try again.
What's great about it: Easy to use; great satellite reception; quick screen response
What's not so great: changing volume takes 5 steps from map screen
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 19 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Great when it works, but it often doesn't work

Customer Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Posted by: AthenianPhilosopher
from Athens, OH
on 08/04/2009
Value for Price
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Durability
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Features
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Garmin's reputation for ease of use is well-deserved. The unit is very easy to use, not only for me, but for my wife who is not technologically gifted. The main problem is that the unit simply does terribly at tracking satellites. It can sometimes take 5-10 minutes on a clear day, let alone overcast or rain. And it must be on the dashboard of the car; hold it in your hand and it will never track. This means you either sit still and wait for it to track, or you start driving and have the unit sliding around someplace distracting. We thought it was our unit and swapped it out with Garmin, but the replacement is no better. And the bracket that holds the unit onto the support stand has broken after 1.5 years of use. I haven't shopped other brands since, but I certainly would before I got another Garmin.
What's great about it: Very easy to use
What's not so great: Absolutely terrible satellite reception
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
1out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 20 for Garmin nüvi 205W Portable GPS

Can be convenient...when it works properly.

Customer Rating
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Posted by: Kelley9262
from Dandridge, TN
on 06/10/2009
Value for Price
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Features
2.0 out of 5
2.0
I bought this unit because it seemed to be the best thing for the price that I could find with several key features I liked. However, the features seem to be more limited than I had hoped once I started using it.
The reception is terrible, and in many cases, it can take forever to acquire satellites. It is like this in the countryside, and in the city as well, it just never seems to get a good reception, and when it does, it takes a long time to get the reception.
I have also had trouble downloading map updates, unit freezing and so on. When I bought it, I received free map updates for a limited time, but during that time, not one update was really offered. There have been major road changes since I bought the device (and since it was made, for that matter) that still have not been updated on the site. Now, be prepared to pay $70 for a one-time update, or $100 or so (sorry I can't remember the exact amount) for up to 4 a year. If there are updates, they seem to be outdated by the time they are available...at least in ares where I have used the device.
This thing has never really served any real purpose for me. I usually end up using maps and directions the old-fashioned way,
What's great about it: Isn't too bad to use when everything is going smoothly.
What's not so great: Poor reception in many areas, trouble with map updates.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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