Garmin Nuvi 885T GPS: First Look

A premium navigation device with helpful voice recognition

The full-featured Nuvi 885T replaces the Nuvi 880 as Garmin's top-of-the-line personal navigation device (PND). The new model includes all the same features of the outgoing one plus some new ones, and its price is lower.

Like the Nuvi 880, the 885T includes features that are not available on less-expensive Garmin navigators. Most notable is voice-recognition capability, which allows users to input an address, choose a point of interest selection, and change settings like volume and brightness without taking their eyes off the road. Also unique to the 885T is a removable/replaceable battery and routing options that let users exclude specific roads.

The 885T uses Garmin's latest software interface, as found on the recently updated 200 and 700 series models. This includes an arrow indicating the direction of and distance to the next turn. Higher-end features of the new software such as lane assistance and junction view, which indicates the correct lane when navigating busy interchanges and displays a life-like view of overhead road signs, are found on the 885T.

The MSN Direct subscription service now offers flight arrival/departure information, and a Doppler radar for emerging weather patterns. The service already includes traffic information, weather forecasts, gas prices, movie times, stock information, news, and local events.

We paid $600 for our 855T, with three months of MSN Direct included. Once the trial period ends, MSN costs $50/yr, or users can opt for a $130 lifetime subscription fee.

Key features include:

• 4.4-inch screen
• Spoken street names
• Bluetooth connectivity
• MSN Direct compatible
• MP3 player
• "Help me" feature for emergency assistance

Initial impressions

The Nuvi 885T is an excellent navigator with a full range of features, an easy-to-use interface typical of the latest Garmin products, and added traffic capabilities. What makes this unit stand out from other Nuvi products (and all PNDs) is its voice-recognition interface. It is the best of its type we have tested, but it still has limitations.

To use voice recognition, you first must press a button on a supplied remote that is designed to be strapped to the steering wheel or other suitable location. This can be annoying and potentially hazardous, but it does eliminate the need to enter a code word before using voice command mode, as on some other units with the feature that we found unreliable. In addition, the voice recognition is good, but not perfect. We frequently had to repeat instructions, and on occasion had to give up on the feature entirely and use the touch pad when an addressed couldn't be interpreted.

We also had some issues with MSN Direct, finding that some information touted by the service, such as gas prices, movie times, and flight arrivals, simply wasn't always available. On the other hand, the removable battery, ability to exclude a road from a route, and a comprehensive list of "shortcut" commands that allow a user to more quickly navigate the device with the voice-recognition system are nice features that we hope to see on all Nuvi models eventually. Its $600 price makes the 885T not only a better deal than the model it replaces, it makes Garmin's new premium unit more competitively priced with those from other manufacturers.

CR's take

The Garmin 885T is a top-of-the-line GPS unit with almost every advanced feature, and the best voice-recognition system on the market. (That being said, drivers should still limit verbal commands while driving to minimize distraction.) The price of the 885T makes it a compelling choice for buyers in the market for a premium GPS unit. But there are plenty of other units to choose from that are below this price point. If voice recognition is a priority, then the 885T is the GPS to buy. But other upscale features, such as free traffic, 3D renderings, and even Internet connectivity, can be found on other lower-priced GPS models.

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