Overview The nüvi® 200W is my first GPS device. While it isn't the sexiest unit on the market, it is functional and accurate. I picked up a Magellan Maestro 3200 for a short time before getting the garmin and, while there are some things I miss, I have come to appreciate the nuvi and am very pleased with its interface.
You can read about how I ended up with this device on my GPS for Italy trip writeup. There are some downsides, but if you need a device to get you from point A to point B, the 200w will do it.
Here is a video walkthrough of the device that should give you a good feel for the user interface and for how responsive the unit is.
The 200w goes for $190 - $350 depending on where you look. I picked mine up off of amazon for $220. Additional maps are where they get your money. My Italy/Greece combo map cost me $140 from buy.com.
The price is competitive considering units today (2/19/2008) are going for $150-$500+. Pricing is one of the strongest selling points for this particular unit.
On the Road
Here is how the 200w did in a road test. You'll see some route recalculations and hear the turn-by-turn voice commands.
Pros Here are some of the good things about the Nuvi 200w
the unit is responsive and accurate
the 3d-birds eye view is one of the better implementations of the devices available
competitive price
supports international maps
small and portable form factor
Cons The 200w has some major problems, but, for the price they may be overlooked.
acquiring the GPS signal for the 1st time takes forever
interface isn't the 'slickest' on the market
POIs are small and difficult to click on
Summary
In summary, the 200w was an acceptable travel companion. It was the cheapest GPS to allow international maps and that met my needs. The usefulness back here at home is questionable due to the signal acquisition issue. The screen is very good, the maps are correct and the price is a steal.
If you are looking at entry level, give the 200w a look before you make your decision.
