UPDATE: Read my Garmin nuvi 855 review and my Garmin nuvi 885T review.
Another CES announcement from Garmin today — the Garmin nuvi 855 and Garmin nuvi 885T. These units combine the 800 series speech recognition and 7×5 series lane assist features. The 885T will come with three months of MSN Direct service and Bluetooth, features not found on the 855.
There may be some new features coming with MSN Direct service too. The news release mentions Doppler radar, something I don’t recall seeing available before. There is no word of a nuvi 865T, making me wonder if Garmin is unhappy with its use of NAVTEQ traffic on the 7x5T series.
Ha! Turns out there is going to be a nuvi 865T.
Both units are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2009. MSRPs are $699.99 for the nuvi 855 and $799.99 for the nuvi 885T. I’ll update this post with product links as they become available. More from the news release:
About Rich Owings
Looks like the owners manuals for the 855, 865 and 885 is here:
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/nuvi855_OwnersManual.pdf
Just ordered the 885t and will be using it while traveling in Germany and several other European countries.
Is is recommend to download the European maps or is there an sd card or cd? What are the advantages/disadvantages of either media? I would think that downloading would be the most up-to-date.
You can do download, micro-SD or DVD. Yes, a download should be the most up-to-date, though you should be eligible for a free update if a new one is out when you buy the DVD.
Perhaps more importantly, consider this. The micro-SD card can be moved to another unit, but never updated.
The downloads and DVDs are locked to a single unit, but are eligible for a (paid) update.
Hmmm – that is something to consider, I do want to have the option to update, preferably free, but accepting with having to pay.
I read on the Garmin website that with the DVD, I can plan a route on my PC using a program that is included with the DVD. Do you know anything about this?
I’m leaning towards the DVD option – unless you can convince me othewise.
Thanx for your insight – - -
Yes, the ability to do trip planning on the PC is a very nice benefit of the DVD. I’m glad you mentioned it.
It really does take some time to dig through all that’s out there, doesn’t it.
At first when I began my quest, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Your website has help guide me. So for that I’m appreciative.
As a traveling software trainer from the states, working and driving in Germany,Belgium, and Italy, my two best friends have these initials; GPS and ATM. Presently, I’m renting a GPS from Europcar and have been quite pleased.
Now, I’m ready to have my own, hence all the questions.
Thanx again!
What kind of micro sd card does the nuvi 855 take? What is the best manufacturer and capacity?
I think they are recommending a maximum of 4GB, but I’ve heard of people using 8GB without problems. I’d go with a well known brand. What will you be using the card for?
In ref:
Micro SD Card.Sally posted on 9/30/09 a request for info on this topic of Manufacturer’s and Capacity for the 855.My 855 just arrived yesterday.I am also curious as well on this topic as well as accessories like the wall charger that i wish came with the 855.This has been a request of other owners as well.
How do you use the USB power cable to charge battery of 855?
Bill
Plug it into your PC and it will charge while in mass storage mode. It will take longer than the car charger, and there is no charge indicator to show battery level while charging.
I own a nuvi 855. Great for on road navigation. So I bought the TOPO maps for my area to do some hiking and 4 wheeling. It cost me an additional $150.00 (shipping and handling included) Biggest wast of money. This GPS is not for use off road. I have been to 3 National Parks in the area that were built in the 1930′s and only a couple of the hiking trails show up on the unit. Most all of the software features do not work on the NUVI series. But if you love looking at TOPO lines the software is perfect. It has a lot of them. Sometimes to the point of obscuring everything else. Do not wast your time or money using this unit to go off roading or hiking.
Ouch. And there are plenty of free topos available at http://gpsfiledepot.com. Sell those maps on eBay and grab some free ones. Trail mapping is pretty bad on most topo maps. There are ways around it, but it takes some work. Although there is a free NW trails map if you live in OR/WA.
Has anyone sucessfully used the Garmin EU maps with this device? It doesn’t list them as supported on the the Garmin Website (just updating the NA maps). Thanks!
They will work. Go here…
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=164&pID=33922
Look at the compatible maps tab, and then click on the second section (buy additional maps).