Garmin nuvi 880

List Price: $900

According to industry experts, you won't be disappointed with the Garmin nuvi 880 if you can justify the price. Bloated with features but still easy to operate and carry, the nuvi 880 offers accurate directions, local news, movie times, stock information -- and prestige.

Key Features
  • 4.3-inch display
  • Voice-activated navigation
  • Dynamic MSN Direct content
  • Multi-segment routing
  • MP3 player
  • Photo navigation
  • Custom POI
  • Real-time traffic
  • Audible audiobook player
Pros
  • Voice recognition ability sets an industry benchmark
  • Interface design is easy to pick up
  • Slick design coupled with stable mounting hardware
  • An abundance of useful and fun features
Cons
  • Priced at the top of the market

Garmin nuvi 880 Overall

But the Garmin nuvi 880's standout feature is voice recognition, which has set a new standard in voice command technology, with regards to overall performance and usability. Voice recognition allows you to speak commands to your GPS device without utilizing the touchscreen, hopefully allowing an easier and safer driver experience.

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 

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 

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 

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 

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: $536 TomTom GO 300

The TomTom GO 300's features and design are universally easy to master for basic navigation. But other models are unanimously seen as stronger navigators with more innovative features.

MSRP: $250 Garmin nuvi 250

The Garmin nuvi 250 excels at inexpensive yet astoundingly accurate GPS navigation, but it offers little to none of the convenience features many shoppers are looking for.

MSRP: $500 TomTom GO 920T

According to reviewers, the TomTom GO 920T is not the very best of its class, but it's certainly in the top tier. It sports a stunning design and excellent performance, but its voice command feature could use a little work.

MSRP: $500 Magellan Maestro 5310

The Magellan Maestro 5310's large and easy-to-read screen is one of its key highlights for the class, but GPS writers contend a similar or better device can be had for a fraction of the 5310's price.