19. Pros

• Unparalleled ease of use
• New internal antenna makes for an overall slimmer GPS, and no longer requires the fold-out style antenna used on previous nuvi units (there's also fewer moving parts to break)
• Garmin is a mature company and everything here just works the way it's supposed to. No unpleasant surprises, or buggy code. Software feels well tested and thoughtfully implemented
• Improved 3D angle on map screen over previous nuvi's - easier to see where to turn
• High performance GPS receiver
• Excellent windshield mount
• Hardware feels more rugged than previous Garmin nuvi's
• Slightly updated map screen maintains nuvi's ease of use, but adds some nice refinements (i.e. slight bevel effect on the arrival time and next turn indicators)
• Same large POI database as more expensive nuvi 300/600 series units
• Same NAVTEQ powered mapping data as more expensive nuvi 300/600 series units
• Same excellent routing engine as other Garmin nuvi/StreetPilot units
• Ability to see a list of all maneuvers (Turn List) before you start driving
• Updated documentation is less verbose, easier to understand than previous Garmin manuals
• Mapping data is stored in memory rather than a hard disk, making the unit very lightweight and less susceptible to hard disk failure or damage from dropping
• Fast boot/shutdown times
• Overall zippy and responsive to use
• Respectable battery life (5 hours)
• Ability to route to lat/long coordinates

20. Cons

• Expensive
• No text-to-speech
• Garmin's maps are getting long in the tooth; the current shipping maps (although still better than TomTom's maps) are several years old, and in need of an update. Garmin will release updated maps soon, but there won't be a free upgrade for customers who buy now. Expect to pay around $100 for the updated maps
• Sometimes the nuvi waits too long to reroute if you miss a turn - this is especially annoying at complex intersections
• Route simulation mode only operates at 1x speed; no way to accelerate the simulator
• POI's not as complete as Magellan's POI database
• Only supports a single waypoint, or stop, along a route. No real multi-destination support
• Screen slightly less bright compared to other nuvi's
• Same price as the nuvi 350, but the 250 lacks text-to-speech, and cannot use a traffic receiver

21. Conclusion

Unlike the nuvi 300 and 600-series nuvi's, the 200 series lacks Bluetooth, text-to-speech, traffic data, an mp3 player, travel guide features, or headphone jack. The nuvi 200's are geared purely at navigation, and don't include travel guides or extra features found on the higher end nuvi's.

The biggest problem with the nuvi 250 is the price. With an average street price of around $300, the 250 is just $70 less than the much more feature-rich nuvi 350, which sells for around $370. The higher-end nuvi 350 has a brighter screen, text-to-speech, is traffic upgradeable, and includes the various travel-related nuvi features (conversion utility, language guides, etc.).

Another price issue is that the Garmin nuvi 250W, the widescreen version of the 250 sells for just $20 more than the 250. You'd be hard pressed convincing me that the wider screen isn't worth $20 more.

If you're in the market for an easy-to-use GPS and don't need text-to-speech (TTS is a feature that lets the GPS speak actual street names instead of general turn instructions like "Turn Left") or Bluetooth, and don't want a wide-screen unit, then the 250 fits the bill. My own recommendation is to spend the extra $70 or so, and pickup the Garmin nuvi 350 instead. Or at least get the 250W for $20 more.