Garmin nuvi 885T Review

Garmin have long been leading the GPS market due to its easy user-interface and clear widescreen displays. Lately, competition has been getting rougher with introduction of new devices sporting breakthrough features. Now the Garmin nuvi makes an answer with the Garmin nuvi 885T and adds some new innovative extras that hardcore GPS users will love.

Overview

The Garmin nuvi 885T is a successor to the aging 880 which has satisfied many with its useful features. These features are preserved in the new 885T, so expect some of the favorites like the MSN direct service which serves as a personal travel assistant and the innovative voice commands.

Notable Benefits and Features

One noticeable new extra that isn’t find with older models is the "Lane assist with junction view" feature. This new feature, exclusive only to the nuvi 885T and nuvi 855, gives concise directions and visual cues that guide users to the correct lane so any exits aren’t missed and intersection confusions are eliminated.

The MSN direct service* has also been enhanced enabling users to get more information including flight status updates, local gas prices, advanced whether information, movie listings, local news and events, and other conveniences as long as the signal coverage is okay.
* Latest Update: MSN Direct Service will be discontinued on Jan 1, 2012

The Garmin nuvi 885T incorporates the Bluetooth wireless technology as well making hands-free calls a reality thanks to its built-in microphone and speaker. The quality is decent and all that is required is a cellular phone will Bluetooth functionality to take advantage of the functions.

Actual user review:
• Excellent features and very good GPS. It gets a satellite lock inside my house! The voice recognition is the gem in this thing. It really works and once you start using it, it is very useful and functional. You don't have to push buttons - S.Kumar (Louisville, KY)

The widely used “Where am I?” feature has also been enhanced to provide specific locations of the user’s vehicle making it a valuable device on foot too. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery combined with the same sleek design that resembles the rest of the nuvi 850 series make it handy to carry around when going around places like amusement parks and malls. The battery is now replaceable as well allowing long travelers to carry a spare with them. Now people can remember exactly where they parked as well as the fastest route back to the car.

Like the other top models, the Garmin nuvi provides some useful extras to make that allow the device to provide functionality beyond regular GPS and navigation devices. One of the recent additions include the new photo navigation feature where pictures from the Google Panoramio service can be downloaded via the Garmin Connect service which can be really handy for frequent travelers.

The Garmin nuvi 885T is a wonderful upgrade to the nuvi 855. Since the device is the most recent release, additional POIs and updated map content are included out of the box so it’s ready to go on first use. Upgraders will be happy to see the widescreen interface intact and new users should be able to get the hang of the simple interface rather quickly. The voice commands do not require any form of set up or training so people can go hands free right away. The Garmin nuvi continues to be on top of the competition and serves as a trusted companion to keep people under control whether they are driving or going around on foot.

Features Summary

Technical Details

More user comments:

• The unit worked perfectly right out of the box and I was amazed at how fast it acquired satellites inside my house. The quick start instructions are well written and easy to follow and I soon had the unit connected to the internet and Garmin so its software could be updated, and the map could be updated as well - free. The remote also fit the leather-bound steering wheel on my 2008 Toyota Highlander Sport with room to spare. It works as advertised and it solved our problem of inputting destinations while we were driving without leaning forward to touch the screen. The lane assist pictures are awesome, but I wished they would stay on the screen just a little longer (so I could show them off). The roadway speed limits on the screen are great. We even got a traffic alert from MSN without a destination programmed into the unit. - WM Milosh (Oxford, MA).

• This unit is awesome and I very highly recommend it. In our family we have a Garmin 250 and a 880. The nuvi 885T's voice recognition is superior to the nuvi 880. Satellite acquisition is on par with the fastest of my experience and the need for recalculating was recognized within 2 seconds of passing the recommended turn. Graphics are top drawer and in my opinion, well superior to TomTom (before buying a TomTom, monitor the current suit brought by Microsoft against TomTom for OS patent infringement). - By Cyrano (Chicago, USA)