nuvi 880 is up for pre-order, if you've got $1000 you're dying to part with

We're sorry, we know Garmin puts a lot of TLC and, um, maps into these things, but we're still having trouble swallowing the $1000 pricetag the company is placing on its new hotness, the nuvi 880. The device is finally up for pre-order at Amazon, so if you want to be first in line for speech recognition and the other perks this unit will bring, now would be a good time to start selling off the kids.

[Via NaviGadget]

[Anthony @ Jun 17th 2008 12:10PM]

My $200 200w works just fine thank you very much. I can get it on sale for $175? Even better.

[Reid @ Jun 17th 2008 12:39PM]

Yeah, having a hard time figuring out why my Nuvi 350 needs replacing...

[Mile @ Jun 17th 2008 12:57PM]

Your 350 needs replacing because it's oooold. This is the 880!

[Anthony @ Jun 17th 2008 1:05PM]

Yes- I believe that replacing things soly on their age- not their functionality is certainly the goal in life. Long live landfills!

[Ant @ Jun 17th 2008 2:25PM]

Just because you can't afford it, dosnt mean you have to lower the quality of the story because you don't make enough money.

Some of us LIKE new stuff, and value technology - not just because we have no sense of direction.

[Homer J @ Jun 17th 2008 5:10PM]

I agree. I have an older 360, and it works just fine. Even did the update on it just in time. Sure VR would be great to have but I can wait a few years for them to sell at $350 with rebate.

[tekdroid @ Jun 18th 2008 1:56AM]

Reid @ Jun 17th 2008 12:39PM
Yeah, having a hard time figuring out why my Nuvi 350 needs replacing...
-------------
Garmin and TomTom (and no doubt others) have that problem solved: they all include non user-repleaceable batteries in nearly all their models (last I checked only Garmin have removable batteries in their higher-end models).

Meaning after 400-500 charge cycles the battery will no longer hold suitable charge, and you're out buying another one... or doing the replacement organ battery surgery yourself if you are technically-inclined.

Of course if you use it plugged in nearly all the time then you're good.

[Ignatius @ Jun 17th 2008 12:12PM]

I'll stick with old and busted.

[Ignatius @ Jun 17th 2008 1:48PM]

And no one gets the movie reference. :P

[snapa @ Jun 17th 2008 3:56PM]

Oh, we got it. We just don't care. Thanks anyway Fresh Prince.

[Tom Guy @ Jun 17th 2008 12:15PM]

Beware of Garmin maps. They are 2-3 (or more) years out of date and won't help you find addresses newer than that.

[Loban @ Jun 17th 2008 12:23PM]

Can't you update the software / maps on them?

[kal326 @ Jun 17th 2008 12:26PM]

So you're trying to tell me that the new map updates that Garmin just released are 2-3yrs old? Something tells me thats probably not the case, especially given the 'TOM' in your name. Go spread your FUD somewhere else.

[Tom Guy @ Jun 17th 2008 12:43PM]

I bought the 2008 Garmin Maps CD ($70, I think) and it did not have my son's housing development where he has lived almost three years. The housing development had been there some time before my son moved there. So just because you are a Garmin shill, doesn't justify discrediting my warning. The maps are years out of date. I send a letter to Garmin and included printouts of Google maps to show them several corrections they need to make and I did not even receive the courtesy of a reply or acknowledgement. Customer service is not, apparently, a Garmin company policy.

[dale_nx26 @ Jun 17th 2008 12:53PM]

also, if u read Amazon user reviews, u'll find that people are saying how some places the POI are on the opposite side of the streets. I can confirm this because I suggested Garmin to my friend (based on praises from others ONLINE when compared to TomTom) and he asked why the nearby CVS is on the other side. In the end, i feel good about my TomTom One.

[barb @ Jun 17th 2008 1:29PM]

You are aware that on both google maps and mapquest that they have this nifty feature of letting you plug in your Garmin or GPS device, click Send To GPS link and you can upload the correct map to your device?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_p1x-fL2zc

[Tom Guy @ Jun 17th 2008 2:19PM]

I tried the Google feature and it put a dot on the map and text of the street address. However it did not add the street to the map or the streets that one must drive to get to that street. Can anyone tell me if the 2009 Map CD shows Parkridge Drive in Grovetown, GA?

[nathan.wong @ Jun 17th 2008 3:27PM]

How correct he is. The data on the Garmin maps, even the 2009 updated maps are 3 years old. You'll find places that have been boarded and closed for 3 years still listed in your POI. Its really irritating, but that's how it is with these maps. I can't imagine the maps for Magellan, Tom-Tom, or any other gps manufacturers are any more up to date. Even Teleatlas data is old.

[Jay @ Jun 17th 2008 6:49PM]

Actually as someone that sells both units I have to tell you that the Garmin mapping and routing is FAR superior to Tom Tom. Sure you are going to find some neighborhoods that take years to make it in, as you will with ALL GPS's.

[Craig @ Jun 17th 2008 12:26PM]

Kids aren't worth that much any more now that we've all gotten our stimulus checks.

[Erwin @ Jun 17th 2008 12:36PM]

Actually Garmin is already shipping out the 880s. I ordered mine directly and they shipped it on Friday and I'm getting mine today.

[giedrys @ Jun 17th 2008 12:41PM]

I bet it could cost a lot less if garmin would stop wasting money on those stupid TV commercials.

[Nuviguy @ Jun 17th 2008 12:43PM]

actually they are available at the garmin store right now i was just in there the other day.

[CraziestGadgets.com @ Jun 17th 2008 12:43PM]

for $1000, i'd rather just be lost.

[PEZ @ Jun 17th 2008 2:12PM]

LOL. Nince answer, but I would rather talk to my GPS and have it answer in a sezt australian voice :)

[bang tango @ Jun 17th 2008 2:02PM]

Me want nuvifone. But I will take this in the meantime :)

[LongKnight @ Jun 17th 2008 12:50PM]

So I can buy one as long as don't want to buy a gallon of gas? But what good is it without gas?

[Mile @ Jun 17th 2008 12:56PM]

You don't get lost on foot?

[Peter @ Jun 17th 2008 12:49PM]

Not sure that I'd pay $1000 for one (even with the USD dropping against most currencies) but its cool that they run linux. A gnome mobile stack in fact http://developer.garmin.com/linux/

[Sung @ Jun 17th 2008 1:06PM]

In the only defense of price, adding a factory Nav system for your car usually runs between $1k-$2k, And most of them are horrible and DVD based. Granted, they're integrated but you could argue that being good or bad if you're only leasing it. I'm not advocating paying a grand for this, but just saying that some people pay a lot more and get a lot less already.

[Anthony @ Jun 17th 2008 1:15PM]

True- I paid 2k for my Civic's but resale is more than 2k higher so it's offset. But you're right- it totally sucks compared to Garmin's interface.

[mrbabyman @ Jun 17th 2008 1:10PM]

damn YOU supply and demand people are annoying.

[Anthony @ Jun 17th 2008 1:10PM]

I believe Paul's making a general statement about the price- not his desire, yet inability, to buy said unit.

What he's really trying to say in a subtle way is, "why the f@XT is this thing $1000 when you can buy the same functionality for 5 times less?"

As for supply/demand- prices don't always go down when demand goes up. In fact, you should take a look at the supply/demand concept your self- prices generally *go up* when the demand goes up.

Production efficiencies & overall output are what usually bring prices down.

Closeouts & overstocks bring prices down but that generally happens after an inflated initial interest estimate puts a company in a losing situation.

Example: Ferrari Enzo- there are 400 made. There are more than 400 people that want them, price goes up. There's X amount of gold in the world X+1 wants gold, price goes up.

[apeguero @ Jun 17th 2008 1:14PM]

I'm waiting for them or any other American company to use the recent decline of the dollar as the reason.

[Bill @ Jun 17th 2008 1:15PM]

Yea.

Hey let me point something out pally - I can buy a device that does the same thing for 80 percent less. And all the add-ons and doo-dads this thing brings are just fluff. The core use of a PNP is the N, Navigation...and any time you can buy a pnp AND a cheap used car for the price of an entire 1K PNP, it's overpriced. Unless it carries you to your destination, fans you enroute, and plays a trumpet fanfare.

[Josh L @ Jun 17th 2008 1:18PM]

For $1000 I'll buy 6 TomTom ONE model 130's (with up-to-date 2008 maps which include my new [as of 2007] neighborhood) and still have $100 left over.

And honestly, is voice recognition that big of a deal? I *never* use it on my Acura RL unless I *have* to (i.e. to dial my phone). I can't even imagine how road noise would affect one of these.

Alternatively (with TomTom) you can create "itineraries" on your computer and never have to speak a single word to the GPS.

Regarding addresses or POI's not in the PND - go to Google Maps and "send to GPS". Works for both Garmin and TomTom...

[c3pv @ Jun 17th 2008 1:48PM]

Can't possibly believe the price tag.

ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS for a Nuvi-whatever-random-number (just look at their current product range and try to find out any sense on the whole thing).

But now: 1000$ for a crap interface that seems taken out of an exaggerated cartoon painted by color-blind people. Lagging map data that, as far as I know, does not include any of the new trends (statistical data on average speeds, for example). Little chance to properly customize a trip (avoid particular roads, for example). Argh!!!

Just give TomTom a try. The most basic TomTom One is years ahead of this thing in what it really should do: NAVIGATE.

I wonder when Garmin will step back to the days when they had a proper product range, and state-of-the-art devices, and really exciting novelties.

Why the crap does one really need to speak to the damn thing?

[PEZ @ Jun 17th 2008 2:01PM]

sounds like you have never used a nuvi.. all that shit is taken care of. Ya damn donkey.. EEEE AAAWWWW EEEEEE AAWWWWW

[Brian @ Jun 17th 2008 4:27PM]

@C3PV
Seriously? You should pickup a Nuvi and give it a try. I own a TomTom 730 and a Nuvi 260. ($450 vs $215/gift)

The Nuvi clearly has the edge, here. The mapping is identical, but the Nuvi has a simple, intuitive interface.

It sounds to me like you're upset that Garmin's are so easy to use. Perhaps you'd be better off with a punch card system that spits out UTM coordinates?

[MadMike @ Jun 17th 2008 2:07PM]

My car has built in navigation but I grabbed a Nuvi 760 as a backup (and Acura's navigation system is lacking at best). I really like the Nuvi.

I had to rent a car in Virginia and drive to Philadelphia (a flight from Norfolk to Philly was $600, WTF). But I had this with me, and it worked great. Hit no traffic and even took the scenic route up he coast and stopped at a bunch of interesting points it had loaded on the thing.

I was really impressed with it. It would be better with a built in XM/Sirius receiver in it. the FM based traffic is lacking.

[MosquitoControl @ Jun 17th 2008 2:20PM]

Just bought a TomTom 920 for $300. And a ONE v3 for my father for half that.

I think I like my 920 enough to think it was worth the extra cash (I almost bought a Garmin 350 instead but spent the extra cash for this.) Beautiful screen, good functionality, but I still have trouble justifying the double expense. Really, they both do the same things with the same abilities. I don't use the extra frills like mp3s, the bluetooth doesn't like verizon, and the text-to-speech butchers as many roads as it gets right.

Then you move to this... yeah. When the price falls to $300 I might consider it. But my 920 will still do the job just as well. And I'll hopefully have a new car with a built-in unit (which yes, is not as functional, and yes, is slower, and yes, is way overpriced, but I'll make those sacrifices to get something built into the dash by the factory.)

[Itchy Pajamas @ Jun 17th 2008 2:55PM]

I'm a long-time Garmin fan, and I have several of their products for car, bicycling, and hiking. I can get the nuvi 760 for $399. Another $600 for voice recognition? Garmin has jumped the shark. I'll pick it up for $499 next year.

[Brian @ Jun 17th 2008 4:33PM]

I think everyone is missing the big selling point.

Voice activation.

It's very cool... and if you've got a $20,000 or higher car, a $1,000 GPS with GOOD speech recognition really isn't asking too much.

These aren't being marketing to people who drive a $4,000 vehicle. (Such as myself)

Besides, Garmin's MSRP is always much higher than they allow their retailers to sell the units for. For example, the Nuvi 760 is $387 on Amazon.com, but Garmin suggests the a retail price of $642.84. Garmin doesn't sell GPS units directly to the public.

[greygabe @ Jun 18th 2008 8:45AM]

Actually - I remember when some of the first PNDs were coming out
The basic model ran about $1000... I think everyone has just gotten spoiled. Why aren't we complaining about not having $3000 muscle cars anymore?

[Guns3545 @ Jul 11th 2008 3:43PM]

Very disappointing addition to the Garmin line. First thing you need to do is wade through 100's of questions on the website to find out you have to download an upgrade to the software because it will not work with the support web site without it.. Then you find that it has an hour battery life.
Then you have to buy a carrying case and plug in charger because it does not come with one.

Stick with the 600 series. Better value and it works at a fraction of the price.