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 mostly serve to remind me of info previously seen in the manual.
Nuvi owners who want printed instructions may benefit from this $10 book: "Garmin Nuvi Pocket Guide," by Jason O'Grady. It has 146 pages describing just basic operations applying to a wide range of Nuvis, including the 2xx, 7xx, and 8xx models (but has NO Lane Assistance, Traffic Alert, or ecoRoute information). It is nowhere as detailed as the online manuals. However, persons who want to always have at hand something with more information than the printed Nuvi "Quick Start" guides may find it useful. I recommend looking at it in a major bookstore before purchasing it.
There is a significant learning curve with any Garmin GPS, and I have greatly enjoyed reading other user experiences online. I have learned from a lot from these comments and user forums, and have become more proficient with each unit I have tried. Some users assert that they essentially turned their Nuvi on and had no trouble using it right away, but I've read many more newbies who complained about problems from the start. I believe many persons have problems due to Nuvi settings, either as original defaults...or after they have "fiddled" with settings upon initial trials (and chose ones that are not optimal for their needs).
Nuvis contain powerful and crucial features, but they are poorly explained. Almost all instructions are limited to text highlighting of the steps to use each feature, rather than illustrated graphics of the specific menu settings. Further, there is often no explanation of the various choices in each menu, nor any advice about the most common and popular selections. The fact that the manual is an online download should allow Garmin to present extensive detail and illustrated samples of all the options users can choose, and make it easy to explore and understand all features of any Nuvi model.
New users find it easy to select menu options, but the effects of those choices are not explained well enough, such that it causes frustration with unit operations. "Map Settings" and "Navigation Settings" contain important customization features, but deserve better detailed illustrations and explanations of how they work; the manual should discuss how to avoid common mistakes in their use. Further, these "Settings" are crucial to operation, but are placed near the end of the manual (see "Customizing the Nuvi"): They belong near the front of the manual. All Nuvis contain the features of Favorites, Recently Found, Cities, Addresses, and Intersections, and deserve detailed text explanations and graphic illustrated samples. Similarly, the main feature of "Routes" (in the 7xx and 8xx series) should be explained with narrative text and visual examples of how to create them efficiently.
I've experienced my own frustrations (especially with Custom Routes), but have learned to select the correct screen options to get Nuvis to do what I want. I have worked my way thru several simple mistakes, but still find myself occasionally making the same ones over again. I have read many hundreds of Nuvi user online comments, and believe that most frustrations occur due to making some simple, wrong menu choices. Garmin does a very poor job of instructing users in proper use of their units, because it does not make enough use of illustrations or provide examples of things to avoid. Arrrghh! Garmin also does an even worse job of informing users of the MANY lesser features of their units: It is up to you to discover them by accident, if ever! If you really want to enjoy using ANY Nuvi, I think that it is mostly up to you to study, experiment with settings, scan forum discussions, and practice to make it work in the manner most optimum for you.
A good example of having to learn something by yourself is the seemingly simple Power button. A crucial point about the 855 is that pushing Power to OFF doesn't truly turn it Off; it only goes to a Suspend mode...and will drain the battery to zero in 3-4 days, without further charging. Owners who use their 855s daily will probably like this feature, because car usage will always keep them charged. However, given my use primarily for vacation trips, I disable the battery until I need the 855 (keeping the battery in the unit, but with the terminals covered). The Suspend "feature" is only indirectly explained on page 55 of the manual (instead of page 1, where it belongs!). In fact, I only learned of the foregoing manual reference after other 855 owners pointed it out to me in an online discussion forum. [Note: My chat with a Garmin support technician showed that even he did not know of this feature.]
Custom Routing
Our main reason for buying the 855 was to create and use Custom Routes (a feature available throughout the 7xx and 8xx series). Thus, our prime usage will be during road trips, where we are totally unfamiliar with the highways and cities. However, I still find it crucial to use a road atlas or AAA map as the basis for deciding which waypoints to input into the Nuvi. [I also carry those maps in the car, as a valuable backup resource, particularly if we choose to modify or add new routes.] I use the paper map to "see the big picture" and consider alternative highways, and then input those choices to the Nuvi. I also love the easy-to-use menu for creating Start and End points of a route, as well as inserting intermediate points, and then optimizing and saving a route: That entire process was a prime reason for buying this unit. Even though other Nuvi's can create routes with multiple waypoints, they cannot do so as easily as the 8xx and 7xx series, nor can they save a route after the unit is turned off: I can save up to 10 routes at a time. I also enjoy creating a route a week or more in advance (and possibly modify it later with additional "Via Points"). It is also convenient to turn the unit off during a trip, when exiting the car at rest stops or for dining. If you leave another Nuvi ON with you outside the car, it may turn off accidentally (thus deleting your route), or continue to speak up with commands from your pocket wherever you happen to stroll.
After creating a route, I double check the 855, to be certain it has selected the intended roads. It is also vital to check against any unintended "side routes," which can happen with Via Points selected in cities: The Nuvi will set your Via Point at some centerpoint of a city, and not necessarily along the highway you expect to stay on. It is up to the user to make sure you won't be unexpectedly be exiting off the intended route...into and through X city or town. The foregoing steps and precautions make for more work (and require lots of "zooming in" on the map screen) but I have learned NOT to blindly depend on the Nuvi choosing routes automatically, until after I have inspected EVERY Via Point. I happen to enjoy creating my routes just as much as I used to study road maps before every long trip: Your mileage may vary!
Other Enjoyable 855 Features
Custom Display of POIs: I can select which POI categories to display (or not!), and they show up at the map detail levels I like to use. I display just restaurants and gas stations for now; I might also add lodging during future trips. There are a dozen categories to choose from.
Custom Avoids: I can also specify a particular street, road, or highway if I want to prevent the Nuvi ever routing me there. Even better, I can draw a rectangular or square area of any size, to prevent the Nuvi accessing that geographic space. This may prove useful during future road trips, if I am otherwise unable to prevent being routed where I don't want to go.
Quick Map Scrolling: I am not certain, but it appears the 855 scrolls quicker and smoother than I've seen in other models. This is helpful when I preview a lengthy Custom Route, especially when "zoomed out" to 50 miles or so screen width.
High Map Detail: The 855 offers one more level of map detail than the 755, such that I can better view names of adjacent streets and even towns as we travel; it has four levels of detail (although the 760 was even better with five levels). I really appreciate being able to "zoom out" on the map, when I want to know names of nearby towns and streets.
Upcoming Turn is displayed at the top of the map screen when on a Custom Route. I have read of others being dissatisfied with their route showing only the street name they are currently traveling on.
Some Other Disadvantages of the 855
The 855 does not have the Traffic feature offered on the 205 series, or the 755/765. Our limited experience during primarily Interstate travel found the Traffic feature mostly unhelpful. Three or four times it alerted us to upcoming traffic delays, but none were of significance; a supposed 10 minute delay brought up a suggested detour, but when the alert was cancelled...the detour was still recommended: We stayed on route. Perhaps others who use the 855 daily in major urban areas actually find Traffic alerts useful.
I cannot operate the 855 while plugged into USB power. The 760/755 were fully operational while on the computer, and this was useful to try out various routing techniques while reading about them online (especially Gary Hayman's Nuvi "Tips and Tricks...").
I miss not being able to configure the "data field" at the bottom right of the 855, and thus cannot choose between displaying Distance to Destination, Remaining Drive Time, Arrival Time, Elevation, etc., as on the 755. I also do not have the "route summary information" tab feature, which displays time of travel and distance for each newly identified destination address.
I believe that my 855 speaks its turn instructions just a bit later than on the 760 or 755 (at .7 miles instead of .8, at highway speeds, and at slightly less than .2 miles for the final warning). Even if this apparent glitch turns out to be corrected by a software update, I think these warnings should be provided even earlier, at least 1.0 mile ahead. To overcome this concern, we have learned to check all "Next Turn" commands several miles ahead of time, by pressing on the upper left corner, both to see and hear the instruction.
NOTE; I have no experience with the Music or Audible Players, the FM transmitter, or downloading the Map Update. I will be downloading the software update for the 855, but I'm more worried that it will change some things for the worse, in addition to whatever improvements occur. I do look forward to getting the free (60 day) Map Update, and hope that it adds some useful POIs, as well as more Lane Assistance and Junction Views. Last, I have no interest in the other features built into some Nuvis, such as as 3-Dimensional buildings or ecoRoutes (to help measure gasoline usage/mileage).
Concluding Comments
Despite our brief initial use, I have absolutely NO doubts that the 855 is the model for us: It is far easier to use than the 755 (which is also at the "high end" of the current Nuvi crop), which had very frustrating screen touch problems, as often commented upon by other online users. Because I had used a 760 before, I was constantly upset with the erratic response of the 755 during "keyboard entry" of addresses, as well its frequently bringing up the wrong function or menu when I touched the screen. I am immensely relieved by the accuracy of all keypresses on the 855.
I am very pleased with three 855 improvements (over the 755) that are important to ME (POIs displayed on maps, voice command, map detail), plus several lesser advantages not found on other Nuvis. I also know of a few minor features that the 855 lacks (compared to less expensive Nuvis), but believe that even combined with whatever still undiscovered flaws it may have, that I will love this unit.
I have read numerous Amazon and Costco reviews with very negative opinions of the 855, particularly regarding low volume, routing dislikes, poor battery charging, and even difficulty in operating the On/Off switch. Despite whatever annoyances some have experienced, I have tremendous regard for the 855. I urge buyers to give the 855's many features a fair test of several weeks driving, and to practice extensively at creating Custom Routes.
Read the online manual and practice with the unit at home to learn efficient use and overcome apparent problems. Help yourself out by reviewing recent complaints and solutions at appropriate GPS forums...and seek personal help by asking your own questions. I especially recommend accessing forums.gpsreview.net as the most "newby friendly" source, and specifically its "Garmin Nuvi Forum." Several other sites are easily found by internet search for "gps forum."
I think Garmin has made a major marketing mistake in providing totally inadequate manuals. I do understand the financial decision in not providing written manuals. However, I cannot understand why Garmin doesn't provide much more extensive instruction in their online manual: What can it possibly cost to provide illustrations and detailed examples of the various steps and menu choices? Prepare one detailed manual, and add/delete the appropriate sections for each new Garmin model...DUH!. I have read far too many online complaints about this or that frustration with various features, which could easily be avoided by Garmin addressing common user problems...and do a much better job of explaining how each Nuvi feature works. Garmin must certainly know the specific issues that users face, and should obviously take care to explain how to avoid them. Many frustrated buyers claim to return their Nuvis because they cannot understand how they are supposed to work, but Garmin apparently does not care enough to satisfy those customers. I grant that many buyers probably don't take the time to read the online manuals, but those manuals should be much more informative for those who do want to learn ALL about their Nuvis.
If your 855 seems obviously defective, contact Garmin for advice. Request a free exchange if necessary, so that you can begin enjoying your unit as much as I already love mine. I hope that this review helps others to buy an 855 and enjoy making the most of it.
I hope that most persons have enjoyed this review, both first time GPS buyers as well as others familiar with several different brands and models. I apologize for its length, but wrote it this way to give enough information to help others make a well informed decision if the Garmin Nuvi 855 is for them...or if they might decide they would be better off with some other GPS. I have NOT read elsewhere of many of the details presented here...and that is why this report is so verbose. Perhaps if others know of all that the 855 offers, they may agree with me that it is an outstanding value at its current low price. Similarly, some persons may be more inclined to go a step further, and buy the sister model 885...because they also want Bluetooth and the MSN feature. Hey, keep an eye out for future price drops on both units! I also look forward to learning from the responding comments that others might offer in return: I truly look forward to what others can teach me about the 855 features I have yet to discover.
UPDATE July 14, 2009
The biggest negative that I have about the 855 is that one CANNOT really turn if OFF. The Off switch really just puts it into a "Sleep" mode; I'm sure that this was intended as a feature, so that users could turn it back on very quickly (just a couple seconds). Persons who use their 855 regularly will probably always keep their unit fully charged, via daily driving. However, since I intend my Nuvi for only occasional use, I always remove the battery when not in use, to avoid constantly draining it to zero; my assumption is that it will last longer that way than if I am always continually draining/recharging. [My early use found it discharging completely within five days.] The fact that this "sleep" feature (or "NO TOTAL OFF" function] is not mentioned anywhere in the Manual is another example of what I consider poor documentation by Garmin.
I used the TTSVoiceEditor, and am extremely pleased with the results: We can hear all instructions even with windows open at 60mph, and stereo on moderate volume. The volume of spoken commands is actually TOO loud at times, like when we have the windows closed. However, since spoken instructions only occur sporadically, the volume is not a significant issue: We would much rather hear it always loud than always too quiet. The VoiceEditor was very easy to use and apply the volume change: Originally, the American Jill voice was default set at 65, and now I have it at 90 (and Volume remains at 100%). In fact, I also changed the phrase that always comes up when we make a route mistake: We no longer hear Jill tell us that she is "recalculating;" NOW she utters "Oopsy Boo-Boo...Let's turn around." YOU can create whatever phrase you like, and make substitute commands for virtually everything in the Nuvi.
I offer the following as useful 855 accessories, all available at Amazon:
Garmin Portable Friction Mount (known as the "beanbag") for about $25
Garmin Portable Friction Dashboard Mount for nüvi Series and StreetPilot C5XX Series GPS Navigators (C530, C550, and C580)
Garmin 010-11280-00 Portable Friction Dashboard Mount for nüvi Portable GPS for about $30
[I have both mounts, but am currently using the $30 version, because it is more compact and easy to store in the glove compartment; however, it has only 10 Amazon reviews, versus 2,363 reviews for the older and highly popular, 5* version. Make your own choice!]
Garmin Carrying Case ( "wallet" style), costs $17.83, for excellent protection against dropping 855, and can operate Nuvi inside case with full satellite reception
Garmin 010-10987-00 Carrying Case
"Garmin AC Charger," for about $14.23
Garmin A/C Power Cable for nüvi Portable GPS Navigators (010-10723-00)
This Charger allows 855 users to recharge off wall power, and at the same time have FULL operational control of the Nuvi. This is handy when you want to practice functions and explore features while sitting in the comfort of your living room...or wherever. Otherwise, charging while on USB computer power will NOT let you operate your 855. My unit fully recharges the Nuvi in less than 1.5 hours.
I am very pleased with all the above accessories: They work fine for my needs. I apologize if the type font for the specific models doesn't display easily above.
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Garmin nüvi 855 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Speech Recognition.
