855 nuvi

No, the firmware was updated to 4.70 last December:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/26825

Overall, many nuvi 8x5 users report more issues with this series of nuvis (reboots, freezeups, unexpected battery drains) than other Garmin models but there's no suggestion I've read that suggests the 4.70 firmware has made things worse.

After updating to 4.70, I do suggest removing and reinstalling the nuvi battery to reboot the unit--even better, if you note any issues with or without a firmware update (or map update), a hard reset of the 8x5 is a very good idea. DorkusNimrod has a great thread here at POI Factory on nuvi hard reset procedures:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/26136

I don't think this statement is true any longer. You RARELY hear of reports regarding the 8XX series locking up any more. The 4.70 software update corrected a lot of the type of problems you are claiming as current. I know my 885 works like a top and has since the update.

I did one thing that probably helped more than any other, I quit using MP3 alerts and went to WAV alerts.

I had both the 855 and 885T and only had one lock up when the 885T was announcing both a red light camera and a speed camera that were at the same intersection.

Hmm, I wish you had been with me and my 855 on my 4200-mile round trip from AZ to FL this Aug-Sept: 4.70 firmware, hard reset done, several problems with freeze ups, reboots, etc. continued. I will say that I use mp3 alerts and some freezeups were occuring during alerts so maybe I should try wav files as you mention.

On the other hand, I still am reading of others with 8x5 models that continue to report the issues I mention. One did suggest that part of the problem may be heat-related and my recent trip to Florida was during sunny hot weather.

When it's working (most of the time), the 855 is a real treat and much better than my 750. But for me, on the days in use on my recent trip, I'd have some 855 issue about one out of every three days when the GPS was in use for 10-ish hours a day.

Very recent (this month) reports of continuing problems are reported by soccerdude, chimchim12, and gadget_man in this thread:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30534

to everyone for your help,think i will stay at 4.60 it seems to be working great at the moment.

Are you using tourguide type alerts as well? I've found it is very easy to overload the processor with too many alerts. But then this was with MP3 as well. I've quit using radial alerts as well as MP3s.

Yes, I have one Tourguide alert set up, for schools. This did cause one of the freezeups on my recent trip (with mp3 audio). But the majority of my 855 problems were not connected with schools since I use a 500-foot very small radius.

My 855 works great, but I am not using alerts or the MP3 player or traffic. It gets me where I want to go.

I've been using the 855 for almost a year now and have had only 1 freeze so far on a 6 hour drive. So guess I am lucky that I got a good refurbished unit.

had my first problem with the 855,it completely shut down, when mp3 alert tried to sound,so with all of you guys giving me the info here, i knew exactly what triggered the shut down.I won't be using any mp3 alerts now that this is a problem.

Make certain you have the correct version of SOX loaded on your computer. There are several threads here that have the link to Rapidshare where you can pull the file. Audacity from Sourceforge is probably one of the better programs for converting between sound file formats, but then everyone has their favorites.

My issue with TourGuide files may have been related to the number of alerts that were going off. Craig ststes he has only one with a small radius. I started using WAV alerts on my old 200 and converted to MP3 when I got my 885. After having several lockups I deleted my TourGuide files and converted back to WAV sounds. I haven't had but one or two lockups in the past 6 - 8 months and I do use the MP3 player to feed music to my car stereo through a cassette adapter.

Well, BoxCar, I'll give it a try. I've switched my four audio alerts from mp3 to wav (thanks be to POI Factory--the sox.exe installation using FAQ here worked on my first attempt) and will now test out the 855 over the next few months with some longish drives. Maybe I'll need to drive down to Phoenix for a Trader Joe's shopping run with lunch at Culver's Frozen Custard, both of which are custom POIed and custom symboled but un-audioed. I will have some rest area audios and quite likely, a Redlight Camera or School audio, too.

please let us know your test results, when they are complete.

Well, even with wav files (via sox), my 855 did a reboot again yesterday. It started up just fine, I did a WhereTo to a recently found POI and when I touched "Go", the 855 rebooted rather than plan a route to the POI. So for me, the 855 remains MUCH more troublesome than my 750.

This reboot occurred in cool weather and right after initial start up of the 855 so overheating can't be the problem as some have suggested. Also, the reboot occurred when no alerts would have interfered. As mentioned earlier, I've done a hard reset on the unit and this did not fix the GPS either.

I do feel that after the 855s been on for a while, it gets quite warm.

I also note that when the 855 is turned on and ressurected from its off/sleep mode, that even after its battery says it has a full charge just 12 hours earlier, the battery acts as thought it's dead forcing a reboot. I wonder if the battery may just be defective. Before anyone suggests it, I have done the overnight USB charging and the battery can still act dead at times after that.

With each reboot or freeze-up recovery, the voice reverts to Jill although other preferences I've set remain as I set them.

I've also noted at times that when a freeze-up/reboot occurs, there are times that the 855 starts up and bypasses asking me for my security code, even when I'm away from my security location...not great for my unit's security.

As I've said earlier, when the 855 works which is most of the time, I do prefer it over my 750, but that my particular 855 suffers from an unacceptable level of random freeze ups and reboots.

Craig, it just sounds as if you might have a flakey unit. My 885 doesn't exhibit these errors, so it may be something else inside that is off.

I've had mine sitting on the shelf for a couple of weeks between uses - don't need it much in the neighborhood - and have found if the battery is flat, remove it, plug in the unit and turn it on. If you then slide the battery in it operates just fine and will recharge as you drive.

We're leaving Sat. AM on a 4,000 mile driving vacation and I've created some tourguides for use on the drive. These don't have audio linked so we'll see if I get hangups and freezes with just the default bongs.

I updated my firmware as soon as I plugged it into my computer.. Most of the problems with the upgrade are USER created.. being impatient. It takes a long time to do the upgrade and there are times you'll think it froze or stopped.. but DON'T disconnect!!! it will work and you'll have a really great GPS.
I use mine for traveling in my class "A" motorhome... thats 20,000 pounds bouncing down the road. It's great to be able to touch the button on the steering wheel and give commands.. I don't have to take my hands off the wheel or eyes off the road and that should make anyone near me very happy
Only thing I don't like is... it dies when not plugged in for a week or two.

The simple solution is to simply pull the battery out of the unit if you won't be using it for a few days. The battery will remain charged and you won't need to recharge it to use the unit. It's not a very elegant solution but it works.

I agree that patience is needed during updates, whether due to map upgrades, firmware updates, etc.

But my problems (and the others with issues reported in this thread) are freeze ups and reboots during use in a vehicle, not when connected to a computer.

thanks CraigW for reporting back on your trials,i have not used my 855 very much,it was a purchase made in the last month or so. i am waiting for the free 60 day map upgrade if garmin issues one before my 60 day limit, and then will use this unit more. i also have the 750 which i really am satisfied with, i purchased the 855 for wife,and all she will use is just basic functions, and i am hoping that we don' encounter all the freeze up problems.