Garmin nüvi 885T

The 885T is a GPS device that supports voice-activated navigation, lane assist with junction view, MSN® Direct and hands-free calling capability. Users can keep both hands on the wheel and let the nüvi navigate them on where to go, maneuver complicated interchange, input voice directions and view map details on its widescreen display. With nüvi’s speech recognition, users can control nüvi’s interface with their voice — allowing them to keep both hands on the wheel. Pressing the button on the remote (which attaches to the steering wheel) activates speech recognition and users can begin speaking menu options. The device also comes with lane assist with junction view that guides users to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. It displays road signs and junctions on route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation. The 885T uses its included receiver and free trial service¹ to MSN Direct that allows user to check their flight status, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, get advanced weather information, enhanced movie listings, stock information, news and local events when they travel with the unit. It also allows them to plan trips from the convenience of a computer, via Windows Live Local, and wirelessly send locations to 885T. The 885T’s widescreen display provide users with map detail, driving directions, photos and more in sunlight-readable, 4.3-inch display that can be read from any direction. The 885T’s interface greets users with two questions: “Where to?” and “View map.” By speaking a menu option or touching the color screen users can look up addresses and services and get voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions that speak street names to their destination. It comes preloaded with detailed City Navigator® NT street maps, nearly 6 million points of interest (POIs) and features digital elevation maps that give them a big picture of the surrounding terrain. Users can also upload custom points of interest (POIs). The nüvi 885T integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker that allows users to pair it with a compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free through the 885T while staying focused on the road. Users can make or answer a call by speaking or dial numbers with nüvi’s touchscreen keypad.

Specifications
Physical and Performance:
The nuvi 885T is a GPS device that measures 4.9″W x 3.1″H x .7″D (12.5 x 7.8 x 1.8 cm) with a 3.81 x 2.25 inch (9.7 x 5.7 cm); 4.3 inch diagonal (10.9 cm) display size with 480 x 272 pixels resolution. The display on this unit is a WQVGA colour TFT screen with white backlight. The 885T weighs 6.2 ounces (176 g) and is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides users up to 4 hours operation time.

Maps and Memory:
The 885T also comes with features like basemap, preloaded maps (with functionality that allows users to add maps), internal solid state built-in memory, accepts microSD™ card (not included), provides up to 500 waypoints / favorites / locations memory and 10 routes memory.

Other features:
The 885T features voice prompts (e.g. “Turn right in 500 ft.”) via its internal dual speakers, speaks street names (e.g. “Turn right ON ELM STREET in 500 ft.”), voice-activated navigation (operate device with spoken commands), Lane assist (guides you to the proper lane for navigation), auto sort multiple destinations (provides most direct route) and auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation). The device also supports choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road), route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.), Bluetooth® wireless technology (connect to the phone for hands-free calling), MSN® Direct compatible (receiver included), is FM traffic compatible, speed limit indicator (displays speed limit for most major roads), Where Am I? (that allows users to find closest hospitals, police & gas stations, nearest address and intersection), Garmin Locate™ (marks position when removed from windshield mount), Qwerty or ABC keyboard (choose keyboard layout), Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest), is Garmin Garage™ vehicles and Garmin Garage™ voices compatible (download required for custom features on device), photo navigation (navigate to geotagged photos), world travel clock, currency & unit converter, calculator, picture viewer, MP3 player, audio book player, FM transmitter, headphone jack/audio line-out, remote control and Garmin Lock™ (anti-theft feature).

The 885T does not support ecoRoute™, XM® Navtraffic & Radio, 3-D building view, dead reckoning, is not motorcycle-friendly, trucking-friendly, geocaching-friendly or marine-friendly.

This device also acts as a USB mass storage device that is compatible with Windows® 2000 or later and Mac® OS X 10.4 or later.

What’s in the box:
The nüvi 885T comes preloaded with City Navigator® NT for North America, MSN Direct receiver with integrated vehicle power cable, 3 months free MSN Direct service, speech recognition remote, vehicle suction cup mount, USB cable, dashboard disc and quick start manual.

Reviews:

“If you do most of your driving alone, and especially if you succumb to the temptation to use the GPS touch screen while driving, I highly recommend the Garmin nuvi 885T. The voice command system makes it one of the safest GPS units to operate, and it is without doubt the best voice command navigator on the market.” – (GPS Tracklog, 2009)

“Priced at around $800 (estimated street price as of this writing), the nüvi 885T is the best voice activated GPS available today. Garmin’s nüvi 885T delivers voice recognition that allows almost complete control of the GPS without taking your eyes of the road, and still gives up none of the nüvi’s legendary ease of use that loyal customers have come to expect.” – (GPS Magazine, 2009)

“One of the challenges of updating an excellent product is to augment it without interfering with the winning formula, and Garmin has successfully pulled that off with the nüvi 885T, while reducing the price by $200. Thus, the 885T replaces the 880 as our Editors’ Choice for high-end GPS devices.” – (PC Mag, 2009)