Garmin Nuvi 880 GPS Review
Professional Review of the Garmin Nuvi 880 GPS Unit
Speech Recognition That Really Works!
We’ve seen this technology in other gps units, such as the Magellan Maestro 4250 and TomTom GO 930, but the Nuvi 880 utilizes the most impressive speech recognition technology we’ve see to date. You can use voice commands to perform 30 functions, including entering addresses, adjusting system volume, activating the hands-free speaker system, play/stop music player, viewing the trip computer, or to access the MSN Direct services.
The nuvi 880 is Garmin’s current top-of-the-line portable GPS, and includes a new hardware design which includes a slightly updated user interface. Using the same top-quality screen found on the 700-series, the 880 weighs the same, and is only 0.1-inches wider and taller. The most noticeable physical difference with the nuvi 880 are the two front-side speakers, located on the right and left of the display. Also new to the nuvi 880 is the move from a non-serviceable internal battery to a removable lithium-ion battery.
The PLUSES (+) : The Garmin Nuvi 880 includes a number of outstanding, user friendly features, including text-to-speech functionality, MSN Direct services, and Bluetooth, into a compact design. The portable navigation system offers the most accurate speech recognition capabilities we’ve ever seen.
The MINUSES (-) : The Nuvi 880 is very expensive @ $899.99, and route calculations tend to be a bit sluggish.
To SUM up : As we’ve come to expect from Garmin GPS, the Nuvi 880 offers an impressive feature list and solid performance, but it’s the accurate speech recognition that really pushes the Nuvi 880 over the edge and makes it one of the best GPS we’ve tested to date. It really is an amazing device. Way to go Garmin!
What the other experts are saying about nuvi 880:
Laptop Magazine
Laptop magazine names the Garmin nüvi 880 “The best GPS device at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show”, the biggest trade show in the GPS world. Laptop Magazine reviewers name the nüvi 880’s voice recognition and steering-wheel remote as its best features.
PC Magazine
“This is the GPS device I want on my windshield, and therefore it earns our Editors’ Choice.”
U.S. News & World Report
“Garmin really knows how to make you drool. … To get an idea of just how advanced its speech recognition is, you can just say ‘find nearest Starbucks’ and it will automatically direct you to the nearest Starbucks joint for your caffeine fix.”
Consumer Reports
Garmin’s new nuvi 880 portable GPS navigation device, introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), takes speech recognition technology one step further than other units on the market by allowing the driver to control the device entirely with voice commands. Other devices advertised with this feature still require a combination of voice and touch-screen input.
Overall Satisfaction: A-
Features: A+
Signal Quality: A
Affordability: B-
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
That is a great review, Thank you
P.S. I love your design
This is a great device! plug and play. I can’t recommend it any more highly.