Garmin Nuvi 855

The Garmin Nuvi 855 is a voice activated GPS unit which falls near the top of Garmins top of the line nuvi 800 series.  Innovative speech recognition allows the driver to not only hear driving instructions, but also give voice commands to control the unit without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel. The lane assist feature helps you choose which lane is best to be in when approaching an exit removing the guesswork.  The 4.3" widescreen display is readable in all directions giving bright and brilliant colour even in sunlight.  Navigation features include turn-by-turn directions to services, addresses or custom / preloaded points of interest, and the "Where am I?" feature will direct you to the closest intersection, police station or feul station and it will automatically recognize where you have parked your car when it is removed from the windshield mount to be used as a personal GPS device.  When planning a travel route, this will save up to 10 routes and will automatically figure out the most efficient path between errands and will also display speed limits on roads and highways.

Where to Buy

Garmin Nuvi 855 3
MSRP $699.99
Release date January, 2009
Brand Garmin
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Pros & Cons9
Reviews1
Details
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
1 review
78
negative
mixed
positive
1 positive
0 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

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Pros:
Do you agree?
voice activated and controlled
+1agreedisagree

lane assist - displays easy to understand lane instructions for complex highway exits and merges
+1agreedisagree

entertainment features (mp3 player, ebook reader, games and image viewer)
+1agreedisagree

FM transmitter for use with car audio systems
+1agreedisagree

small size
+1agreedisagree

removable rechargeable battery for use on foot
+1agreedisagree

compatible with lifetime traffic alerts or MSN Direct
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
very expensive
+1agreedisagree

nothing innovative vs older or cheaper models
+1agreedisagree


1 person added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!

Details

On top of navigation, the Nuve 855 has several other features.  The entertainment and travel tools included are MP3 playback, audio book player, JPEG viewer, currency converter, alarm clock and Garmin Games, to name a few.  The included FM transmitter allows playback throught a vehicle's stereo for features like MP3 and audio book player. Optional upgrades include custom voices and vehicles, and plug-in microSD cards such as garmin travel guides for detailted data on attractions.  This is essientially the same as the 885T, which has a Bluetooth speakersphone and MSN direct built into the unit. 

Physical & Performance:

  • Unit dimensions, WxHxD:  4.9"W x 3.1"H x .7"D (12.5 x 7.8 x 1.8 cm) 
  • Display size, WxH:  3.81"W x 2.25"H (9.7 x 5.7 cm); 4.3" diag (10.9 cm) 
  • Display resolution, WxH:  480 x 272 pixels 
  • Display type:  WQVGA color TFT with white backlight 
  • Weight:  6.2 ounces (176 g) 
  • Battery:  removable, rechargeable lithium-ion 
  • Battery life:  up to 4 hours 
  • High-sensitivity receiver
  • RoHS version available

Maps & Memory:

  • Basemap
  • Preloaded maps
  • Ability to add maps
  • Built-in memory:  internal solid state 
  • Accepts data cards:  microSD™ card (not included) 
  • Waypoints/favorites/locations:  500 
  • Routes:  10 

Features:

  • Voice prompts (e.g. "Turn right in 500 ft.") (internal dual speakers) 
  • Speaks street names (e.g. "Turn right ON ELM STREET in 500 ft.")
  • Voice-activated navigation (operate device with spoken commands)
  • Lane assist (guides you to the proper lane for navigation) 
  • Auto sort multiple destinations (provides most direct route) 
  • Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation)
  • Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road)
  • Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.)
  • MSN Direct compatible
  • FM traffic compatible
  • Speed limit indicator (displays speed limit for most major roads)
  • Where Am I? (find closest hospitals, police & gas stations, nearest address & intersection)
  • Garmin Locate (marks position when removed from windshield mount) 
  • Qwerty or ABC keyboard (choose keyboard layout)   
  • Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest)
  • Garmin Garage™ vehicles compatible (download car-shaped icons to your device)
  • Garmin Garage™ voices compatible (download custom voices to your device)
  • Photo navigation (navigate to geotagged photos)
  • World travel clock, currency & unit converter, calculator
  • Picture viewer
  • MP3 player 
  • Audio book player
  • FM transmitter 
  • Headphone jack/audio line-out
  • Remote control
  • Garmin Lock (anti-theft feature)
  • Touchscreen  
  • Additional:  This USB mass storage device is compatible with Windows 2000 or later and Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
  •  

What's in the Box:

  • nüvi 855
  • Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America
  • Remote for voice activation with battery
  • Vehicle suction cup mount
  • Vehicle power cable
  • Lithium-ion battery
  • USB cable
  • Dashboard disc
  • Quick start manual

Submit a link

This report was started January 8, 2009 at 9:39 pm by Special K
with the last edit occurring July 3, 2009 at 12:22 am by Erik
This page has been viewed 3588 times, with 27 edits by 3 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Garmin Nuvi 855

• Garmin n?vi 855 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

UPC: 753759091286

EAN: 053759091287

MPN: 010-00577-31

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Reviews

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Yale

avatar
January 21, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
78
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
2 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • voice activated and controlled
  • lane assist - displays easy to understand lane instructions for complex highway exits and merges
  • entertainment features (mp3 player, ebook reader, games and image viewer)
  • FM transmitter for use with car audio systems
  • small size
  • removable rechargeable battery for use on foot
  • compatible with lifetime traffic alerts or MSN Direct

Cons

  • very expensive
  • nothing innovative vs older or cheaper models

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