With the nüvi 800 series, Garmin adds smooth speech recognition to its bestselling line of sleek portable GPS navigators. As with all nüvis, you get a slim, pocket-sized navigator with a gorgeous display, detailed NAVTEQ maps that let you search by name for more than 6 million points of interest like stores, restaurants or hospitals, and an easy, intuitive interface. All of the 800-series navigators also feature a rich array of features including spoken directions in real street names, integrated traffic receivers, MP3 player and photo viewer, and an FM transmitter that will play all the nüvi's audio, including voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, and more, directly through your vehicle's stereo system. The top-of-the-line nüvi 880 adds Bluetooth for hands-free phone calls, an integrated traffic receiver and enhanced MSN Direct content with traffic data, reas-time gas prices, movie times and more.
Key Features/Benefits
New-- Voice Recognition -- Just tell it what you're looking for (Learn more)
Easy to use interface (Learn More)
Integrated Antenna for a slim form factor
Pre-Loaded Maps for North America with 6 million searchable points of interest (POIs), plus add your own custom POIs (Learn more)
Multi-Destination Routing -- tells you the best way to get to a lot of different places in one trip (Learn More)
FM Transmitter lets you hear spoken navigation prompts, MP3s or audio books through your car's stereo system
Add FM traffic incident data or Enhanced MSN traffic flow data and content with an optional antenna (Learn more)
Where Am I? -- instantly shows you all of the emergency services nearby (Learn More)
Where's My Car? -- never forget where you parked again (Learn More)
Widescreen -- gives you a better idea of what's around you (Learn More)
microSD card slot -- store extra maps, travel guides, photos or MP3s
Photo Viewer and MP3 Player (Learn More)
Customize Your Onscreen Vehicle Icon (Learn More)
Garmin Lock (Learn More) -- keep others from using your navigator
New-- Photo Navigation lets you upload geo-coded photos from a phone, geo-coding camera or photo site and navigate to them. (Learn more)
New-- Send addresses directly to your Garmin from Google Maps or Mapquest(Learn more)
Which nüvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators
One of Garmin's key product philosophies is, "to make extremely complex technology easy to use for anyone right out of the box," and perhaps nowhere is that better exemplified than in the user interface for Garmin's portable navigation devices. Garmin's interface is a key to their success and one of the things that makes their devices such a pleasure to use. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip.
Usable voice recognition is something we've been waiting to see for a long time. Reaching over to type out directions on your GPS isn't just difficult, it can feel downright dangerous. There's even a warning on every GPS not to do it. But who has the time to sit still and punch in a destination? Well, now you can have your hurry and your directions too.
The nüvi 800s aren't the first GPS navigators to offer voice recognition, but the level of flexibility they offer sets a new standard for simple and intuitive use.
The device comes with a little remote control that mounts on your steering wheel. It has two buttons. One is, "listen." The other is, "stop listening". Hit the "listen" button to start voice recognition. Then you can speak any of the words that appear on the display, and the device will understand, or you can ask questions based on most points of interest. Say, "find nearest Italian restaurant," for example, and you'll get a list of nearby spots. Say "go to" and name of the one you want, and you get turn-by-turn directions to dinner. The nüvi also knows the names of many large business brands, so you can just say, "find place, Starbucks," if that's your coffee mojo.
Of course, if you know the address you want to go to, you can say that too, and the nüvi will give you directions, all without having to reach over to the dashboard and touch it. Speech recognition is available for American English, British English, European French, European Spanish, German, Italian, and Netherlands Dutch languages.
With an optional receiver, you can access enhanced dynamic content from the MSN Direct service. Check the weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, get enhanced movie listings, stock information, news and local events when you travel with your unit. Even plan trips from the convenience of your computer, via Windows Live Local, and wirelessly send custom to your nüvi. Check out a full description of MSN Direct content features, or a coverage map for MSN Direct services. A 3-month subscription to MSN Direct is included with the receiver. After that, subscription fees are $49.95 per year, or $129.95 for a lifetime subscription.
FM Traffic
With an optional receiver, you can get alerts from TMC Clear Channel about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. All you have to do is simply touch the screen to view traffic details and you'll be ready to detour around any problem area. And if you end up missing a turn, or you're forced into a detour that is not relayed through the traffic receiver, the nüvi's sophisticated automatic routing will get you back on track in no time.
In most areas, TMC Clear Channel traffic broadcasts are continuous -- there's no waiting for scheduled traffic news updates or random alerts. Because traffic broadcasts are received via a "silent" FM data channel, you can still listen to music or news programming on your car radio without interference from incoming FM traffic data transmissions.
A 3-month subscription to TMC Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network is included with the receiver. For more information on subscription fees, coverage in individual cities, and traffic data networks in the United Kingdom and Europe, check the Garmin website.
The super-bright, 4.3-inch (diagonal) touchscreen display gives is anti-glare for ease of viewing during the day and automatically changes its color profile for easy viewing at night or in dim light. It offers 2d or 3D perspective views. The widescreen format gives you 70% more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push.
Wider screen lets you see more of what's around. Compare these actual size views of a 3-inch (diagonal) screen
This lets you enter several spots into the device (day care - supermarket-cleaners - office - day care, for example) and it will plot the fastest route. And once you've found the best router, the "Route Planning" feature lets you save up to 10 different routes, Garmin touts the feature for providing, "the most efficient route for errands, deliveries and sales calls." The feature also makes this an instant essential accessory for anyone who shops garage sales (you know what we're talking about). A trip log provides an electronic bread crumb trail of up to 10,000 points, so you can see where you've been on the map.
Garmin's "Where Am I?" feature is a useful safety feature on all nüvis, but voice recognition makes it even better.
On any nüvi (including this one), you can just tap "Where Am I?" to find the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address and intersection. Also see your exact latitude and longitude coordinates. With the 800s, all you have to do is say "Where am I?" to get the info.
Like the nüvi 700s, the 800s will also remember where you parked. It automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windshield mount, so you can navigate with nüvi on foot and find your way back to your vehicle. Perfect for unfamiliar spots and crowded lots such as amusement parks, stadiums and malls.
nüvi 250W accepts custom points of interest (POIs). View larger.
The nüvi comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty POI database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. Garmin gets its map data from NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping.
In addition, nüvi accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs
Important note about map updates: Due to our high volume of sales, almost every Garmin portable GPS navigator sold by Amazon.com will come with the most recent map version. If you ever do need a map update, you can purchase one from Amazon.com at our Garmin Store.
Garmin's patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PIN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location
Browse your stored pictures with an easy-to-use JPEG viewer.
Navigation is just the beginning. The nüvi 850 features travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, MP3 player, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. It also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map.
This device is compatible with optional content plug-ins available via microSD card, such as the Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize nüvi for your travel needs
note that the 800 series is unique among nüvis, in that the 800s use microSD cards, where all other nüvis use SD cards..
Garmin has also added the ability for customers to add custom points of interest (POI's) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras.
A handy MP3 player lets you play songs stored on SD memory cards.
Custom vehicle icons let you ride in style, at least inside your GPS. See more icon option
All Garmin nüvis support configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle's position on the map.
Using Garmin's unique Web site -- Garmin Connect Photos -- users can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google's Panoramio photo sharing community and download them to the nüvi for a richer navigation experience using pictures as a guide.
Choose from Panoramio's collection of photos from around the world.
Easy to use interface displays photos on Google Maps.
Search for photos by location name or map area boundary.
Transfer photos directly from Garmin Connect to device with the Garmin Communicator.
View photos in Google Earth.
Supports Internet Explorer 6+, Firefox 2+, Safari 3+ on Windows and Mac.
tching to try out a new restaurant, or setting off on a road trip to locate the best toffee apples on the east coast? Now, it's easy to search for locations on Google Maps or Mapquest, then transfer the addresses directly to your Garmin GPS navigator.
Hook up your Garmin to the computer via it's USB port
Search for the location you want
Click the Send link in the info window for the address. That will bring up a popup "Send to" form.
Pick GPS, then pick Garmin and hit the "Send" button.
The address will instantly transfer to your Garmin device, The point will be saved as one of your favorites, and you can navigate to it or view it on a map just like with any other favorite.
Optional software for language translation, detailed travel guides, and savings programs allow you to customize your nüvi to fit your travel needs
The FM transmitter feature is only available in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
This nüvi comes with a free, three-month trial for MSN Direct services.
Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.
What's in the Box
nüvi 850, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America, Speech recognition remote, Vehicle suction cup mount, USB cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual
Find the best route through traffic. Your GPS device uses MSN Direct traffic data to select the best route for you to avoid traffic congestion.
Check traffic flow. Know at a glance where to expect slowdowns in traffic.
Get accident warnings. Receive warnings about accidents, road closures, and construction in the area that may affect you.
Gas Prices
Compare local gas prices. See a list of recent gas prices in your area and an indication of how recently the prices were reported.
Find your way to the savings. Once you find the best price in your area, use your navigation system to guide you to the gas station.
Weather Reports
Stay on top of current conditions. View the current weather conditions in your area, including today's high and low temperatures, chances of precipitation, and more.
View the three-day forecast, Plan ahead by checking the three-day weather forecast for your area.
Check weather in other cities. See current weather conditions in major cities across the country.
Movie Times
Search for a movie. Find the theaters in your coverage area that are showing the movie you want to see.
See which movies are playing. View which movies are playing in your coverage area or at your favorite theater.
See show times and get directions. Once you find a show you want to see, check the show times and use your GPS device to guide you to the theater.
Enhanced MSN Direct Content
Web Favorites (Send custom destinations to your GPS with Live Search Maps)
Powerful trip planning: Use Live Search Maps on your computer to look up an address, search for a business, or plan a trip
Choose your favorite location, and then MSN Direct delivers the address, phone number, and more straight to your navigation system.
Visit Live Search Maps at http://maps.live.com.
Local Events
See what's happening near you. Find nearby events to see what's happening in your area.
Find the events that interest you. Browse events sorted by category.
Search for an event. Get details about a particular event.
Stock Quotes
Watch the stocks that interest you. Select stocks that you want to keep an eye on, and then see regularly updated stock prices and daily changes.
Get a little more detail. Touch a stock in your list to see daily highs, lows, and trading volume.
News Headlines
Browse the headlines at a glance. See breaking news and other major news stories of the day.
Read more details. Select a headline to read all the details about the news story on your navigation system.
GPS units have gotten alot cheaper since they first came on the market, and the units have improved dramatically. Unfortunately, no unit is perfect and you still have to be prepared for errors and problems.
The 850 is dark gray/black unit that looks sleek and attractive. It feels sturdy and I like the look and feel of it. The touchscreen is clear and legible and work wells. Garmin has the reputation of having some of the best routing algorithims, the best features, the best maps and the most expensive... more info
PERFECT!:
Loved this product! I bought it as a christmas gift for my fiance who originally wanted a Garmen 750... and in searching the internet I found an updated version from that! The voice recognition is great! And it comes with preloaded maps! He LOVES it!
Awesome Product:
This unit is an awesome product. Just received it as a Christmas Gift from my lovely wife. The ease of its use is a major plus. The only thing I would add would be bluetooth.
Great product!:
This GPS works just as described. No problems whatsoever. Fast, accurate, and easy to operate. My one criticism is that Garmin should include a carrying case with this higher end model.
Key Features/Benefits
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