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(More customer reviews)This is an unusually long product review, but I just couldn't help but brag about the Nuvi 855, as well as express several complaints about Garmin shortcomings.
Pros and Cons of the Garmin Nuvi 855
PROs: Custom routing; ease of setting unit options; responsiveness to my spoken commands; quick map scrolling via finger movement; Lane Assistance arrows are helpful; map detail is better than on the 755/765; place names appear on screen as you drive; extensive and easy use-to-use Points of Interest database, and POIs can be displayed on map if you choose.
CONs: Volume needs to be louder; warnings of upcoming turns should come sooner; inadequate online manual provides insufficient detail about unit operations;; cannot actually turn unit fully OFF; Lane Assistance displays are very limited; significant learning curve required to confidently program ANY Garmin to respond as the user intends.
Primary GPS Purpose and Recent Nuvi Ownership
I highly recommend the Nuvi 855, but my perspective is primarily based on three road trips, using its Custom Routing feature, plus recent experience with two other Nuvis. My main purpose was to create specific routes before trips, such as eight driving days averaging 500 miles each, on unfamiliar highways and city streets (and also finding McDonalds when we wanted). I have benefited tremendously from the unusual experience of using a Garmin 760 for a month last year, then recently driving 4,000 miles with a more advanced 755...but returned it to get this outstanding value in an 855. I have since used the 855 on a one week trip (and fully expect the bulk of its features to work as they have on the earlier 760 and 755).
We do not need Bluetooth (due to our pre-installed car option), nor the free Traffic alert service (found it mostly useless in 755), nor the 3-D buildings or Eco Route features in other Garmins. Perhaps commuters would enjoy the Traffic service in other Nuvis, but our limited highway trip experience found it alerted unnecessarily, and offered unhelpful detour advice: We thought it an interesting gimmick, but which Garmin may well improve over time.
Low Volume
Many reviewers complain the 855 volume is so low as to warrant returning their units. Actually, low volume may be the most common complaint seen online among all Nuvis. My wife and I agree that volume on the 760/755/855 is too low, but we have never missed a turn because of it: We usually anticipate when an important voice instruction is coming, and turn down the stereo and close windows to "listen harder." It's a slight inconvenience, but that main flaw is worth overlooking. Everyone should be certain to check both possible "Volume" settings: the main one should be at 100% volume, but also set "Mixer" to have all three volume adjustments at 100%. One other learned trick is that users can press the "Next Turn" arrows (upper left corner), and hear again the upcoming turn instruction, as well as have it display the upcoming intersection at the same time. [I almost always check the "next turn" instruction well before upcoming turns; I also find it helpful to press the green text line at the top of the map screen to display a summary of several upcoming turns on my route. This practice should prove useful with many other Nuvi models.]
Low volume is a distinct Garmin flaw, but we enjoyed the 755 for 4,000 miles despite it. We usually had some wind noise with the sunroof and rear windows open, but would close them (IF necessary) when we anticipated receiving an instruction, such as at the .8 mile mark before a turn; we frequently pressed the screen to re-hear an instruction, as well as to view the turn well beforehand. I urge others to work to overcome the volume issue...and move on to enjoy all the other benefits of an 855. We believe the 855 volume is just as usable as our previous units. However, I do intend to download a popular voice editor, which other Nuvi owners have bragged about, because it lets them increase the volume of spoken instructions.
Lane Assistance and Junction View
855 buyers should also be aware that Lane Assistance and Junction View are VERY much complained about Garmin features, due to the fact that they are primarily available only in major metropolitan areas and on interstate highways. Despite that, we enjoyed the 755 Lane Assistance multiple turn lane arrows appearing many times during our trip through Salt Lake, Phoenix, Tucson, and San Diego, and found it very helpful. We wished Junction View pictures of the green interstate highway signs appeared more often, but thought them mostly unnecessary (except passing through Portland area @ I-205 and I-5 interchanges, where they were very helpful). I expect 855 service to be identical,
Remote Control Voice Command
My wife and I are tremendously pleased with the 855 Remote Command function and expect that it will be very useful in future driving, as well as a pleasant diversion to play with. The remote has responded FAR better in our road testing than I could have imagined; it is much safer than the manual adjustments I was previously making while driving (stupid guy tricks at 70 MPH are a thing of the past!).
I have compiled my own list of the remote Voice Commands, and was surprised to find several that are not in the manual. Almost any menu instruction can be given by voice, making the 855 even more functional than expected. You might be surprised to learn that the following commands also work: Yes, No, Back, Page Up/Down, Scroll Up/Down, Clear, and Delete. I have also discovered that "Next Turn" will repeat the spoken instruction for the upcoming turn; this is handy to check many miles before your turn. Once the "Next Turn" graphic is displayed, the user can command successive upcoming turns to be displayed and spoken. Among my favorite commands are "Zoom In" and "Zoom Out," instead of reaching and pressing on the screen while driving. Any sound problems in making ourselves understood are easily overcome, as my co-pilot wife can always intervene with manual operation when we are moving.
I find it easy to use the Voice Commands, but only because I have played with the menu settings manually in three Nuvis. Thus, I can usually interact freely with the 855 Voice Commands, and flow from one screen to another while driving, without letting the remote shut off before I'm finished with it. On the other hand, I do wish that the green "On" icon would stay active longer than it does: Keeping an eye on the icons and flicking one's vision back-and-forth from the road to menu options is a significant distraction, and potentially dangerous. I think it important to try and limit Voice Command use to situations where traffic is light, and oncoming vehicles are not present. I try to perform extensive menu operations (by voice) for situations where I feel safe diverting my attention from driving; on the other hand, my wife is becoming more comfortable at searching through the menus by herself, and enjoys the 855 as much as I.
Routing Accuracy and Points of Interest
Accuracy of our Nuvi instructions have generally been excellent, as is the extensive Point Of Interest (POI) database and operation. We have had some Garmin map goofs and occasional mis-routing, but also have extreme confidence that we will be rerouted quickly and correctly to fix mistakes we make in taking wrong turns. Based on our previous extensive Garmin experience, I expect the same wonderful service with the 855 model.
In contrast to occasional Nuvi annoyances, one of its best features is the confidence it gives us that whenever we goof up (such as missing a turn), when it will speak up almost immediately with a "recalculation." Similarly, whenever we are uncertain if we have made a correct turn, the fact that NO "recalculation" occurs gives us confidence that we are still "on track." Even when not on a route, we love being able to drive anywhere unfamiliar, and know that we can just search for a major landmark street or POI...and get ourselves "back to civilization."
The POIs come in handy in several situations that one might not ordinarily consider. For instance, when in a strange city, one can locate gas stations by brand or chain restaurants, find the way back to your motel, locate a nearby park to relax after a tiring daylong drive, as well. It is also useful to search for locations of interest before a trip, and learn how far they are from your overnight lodging (as well as establish a route to them). I find the GPS far easier to find POIs than following instructions from well meaning strangers.
We were frustrated using POI's to locate one McDonalds: Voice command and manual controls via several search methods failed to identify a McD along our route, and we finally gave up...despite being certain there was one nearby. Twenty miles later, upon arrival in the parking lot of a McD, the 855 still could not find it via "Where I Am Now." We have also experienced slight mistakes in POI locations for two other burger places, but both were close enough that we found them anyways. Thus, we have learned that Nuvi isn't perfect, and have learned to compensate...and "grin and bear" its boo-boos.
Learning to Use Any Nuvi
It seems that all major gps brands lack a detailed, printed manual; instead, they provide an online manual. However, even online instructions (especially Garmin!) are inadequate to fully demonstrate all unit capacities and efficient use. I have read the online manual for each of my Nuvis, but hate the fact that they are so incomplete. Garmins also have a fair amount material in the onboard "Help" feature, which is handy when you are away from your computer. These Help references are very brief, however, and...Read more›
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