| Stay connected and ahead of the curve with | | | | the system. Includes size of on-screen icons, |
| nüvi 885T. This premium navigator features | | | | presence of hard keys, need to use a stylus |
| voice-activated navigation, lane assist with junction | | | | instead of a fingertip, and ease of adjusting |
| view, MSN Direct and hands-free calling capability. | | | | common functions like volume, brightness, and |
| You can keep both hands on the wheel, tell nuvi | | | | map zoom setting. |
| where to go and maneuver complicated | | | | Excellent Display: |
| interchanges with ease. It comes with a | | | | Based on display size, brightness, contrast, and |
| widescreen display, preloaded maps and more. | | | | glare/reflections in bright sunlight. Considers ratio |
| The Garmin Nuvi 885T has a wide 4.4-inch LCD | | | | of screen size to overall device size for packaging |
| screen. Notable features include Bluetooth | | | | efficiency. |
| connectivity for hands-free calling, MP3 player, | | | | Excellent Routing time: |
| photo viewer, video games, voice recognition, and | | | | Based on measurements of calculation time for |
| a trip computer. It is traffic capable with an | | | | plotting various trips with GPS reception active. |
| included MSN receiver. With the premium service, | | | | Also includes system response time when |
| it can also provide weather and gas price | | | | operating data-entry menus, such as POI |
| information. The Nuvi 885T includes preloaded | | | | searching. |
| maps for the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. | | | | Very Good Tested battery life (hrs.): |
| Bird's eye view map, Great touch screen, Many | | | | After being fully charge, the length of time in |
| settings and options, MSN info, Quick start and | | | | hours that the unit remained on, while set to full |
| routing, Simple voice control, Solid mounting, | | | | brightness. |
| Finding best routes, Navigating in city, Traffic info, | | | | 2.5 |
| Weather updates. | | | | The Garmin Nuvi 885T is an improvement over |
| TomTom 740 requires a monthly subscription to | | | | the previous Nuvi 880. It has the latest Garmin |
| their info/update service while Garmin's MSN | | | | software that includes a reality view and lane |
| service gives you the opportunity to pay one | | | | guidance to help navigate through major, |
| time for a lifetime subscription, after a free, | | | | potentially confusing intersections, such as when |
| 3-month trial. And TomTom's US maps are not as | | | | changing highways. The voice recognition is fully |
| detailed or accurate as Garmin's. | | | | integrated allowing the user to operate all menus, |
| The 885T is great for finding the best way from | | | | whereas most voice recognition systems are |
| one location to another, and finding routes quickly | | | | typically limited to address entry. Although there is |
| based on drive time, distance, and other options. | | | | room for improvement, it is the most effective, |
| It's Point-of-Interest feature helps you find banks, | | | | full-function voice recognition system on the |
| restaurants, red light cameras and more. The | | | | portable market. |
| voice commands are simple and intuitive. It also | | | | The Nuvi 885T includes Bluetooth connectivity for |
| quickly re-routes you if you go off the designated | | | | hands-free calling, MP3 player, photo viewer, and a |
| path. Speedy re-routing is critical when driving in | | | | trip computer, along with unique extras like a |
| the city, and a top feature. | | | | calculator, video games, voice recognition, unit |
| MSN service is good. Good Voice Recognition. | | | | converter, and currency converter. It is traffic |
| Best for Personal navigation. | | | | capable with an included MSN receiver, and with |
| The Garmin Nuvi 885T is an improvement over | | | | the service, it can also provide extras such as |
| the previous Nuvi 880. It has the latest Garmin | | | | weather, gas prices, flight times, and local events. |
| software that includes a reality view and lane | | | | Its verbal directions include specific street names |
| guidance to help navigate through major, | | | | when navigating. A speed limit icon appears for |
| potentially confusing intersections, such as when | | | | major roadways. "Where am I?" function provides |
| changing highways. The voice recognition is fully | | | | the nearest intersection and can help find or |
| integrated allowing the user to operate all menus, | | | | contact the nearest emergency services. Includes |
| whereas most voice recognition systems are | | | | a large range of voice languages. |
| typically limited to address entry. Although there is | | | | Features |
| room for improvement, it is the most effective, | | | | Pre-loaded map database: |
| full-function voice recognition system on the | | | | This is the map coverage provided by the |
| portable market. | | | | navigation system that is available to use right out |
| The Nuvi 885T includes Bluetooth connectivity for | | | | of the box. All units include at least the 48 |
| hands-free calling, MP3 player, photo viewer, and a | | | | contiguous United States. Many also include Alaska, |
| trip computer, along with unique extras like a | | | | Hawaii, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Additional maps |
| calculator, video games, voice recognition, unit | | | | for travel abroad can be purchased from some |
| converter, and currency converter. It is traffic | | | | manufacturers, typically for $100 to $150. |
| capable with an included MSN receiver, and with | | | | U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico |
| the service, it can also provide extras such as | | | | Spoken street names? |
| weather, gas prices, flight times, and local events. | | | | Commonly referred to as "Text-to-Speech," this |
| Its verbal directions include specific street names | | | | helpful feature is the ability to pronounce proper |
| when navigating. A speed limit icon appears for | | | | street names. For example, a system with this |
| major roadways. "Where am I?" function provides | | | | feature would say, "Turn right on Truman |
| the nearest intersection and can help find or | | | | Avenue" rather than, "Turn right in 500 feet." |
| contact the nearest emergency services. Includes | | | | Spoken street names allows the driver to confirm |
| a large range of voice languages. | | | | directions with street signs without looking at the |
| Basic Specs | | | | screen. |
| Screen size (in.) | | | | Yes |
| The diagonal length of the display screen | | | | Bluetooth hands-free calling? |
| measured in inches and rounded to the nearest | | | | Allows user to make and receive hands-free |
| tenth on an inch. | | | | telephone calls using the unit's internal speaker, |
| 4.4 | | | | microphone, and screen. Automatically quiets |
| Dimensions H x W x D (in.) | | | | directions while call is being made. Can display |
| The height, width, and depth of the unit measured | | | | user's telephone book, and shows caller ID on the |
| in inches and rounded to the nearest tenth. | | | | screen. Can also dial phone numbers of point of |
| 3.1 x 4.9 x .8 | | | | interest locations. Requires a Bluetooth-compatible |
| Traffic receiver included? | | | | telephone. |
| Indicates if the unit comes with the necessary | | | | Yes |
| hardware to receive traffic data provided from a | | | | Multi-destination routing? |
| subscription service. Bluetooth Phone means that | | | | Allows a user to add multiple stops along a |
| a user can receive traffic information without | | | | programmed route. |
| additional hardware through the use of a | | | | Yes |
| compatible Bluetooth phone, often requiring a data | | | | Dynamic database gray-out letters? |
| plan, and the manufacturer's traffic service. | | | | When typing an address, the unit will gray out |
| Yes | | | | letters that are not possible combinations to |
| Traffic subscription price ($): | | | | complete a word. For instance, if you typed in |
| The cost for receiving traffic information. The | | | | XYLOPHO, the system would gray out everything |
| subscription may include other data, such as gas | | | | but N because no other letters would combine to |
| prices and weather. Typically service charges are | | | | form a proper word in the database. |
| yearly, one time fees, or free with the purchase | | | | No Trip computer? |
| of the unit. | | | | The ability to display data about a trip, such as |
| 50/yr or 130/lifetime | | | | miles traveled, current speed, average speed, |
| Traffic receiver price ($): | | | | time stopped, time driving, and total time. |
| The cost of the accessory required to receive | | | | Yes Trip log? |
| traffic data. The receiver is typically an external | | | | Function varies, though better units track trip |
| wire antenna or integrated into the power cord. | | | | progress by recording data on distance traveled, |
| AC power cable included? | | | | average speed, and time spent that can be |
| Indicates whether the unit comes with an AC | | | | recalled later. This information may appeal to |
| connector to power and charge the unit. This | | | | business travelers for monitoring expenses. Some |
| feature also allows you to use the unit inside your | | | | units will indicate on the map if roads had been |
| home so that you can program it in advance, | | | | traveled previously. |
| research a route, or practice using it--even if the | | | | Yes Biking or walking mode? |
| unit does not have a rechargeable battery. | | | | Adjusts the routing to account for the freedom, |
| No | | | | and limitations, of traveling by bike or foot. The |
| USB cable included? | | | | system may avoid highways or disregard |
| A USB cable is used to connect the portable | | | | one-way street signs in this mode. |
| navigation device to a computer for updating | | | | Yes Auto rerouting indicator: |
| maps and transferring data, including address, | | | | Indicates how the navigation system informs the |
| custom points of interest, music, and firmware | | | | driver that they missed a turn and that it is |
| updates. | | | | calculating a new route. Some systems show this |
| Yes | | | | on screen, some tell the driver audibly, some |
| Replaceable battery? | | | | combine the two, and others provide no indication |
| A rare feature, some units have a removable | | | | at all. |
| battery. Should the original battery expire, the | | | | Audible & on screen |
| ability to replace it could extend the functional life | | | | Historic traffic data? |
| of the portable device, without depending on a | | | | Databases of past traffic patterns can inform |
| plug-in power source for operation. A value of NA | | | | route planning, predicting routine flow changes |
| indicates that the unit does not have an internal | | | | such as rush-hour congestion. This feature does |
| battery. | | | | not require a traffic receiver or subscription. It |
| Yes Memory storage: | | | | can add intelligence to trip routing, but does not |
| Indicates how the unit stores files for audio, | | | | reflect current, real-world conditions. |
| photo, and video content. Often maps for | | | | No Traffic antenna: |
| different countries are accessed using SD cards, | | | | Indicates the type of antenna needed to receive |
| too. | | | | traffic data. Common types include an internal |
| Micro SD card Carrying case? | | | | receiver, a receiver integrated into the power |
| A carrying case can protect the unit when stored, | | | | cord, or an additional external antenna that |
| transferred, and while traveling. | | | | adheres to the windshield. |
| No Entering destination/POI: | | | | Power cord |
| Based on the logic and ease of programming an | | | | Weather capable? |
| address or point of interest into the system. | | | | Indicates if the navigation system is capable of |
| Includes whether the database allows dynamic | | | | providing weather reports. |
| searching for addresses, if letters are grayed out, | | | | Yes Gas prices capable? |
| ease of entering into navigation menus upon | | | | Indicates if the nav system is capable of providing |
| start-up, and ease of finding points of interest. | | | | gas prices near the driver's current location. May |
| Excellent Routing options: | | | | require a fee-based subscription. |
| Based on the number of options for fine-tuning | | | | Yes MP3 player? |
| the route plotted by the system. Includes | | | | Means the device can store and play pre-loaded |
| multi-destination routing, avoidance of toll roads, | | | | audio files. Capacity varies by unit. Most navigation |
| biking routes, walking routes, and RV/truck use. | | | | units have SD card expansion slots for file |
| Also includes availability of foreign map databases. | | | | storage. |
| Excellent Mount design: | | | | Yes FM transmitter? |
| Considers how the mount is engineered, factoring | | | | Allows users to listen to spoken navigation |
| size, security, and ease of installation. | | | | system directions through their car stereo. If the |
| Excellent Portability: | | | | unit is equipped with an MP3 player, music can also |
| Based on the size and weight of the unit, as well | | | | be played through the stereo. |
| the size of the mount and the ability to easily | | | | Yes iPod interface? |
| detach the mount for packing. | | | | The ability to connect an iPod to the navigation |
| Excellent Traffic interface: | | | | system, allowing the user to control the iPod with |
| Rates the presentation of the traffic information | | | | the unit's touch screen. The purchase of an |
| and the ability to put the data into use. Rating | | | | additional cable is usually required. |
| factors include antenna design, color coding for | | | | No Photo viewer? |
| traffic severity, depth of information, estimated | | | | The ability to store, display, sort, and put together |
| time for delay, and tools for rerouting around | | | | albums of previously loaded photographs. |
| congestion. However, we do not rate the | | | | Yes Video player? |
| accuracy or timeliness of the traffic information | | | | Enables the user to play movies or videos |
| itself. | | | | pre-loaded from their computer. Navigation |
| Excellent Weight (oz.): | | | | features are typically disabled when this feature is |
| Measured weight of just the unit (excluding | | | | in use. |
| mount) in ounces rounded to the nearest tenth. | | | | No Location help? |
| 6.5 Info for driver: | | | | Provides current location, often using a |
| Based on the on-screen and audible information | | | | combination of street intersection and GPS |
| given to the user during navigation. Includes type | | | | coordinates to aid in directing help. Better models |
| and font size of on-screen information, ability to | | | | also provide contact information for the nearest |
| speak proper street names, languages supported, | | | | emergency services |
| and amount of audible information given including | | | | Yes Wi-Fi/Cellular connectivity? |
| descriptions of the next maneuver. | | | | Connectivity enables devices to access data from |
| Very Good Use of controls: | | | | Internet sources, and in limited applications, |
| Based on the design of the physical interface with | | | | devices can interact with a PC or other GPS units. |