Garmin n vi 885T 4 3 Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct Service
Find your way. Stay connected and ahead of the curve with Garmin n vi 885T. This premium navigator features voice-activated navigation, lane assist with junction view, MSN Direct and hands-free calling capability. Now you can keep both hands on the wheel, tell n vi where to go and maneuver complicated interchanges with ease. The n vi 885T not only tells you where to turn but listens to your spoken commands. No more guessing which lane you need to be in to make an upcoming turn. Lane assist with junction view guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. Using the included receiver and free trial service to MSN Direct, you can check your flight status, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, get advanced weather information, enhanced movie listings, stock information, news and local events. Keep track of yourself and your car with n vi 885T. Just speak or tap “Where Am I?” to find the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, and nearest address. High-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix – nuvi will decrease satellite acquisition times by recording ephemeris data, then predicting satellite location for the areas & times recorded for up to 3 days High-resolution, 4.3; 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA TFT Displays speed limits Alarm clock DEM maps Replaceable lithium-ion battery – up to 4hrs depending on usage Trip computer records mileage, max speed, & total time Built-in travel kit includes features such as picture viewer, world clock, currency & measurement converters & calculator Garmin Lock anti-theft PC connectivity using available USB 2.0 port Standard headphone & microphone jacks microSD card slot / MP3 play Unit Dimensions – 4.9 W x 3.1 H x 0.7 D; Weight – 6.2 oz In the box – nuvi 885T MSN Direct receiver/vehicle power cable, Preloaded City Navigator North America NT Remote for vo
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars More Than Pleased
This is the first nav system that I’ve owned. I had previously just printed color maps from Google Maps and kept them in a loose leaf binder when I went on a trip to places that I hadn’t been before. After riding with someone that had a GPS nav system, I decided to give it a try.
Since I was new to these systems, I had a bit of trouble figuring out how to set the system up for my trip (and I did read the included manual as well as on-line instructions). Once I figured out that the best way to navigate to each location was to put the destination into my favorites, then either nav directly to the destination, or, if I needed to specify an alternate to the default recommended route, to set up my own route, with the appropriate way points.
A couple of weeks ago, I took a photography safari to Florida, to several shooting sites and motels that I had not been to previously. I set up each destination in the Nuvi, and then selected the target destination from the Where To? menu. I couldn’t believe how much easier the trip was with this system.
Instead of worrying about which lane to get in as I drove down the interstate, I just followed the directions from the nav system. What an improvement. With regard to the specific features of the 885T, I found it to be easy to use, though not as quick responding to my inputs as I’m used to with a PC. Still, it wasn’t bad. Once I figured out how to set up routes with way points, It was fairly easy to do. I did use Google Maps to help with this process. To me, this is one of the advantages of a portable unit like the Nuvi as opposed to a built-in nav system – you can carry it into the house and sit in front of the computer to plan your trips.
I hooked up the Nuvi to my Bluetooth-enable cell phone, and that worked as advertised. I was pleasantly surprised the first evening that I was driving, when the unit switched from daylight to night mode. It made the display easier on the eyes. I only had a couple of occasions where the lane view feature activated, but it did work as advertised, and was very helpful. The estimated arrival time feature was neat, and it became a sort of game to see if I could bring this time down – usually though, it went up as I got stuck at stop lights and in traffic. Still a very useful feature.
Another feature that was extremely useful was the display of the speed limit. This was incredibly accurate, usually changing in less than a second as I passed the signs on the highway.
The only thing that I really didn’t like about the Nuvi was the included MSN service, which was basically useless to me, since I don’t live in a covered area. I would still have used it for travel, except that when I started the registration process, I was asked detailed personal questions which are frankly, none of Microsoft’s business. I decided that the limited functionality that I would get was not worth the price. In any case, that didn’t detract from the usefulness of the Nuvi for the primary purpose that I purchased it. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase.
1 Star 885t problems
I bought the 885t 2 months ago and have returned 2 to Amazon due to defects. The first 885t had problems with the touch screen completely freezing up and I had to take the battery out to get it to restart. The second GPS started shutting down and rebooting on its own on several occasions. With both units, I called Garmin and they confirmed it was a defect in the product. I am very disappointed I got two lemons in a row. Also, I tried using the MSN to find a gas station while on a trip. On two occasions, it directed me to a gas station that didn’t exist. At this point, I’m without a GPS and looking at other manufactures.
5 Stars This is the one to buy!
At last, a GPS that lets you concentrate on the road. The speech recognition feature is easy to use and works extremely well. Coupled with my Bluetooth enabled phone and MSN Direct, Garmin has eliminated a lot of the hassle and potential problems of driving in congested areas. I’ll be taking this to Europe in the fall thanks to the ability to insert a microSD card directly into the unit. (Have already simulated my route so I’m better prepared for the trip.)
The design and size makes it easy to slip into a pocket, and you can switch to the Pedestrian mode when you leave the car and not worry about getting lost (wife loves that).
Would like to see a better manual (both what’s sent in the box and on line). Tech Support was very knowledgable about the use of the microSD card and provided info that was not in any of the documentation. Don’t hesitate to send them an email if you can’t find an answer in their Q&A section.
1 Star Major Disappointment
I “upgraded” from a Garmin NUVI 350 to an 885T. My 1st trip was from Tennessee thru the Northeast, seeking specific locations for my job. I brought both units, luckily, as the new 885T tried to get constantly send me who knows where. I eventually put the old 350 unit on the windshield along side it, what a geek, and started comparing routes. In Boston, trying to go to an address I had previously visited, the 885T got me lost miles away. I put the 350 up, which had correctly taken me there once before with no issues, and followed it’s directions. As I got off the correct exit, 20 minutes later, the 885T told me to get off the exit, get back on the highway and go back the way I had just traveled. The 350 took me straight to my destination with the 885T “recalculating” the whole way. In New York City, I was on I-95 heading East to an address in Connecticut on I-95 that I knew, and the 885T wanted me to take the Lincoln Tunnel into NY City. This happened on several occasions in multiple states. At my parents house in Connecticut, the “Where am I now?” feature told me I was @ street #335 when I was at street #9; there are only 2 houses on the street, #s 7 & 9. This feature is yet to give me the address I am sitting at. The 4-yr old maps in my NUVI 350 worked 100% better than the new and improved 885T. So much for my $500.00 upgrade.
4 Stars Easy to use
Best feature is being able to control the functions with a voice command. Would have given it a 5 star rating – if it was less expensive relative to the other Garmin models.
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