Over the past few years, the Garmin nuvi 205 has been one of the best selling GPS devices on the market. It’s an entry level device and has a lot going for it. Great maps and great Garmin engineering, to name two things. Yet, if you’re in the market for your first GPS, I’m suggesting that you not buy the nuvi 205.

I’ve been covering the GPS market place from a consumer tech point of view for three years. I love the 205, but frankly, it’s been surpassed by a newer arrival, the nuvi 1200. Both the nuvi 205 and the nuvi 1200 sell for about the same at your major online retailers. Right now, you’re looking at less than $90 for each. Okay, so for $90 how can you go wrong? You really can’t. If you just bought a nuvi 205, then don’t worry. It’s a great device. But the Garmin nuvi 1200 has a few things going for it that the poor old 205 just doesn’t have.

For instance, the Garmin nuvi 1200 comes in a sleeker case. Why is that important? Well, a lot of us use our GPS’s not just in our cars, but walking around, too! And that leads to our next point about the Garmin nuvi 1200, the maps.

The nuvi 1200 comes with a newer set of maps. As a matter of fact, you can download what Garmin calls CityXplorer maps for various walking cities. These are maps that are geared toward pedestrians. Every visit a “walking” city that you didn’t know, like San Francisco or New York? You know, it’s a little intimidating not knowing where stuff is in a big, bustling city. No longer with Garmin’s CityXplorer maps. Now you can use your Garmin while walking around. You can’t do that with the nuvi 205.

Other reasons to buy the new Garmin 1200 is it can get a fix on satellites faster than the nuvi 205. The 1200 actually “remembers” where the satellites were the last time it was powered up. That helps it find the satellites faster. GPS works through the mathematical coordination of your 3d location in respect to several satellites that orbit the earth. The 1200 has advanced algorithms that help it find them faster.

Finally, with higher gas prices and a general emphasis on being “green”, the nuvi 1200 can not only route you to your location, it can give you the most fuel efficient route. Are you going to save a ton of money over one trip? Probably not, but over the lifetime of the device, you will save some money. Besides what you’re doing for the planet.

So, before you decide on that nuvi 205, or anyone else’s entry level device, check out the Garmin 1200, instead.

To learn more about how to choose the best GPS for your budget and needs, check out my new buyer’s guide, Garmin vs TomTom. It’s completely free! No opt-in required.

Rick Cole is a true GPS enthusiast! Take a look at his website to find out more information about the best GPS navigation systems!