Garmin nuvi 880

in Advanced GPS Systems

Score: 9.7/10 , Based on analysis of reviews and performance evaluations.

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Garmin nuvi 880 Overall - 9.7 (Excellent)

Reviewers describe the Garmin nuvi 880 as one of the best options among advanced GPS systems for its generous features and precise directions. It receives high scores in all ranked categories because experts find it one of the most solid combinations of design, usability and performance. In addition, reviewers find the nuvi 880's standout feature -- voice recognition -- has set a new standard in voice command technology with regards to overall performance and usability.

The Garmin nuvi 880's price ranges from approximately $660 to nearly $1000. If you're interested in saving a little money, you may opt for the Garmin nuvi 850. The nuvi 850 is essentially the same product, without the Bluetooth capability and the standard MSN Direct receiver. 

What the Experts Say:

• "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." -- Ubergizmo
• "This is the GPS device I want on my windshield, and therefore it earns our Editors' Choice." -- PC Magazine
• "The nuvi 880 succeeds where many others have failed, delivering speech recognition that actually works ... Garmin's best of breed routing engine and unmatched ease of use make the nuvi 880 is an excellent choice for novice and power user alike." -- GPS Magazine
• "Killer app voice recognition makes Garmin nuvi 880 the best GPS on the market." -- GPS Tracklog
• "As we've come to expect from the Nuvi line, the Garmin 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." -- CNET

Garmin nuvi 880 Performance - 9.25 (Excellent)

With the Garmin nuvi 880, it's all about the voice commands -- which pass with flying colors. GPS Magazine says, "Voice recognition works very well; virtually all functions can be performed using your voice, including entering a full street address." GPS Tracklog observes: "And while it may not be the first GPS with this feature, it is far and away the best. It is a breeze to use and makes it much easier and safer to navigate on the go." PC Magazine agrees, "Its well-designed speech recognition feature is the real showstopper ... I'm hooked." Reviewers also like the base navigation abilities of the system. GPS Magazine proclaims, "Best routing engine available (better than Magellan or TomTom)." However, CNET says the "route calculations can be sluggish."  

Garmin nuvi 880 Ease of Use - 9.13 (Excellent)

Reviewers enjoy the interface and the overall usability of the nuvi 880. GPS Magazine says: "Garmin's map screen is well implemented and carefully designed. It is easy to read and does a good job displaying key information without being cluttered or confusing. ... The map screen is one of the most important aspects of any GPS, and the nuvi 880 gets it right." According to CNET, no manual is necessary to get started: "The user interface and software is intuitive," they report. "All the icons and menus are clearly marked, and we found that you could pretty much figure out the basic operations just by playing with the device."  

Garmin nuvi 880 Design - 9.5 (Excellent)

Reviewers have no complaints regarding the Garmin nuvi 880's design. CNET appreciated the "sleek design" and says that the nuvi 880 is "sleek, compact, and simple. ... The small size also comes in handy when using it outside of the car as an entertainment device or travel aid, since the Nuvi comes loaded with games and travel tools." GPS Magazine likes the "bright, sunlight-readable screen," but reserves special praise for the 880's mounting setup: "Garmin's mounting hardware is outstanding: the windshield mount holds the nuvi firmly in place and vibration-free when driving, even at highway speeds.... Garmin deserves high praise for consistently making excellent windshield mounting hardware."  

Garmin nuvi 880 Features - 9.5 (Excellent)

The Garmin nuvi 880 is at the top of the market, which fortunately carries over in its checklist of features. It's filled to the brim, as PC Magazine notes: "As Garmin's new top-of-the-line automotive GPS, the nüvi 880 has nearly every feature I've come to expect in a premium navigator ... this top-notch navigator has all the bells and whistles you should find in a luxury device, including text-to-speech conversion, multisegment routing, Bluetooth connectivity, and even media players and travel tools."

Other GPS Devices to Consider

MSRP: $400 Magellan Maestro 4250

The Magellan Maestro 4250's sharp design, easy operation and nifty features are a nice blend. Some reviews point out occasional touch screen lag and even some cases of the unit freezing up. But despite this, the Maestro 4250 receives favorable reviews for its overall value.

MSRP: $186 Mio Moov 310

The Mio Moov 310 gets a mixed response from reviewers. On one hand, they like that its MSRP is easy on the wallet, but on the other hand, they feel there is better performance to be had among inexpensive GPS devices.

MSRP: $300 Dash Express

The Dash Express is one of the most unique GPS devices on the market, thanks to its Wi-Fi Internet connectivity. But it trades flashy features for navigation basics -- those drivers who are frequently lost should look elsewhere.

MSRP: $190 Garmin nuvi 350

GPS writers say the Garmin nuvi 350 is a breeze to use. From the moment you turn it on and wait briefly for it to boot, the 350 is simple to program and reliable to get you where you need to go. Its only real flaw is time -- several years after its introduction on the market, its features are less-than-exciting compared to newer affordable GPS.