This is an unusually long product review, but I just couldn’t help but brag about the Nuvi 855, as well as express several complaints about Garmin shortcomings.

Pros and Cons of the Garmin Nuvi 855
PROs: Custom routing; ease of setting unit options; responsiveness to my spoken commands; quick map scrolling via finger movement; Lane Assistance arrows are helpful; map detail is better than on the 755/765; place names appear on screen as you drive; extensive and easy use-to-use Points of Interest database, and POIs can be displayed on map if you choose.

CONs: Volume needs to be louder; warnings of upcoming turns should come sooner; inadequate online manual provides insufficient detail about unit operations;; cannot actually turn unit fully OFF; Lane Assistance displays are very limited; significant learning curve required to confidently program ANY Garmin to respond as the user intends.

Primary GPS Purpose and Recent Nuvi Ownership
I highly recommend the Nuvi 855, but my perspective is primarily based on three road trips, using its Custom Routing feature, plus recent experience with two other Nuvis. My main purpose was to create specific routes before trips, such as eight driving days averaging 500 miles each, on unfamiliar highways and city streets (and also finding McDonalds when we wanted). I have benefited tremendously from the unusual experience of using a Garmin 760 for a month last year, then recently driving 4,000 miles with a more advanced 755…but returned it to get this outstanding value in an 855. I have since used the 855 on a one week trip (and fully expect the bulk of its features to work as they have on the earlier 760 and 755).

We do not need Bluetooth (due to our pre-installed car option), nor the free Traffic alert service (found it mostly useless in 755), nor the 3-D buildings or Eco Route features in other Garmins. Perhaps commuters would enjoy the Traffic service in other Nuvis, but our limited highway trip experience found it alerted unnecessarily, and offered unhelpful detour advice: We thought it an interesting gimmick, but which Garmin may well improve over time.

Low Volume
Many reviewers complain the 855 volume is so low as to warrant returning their units. Actually, low volume may be the most common complaint seen online among all Nuvis. My wife and I agree that volume on the 760/755/855 is too low, but we have never missed a turn because of it: We usually anticipate when an important voice instruction is coming, and turn down the stereo and close windows to “listen harder.” It’s a slight inconvenience, but that main flaw is worth overlooking. Everyone should be certain to check both possible “Volume” settings: the main one should be at 100% volume, but also set “Mixer” to have all three volume adjustments at 100%. One other learned trick is that users can press the “Next Turn” arrows (upper left corner), and hear again the upcoming turn instruction, as well as have it display the upcoming intersection at the same time. [I almost always check the "next turn" instruction well before upcoming turns; I also find it helpful to press the green text line at the top of the map screen to display a summary of several upcoming turns on my route. This practice should prove useful with many other Nuvi models.]

Low volume is a distinct Garmin flaw, but we enjoyed the 755 for 4,000 miles despite it. We usually had some wind noise with the sunroof and rear windows open, but would close them (IF necessary) when we anticipated receiving an instruction, such as at the .8 mile mark before a turn; we frequently pressed the screen to re-hear an instruction, as well as to view the turn well beforehand. I urge others to work to overcome the volume issue…and move on to enjoy all the other benefits of an 855. We believe the 855 volume is just as usable as our previous units. However, I do intend to download a popular voice editor, which other Nuvi owners have bragged about, because it lets them increase the volume of spoken instructions.

Lane Assistance and Junction View
855 buyers should also be aware that Lane Assistance and Junction View are VERY much complained about Garmin features, due to the fact that they are primarily available only in major metropolitan areas and on interstate highways. Despite that, we enjoyed the 755 Lane Assistance multiple turn lane arrows appearing many times during our trip through Salt Lake, Phoenix, Tucson, and San Diego, and found it very helpful. We wished Junction View pictures of the green interstate highway signs appeared more often, but thought them mostly unnecessary (except passing through Portland area @ I-205 and I-5 interchanges, where they were very helpful). I expect 855 service to be identical,

Remote Control Voice Command
My wife and I are tremendously pleased with the 855 Remote Command function and…

Read more

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

|

 Comments (99)

http://speechwiki.com/dragon-speaking/dragon-naturally-speaking-premium-version-11-review/#comment-300 ansyori100 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:57:20 +0000 http://speechwiki.com/?p=34#comment-300 @blahyourhamster yes, you can use this software in notepad, wordpad, microsoft word, and even in visual studio. ;) @blahyourhamster yes, you can use this software in notepad, wordpad, microsoft word, and even in visual studio.

]]>

http://speechwiki.com/dragon-speaking/dragon-naturally-speaking-premium-version-11-review/#comment-298 xITzTwITCHx Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:25:31 +0000 http://speechwiki.com/?p=34#comment-298 @blahyourhamster I am currently running Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 11 and I can tell you it works in practically every application basically any program that has a text field will work with the software hope I helped :-) @blahyourhamster I am currently running Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 11 and I can tell you it works in practically every application basically any program that has a text field will work with the software
hope I helped

]]>