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Garmin Nuvi 850

Garmin Nuvi 850

242 reviews

Jun, 2013

Positive
Screen (17)
Route planning (7)
Usability (2)
Build quality (2)
Reliability (1)

Negative
Performance (1)
Value for money (1)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 242 reviews from magazines and websites. Opinions about the design and build quality are generally positive. The usability and route planning also get good opinions, but some have doubts about the value for money and performance.

screen, route planning, usability, build quality, design

performance, value for money

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other GPS the Garmin Nuvi 850 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 74/100 = Good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 242 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(40% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (28% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (11% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (7% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (13% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Screen
Show positive (19%)None yet(Show all)

Route planning
Show positive (26%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)

Usability
Show positive (70%)None yet(Show all)

Build quality
Show positive (50%)None yet(Show all)

Reliability
Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)

More features

Showing 241 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 241 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (2)

Expert review by: Rich Owings (gpstracklog.com)

Garmin nuvi 850 review

The Garmin nuvi 850 is a member of the 800 series nuvi family, the first Garmin products to feature voice recognition. I covered that feature thoroughly in my hands on review of the Garmin nuvi 880, so this review will primarily cover the differences...

Jun, 2008

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Consumer review by: msporter10 (cnet.com)

If your getting it for voice recognition...Forget it!!!

The screen is fantastic. Great deep colors and easy to read display. As with most Garmin's it is as easy to use as other units. 1st trip I took it on it froze in the first two hours. You have to take it off it's stand and completely remove the battery...

The screen is fantastic. Great deep colors and easy to read display. As with most Garmin's it is as easy to use as other units

Useless voice recognition ; unit freezes up (check Amazon reviews...others have the same problem)

Mar, 2010

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Consumer review by: msporter10 (cnet.com)

If your getting it for voice recognition...Forget it!!!

The screen is fantastic. Great deep colors and easy to read display. As with most Garmin's it is as easy to use as other units.

The screen is fantastic. Great deep colors and easy to read display. As with most Garmin's it is as easy to use as other units

Useless voice recognition ; unit freezes up (check Amazon reviews...others have the same problem)

Mar, 2010

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Consumer review by: lynnmstew (cnet.com)

A useful tool, but with a few shortcomings.

Overall I do not think the voice instruction feature was worth the extra money because it misunderstands me often enough that I have to program it using the touch screen anyway. If I had it to do over again, I would pay less and get, say, the Nuvi 260W...

Easy setup and use. Microphone attaches inobtrusively to steering wheel; convenient to use. Finds satellites and sets up routes quickly. Voice instructions clear. Quickly recalibrates if you pass your turn

Sometimes misunderstands voice instructions, e.g., thinks I'm saying "Oshawa" when I mean "Ottawa". Mispronounces street names. Sometimes chooses abnormal routes. Better to pull over to assign destination rather than doing it while driving

Sep, 2008

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Consumer review by: (cnet.com)

Garmin nüvi 850 (gray)

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Consumer review by: (amazon.com)

Amazon review summary for the Garmin Nuvi 850

alaTest has collected and analyzed 206 user reviews of the Garmin Nuvi 850 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other GPS on Amazon.com.

usability, voice guidance, performance, screen, route planning

66% of reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Jun, 2013

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Consumer review by: BrainByte (viewpoints.com)

I am replacing this one soon ”

Well well well. What can I say about this GPS. I bought this one after selling my 750. Wish I didn't this GPS is very similar to the 750. The only problem is the volume. I often like to drive listening to the radio on the hard rock station. I also...

Nov, 2010

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Consumer review by: pitt_james (amazon.com)

avoid this product

there are toomuch problem with this model.

Nov, 2010

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Consumer review by: Kalves (amazon.com)

Avoid the Nuvi 850 like the plague!

First let me start by saying that I also own a Garvin Nuvi 360 (have for a few years now) and absolutely love it. It's still working well. The only reason I purchased the Nuvi 850 was so that I could have one dedicated to my vehicle.

Jul, 2010

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Consumer review by: Antoni E. Walker (amazon.com)

good

We got this for my dad for christmas, and he was really excited for it but never really used it. I have used it a few times, and he uses it alot now. it is pretty simple to use. it has some features which are kind of useless. It has for example a voice...

Jun, 2010

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Product Specifications

KIT INCLUDES: 1- Garmin Nuvi 850 Portable GPS Navigation Unit1- 2GB MicroSD Memory Card (Extra Storage Space for your MP3s, Pictures and Additional Maps and Software!)1- USB Memory Card Reader (Transfer Your MP3s, Pictures and Additional Maps and Software Faster!)1- Bean Bag Dashboard Mount (Mount Your GPS Unit Without Adhesives or Windshield Mounts, Simple Beanbag Mount Stays In Place and Works for Any GPS Unit!)1- Pack of GPS Screen Protectors (Protect Your Screen from Dust & Scratches!) More about this GPS Unit: It features speech recognition (SR), a widescreen display, preloaded maps, an FM transmitter and more. Like the rest of the wide nuvi 800-series, just speak a menu option and nuvi obeys your command. nuvi 850 not only tells you where to turn but listens to your spoken commands. With nuvi's innovative speech recognition, you safely control nuvi's interface with your voice - allowing you to keep both hands on the wheel. Simply press the button on the remote (which attaches to the steering wheel) to activate speech recognition and begin speaking menu options. nuvi even recognizes shortcut phrases for popular functions. Tell nuvi "Find Address" and speak an address to start navigating. A GPS that helps you keep your concentration on the road, where it should be. Manufacturer Supplied Accessories:Preloaded City Navigator® NT for North America, Remote for voice activation, Vehicle suction cup mount, Vehicle power cable, USB cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual, Maufacturer's USA Warranty.