Garmin Nuvi 200
The Garmin Nuvi 200 series has started to hit store shelves, and we’ve finally put enough miles on our Nuvi 200 to produce a comprehensive review. As the name implies, the Nuvi 200 series is designed to set a new mark for the entry level Nuvi series. Many have speculated that this new series will be a replacement for the StreetPilot “c” series. Here is what we think of the Nuvi 200, and where it fits into the bigger picture of auto GPS devices.
Physical
The Nuvi 200 is almost the exact same size as the Nuvi 300 series. It has virtually the same width and height, but is just a sliver thinner than the 300 models. It also comes in at virtually the same weight.
Like its siblings there is a power button across the top, but the operation of this power button has changed. Rather than a push style button it is a slider. You slide the button to the left and release to turn the power on or off. You can also move the slider to the right that locks input to the device, much like a hold button on an iPod. I’m not really sure why a hold button is necessary on this device unless they have it in mind for the pedestrian mode. Perhaps they will use this on future Nuvi models which include an MP3 player (The Nuvi 200 does not include an MP3 player).
The SD card slot has moved from the right side to the left side. If I had a choice I would prefer it on the right since sometimes I place the GPS up against the left side of the dash, but without an MP3 player it isn’t likely you would use the SD card slot all that much anyway, so no big deal. The right side and bottom have no buttons or connectors. The only other item is the USB/power connector that has been moved from the right side to the back of the Nuvi 200. Since there is no MP3 player there is no headphone jack.
The only other physical difference is that Garmin has finally gotten rid of the “flip up” GPS antenna. As much as I didn’t like the flip up design, being able to disable the GPS did have some advantages. The other Nuvi devices can only calculate routes starting at your current location unless you perform a weird workaround of disabling the GPS, setting a new location, and then calculating a route. Without a way to disable the GPS on the Nuvi 200 series, even that long workaround becomes impossible. I often fly for work and I like to calculate how long it will take to get from my destination airport to the hotel. This isn’t possible with the Nuvi 200 series.
Mount
Another interesting change in the 200 series is the suction cup mount. I’ve praised the mount on the 300 series as being the absolute best mount in the industry. Unfortunately Garmin changed the mount slightly in the new Nuvi series. The mount is still easy to assemble, easy to adjust thanks to the ball and socket joint, compact, and a nice simple design. What sets the other mount apart is that the power cord connects to the mount and then the mount feeds power to the Nuvi. That is gone in the 200 series and instead the power cord connects directly to the device. So now when you take the GPS off the mount you also need to disconnect the power cable and have a power cable dangling inside your car. It just isn’t as clean as the mount for the 300 series.
Screen
A 3.5″ touch screen display powers the Nuvi 200. This screen is BRIGHT! It is brighter than the screen on the 300 series and is visible from a wider viewing angle. The whites are extremely white and bright sunlight never made the Nuvi screen difficult to read. The screen is one area where the Nuvi 200 performs better than the 300 series. This is one of the best 3.5″ screens I’ve seen.
Under the hood the Nuvi has a very powerful chipset which had no trouble quickly acquiring a signal within my office, kept a strong signal, and never dropped out when near tall buildings.
A few of the menu items have been rearranged a little bit if you are used to other Nuvi designs, but not so much that they make an important difference in function. The “Where to?” menu has been changed to include a separate button for Points of Interest rather than cramming them all into the parent menu. This is a welcome change and makes it easier to access the buttons for intersections, cities, browsing the map, etc. And if you need to use the Nuvi 200 for emergency geocaching events it will navigate to a set of coordinates.
Navigating to an Address
Setting up Navigation to an address has changed very little. The buttons have a little bit of a more modern looking design and are more rounded than the squarish buttons on other Nuvis. When it asks for a state the Nuvi still can’t figure out that when I type in “NY” I mean “New York”. Instead it insists on me typing in “N E W _ Y” before it figures out where I want to go. Likewise the rest of the process is the same as it asks you next for the city, then house number, and finally the street name. After finding the address you click the ‘Go’ button and you are on your way.
Navigation to a POI
As mentioned earlier, there is now a dedicated menu button for POIs. The POIs are still not arranged in alphabetical order, but thankfully there are only fourteen primary categories to choose from. Many of the categories like ‘Food’ do include sub menus. In the case of food you can select from about 20 different categories of food to suit your tastes.
The display of search results has also changed on the Nuvi 200 series. The 300 series shows you five results on one screen, lists the name, and straight line distance from your location. The Nuvi 200 series only displays four results per page, but includes the street address (but not town) in smaller print below the title. Personally the town name might be more helpful than the street here, but the important note is that more detail is shown at the sacrifice of one fewer result per page. Clicking on one of the results will display the phone number as well as town of that particular POI, along with a Go button to route to that location or a save button to save it to your Favorites.
Navigating
While navigating the next turn information is displayed in text across the top of the display. I’d still like a nice big graphical arrow showing the next turn somewhere, but I’ve learned to live without it on the Nuvi devices. At the bottom left is a field showing you your estimated arrival time. At the bottom right you are shown the distance to the next turn. Clicking on this button will show you a text display of your next instruction, a zoomed in view of the intersection, a voice prompt will read the distance to turn and the direction of the next turn and the estimated time to that intersection. People seem to be split in their preference of wanting to see “distance to turn” or “time to turn” on the primary display, but you only have the option of seeing distance. There is also no way to see the amount of time you have left to your destination!. Kinda sad that this GPS won’t tell you how long (in time) it will take to get there unless you do the math between the estimated arrival time and the current time.
Voice Quality
The speaker is plenty loud and I could clearly hear instructions at highway speeds with the radio on at normal levels and the windows cracked. It isn’t quite as loud as the speaker on the Nuvi 300 series, but it performed just fine. There is no text-to-speech option on the Nuvi 200 series, but the voice prompting was timely and of very good quality.
Advanced Features
Like the rest of the Nuvi series, the point of this device is simplicity. As a result there are routing features you might want that are not included in the Nuvi 200 series. As mentioned above you cannot set your starting location when calculating routes so you can’t plan ahead unless you are already at your starting location. There is a simple detour function but unlike the detour function on most other devices you cannot specify how far ahead you wan tot detour from the current route.
Likewise there is no ability to specify a group of destinations or multiple via points and build them into one route. You can specify one via point per route, but no more than one.
Purchasing Advice
The Nuvi 200 series is a great simple device. It has an absolutely amazing screen, the voice prompts are easy to interpret, and the map is very easy to follow. If your navigation needs are simple and you just want to get a device that will remind you of turns and take you to new destinations, the Nuvi 200 would be a great choice.
It does have some limitations though. There is no advanced planning function, no multiple destination routing, and a detour function that is too simple to be utilized. But hey, you do get a calculator, currency converter, picture viewer, unit converter, and a world clock. (Slight sarcasm.) It would be worth comparing the Nuvi 200 with the slightly older Nuvi 350.
They both have the same screen size, similar physical size, similar weight, nearly the same interface, similar battery life, and most of the same navigation functions. But the Nuvi 350 offers maps of all of North America (the 200 only has the US 48, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico), the ability to connect to a traffic receiver, an MP3 player, text-to-speech, and small case included. You get all of those extra features and based on current prices you will actually pay less for the Nuvi 350 than the Nuvi 200. I expect that within a few months the Nuvi 200 prices will drop below that of the 350, but for now why pay $40 more for a device that has less features?
If the ability to have more advanced routing features is important, compare the Nuvi 200 vs the TomTom ONE. The Garmin Nuvi 200 isn’t a bad GPS by any means, it is an extremely solid performer, but the pricing is what will make or break this GPS for many people.
Tim, I have had my Nuvi 200 since 2007. I take it with me on all my travels within the USA. I recently purchased the Lifetime Maps updates and am unable to load all the NA maps. I know the -200 has only 1MB of internal and will only update the lower 48, but the only option I get for map updates are: East, West; 48+PR SE/NE/SW or NW. I live in Florida and travel for work to California many times each year. I loaded the 48+PR SE and am now without any western states. My Nuvi had the California maps originally. I have LOST functionality with this update and feel ripped off for $120 to be able to update maps only within a specified region. I have read the threads regarding loading maps to an SD card but do not know how to do this with the downloaded maps. The process of updating the maps is easily 2-3 hours, I don’t want to have to reload a region map every time I visit the West Coast. Any help or advice is appreciated.
Hi Carl,
I had this same question–see post 591. Even after deleting all non-english languages, etc, I still didn’t have enough space because the new maps are too big.
Support gave me only half the answer. I found my own workaround by accident.
The map update is a folder that contains 3 or 4 applications and some subfolders. In the update I found that there are TWO programs they give you for installing the maps. One is called something like “Install CN North America NT 2010 Map Update.” This is the one that lets you choose from several preset regions, none of which give you both coasts. This is the one you are referring to.
But there is another file that no one, including the support person I called or the Garmin support site mentioned. It’s called “Garmin Mapinstall.” They never tell you about the difference between the two and why you might use one over the other.
I launched “Garmin Mapinstall” and found that this second application displays a map of the US and lets you click which states you want to add to your Garmin and which you don’t. It keeps a running total of how much room it will take to install those states and have much free room you have left.
So I selected the western half of the US and then most of the eastern half except a few states I knew I wouldn’t ever be going to, and that worked.
I think I got all states except half a dozen on the lower eastern seaboard, something like that.
It’s just really poor documenting on Garmin’s part. There should have been a ReadMe file in the Installation folder and an FAQ on the Garmin website.
Bill, you are a super-hero. The MapInstall did the trick. I was able to upload the entire USA mapset, including Alaska, Canada, and the Puerto Rico maps, to my 4GB SD card. The maps are now working perfectly. Thank you for taking the time to help a stranger!
I have the same problem. I’d rather have the whole contry with a little less detail than completely miss parts of the country.
I have played with map install, but I’m not sure it installs all the data. I think it might leave out points of interest, like places to eat, etc.
Does anyone know for sure which data it loads?
Carl, your best bet is to contact Garmin. They can walk you through the process of getting the maps correctly installed on your GPS.
Hi Tim,
Just a note: I called Garmin support with the same issue Carl has (see post 591). They never mentioned the second type of map installer that comes in the installation folder, nor the workaround I describe above, even though I asked if there was a way to install smaller regions such as individual states or any way to get west and east coasts and skip some in the middle.
On 6/2/09 I posted note #598, got no responses and have since purchased on ebay City Navigator NT MicroCard.that is supposed to have England and Scotland (I am going there in the next few days). Inserted this and can confirm that it is recognized by the system as I checkmarked it and un-checkmarked NorthAmerica. Well, nothing comes up and everyone tells me I can only bring things up when I get to England which doesn’t seem quite right to me, but maybe so. So, if that is the case I will not know if it works until I get there and will not know if England is included until I pull it up. If anyone has clarity on how this work I sure would appreciate a post…Thanks.
Mickey, it should work regardless of location. Keep in mind that Garmin doesn’t extend warranties on eBay purchases which could further complicate things. ( http://www8.garmin.com/support/faqs/faq.jsp?faq=607 ) But you should be able to browse the map without being there.
I’m new to this review forum, and very helpful it is.
Now here’s the thing – if a Satnav works by receiving satellite signals, how could it show you where you are on a map for the other side of the world? It wouldn’t receive signals for the satellites covering that particular landmass.
My guess is that that’s why the UK/Europe data doesn’t show up in N America.
Tony in glorious Devon, UK
Tony, the maps get stored locally on the device, they do not come from the satellites. The satellites orbit the earth and are not stationary. If your GPS has maps of the UK, they will display when you are in the UK. Likewise, you can still browse those maps when you are not in the UK. The satellites don’t have anything to do with the maps stored on your device nor the ability to browse those maps.
POSTING AGAIN FOR THE 3rd TIME…
i sent a message on march 24 but no response and i see that others have had responses. does anyone know how i can get to that screen?
just purchased a nuvi 205w on saturday. while playing with it sunday, i was able to pull up a screen that showed me speed limit and if i wanted to set some type of alert if i went too fast over that limit. where can i find that?
I just bought a Nuvi 205 and my brother-in-law has a Nuvi 200. Is there any real difference between the two?
I would like to inwuire what is the Chipset B used for and is it an update, or what? Thank you
Maurice, the “chipset” is the actual chip inside the device that receives and processes the GPS signal to determine your location. Garmin uses different chips in different devices, and even will use different chips in the same model from time to time. The WebUpdater program will show any available updates and install them.
Is it true that, GPS signal is received better when Nuvi 200 is plugged into the cigarette lighter than runs from battery, even though the battery is fully charged?
Thanks
Vu, I’ve heard that before, however I’ve never observe it directly happening. The difference shouldn’t be very much, if anything.
Does the nuvi 200 show the speed limit of the highway that you are on? If not what models do? For me this is a function that I need to have on my gps.
no speed limits on this unit.
I have the nuvi 200 and was wondering can it record the track you take so you can take that track back again. If not is there another model or brand that does.
Keith, you cannot do that on the Nuvi 200. see this thread: Need unit that uses MY route.
thanks for the fast reply, does garmn have any with that option? I couldn’t find any that says my route.
thanks
How do I enter an address such as Southeast (SE) or SW. I cannot seem to figure this out.
Thanks!
Wendy, try not entering the abbreviation and just entering the name and tapping done.
I have tried all ways: southeast, south east, S E, SE and i just cannot get anything to come up. I have had this same issue in the past and I just want to figure this out. We are leaving for vacation next week and our hotel address is SE Bellagio Dr, I can find Bellagio Dr but not SE. Thanks for the help. This is driving me crazy.
I have a baic question about setting destination. My Nuvi 200s seems to only allow me to input destinations that are within the state where the GPS is currently sitting. If I want to drive from Washington State down to a town in Oregon, it seems I must wait until I am physically in the state of Oregon before I can enter a location in that state. This seems rediculous. Certainly I am missing something.
Can anyone please help? Thanks!
Cathy
I have purchased the nuvi 200. I have a charging question I wonder if anyone can address…When using the unit and the low battery warning appears, I plug it up, only to get the screen that appears implying a computer connection. (black screen, says garmin, picture of computer tower with garmin hooked. the picture is centered at the bottom) I thought this was because the charger I was using was a USB cable plugged into an adapted that plugged into the cigerette lighter. Then, however, I tried a Motorola car charger (that works perfectly fine with my husbands older model Garmin) and it does the same thing??? If I purchase a charger from Garmin its a whoppin $28! Is that going to make it so that I can charge it and use it at the same time?Or is my nuvi faulty? Please advise
Lindsay, see comments #89, 91, 277, 280, 564 (and the link in that thread), 571, & 593.
Tim, ok, I’ve connect the nuvi to many different chargers, in my car and on a power inverter and no such luck..Any other ideas? This stinks!
my internal battery on the nuvi I think is shot, it will not recharge, i replace the fuse and the poer cord to no avial.
Is it worth it to get the internal battery replaced otr buy a new one?
A battery replacement is possible, but given the value of the GPS I would just buy new. Then you would get a new warranty, updated maps, etc.
I have a Garmin Nuvi 200. How do I enter a county road number? Have checked the manual, but that doesn’t work either!
Last Christmas,(08), I recieved a New Garmin GPS Unit nuvi255, as a gift. The unit failed in May 09, I shipped the unit to you May 18 for warrenty work. For a month, I had not heared a word from you. So,I called Garmin, to check on the status, and it seemed that the unit was lost in the Warehouse somewhere??? When I finally spoke to someone about my inquire. You sent me a different unit which stated refurbished. Finally, in July 09, I was able to use it on a trip, and upon retuning home the refurbished unit failed again. I Called Garmin again, after 1Hour and Fifteen mi. An operator came on and we discussed a solution.After which we could not solve the problem.
So,I am writing you this email to Customer services and resolve the problem. I hope to recieve a call or an email.
Phone No. 906-246-3632 or email: bearbait@alphacomm.net
Ron Van Doorne
buy something better.
this thing sucks… i 2 major citys in different states it has advised me to go down 1 way streets the wrong way…it takes for ever to locate a signal and has a major problem telling the difference between short distance and fast time… Im a volunteer fire fighter in a small city and need it to get around. It finds a different route to every call even if there is a better route. dont buy it
I have a NUVI 200. It’s worked well for the last year. I just bought the CD and did a lower 48 + PR update. Now it doesn’t even recognize most of the states in the northeast. It will work, but in a very degraded mode. If I try to type in an address, it asks for the “State/Province”. When I type in Massachusetts, it replies “No matches”
In RE to post #611 and the other posts listed in the reply on that post…
I purchased the car charger from buy.garmin.com/shop that was recommended for the nuvi 200 and it works perfect! No more computer connection screen when plugged in! So, I thought this would help the rest of you!!! Good Luck!
I just got my 200W and I wonder if it is better to leave it plugged into the ciagarette lighter all the time or remove it. The lighter stays on when the ignition is off.
Thanks, Ed
Purchased the nuMaps lifetime download for my nuvi200, and having a TON of troubles. Keep getting an error message that says “Checking compatibility…unknown error”. I don’t get it. I updated the firmware today, and that worked just fine, but this just keeps messing up. Of course, Support is closed on Sunday, so that’s no help. Have any of you dealt with this?
I am a MAC user, if that makes a difference.
Hi,
I just tried updating mine and got the same error, using a MAC. Did you find a resolution for this?
Thanks,
Hannah
The only problem I’ve found is that some of the “points of interest” are really out of date! I just bought this last December, but there are some stores and other places that haven’t been around for years! In my city alone- it shows a Walmart that closed down in 1995- but is still in there. Also show several other business’ that have been closed for 15+ years! It makes it hard when I am in a different city looking for a certain store- when I arrive at the desitation- I find a totally different store- or an empty field! Any ideas on how to fix this? One would think that if I just bought this just a few months ago- and have done several updates thru Garmin, that is would only show current- open stores, not ones that have been closed for years.
The POIs are updated with map updates. Do you know which map version you have? (Tools -> Settings -> Map -> Map Info)
I have “City Natigator North America NT 2009″- I know there is a newer version- but even with the 2009 version there shouldn’t be places in there that have closed over 15 years ago!
I have had the Nuvi 200 for about 18 months. I have not updated the maps (I feel the update fee is not worth it – but that is another issue). My issue is that for some odd reason, the GPS is taking us directions that are longer and very different than one provided by googlemaps. I use it everywhere, even to places I have been before. The other day it had me exit an interstate and take a State Road, but to get back on the same interstate 8 miles later. Odd. We hae not changed any settings. Any suggestions how to correct these anomalies? Thanks!
I have that problem too. Normally when I go on longer trips or to another city- I look ahead to see the route- if it has me doing weird things like that (i.e: going on and off the highway for no reason)- I just stay on the highway and it recalculates itself as I drive. It’s a pain- but it works for me.
Onetime I was driving in Georgia on the highway- it had me get off the highway and drive on a scary backwater country road for 30 miles in the dark and then get back on the same highway I got off of! I could have just stayed on the highway and saved time, and the scary ride. Ever since then- I check ahead…. unless you like the long scenic route.
I have had this problem too. It will definitely do really wacky routes if it overheats, as when I left it on the dashboard on a hot day. I was a block away from a destination and it plotted a several mile course to get there.
And I’ve had it take me off the freeway that directly connects to a major airport for the past 30 years to go on surface streets way out of the way and back into the airport. I suggested the same destination again just now and it has the same strange route, even though the freeway is marked on its map. This is on the 270 I bought to replace my stolen 200W.
MIne has been doingthat too. taking me off teh freeway down side streets and back on or taking me longer ways. I checked the settings. Do we need to reload this software?
Rick, reloading the software won’t make any difference. See our thread on Why does the Nuvi keep trying to take me on back roads?. There isn’t much you can do to change the routing beyond those routing preferences.
I’ve had my nuvi 200 for about a year, and some of the maps are way outdated. Garmin charges a lot of money for a lifetime update, close to the cost of a new device. Is this worth it? Is there some other way to get FREE map updates, or do I have to succumb and buy the updates from Garmin?
I thought the maps-for-life option was very reasonable, compared to the price of purchasing maps one at a time. If you use it for business that takes you on the road a lot, it is definitely worth the one-time expense to get a map update once a quarter.
I was almost going to buy the lifetime subscription, but my Nuvi actually had to be sent back for service after 14 months (just out of warranty – figured!). While I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of having to send my unit back for an issue that I feel was a design flaw, Garmin was very nice to me, and the Customer service people were very friendly (after waiting on hold for a long time). They sent me a reconditioned unit back as a replacement, and much to my surprise, it was loaded with the newest maps! Nice! The service charge was less than I’d have paid for a map update.
There are places like gpsfiledepot that offer free maps– but they are not even close to the quality of the official maps you can get. With a device like the 200 you are likely better off to purchase a newer device that will come with newer maps.
At the store i Was looking at tyhe bopttom of the screen and it had traffic information anlioke detours traffic delays and construction. how do you get that ? I thought it came automaticly and I neeed to know how to make the system get me to the higways and the quickest ways home ect. the system does not use like interstates it just uses backways to get to places. thank you for your help
I posted this with an earlier reply of yours just now, but I noticed you posed the same question about interstates here too. Sorry for the duplicate answer but here goes…
Maybe you have it set to avoid using highways. To check,
Go to the first screen,
Click the WRENCH icon in the lower right.
Click SETTINGS.
Click NAVIGATION.
Choose AVOIDANCES.
Make sure HIGHWAYS is not selected and click OK.
Good afternoon,
I bought a Nuvi 200w, I have had this unit for 2 years and it has worked fine .. until. I purchased a new car (2009 Jetta) and it will no longer charge from the car dc outlet, I purchased a replacement cable (not Garmin) but the problem persists, FYI the red led on either cable illuminates when plugged in and the Garmin screen brightness increases when external power is on, it also gives me the 30 second countdown when external power is removed. Garmin sent me another cable, still no change. It will charge from my MacBook via a usb cable (so that’s how I currently use it) To complicate further, my car power outlet show 12.78 volts on a volt meter. Any ideas?
HI,
I have a Nuvi 200. I thought I could enter some othe city and get a list of motels or other POI. Was I being naive?
Must I obtain the info from other source and then enter it in my 200?
Also, I recently upgraded my 200, at least I think I did. How do I know if I received the latest upgraded?
Thanks
You can get a POI listing in another city– I don’t have one with me but there is a “near” button you can use to select a different location from the POI search. To check for updates go go garmin.com/webupdater
I have a Nuvi 260 and am trying to charge it with the usb cable. If I connect it to the garmin, will it charge it? I dont have a read out on the screen- just a GARMIN logo and a picture of the device plugged into a tower.
Just purchased a nuvi 255w in the States before coming to Australia, then bought Australia maps once I arrived. The maps came as one standard SD and one micro-SD. I pushed the standard SD into the slot, figuring that if it was oriented wrong, it wouldnt go. It went all the way in, but now I cant get it out. Ive tried pushing it in further and letting go, but that doesnt release it. Now Im afraid to do anything with the micro-SD. Which way does it go? At present, when I turn on the unit, it shows maps from the US and says it cant find satellite coordinates. Help please!
Hi,Could you tell how come the nuvi200 will not let me go on the highways? Thank You Bill
Hi…I have a nuvi200 that i purchased at Chrstimas last year. Today it’s acting up. I turn it on and i get a grey window that says
–No detailed maps found that support routing. The nuvi cannot be used without them.
So, now what? I pressed the Reset button and the same thing happens. Is Garmin have issues with the satellites today? I’m very upset. I’ve had this less than a year with no problems and then just 30 minutes ago this happens. Grr…
The satellites don’t transmit anything other than the time. Everything is stored locally on your device. You should contact Garmin support.
I would like to purchase a garmin for daughter before she moves to Alaska. Will the 250 accommodate this?
I have a 200 from about 2 years ago. How do I get updates?
Thanks
The 250 does include Alaska maps, yes. For your 200, you can update the maps by going to my.garmin.com
I paid for the new 2010 lifetime updates. The full map won’t load on the Nuvi 200. So I only get “East”. Is there a way to install the maps on the SD card. I bought a 4gb SD card, but the unit still says there is not enough room for the full 48 states.
Use the MapInstall program. But for the device don’t select the device that looks like a Garmin, select the Memory card that looks like a removable disk. (If you have more than one on your computer, you’ll have to figure out which it is.)
Then you can select all the maps and put them on that card. Your Nuvi will use the data.
I did a firmware update and it caused my Nuvi 200 to lose its map. Garmin was not at all helpful they advised me to buy the map update and it would fix it. I bought the lifetime map update. It won’t Install. WHen I try to turn the device on it says no maps found and I need to lad a map. How do I fix this and get my Nuvi to work again? Is there a way to reset it? Please Help:( Thank You
with the unit off lightly hold your thumb on the lower right corner, turn on the unit it will ask you if you want to reset. That will rest to factery settings.
Does the Garmin Nuvi display the correct time zones arrival time if you are changing time zones throughout the trip?
Nope, it stays on your time zone. I found this out when I went from Texas to California. It stayed on Texas time.
I just bought a Nuvi 255 and switched off the Voice. When I tried to re-engage it the Voice no longer works. I’ve tried everything to turn the Voice back on. Any IDEAS?
I have a Nuvi 200 that has served me well. I am thinking of upgrading and have purchased the lifetime map deal for the 200. Does anyone know if the deal is transferable?
The map subscription is not transferable:
I guess that sort of negates the unit upgrade. Having to pay a second time for map upgrades can get to be a bit pricey.
This may have been discussed but I can’t find it in the thread. I got a new 265WT and love it (I’ve had Garmins on my boats for years). I have an AC adapter for a Motorola cell phone that outputs 5.0V and 550mA. Does anyone know if this will charge the 265WT unit? Thanks, all!
Many non-Garmin chargers will put the device into USB Mode.
Thanks, Tim. This is for AC charging only and I’m only concerned about the voltage levels. Any ideas? Thanks.
Just curious, but why does Tim’s answer on June 23rd, 2009 keep getting placed at the end of the messages list even when a new message is posted?
my gps has suddenly started to speak in “tongues” – how do I get it to speak English again?
urgent reply requested!!!!
Chris, see: Back to English with Garmin.
I have found that when I set the language to British, it is more succinct and I hear it over my radio or car companions when traveling.
Hi Tim;
Just bought a used Garmin nuvi 205 It worked for 2 short trips and on the 2nd trip I just shut the car off and when I got going again it quit working properly having me drive on the blue screen and not the road on the map and now it displays athe message “No detailed maps found that support routing. The nuvi cannot be used without them.”
The 2 short trips were both in my town here just to see how well it works…. Well it doesn’t anymore. I tried to reset it a couple of different ways, with power on and power cord plugged in. As well as with power off and unplugged. I get same message either way.. How can i fix the problem.. Thank You
I don’t know, Bob. I’d return it to the seller or contact Garmin Support.
Hey, I’m new to all this GPS stuff and just had a quick question. I’m from Ireland and wanted to buy just an Ireland & Uk map Garmin. If I buy it can I update it with an USA map?
I have appreciated my Garmin since 2007 on trips though now have occasion to need Alaska and Canada. I purchased a CD of Garmin North America. Can I download it onto an SD and then put that SD into the slot to be able to get it all?
does anyone know if its possible to upgrade the garmin 200 with software to make it bluetooth compatible or must i purchase a new gps with that feature? I ask because there are instructions on the unit on how to pair it to your phone; thinking that maybe some part of the technology is part of the device. thanks.
Char, it is not possible. The Bluetooth hardware is not present inside the 200 model.
thanks so much for the response. i figured i’d have to purchase a new one with that feature.
What is a quick way to change your home location?
Jim
I have a GARMIN 200 and when I turn it on it says”CANT UNLOCK MAPS”
how can I unlock it ??
Thanks.
I love my Nuvi 200, but today it started acting up. It keeps saying GPS Firmware Update 1%. It stays like this for 3 second and then comes up and says GPD Firmware Update Complete. It does this over and over and never acquires a satellite signal. Needless to say Garmin has been less then helpful. Any suggestions?
I am ready to purchase a Garmin I am in the USA but travel frequently to England. How do I add maps of UK/Europe?
Marie, you can purchase maps from Garmin or from other large retailers. However the cost of the maps makes that option somewhat unreasonable. I would instead purchase the Garmin Nuvi 270 or the Garmin Nuvi 275T. Both of those models include maps of North America and Europe, are otherwise basically the same as the Nuvi 200, and will cost less than purchasing the 200 and then adding Europe maps.
Can one purchase the lifetime updates for these units?
Yes you can, Jack.
I have a Garmin nuvi 200W, Software ver: 6.10, GPS software ver: 4.10b. This unit almost always works fine when an address is entered, but I am 0 for 3 in attempts to find restaurants (POI/Food). It guides me to a location where the restaurant is NOT located.
How do I purchase map updates for my Nivi 200.Do I need anything special to install updates?I live in Saskatchewan,Canada.
Cannot get power to my Garmin Nuvi
I CANT GET MY NUVI255 TO GIVE ME A STATE HIGHWAY ADDRESS THAT IS A MAJOR HIGHWAY
How do I enter way points in my 255. I also have a 1350.
Thanks much.
Shane, see: Adding a Waypoint.
My Garmin 250 does not permit me to change ie “state” to “province” – Is there a simple solution to this feature?
We just returned from Walt Disney World in Orlando. As we were headed there from Houston, I asked my nuvi200 for routing. It did not recognize Orlando, Florida or Walt Disney World. We have named the thing “Hillary” because she is so bossy, insists on going her own way, knows absolutely nothing about the real world and has no sense of humor.
Hmmm…. There really isn’t any way a properly functioning Nuvi 200, regardless of map version, would miss Orlando.
No, she shouldn’t miss Orlando. Also she should know if there is a Starbuck’s anywhere in Florida but, according to Hillary, there are none.
Then your device is defective and you should send it back to the retailer or Garmin. My Nuvi 200 finds those locations just fine.
I have a Garmin 200. I’m having a problem with the PIN number. I don’t know what the deal is. Is there any way to reset this? Thanks!!
Kris, the PIN number is an anti-theft system so it can’t be removed with a reset. Try going to the exact location where the PIN was created if you can’t remember the PIN you created.
Hi,
I have a question about a NUVI 255 that I have. I am in Florida and many addresses have Route or Highway names. For instance, 3144 N.441 etc.. However, the Nuvi never recognizes the Route or Highway number. Am I doing something wrong? Also, it would be handy just to put in an Interstate name like I75 and be directed to the nearest entrance. Is this possible?
Thanks,
Ron
Hello friends – I have a Garmin with a 2 GB SD card. I connect my 200 Nuvi to my Mac with no problem – the computer recognizes it and the SD card. I drag a copy of the gmapsupp.img to the SD card’s Garmin folder. However, when I go to the map info page on the Nuvi, it doesn’t show my new map – only the old ones. How do I get the nuvi to read the map off the SD card? Thanks!
Hello,
I have a 200 and love it, but I have many saved locations I would like to transfer to a new Nuvi. Is this possible somehow?
Thank you for any help!
Jeff
A stupid question – I am sure – my unit displays “Uraguay” as the language – rather than English.
How do I correct this??
Thanks so much.
See: Back to English with Garmin
How do I go into my 200 and read whats on my sd card. I planed a trip and its on card but cant get it to show on my 200
my nuvi 200 not geting staellite reception
i have a nuvi 200 and when i plug it into the cig lighter to charge the computer server screen comes on just like i seen in post number 11. when it is charging i cant access the maps or anything just that simple screen witht he server picture on it? As soon as i unplug the charger it restarts and works fine any help any1 Thanks
Sounds like you’re using a non-standard charger cord. If you are using a usb-module cord (I love those) that has a universal plug that you can use with several different types of cords, it’s not getting the full power, and the Nuvi thinks your connecting to a computer instead. With the proper power cord, you shouldn’t get that screen.
i have a nuvi 200 and am planning a trip to canada in the very near future (week from now). Well, ive been trying to punch in the address and when i click address on the screen, it doesnt ask if i would like to change countries. I have tried clicking the state/province button and typing in Ontario but it comes up no matches found. Any suggestions??
Haley, a Nuvi 200 purchased in the USA does not include maps of Canada. You would need to purchase those maps separately.
I downloaded a China city map to an SD card since my Nuvi 255W didn’t have enough free space. I put the card in the Nuvi. How do I access the card and load the new map?