Las Vegas (NV) - Garmin brings to the Consumer Electronics Show this year its usual round of announcements around new GPS systems and technologies. One new model standing out for 2009 is the upcoming nüvi 885T, priced around $800 and due out in the next few months.


The nüvi 885T, according to Garmin, combines voice activation, lane assist with junction view and random content from the MSN Direct radio service. A mounted to the steering wheel, push-to-talk wireless remote lets drivers interact with the 885T via voice by speaking commands which match the buttons on the 4.3-inch color, touchscreen display.

The lane assist with junction view function details upcoming maneuvers and specific driving directions, including road sign detail and arrows indicating the proper lane for navigation. The MSN Direct offering, meanwhile, costs extra money after a trial and provides access to a variety of distracting content, including weather, traffic conditions, movie listings and news and stocks information.

Other features of the nüvi 885T include Bluetooth for hands-free calling with paired phones, MP3 playback and association of favorite images with saved locations. It comes preloaded with maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.


Sidenote by Rick C. Hodgin

I don't know how many of our readers have a Garmin or TomTom or other GPS-aided map system for navigation, or even use them. But, I would like to go on record stating personally that it is hands down the best electronic tool I've ever purchased. The Garmin nüvi 205 I bought last year was on sale for $149 at the time. It allows driving options that were not previously possible, at least without a comprehensive personal knowledge of the immediate area.

Suppose you're on an Interstate and you can see the road ahead is backed up for miles. Rather than guessing on how to get around the obstacle, or pulling out an awkard paper map, Garmin allows one to simply drive off the Interstate and either browse the map to find a route, or just keep driving. As you drive along, the device constantly recalculates your route and takes you through every turn step by step.

Additional features allow searching for gas stations, food, car parts, shopping, and a plethora of other types of businesses, all from the “Where to?” screen. The list of available options is selected showing distance in miles and general direction (as the crow flies). Choosing or inserting a destination is just a touch or two and then the selectable voice (I prefer the Australian female voice) guides you all the way.

I would never have thought such a device would be desirable. In fact, had anyone asked me what I thought about such a device before I used it I would've given it a very harsh criticism, citing my grandfather's motto of "a man should always know where he's going and how to get there from reading a map."

I can honestly say now, though, that anytime I'm traveling to other cities I feel completely disarmed without my Garmin (when I've loaned it to other family members for a time). Having it there in the car just gives a person a real sense of security. I think it's hard to describe until personally witnessed.

My only real fear is what I once saw on an episode of Robot Chicken and Lisa the GPS. Ouch!

$800 GPS

Jan 07, 2009 15:57     

Yeah that's what we need during a recession: an $800 GPS! I thought costs were supposed to go down over time? I have the feeling that much (if not all) features on this new Garmin are available on the TomTom 930. As a side-note, I totally agree with Rick about the GPS giving a sense of "security". It's allowed me to easily travel to new places, even remote places where the road curves left and right constantly. The GPS will give me an idea of what to expect (not that I stare at it. I check it now and then like I check the rear mirrors).

Oli report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

$800...........

Jan 07, 2009 19:54     

Ummm ok I am sure that will just fly off the store shelfs. You would think for $800 they would make the screen size a little larger i have a Sony NV-U94T and its a 4.8" screen it has traffic alert and cost me under $200. I personally think that $800 is just way to much for a GPS.
ThomFrost report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

neat, but why?

Jan 07, 2009 23:40     

I mean, the push to talk voice commands are cool, but do we really need the lane assist? I have a nuvi (I'm told they are better on reception than tomtom, and seeing as that I have never met anyone with a tomtom may just prove that) and it tells me which lane to be in about 1/2 a mile before the turn anyways. Like Oli said, we don't actually look at the GPS for details, nor do we really even listen to them. Most of the time I have it in a foreign language turned down low and whenever it makes a noise I give it a glance to see whats going on. With that said, if you are buying one you want to get one with the biggest screen possible. You want to be able to glance at it and see everything you want to. If your staring at it trying to see something you should probably hire a driver instead. Also check staples online prices. I saved $150 on mine because they are constantly missmarking stuff online, and they will match the price in store. Greatest tool ever made.

caeden report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0