Nuvi 880 and Beyond (Product Discussion Thread)

Garmin already flagged 880 as discontinued product. I am so Pxxxed

My 880 does the same random reboot thing. Did you send one back in? For whatever reason I just accepted it and didn't even think to call Garmin. Other than that "feature" I am pretty happy with my 880.

Yes, the Nuvi 880 and 850 are discontinued. They have been replaced by the 885T and 855. Garmin has jazzed them up a bit adding Lane Assist and nuMaps among other things.

They are due to start shipping "approx" the last week of Jan 09.

You can find the Nuvi 885T here

http://www.gpsdeals4u.com/gps-Garmin-Nuvi-885T-4-3-Inches-GP...

It seems when you buy the high end Garmin, we somehow get taken.

Yeah, I had a big problem, sent in my 880, and got
back a "NEWLY OVERHAULED" 880 just this last week.
It says to me, they MUST be discontinued and not in stock, for them to send me what I'd call a "refurb" GPSr. And I had only a month ago renewed MSNDirect to a lifetime subscription. If they'd told me I could have been happy to coughed up a reasonable amount to upgrade to the new 885 when it comes out.
But now, I don't think this is fair. The replacement unit did not have the updated software version installed (only to 3.20 not 4.00) and no updated Bluetooth or MSNDirect software, so I have to worry if any of that software caused the problems with the original unit that I had to return. Creepers, it sure is frustrating. And I also lost all my locations....

After all the shopping around and price comparison until I found the lowest price possible for my 880 it is a little frustrating to find that it is discontinued and may mean that there will be little if any further support for them. Even more frustrating is that the price for the replacement, the 885T is listing for $200.00 less than what Garmin was asking for the 880.

Maybe because Garmin didn’t see the 880 move till the price dropped to the $800.00 range. As with any electronic gadget, it’s out of date the day it hits the shelf.

That being said, I like my 880 and don’t anticipate that the geek in me will want or need the newer units anytime soon. The 880 still gets oo’s and ahsss from the odd passenger.

I wouldn't worry too much about support. Garmin tends to support their models for a long time after they're discontinued.

I can empathize with your frustration, but that's the nature of retail electronics.

I paid over $3,000 for my then top of the line Pentium 4 computer 3 years ago, have upgraded the video card, hard drive, etc., and still can't play a lot of newer games that require at least a Core Duo processor.

Frequently electronics are obsolete shortly after you buy them.

I paid way too much for the 765T right after it came out. Price will probably come way down, but then Garmin will come out with a later/greater model.

On the good side I bought a LCOS 1080P rear projection TV set 2 years ago, which has been discontinued for some time, and the manufacturer no longer make projection TV. However once calibrated I am very happy with the picture and performance compared to recent LCD and plasma sets I've seen. Now I only wish it had more than 2 HDMI connections.

I’m well aware that any electronic purchased today is out date by the time that it hits the shelf. I hope you’re right that Garmin will continue to issue updates for my 880. I don’t regret the purchase at all.

As for the LCD and Plasma big screen, there is lots of discussion on the power consumption on these beasts. One report I say on the news says that plasma running just 3 hours a day can add about $400.00 plus to the owner’s electric bill per year. Some guy in California is trying to get the manufacturers to place power consumption stickers on them like they do for washers/dryers and fridges.

Wow. I figured that plasmas ate some electricity, but I didn't think that much. I would think LCD's would use less. I wonder what it costs to run my projection set. The projection bulb must use quite a few watts.

I've used both a 660 and an 680 previously and was happy with both. The MSN Traffic of the 680 was preferable to the 660, but bluetooth was very adequate on both.

I was very excited when last October I finally purchased an 880. I couldn't wait to try out the voice recognition. I've seen several questions about how well the voice recognition works and I have to say, that within its limitations, I thought that using voice recognition was wonderful.

I mounted the trigger button on my Toyota Camry's handbrake rather than the suggested steering wheel position. For me this position worked very well and I recommend it.

Once, I did have a problem with a voice input which led the 880 to crash, but that wasn't why I was so disappointed with the 880.

My big disappointment was based on the 880's horrible bluetooth sound quality. I tried everything that I and Garmin could come up with, but I could never get usable quality sound from the 880.

I returned the first unit and the replacement had the same problem. sound was too garbled and unclear to allow a handsfree conversation.

Since my intention was to use the 880 specifically for its handsfree capability (CA law requires handsfree) I was very disappointed with the 880's performance in this important feature of its design.

One would think that quality in every aspect of its features should be top notch in a device that was listing at a MSRP of almost $1000.

I read a post saying that Garmin was discontinuing the 880.

Based on my experience I should hope so, although I'd love to have a device with the 880's voice recognition and a really effective bluetooth capability.

I've gone back to a basic 205w that I picked up for $50 on an Office Depot clearance. Even this model does a good job for me. I still feel that Garmin is tops in GPS and I hope that they get it together in a replacement for the flawed 880.

But, as I always say, "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

GeneL

I am trying to reason and find out why Garmin have such an extreme short life expectancy for recent Nuvi hi end line in lieu of fixing the current issues..

C'est la vie. it happen to me every time, with no exception..

Yep, got it replaced..
but I also had a freezing and not starting issues

As of last Wednesday 1/21/2008, GARMIN now offer a Lifetime map update option for a flat fee of $119.99 , which will allow you to update your mapping every 3 months, up to 4 times a year , for the life of the unit. Even though your nuvi 880 is discontinued.

nüMaps Lifetime: Now Available

Garmin's new map update program, nüMaps Lifetime is now available for purchase! This one-time, single purchase lets you download the most up-to-date map information on streets, highways and points of interest up to four times per year, for the lifetime of your device. nüMaps is available in three different versions and costs $119.99 for North American maps, $139.99 for European maps, or a TransAtlantic mapset for $149.99. To use nüMaps Lifetime, all you need is your Garmin device, your computer and a USB cable. A new update will be available up to four times per year; sign up for our email notification, and we'll email you when the newest data is available.

Follow the link for more details..
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/maps/numaps-lifetime

I hope they allow for the possibility of having to return the unit for a replacement while the warranty is still in effect. Those things never enter my mind, until it happens...

But now I am thinking about springing for the next $120. Actually, with the MSN Direct lifetime subscription I'd just added to my 880 before it went kaput, when I checked on the serial number for the refurb unit they sent me as a replacement, THE MSN DIRECT INSTALLED IN THE NEW UNIT HAD MY OLD SERIAL NUMBER. So I'm thinking now I don't have to do anything more to keep it working. That sure takes a lot of upkeep out of restoring my service to the place the first unit had. All my books were on the 8g SDHC so they were not lost.

Way to go Garmin!

As I was returning from Sunday Services, I noticed that my MSN was being updated wireless. It completed the transfer and just what I expected it knocked out my traffic information. All the other icons working fine. I decided to call MSN and told them what had happened and explaining to the support person that my 880 did not get the additional icons like other devices received even though I currently now have the updated firmware. I had already waited 30 minutes for the icon to updated itself so by having the support person send a signal again, the unit was back working again in about 15 minutes.

Garmin retired nüvi® 880 and replace it with nüvi® 885 . As far as I am concerned, they only added the lane assist. This is just a software upgrade!!. why Garmin would not allow 880 owners to upgrade their unit..?

Hi Nick Jr,
I guest it very common that the Nuvi 880 reboot itself. My first unit did it more frequently, my second unit did it couple times a week. So I gave up and give it to my brother. I got the third one which is 885 and so far not seeing that. Will keep you update if that happend.

I have both unit. The only different between those two is lane assist which is not cover all the freeway exit.
Garmin really let 880 owners down on this.

I am beginning to wonder if lawsuit can be brought against GARMIN. as a result of

Bill,
AMen - These high end units are not cheap when they first come out and to have them discontinue so soon and not be able to have the additional benefits for the new models that I feel we should be entitled to since we only had the unit for less than a year.

Because they can, and expect you to pay for a new unit and be happy! So all you nüvi® 880 owners out there, grab your ankles.

I have been saying this and been getting beat up for it!
Garmin is getting worse and worse and don't care about you a bit. If you think you can beat a off shore company in court, I would say don't waste your money. Instead don't but the crappy Garmin Nuvi line of products, hit em where it hurts instead.

Nick,
Let us keep complaining to Garmin and talk about it here, at least we can vent. Maybe we will get somewhere!!!, But right now we are very frustrated..!!

Garmin released new nuvi 880 update, main features "Nothing Dramatic" are listed below:
Changes made from version 4.00 to 4.30:

Can be downloaded from https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsDetails.jsp?id=41... or use the web updater

I prefer to use web updater, so make sure you also update the traffic firmware after using completing the software update.

I think I agree that Garmin has taken a wrong approach to the marketing of their products but in all honesty there are enough newbies out there that will keep the pipeline full for awhile. I have watched customers in Best Buy who listen to the sales person and blindly buy these things. They then find a site like this and beccome educated. I wanted the voice command after my 750 broke and then realized it is not as good as it could be. Many times I still have to manually input info. I too wish that they would allow an upgrade (for a modest fee) to the new software. There are new units that are coming out by other companies that are just as good now. I will shop very carefully next time. indyjkraft

I agree with a lot of what you say, but it isn't like Navigon hasn't come up with new models lately, and obsoleted their old ones, that could have been upgraded with software. Same thing and most all companies do it.

Sure they have, but I was able to change my underwear between, unlike the Garmin Nuvi Line.

Navigon has indeed released new units, after about a year,and one Christmas season to the next and last time I looked there still not obsolete!
So next time you buy Garmin, ask the good Dr. for some KY Jelly. I feel real sorry for these Nuvi users.

The previous Navigon models weren't out that long. No big difference to what Garmin does.

Sorry you feel you have to make nasty joke about them. No matter what you tout Navigon and diss Garmin. No matter what you keep saying most of the reviews on Navigon have not been compared to Garmin or even TomTom or Magellan. You may be the one who's getting hosed.

Only 1 post about the horrible speaker quality? Is anyone else having this problem? I sure am. I've given up on using the 880 with my phone.

I have traded in my 785T for the 885T and should receive it by the middle of next week. I am hoping I get rid of the rebooting I experienced with the 765 and the 785, primarily because the 885 does not utilize the A2DP bluetooth software. I'll let you know how it goes.

Looking forward for that, where did you traded your unit.?

it's Horrible. Any $15 BlueTooth device is better than 880. Also FM transmitter is crappy..!

Please do.. I am considering in selling my 880 in case you have no problems on rebooting with your new unit.

I wish you lots of luck Nick, High prices and dumbed down product.

I traded it back to Garmin.

JUst received my new 885T that is replacing my 785. SO far so good but I am not sure it was much of an upgrade. I gained the voice activation and the battery replacement but lost the 3D buildings, the EcoRoute, can't add my old Fordor travel guide becuause it was SD mini and the 885 accepts the micro and I get less routes to add. Seems everytime you upgrade, you downgrade, too.

Well, I have had the 885T for about a week and I couldn't be more pleased. NO dropped phone/bluetooth, no rebooting of the unit. It behaves beautiful and I love the voice activation..it is perfect and always right on. With the voice commands, I never have to tap the screen, again...lol. I am so impressed. I don't have the EcoRoute or the 3D building view but I really didn't need them, anyway. I think they caused more problems then they were worth. I am so happy with it that I went ahead and bought the 'lifetime' numaps and also the 'lifetime' MSN direct. I think I am set for a long time....unless someone steals my unit...lol, although, MSN says I have a 3 year proration of the price, if it is stolen or needs to be replaced.

I am Happy for U

I was just thinking about doing the same thing..

An interesting thread

thanks

Please post any feedback and alerts regarding your new unit, that potentially can help other users..

Well, it has been another week and still no complaints. Everything still works great. If I had any complaint, it would be that the fm transmiter is still a little weak but not as bad as the previous units,the 705 and 805 series. I still have not had a reboot or a dropped call and every feature works like it is suppose to, particularly the voice activation. It still requires a little getting used to. I keep wanting to tap the screen instead of using voice but it just takes getting use to it.

When I had my 880 go bellyup in December, the one I got back from Garmin was a refurb.

Unit is better than new. All electronics have what is known as an "infant mortality rate" in they know a small percentage will either be OOB - Out of Box - failures or will die in the first 90 days. A refurb has been remanufactured to full factory specs and has been "burnt-in" so the chance for another failure is even less.

And then there is the possibility the manufacturing run has already stopped and it is in the pipeline to be discontinued as soon as the stock is depleted.

Hi,

Yep, I like my 880 as well, my only complaint is the FM Transmitters lack of power.

Mike

Have any one used the avoid car pool lane or HOV option in avoidance screens and successfully was detoured based on the hours of operation and regulation specifically in busy areas like DC..? Please share your experience, I am also interested to know if there was a way to modify the avoidance regulation table..

I am wondering if anyone had been successful in running any nuvi with a different nuvi software..?

I am asking this to find the possibility of running for example 880 with 885 Software, since the hardware is identical..

I just found out that nüvi® 885T software is identical byte for byte with nüvi® 880. I installed the nüvi® 885T software on my 880 and there is no difference of what so ever..