« GPSmagazine's Top Posts, 2008 | Main | Economy be Damned! CES 2009 Starts Tomorrow, and I'll Be There »


January 1, 2009

Garmin nuvi 200 Review

Own this GPS? Rate It Now!
GPSmagazine Rating: 2.5 of 5
Buy this GPS from Amazon

Everything That's Included in the Box
Figure 2: Everything That's Included in the Box

The nüvi 200 includes the following items in the box:

  • Garmin nüvi 200
  • Preloaded City Navigator North America NT (lower 48 states plus Hawaii and Puerto Rico)
  • 12v Power Adapter
  • Vehicle suction cup mount + Cradle
  • Dashboard disc
  • Quick start manual

Garmin nüvi 200, Front
Figure 3: Garmin nüvi 200, Front

The nüvi 200 feels solid and well built. It fits nicely in the palm of your hand, and matt plastic case doesn't pickup fingerprints too easily.

Except for the power switch on the top of the case, there are no physical controls to speak of. All controls are performed via the 3.5-inch color touch screen.

Garmin nüvi 200, Left Side
Figure 4: Garmin nüvi 200, Left Side

Measuring 0.8" thick, the nüvi 200 is thin enough to slip into a shirt pocket or jacket. An SD memory card slot is located on the left side of the device.

Note: no memory cards are needed to operate the nüvi 200. It comes pre-loaded with maps of the U.S. (lower 48 states plus Hawaii and Puerto Rico). Additional maps can be purchased and installed via the memory card slot.

Garmin nüvi 200, Back
Figure 5: Garmin nüvi 200, Back

The loudspeaker and USB connector are located on the back of the 200.

The included 12v power adapter connects to the USB port. A standard USB data cable (not included), can also be used to connect the nüvi 200 to a Mac or PC to transfer data or update the firmware.

A USB cable is included with Garmin's more expensive GPS units, but isn't included with the nüvi 200.

The internal GPS antenna is located underneath the Garmin logo.

Garmin nüvi 200, Top
Figure 6: Garmin nüvi 200, Top

The power key is located on the top of the nüvi 200. Sliding the power switch to the left turns the unit on or off. Sliding the switch to the right locks the screen.

 

Garmin nüvi 200, Bottom
Figure 7: Garmin nüvi 200, Bottom

Suction-Cup Mount
Figure 8: Suction-Cup Mount

The nüvi 200 attaches to your vehicle's windshield using a suction-cup mount and cradle. The cradle snaps onto the end of the mount, forming a ball and socket joint that can easily be rotated into the desired viewing angle.

The cradle has a socket in the rear that snaps onto the ball of the suction cup mount. Connecting the cradle to the mount is simply a matter of pressing firmly on the mount until the ball snaps into the socket on the cradle. To remove the cradle, simply twist the cradle to the right or left until it snaps off the mount.

Suction-Cup Mount & Cradle
Figure 9: Suction-Cup Mount & Cradle

This ball-and-socket style mount is easy to use, holds up well against normal wear and tear, and keeps the GPS firmly in place while driving.

nüvi 200, Docked
Figure 10: nüvi 200, Docked

Garmin's mounting hardware is excellent. The windshield mount holds the nüvi firmly in place and vibration-free when driving. The ball-and-socket joint on the windshield mount makes it easy to adjust the nüvi's viewing angle with one hand, and without having to turn any knobs or slip any levers.

However, unlike the nüvi 7x5 windshield mounts, the nüvi 200's mount isn't powered. That means you have to connect the power cable to the mini-USB plug on the back of the nüvi every time you mount the 200 in the car. Not a huge deal, but a differentiater between the budget-friendly nüvi 200 and the more expensive 7x5 series.

12v Power Adapter
Figure 11: 12v Power Adapter

The included 12v power adapter connects to your vehicle's cigarette lighter.

Most Popular Reviews

GPSmagazine 2009 Back To School Buyer's Guide