Garmin - Nuvi 200

There is a reason why the Garmin Nuvi 200 is at the top of the list of portable GPS navigation devices. The attraction of this model is that while it is considered to be an entry-level model and it is certainly priced to be so, it contains all the powerful navigational tools that have made the Nuvi series so popular. Though it does not contain some of the fancier features of other top-end Nuvi products, this ideal combination of price and features is working wonders in the public.

Features

The Nuvi 200 may lack some advanced hi-tech features of other GPS devices but contains the very basic, powerful navigational tools. This slim device maintains a 3.5-inch touch-screen with a very easy to use interface and makes it easy even for a novice to get started. The Nuvi 200 comes preloaded with maps of the United States, Hawaii and also Puerto Rico.

Just as all other top end models do, the Nuvi 200 also contains a very large database of points of interest or POIs. These locations are called so because of the frequency with which we look for them almost on an everyday basis. Points of interest include gas stations, hotels and restaurants, ATMS and many other such locations that you might believe would be easy to find. However, you would be surprised at how many times you are unable to find one when you need it. Well, that need not be a worry any more with the device carrying millions of points of interest. Not only that, if you are traveling to some place new and feel that there are not too many points of interest for that area in your device, you can download custom points of interests to make sure that you are well covered.

Using the navigational tools is fairly straightforward. All you have to do is use the touch-screen interface to enter the address of your destination. At times, you may not know the exact address but remember it only through certain landmarks or intersections or near by gas station or hotel. The Nuvi 200 will allow you to enter any of the landmarks that you remember and will automatically chalk out a route for you. Further, to ensure that you do not have to take your eyes off the road to know what street you have to turn into, the device will provide voice guided instructions by calling out the name of the street that you have to turn into.

The Nuvi 200 also comes with many helpful travel tools like a calculator, currency converter and world clock.

While the Nuvi 200 is the absolutely basic model, by paying a little more, you could go for the Nuvi 250 that carries maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Or, you could go up to the Nuvi 270 that carries detailed street maps for entire North America and Europe. However, if most of your travel plans are for within the country then the Nuvi 200 provides some great value for your money.