Loving my Garmin nuvi 200

I got my Garmin nuvi 200 for Christmas from my husband. I did not really think I needed one, but this little gadget has really come in handy. I thought it was amazing that I could use this device with NO monthly service fee. It comes preloaded with current maps, and you can connect it to your computer to update maps and add other features. It requires a cord to do this which does not come with the unit. I have such a cord that came with my camera but have not felt the need to do this as of yet because the unit is fully operational as is.

What is in the box
the garmin with internal battery
portable mounting device
car charger
manual

Ease of use I am not a geek so stuff like this normally scares me. But I turned it on and was able to figure out how to use it without reading the manual woo hoo

Battery and Charging
The first time I charged it overnight. I have never had it run out of battery so I can not say how long it lasts but the advertising states approx 6 hrs. Generally I am not driving longer than 6 hrs at a time and on a longer trip I keep it plugged in. When it gets to about half bars I charge it up. It does not lose battery fast while switched off.

Features
volume control
brightness control
different map views
shows time and miles
multiple language choices
picture viewer (not sure why you need this)
calculator
currency converter
unit converter
miles or kilometers
auto/bicycle/pedestrian mode
gps simulator (not sure how this works)
security features
choose avoidances (like expressways, tollways etc)
...and many more


How it works
The switch to turn it on it at the top. You can also switch it so that it is locked so that you will not accidentally change the settings on the touch screen. Once you turn it on you have to wait for it to connect to the satellite. If there are clouds it can take longer. I suggest turning it on before you leave and putting it in a window to connect so you are not sitting in your car waiting for it to connect.

The unit works with a touch screen.

When you first turn it on it will show the:
bar levels for satellite connection,
battery charge indicator,
Where to,
View Map
tools
volume control

If you touch View Map: it will show a map that is similar to mapquest. You can set it to zoom in or out or view flat or 3-D. If you were to drive around using just the map it will show you streets that are coming up etc. It is not a bad idea to keep it on if you think you will use it so that if you do need it you will not have to wait for it to connect.

If you touch Where to: you can choose to:
put in an address
view points of interest
recently found address
favorites
find intersections
cities
browse map
coordinates

Available Points of Interest
spell name(if you are not sure of the category type the name)
Food
Fuel
Transportation
Lodging
Shopping
Bank
Parking
Entertainment
Recreation
Attractions
Hospitals
Community
Auto Services

Mounting and Storing your Garmin
To attach your Garmin to the windshield it comes with a removable mounting device. This is extremely easy to use. You just place it on the window where you want it and lower a lever to secure it to your window. If you do not want it on your window it comes with a stick on disk that you can apply to your dash or anywhere else you might want to attach the garmin on to a bumpy surface. This little sticky thing would be permanently affixed. I just use it on my window and find it works fine. The Garmin snaps easily into the mounting device. I like that I can take the mounting device off the window to move to another car. I also do not store my mounting device on the window because I have heard that cars with these mounting devices are frequently broken into because people will assume your garmin is in the glove box. I keep the mounting device hidden when not in use and the garmin slips into my purse without taking up much room.

On the Road with your Garmin
Now it is time to go on the road with your Garmin. Once you enter where you are going a map will pop up. As you drive it will give directions like Turn Right. Turn Left etc. It gives the direction in advance and then right before you have to turn. If you miss a turn or you just choose to go another way, the garmin will announce "Recalculating" Then it will give you new directions. It does a nice job of thinking for me when I am a little bit lost.

The Display
In the bottom left hand corner it will tell you the time of your estimated arrival. On the right it tells you how many miles until your next turn. I do not have the greatest vision and I am able to view these things while driving without distracting myself.

Maneuvering
I have not had problems following the directions except in one instance I was on a busy expressway and it said keep left, keep right. I was like "wtf" so I went right. It was not exactly right but since the little thing recalculates it was no problem and I got where I was going in short order. When you get to your destination it shows a little checkered flag on the displays and says verbally that you have arrived at destination.

Extras
This unit does a lot more than I can write about here. If you get one I advise just playing around with it while someone else is driving to get the hang of it. Then when you are driving on your own, you will be familiar with it.

I am not sure I could live without one of these things. I got mine for a gift. My husband said it was around $200 but I got one for my son's fiance for her birthday and paid about $175 w/ free shipping from Amazon.

Questions
If anyone has specific questions for me please leave a comment and I will be happy to answer them and update my review to include the info