Garmin nuvi 885T

Discontinued
Reviewed
November 2009
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Garmin nuvi 885T

Pros
  • Can be entirely voice controlled
  • Excellent navigation
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Lacks some features from the nuvi 7x5 series
  • Bluetooth gets mixed reviews
  • MSN Direct will shut down Jan. 1, 2012
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 

The Garmin nuvi 885T is Garmin's top-of-the-line, voice-commandable GPS -- with a price tag to match. Garmin does offer a less expensive version, the Garmin nuvi 855 (Discontinued), which lacks only the Bluetooth and built-in MSN Direct traffic receiver of the pricier version (the cheaper nuvi 855 includes an FM traffic receiver). Reviews say these two bonus features aren't really much of a bonus anyway. The nuvi 885T's speaker is too quiet for Bluetooth calls, according to some users, and Microsoft plans to end MSN Direct service on Jan. 1, 2012, due to lack of subscriptions. However, if voice command isn't your top priority, reviews say the Garmin nuvi 765T (Discontinued) includes some very useful features that the voice-command Garmins lack, including 3-D building view, a faster map refresh rate and free traffic information for the life of the unit. The competing TomTom Go 740 Live (Discontinued) can connect to the Internet, allowing Google searches and instant traffic data from other Go 740 Live units on the road, but reviews say its voice-command feature is more rudimentary than Garmin's.

Experts at the GPS enthusiast sites GPSMagazine.com and GPSTracklog.com have thoroughly tested the Garmin nuvi 885T, as has the tech site PCMag.com. ConsumerReports.org's individual write-up of the nuvi 885T isn't as detailed as these, but experts there do rate all major aspects of the unit and rank it against a slew of other models; however, only subscribers can read the reports. User reviews at Amazon.com show how the nuvi 885T performs in real life.

     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
Where To Buy
 
 
Garmin nüvi 885/885T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Speech Recognition

 (231 reviews)
Buy new: $599.99 $489.00   10 Used & new from $119.95

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

 
 
 

Our Sources

1. GPSMagazine.com

This review tests every feature of the Garmin nuvi 885T, and it includes lots of screen shots and photos of the unit. The expert reviewer says the nuvi 885T is "the best voice-activated GPS available," but the nuvi 785T is slightly better overall and costs less.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 885T Review, Fletcher Previn, Jan. 22, 2009

2. GPS Tracklog

GPS blogger Rich Owings highly recommends the Garmin nuvi 885T, based on a thorough road test. However, he wishes it didn't omit some of the useful features from the nuvi 7x5 series.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 885T Review, Rich Owings, Mar. 24, 2009

3. PCMag.com

The Garmin nuvi 885T is an Editors' Choice here. Tester Craig Ellison concludes that its advanced features are worth the expensive price, but he points out that the Garmin nuvi 855 is nearly identical and costs less.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 885T, Craig Ellison, Feb. 4, 2009

4. ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org subjects the Garmin nuvi 885T to its exhaustive, expert testing. Dozens of GPS units are scored in nine different categories and ranked from best to worst.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 885T, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

5. Amazon.com

The Garmin nuvi 885T earns an average rating of 3.5 stars out of five from more than 140 users. Most users are very happy with the unit, but negative comments and reviews are posted.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 885/885T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct, Contributors to Amazon.com

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