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Product details
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Product Description
Manufacturer's Description
Simple, safe, portable and affordable with optional traffic re-routing, the nüvi 205W is your personal travel assistant for life on the go. This simple, safety-minded navigator leads the way with turn-by-turn directions, lifetime traffic avoidance and a unique, advanced safety camera warning system to get you there on time and keep you safe on the road. Packed with up to millions of points of interest (POIs) and maps for the UK and Ireland, the 205W is compact, versatile and easy to use.
Simplicity and safety
Nüvi 205W comes preloaded with City Navigator® NT map data for the UK and Ireland. Simply touch the colour screen, key in your destination and nüvi takes you there with turn-by-turn spoken directions, 2-D or 3-D mapping and smooth map redraw rates. Digital elevation maps show shaded contours for an understanding of the surrounding terrain. In addition, nüvi 205W accepts custom points of interest such as traffic blackspots and post offices and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. With HotFix™ satellite prediction, Garmin calculates your position faster to get you there quicker.
'Where Am I?' gives you details about your location in a flash. Simply tap the car icon for your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, nearest address, contact details for your vehicle rescue service and directions to the closest hospital, police or petrol station.
Nüvi 205W’s advanced Cyclops safety camera database helps you travel with the confidence you are driving safely, responsibly and legally. As you approach one of hundreds of fixed, mobile and temporary safety cameras, variable limit or red light speed cameras across Europe, it gives an audible alert, overspeed warning and speed limit information. nüvi 205W also comes with Garmin Lock™, an inventive anti-theft protection system that uses GPS to lock to a secure location of your choice.
Traffic avoidance
The nüvi 205WT model adds lifetime traffic alerts to provide dependable delay information and keep you aware of jams, accidents and roadworks on your route. These alerts are informed by real-time data from reliable sources including the Highways Agency, police traffic control centres and more than 8000 traffic flow cameras and sensors on motorways and trunk roads across England, Wales and Scotland. This service is broadcast over a national network of FM radio stations to ensure an excellent reception.
Traffic-enabled Garmins come with free lifetime traffic alerts in the UK. Garmin’s distinctive live traffic services use real cameras located every two miles along every major route to deliver 5.75 million congestion alerts every year. The traffic signal is transmitted through the automotive power lead and requires zero set up; simply plug and play.
Simplicity and safety
Nüvi 205W comes preloaded with City Navigator® NT map data for the UK and Ireland. Simply touch the colour screen, key in your destination and nüvi takes you there with turn-by-turn spoken directions, 2-D or 3-D mapping and smooth map redraw rates. Digital elevation maps show shaded contours for an understanding of the surrounding terrain. In addition, nüvi 205W accepts custom points of interest such as traffic blackspots and post offices and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. With HotFix™ satellite prediction, Garmin calculates your position faster to get you there quicker.
'Where Am I?' gives you details about your location in a flash. Simply tap the car icon for your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, nearest address, contact details for your vehicle rescue service and directions to the closest hospital, police or petrol station.
Nüvi 205W’s advanced Cyclops safety camera database helps you travel with the confidence you are driving safely, responsibly and legally. As you approach one of hundreds of fixed, mobile and temporary safety cameras, variable limit or red light speed cameras across Europe, it gives an audible alert, overspeed warning and speed limit information. nüvi 205W also comes with Garmin Lock™, an inventive anti-theft protection system that uses GPS to lock to a secure location of your choice.
Traffic avoidance
The nüvi 205WT model adds lifetime traffic alerts to provide dependable delay information and keep you aware of jams, accidents and roadworks on your route. These alerts are informed by real-time data from reliable sources including the Highways Agency, police traffic control centres and more than 8000 traffic flow cameras and sensors on motorways and trunk roads across England, Wales and Scotland. This service is broadcast over a national network of FM radio stations to ensure an excellent reception.
Traffic-enabled Garmins come with free lifetime traffic alerts in the UK. Garmin’s distinctive live traffic services use real cameras located every two miles along every major route to deliver 5.75 million congestion alerts every year. The traffic signal is transmitted through the automotive power lead and requires zero set up; simply plug and play.
Your traffic is always a toggle away. Just flick between your navigation screen and congestion delay information, reassured you will be guided safely to your destination. nüvi 205WT’s versatile navigation works with the traffic alerts to report on the tailbacks and suggest a better route around the delay.
Enhanced navigation
Nüvi 205W comes with photo navigation to revolutionise your sightseeing. Plan trips to landmarks and attractions simply and easily before you set off. Choose and save location-tagged photographs from millions of Google Panoramio pictures in a wish-list of places to visit. Then, at your leisure, select a photo destination on your Garmin for turn-by-turn directions straight to the scene.
Other built-in travel tools include a JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, a currency and measurement converter, calculator and more.
Customise
Personalise your nuvi 205W with your choice of background photograph. To customise your screen further, select a new vehicle icon from the Garmin Garage. With a wide range of wheels including off-road vehicles, motorbikes and classic cars, you can now tailor your Garmin to suit your style.
Enhance your travel experience with optional plug-in microSD cards such as Garmin Travel and Language Guides as well as links to third-party content providers including RoadTour and The Good Pub Guide 2008.
Portable bigger picture
Nüvi 205W has a sleek, slim design to fit comfortably in your pocket or purse. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot with up to 4 hours’ usage between charges.
With a 4.3-inch widescreen display, you'll always get the big picture. View map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, brilliant colour. The sunlight-readable display is easy to view - from any direction.
Nüvi 205W: Simple, safe, portable and affordable navigation goes widescreen.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
461 of 465 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Having reluctantly decided to purchase a satnav after a couple of disasters due to traffic accidents, I plumped for this model.
Anyone purchasing their first sat nav will be aware of how daunting the market is. I spent hours checking reviews including those on here and, after weighing up the pros & cons, bought the 205. In fact, I bought this on the recommendation of another reviewer of the 255, who suggested the cheaper version if you didn't require European mapping, thanks!
The unit is so easy to use and has exceptional clarity. With it's built-in traffic warnings (essential for me), which have been very accurate both in location and density and safety camera warnings, the unit has the same level of features as much dearer units.
I won't list all the features as these are available on the 255 reviews, but I heartily recommend either unit depending on what mapping you require.
Anyone purchasing their first sat nav will be aware of how daunting the market is. I spent hours checking reviews including those on here and, after weighing up the pros & cons, bought the 205. In fact, I bought this on the recommendation of another reviewer of the 255, who suggested the cheaper version if you didn't require European mapping, thanks!
The unit is so easy to use and has exceptional clarity. With it's built-in traffic warnings (essential for me), which have been very accurate both in location and density and safety camera warnings, the unit has the same level of features as much dearer units.
I won't list all the features as these are available on the 255 reviews, but I heartily recommend either unit depending on what mapping you require.
216 of 220 people found the following review helpful
I won't be long - enough reviews are available here, so let me just add a couple of things. Remember, you'll definitely need a USB (mini) cable with your Garmin Sat Nav, because
1) with a USB (mini) cable, you CAN recharge your Garmin Sat Nav by connecting to your PC/Mac, which is not clearly mentioned in the user's guide. Remember, your Sat Nav doesn't come with this cable or an AC adapter (you need to buy them separately!), so you can't recharge the battery until you connect it with the vehicle power cable (12V), which is not very useful as you'll want to configure it before you start using it;
2) with this USB cable, you can also download the latest map, update the software, and configure the Sat Nav via Garmin's website. You'll need to do all this (and it's simple) if you want draw out the maximum performance from your Sat Nav!
3) If possible, get a good cable, such as this one AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (1.8 Metres) rather than a cheap one.
*You might already have this cable at home, because the same cable is used for many electric devices, such as mobile phones (such as Motorola), digital cameras and external HDDs.
Hope this helps!
1) with a USB (mini) cable, you CAN recharge your Garmin Sat Nav by connecting to your PC/Mac, which is not clearly mentioned in the user's guide. Remember, your Sat Nav doesn't come with this cable or an AC adapter (you need to buy them separately!), so you can't recharge the battery until you connect it with the vehicle power cable (12V), which is not very useful as you'll want to configure it before you start using it;
2) with this USB cable, you can also download the latest map, update the software, and configure the Sat Nav via Garmin's website. You'll need to do all this (and it's simple) if you want draw out the maximum performance from your Sat Nav!
3) If possible, get a good cable, such as this one AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (1.8 Metres) rather than a cheap one.
*You might already have this cable at home, because the same cable is used for many electric devices, such as mobile phones (such as Motorola), digital cameras and external HDDs.
Hope this helps!
123 of 125 people found the following review helpful
By JCD
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is my first Sat nav and overall I am happy with it. Clear audio and visual directions, with occasional 'silly' moments telling you to take first left at roundabout when it should be second. I am mostly using it on routes I know at the moment to get used to its quirks.
The redirecting ability, when you do not follow the instuction given, is very fast and very useful.
Main complaint is the difficulty in updating the map after registering. The only option I was given was to buy an update and despite an evening navigating around the Garmin site I could not get my free update. An email sent to Garmin with a simple question asking how to get the update got the response - 'we cannot translate your question'.
I finally phoned a freephone number 08082380000 and was told I was not being given the free map update because when I registered I had not told them when I had bought the unit or got first satellite connection. I have no memory of that question on registration and if it is so important then registration should not be complete until the information is given, I think.
I have now, as asked sent proof of purchase and the serial number to Garmin and hopefully I will be given the free map update.
I hope that this information proves useful to others who may encounter the same problem.
The redirecting ability, when you do not follow the instuction given, is very fast and very useful.
Main complaint is the difficulty in updating the map after registering. The only option I was given was to buy an update and despite an evening navigating around the Garmin site I could not get my free update. An email sent to Garmin with a simple question asking how to get the update got the response - 'we cannot translate your question'.
I finally phoned a freephone number 08082380000 and was told I was not being given the free map update because when I registered I had not told them when I had bought the unit or got first satellite connection. I have no memory of that question on registration and if it is so important then registration should not be complete until the information is given, I think.
I have now, as asked sent proof of purchase and the serial number to Garmin and hopefully I will be given the free map update.
I hope that this information proves useful to others who may encounter the same problem.
71 of 72 people found the following review helpful
By AD
Bought from Halfords for £117 and my second Sat Nav after much research.
I'm looking to cover 3 points brought up in previous reviews:
1. Map update - I had reason to contact customer services as I could not find an option to download the new map update after registration that came as a free option on purchase. It was my own fault as I had not registered a signal before the registration process, so the system did not recognise my serial number as being new. I found customer services to be extremely helpful & after emailing my proof of purchase, this was rectified straightaway without any fuss. They couldn't have been more helpful.
2. Map download - Yes it does take a few hours to complete the download process, but the file size is 3.1gb(!!) and you end up with a free map update as of January 2009; so as far as I'm concerned it was well worth the wait.
3. Yes, there is a good old blokes gadget with this one, where your average speed (overall & moving), top speed, journey waiting time etc is logged & can be reset after each journey. There is also an "eco" option which works out your fuel consumption etc for each journey.
All in all I would thoroughly recommend the 205WT, particularily as it has the lifetime traffic "avoidance" feature (the power lead acts as the aerial)and you don't need the extra "features" sold with more expensive sat navs (bluetooth / built in media players, cameras etc)
I just want to get from A to B with the minimum of fuss and have the confidence of an efficient customer services should anything go wrong.(I believe it has a 2yr guaranttee). This product fits the bill on both scores.
I'm looking to cover 3 points brought up in previous reviews:
1. Map update - I had reason to contact customer services as I could not find an option to download the new map update after registration that came as a free option on purchase. It was my own fault as I had not registered a signal before the registration process, so the system did not recognise my serial number as being new. I found customer services to be extremely helpful & after emailing my proof of purchase, this was rectified straightaway without any fuss. They couldn't have been more helpful.
2. Map download - Yes it does take a few hours to complete the download process, but the file size is 3.1gb(!!) and you end up with a free map update as of January 2009; so as far as I'm concerned it was well worth the wait.
3. Yes, there is a good old blokes gadget with this one, where your average speed (overall & moving), top speed, journey waiting time etc is logged & can be reset after each journey. There is also an "eco" option which works out your fuel consumption etc for each journey.
All in all I would thoroughly recommend the 205WT, particularily as it has the lifetime traffic "avoidance" feature (the power lead acts as the aerial)and you don't need the extra "features" sold with more expensive sat navs (bluetooth / built in media players, cameras etc)
I just want to get from A to B with the minimum of fuss and have the confidence of an efficient customer services should anything go wrong.(I believe it has a 2yr guaranttee). This product fits the bill on both scores.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
easy to use
very good allround sat got me out of many situations but after not useing it for a few months it no longer charges what to do know /
Published 1 month ago by johnbridge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought as present.
Bought this item as a present for my daughter for passing her driving test as it was cheaper than buying a car!
Published 3 months ago by Angus Macintyre
5.0 out of 5 stars
brill
my husband was thrilled to bits with this and its so easy to use. clear screen and nice and small.
Published 5 months ago by Julie Valentine
1.0 out of 5 stars
Garmin don't care
This product failed within 12 months and was replaced by Garmin. The traffic receiver then failed after a further 8 months. Read more
Published 6 months ago by D. K. Arnold
4.0 out of 5 stars
Registering for free maps
Love the garmin and the only downside is it doesn't seem to have 'text' directions so that you can check the route before setting off. My tomtom that I had before did have this. Read more
Published 12 months ago by beeswidow
4.0 out of 5 stars
satnav
This was our first sat nav, but we found it easy to install and it works well on the first occasion we have used it
Published 17 months ago by bob
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sat Nav
Replaced my old Garmin with an updated model. Very pleased with performance, especially at the price I paid. No more getting lost in new one way systems!! Read more
Published 19 months ago by wilfhow
3.0 out of 5 stars
partly untrustworthy
Initially was very pleased, but having used it to go to Plymouth am not that impressed. It took my partner across country, giving wrong exits on roundabouts and turnings that were... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Erika
2.0 out of 5 stars
download problems
previously had a tomtom and decided to update to a widescreen garmin. everything was going fine until i tried to update the maps. Read more
Published 21 months ago by tadpole
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good product, poor instructions!
The GPS is great, but the "in box" instructions for setting up are appalling!
1) There are no instructions in the box (and it's not intuitive) for getting the "Traffic"... Read more
1) There are no instructions in the box (and it's not intuitive) for getting the "Traffic"... Read more
Published on 18 April 2011 by simdeva
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