2009 CES: Garmin Nuvi 885T GPS & MSN Direct

 

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Garmin introduced the Nuvi 885T and Nuvi 855, the latest members in the top-scoring Nuvi 800 GPS series. The Nuvi 880 excelled in our tests, distinguished by an effective voice-recognition system, however its software trailed behind that used in other Garmin units. With the 885T and 885, Garmin has brought the brand’s latest features, such as lane assist with junction view, to its new flagship navigators.

Like the 880, the 885T includes an MSN Direct receiver to access traffic data, as well as information on local gas prices, movie listings, and weather. Microsoft has launched a major upgrade to its service that will benefit both devices, with more information and reportedly faster access—something that is much needed based on our testing.

The enhanced traffic service now includes 94 cities, up from less than 40, and it includes secondary roads. The previous version of traffic relied heavily on road sensors and incident reports, whereas the third-generation MSN Direct service puts more emphasis on speed data from moving vehicles. This enhanced traffic flow data is now available on existing units that have the MSN Direct. In addition to the improved traffic, the weather information includes live Doppler radar, but this feature will only be available on new models.

The Nuvi 855 is MSN Direct compatible but does not include a receiver. The other difference between the two is that the Nuvi 855 does not offer Bluetooth connectivity.

Both GPS devices have a 4.3-inch screen, removable lithium-ion battery, FM transmitter, and maps of the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. They use spoken street names for guidance, and they provide several extras, such as photo viewer, MP3 player, photo-based navigation, speed warning, and "Where am I?"—a helpful way to get current location and quick access to contact information for nearby emergency services.   

The Nuvi 855T ($800) and the Nuvi 855 ($700) go on sale winter 2009.

—Jeff Bartlett and Mike DiLauro

See all our automotive-related coverage from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), as well as CES coverage from the Electronics team. Learn more about mobile electronics in our complete guide.

Comments

[jafe]

Over the years, I've owned nine Garmin GPS units. I've used them for sailing, hiking, horseback riding, geocaching, driving a charter bus and limousines, and on my own vehicles. Based on my experience and Garmin's support, I don't even consider any other brand. But I still do my homework before I buy any unit.

My wife and I usually find ourselves deciding to do something or go somewhere while we're already driving, so I thought the voice recognition Nuvi 885T would be a good idea. But I was concerned about reviews stating the unit's volume was too low and the remote didn't fit steering wheels. I also noted the mention of a free map update that wasn't. I telephoned Garmin, and as always, spoke with an American speaking English without an accent. They took the time to explain the volume controls to me and warned that there were two volume controls. They also took the time to measure the opening of the remote so I felt comfortable it would fit on my car. I bought the unit.

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. I can also update the map free again if Garmin updates the map within 60 days after the first update. The remote also fit the leather-bound steering wheel on my 2008 Toyota Highlander Sport with room to spare. We found the volume on the unit adequate as long as the radio wasn't turned up too loud.

Then we had fun with the unit. 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. The only disappointment I had so far is that Garmin is allowing customers to download its Eco-routing software free, but it's not compatible with the Nuvi 885T - yet.

[JeanS]

Where are the TWO volume controls the last person wrote about?

[Tom Coleman]

Our Garmin nuvi 855 locked up after only one month. Neither my wife and I could contact anyone whom would help, exchange or refund even our purchase price. We are now stuck with a useless piece of garbage. Every time we called Garmin's customer service, the automated system told us the hold time would be longer than 35 minutes. We put our phone on speaker, kept it close to us, and while continuing to do what we needed, in order to tolerate the useless hold time, noticed that it was over an hour before either my wife or I got so sick of waiting for help from Garmin, we finally hung up. We will never purchase another Garmin product. Even the ratings of them is completely inconsistant. Also, someone at Garmin's Chicago store said that their was nothing he could do and stuck us on hold for over 45 minutes, as well. This is completely rediculous and totally uncalled for when a newly,complicated devise such as a GPS system needs such a great deal of trouble-shooting. I wrote and tried to send an email a letter to Garmin and they completely ignored me with not responding or the email simply never went through. I finally tried to fax the letter with no response from them and also found one, last website I also sent the letter too. After three days I've still heard nothing.
BUYER, TRULY, BEWARE, not only of Garmin products, regardless of what ratings say; because, if you ever have any problems with your devise, never expect any help from anything or anyone from Garmin.

[Joseph V]

Tom,
Mine locked up as well after about 2 1/2 months. I emailed Garmin and they wrote back a day later saying I needed to update the software via the webupdater program on their website and the included USB cable. It worked my unit went from being unresponsive to touch to being like new.

[Gregg]

I have an older unit. I have a Garmin Nuvi 660. It is the second one I have owned in just about a year and half. The first one was junk. It wouldn't hold a charge to save it's life. I was also told that you can't charge it with anything else than a USB cable even though it says going to charge mode with an AC or DC adapter. Very misleading I think. Anyways, my wife and I go to NJ to go to a wedding and get there fine. The way home was a different story. No matter what I did it had me driving all over the Midwest up through Canada and back down into CT. It was only 132 miles away. Instead it had me doing over a 2000 mile trek back. Why, you ask? All because I had toll roads turned off on avoidances. Even though I got there fine actually even faster than someone else I know who took the tolls. I was told "it's an error with the software we use". Well if that's the case, there should be a disclaimer on the front of the box stating that. I guess you guys should switch to Teleatlas instead of Navteq. I am sure Navteq would love that your telling your customers it's their software that sucks. (FYI. I was told it's a common problem in the northeast, especially New York and New Jersey). I wouldn't have shelled out $600 for the piece of garbage if I would have known that. The tech guy told me I should just enable everything and make it easier that way. Then why even put the avoidances in there in the first place? Do I really want to drive X amount of miles and realize it has me taking a ferry across Long Island Sound? How stupid is that. And I love the fact it's barely halfway through 2009 and my map update is already out of date. But for only a mere $119 I can update to the latest software of the 2010 updates. Give me a break. First I talk to the most pissed off CSR after waiting on hold for over 45 minutes. The guy was mad a the world. He was offended because I told him the model I had was junk. He wanted to know who sent my second unit out to me. I read him the order number I had from the shipping paper and he told me it was wrong. I read him the whole Garmin header, the address, phone number, etc. I told him I would even fax him the paper. Still not good enough. After politely telling him just let me speak to a supervisor, he told me they would tell me the same thing. Don't you love that? My response was I would rather hear it from them. After that he put me on hold for another 15 min's. At which point I spoke with a supervisor Valerie, who listened well but who had her supervisor Deborah, call me the next day. After speaking with Deborah I felt she just wanted me off the phone, period. She told me that night someone would call me back within 2 hours. Never happened. But the next day a woman called my house 5 times before 3pm and my cell phone 4 times after telling them I work like most people, and can't talk till after 3:30pm. Thank god they listen. At that point I called Deborah and told her that I was pretty much being harassed and the person who was supposed to call me the night before never did. She then transferred me to Nate who told me all the things I stated earlier. Both Nate and Deborah kept reiterating that I would not be receiving an upgrade. I said I just want a unit other than the 660 that has the same features. I don't consider that an upgrade. They wanted me to pay to ship back the current unit back and give me a refurbished one, after already having 2 in a year and half with 2 different problems, and spending over $600 initially, just to blame it on the software. Do yourself a favor and don't even consider buying Garmin. It's absolute crap and their customer service and excuses are horrible as well. This whole situation just disgusted me. Be glad you are not a share holder with Garmin. If you are too bad for you. Time to Sell, Sell, Sell. Feel free to e-mail me your Garmin horror stories if you have any. I would love to hear them. bosox4@gmail.com

[allen palmer]

I do not understand why Consumer reports has not made any reference to these problems on its website listing about GPS units and on its 'recommended' listing.page. I have seen many websites listing these horror stories,the long waited on the phone, and about having to pay the $35 shipping fee to return the unit to garmin to repaire thier problem.I just called Garmin to discuss these problems and was put on hold for over 1/2 hour. I finally hung up. I just changed my mind about buying the highly recommended Garmin unit. allen palmer

[Nathan]

I am now on hold for a traffic update issue for 29 mintes and 31 seconds and counting. I will not be using garmin in the future... ever!

[Don Berglund]

I had my Garmin GPS nuvi 855 screen lock up.

I called Costco Concierge Services as I had purchased it from them. In just a few minutes I had the problem solved.

You move the on off switch on the top of the unit to the left and hold it for about 7 seconds. The unit rebooted and the problem was solved.

I buy just about everything from Costco, TV's, computers, cameras, hearing aids, eyglasses and most of our groceries.

It was aprox. a month after I bought my hearing aids I receved a letter from Costco. There was a letter explaining that they renegociated their prices with the mfgr. They sent me along with the letter a cash card for $700.00. I do not know any company would do that.

Don

[TMO]

The Garmin Nuvi 885T in my opinion is a piece of junk. I originally bought it at an online retailer recommended by Consumer Reports. When I tried registering it and updating the software, it locked up on me. I tried downloding the update Garmin offers on its web sight but to no avail. After calling and being placed on hold for at least thirty five minutes, I was told my brand new unit needed repairs and would need to be shipped back at my expense. Instead I contacted the retailer I purchased it from and they were kind enough to send a new one. This one is still locking up on me and I cannot get it registered or updated. I won't be buying any Garming products in the future.

[mike]

my garmin 885 will not go past loading maps what do i do to fix this

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

Support for Garmin devices can be sought via this search tool:
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/home/support/searchsupport

To reach, Garmin customer support:
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/support/supportcontact