Just how good is that free GPS you get when opening a new bank account?

I cringe every time I hear about a bank giving away a free digital camera or other consumer electronics product when you open a new account. Mainly because I know that whatever they give you is either going to be a piece of junk or an outdated model purchased in bulk from some clearance outlet.

That's why when I drove by a billboard today for Key Bank that mentioned a free GPS for opening a new account, I couldn't wait to get home to find out which GPS model it was so I could prove my point to my readers.

But a funny thing happened. I discovered the GPS that Key Bank is giving away is actually quite good. In fact, it's almost doubly good since there are 2 models to choose from based on what type of account you open with Key Bank.

The first is a Garmin nuvi 205W and the second is a Garmin nuvi 265WT. For those keeping score at home, I still use my Garmin nuvi 660. Now, the 205W doesn't have all of the GPS features I have mentioned in past blogs, such as street name pronounciation, integrated traffic and Bluetooth but don't let that bother you. It is still a very nice entry level GPS. And for the record, the 265WT has all of the previously mentioned features and more.

And they even have a few newer features that my nuvi 660 doesn't have like track display (visually shows where you have been) and speed limit display (shows the current speed limit for the road you are traveling on).

So instead of being able to bad-mouth a lousy promotion, I instead finding myself eating my words. But I don't mind because this time around new Key Bank customers are getting a good deal.