Garmin Nuvi 2585TV & GDR 20 first look
What is the Garmin Nuvi 2585TV & GDR 20?
As the name might suggest, the Nuvi 2585TV is a new sat nav from Garmin, with a built-in TV. It also comes with other features you would expect, like traffic avoidance, points of interest and safety camera alerts. Take away the freeview tuner, and it’s most similar to the Garmin Nuvi 2595.
Check our sat nav reviews for a full review of the Garmin Nuvi 2585TV, going live on the 7th of September.
The GDR 20 camera records to micro SD
It’s not the first time we’ve seen a sat nav with a built in TV – a couple of years ago we tested the Mio Spirit V505 TV, although the Garmin adds TV recording to the mix.
We also took a look at the Garmin GDR 20 at the same time, a camera accessory that connects to the 2585TV to record your journey. It comes with it’s own bracket, that connects both the sat nav and camera together. Video is recorded onto a micro SD card.
The Garmin Nuvi 2585TV costs around £250, with the GDR 20 costing an extra £130.
Find out which sat navs performed best in our lab tests with our sat nav reviews.
5 things we like about the Garmin Nuvi 2585TV & Camera
1. TV Anywhere While it is possible to watch TV on a mobile phone or tablet, this does require a 3G or wi-fi connection. As the 2585TV has a built-in freeview tuner, there’s no need to worry about your 3G allowance or being in a wi-fi hotspot.
2. TV Recording The recording function on the 2585TV is basic admittedly, with it’s single tuner meaning you can only watch and record one channel at a time. However, being able to record the latest episode of Eastenders to an SD card when out and about is a nice touch.
3. Recording your journey The GDR 20 camera might only appeal to a specific market, but it does provide a nice ‘out of the box’ solution for those who want to record their journeys.
4. Usability Even with the addition of TV and a dedicated camera, all functions are still easy to operate, thanks to Garmins intuitive menu system. There’s barely any setting up time, and it’s easy enough to operate both new features without having to glance at the instruction manual.
5. Clear maps We’ve praised Garmin in the past for their bright and clear maps, and the 2585TV is no exception. Routes are clearly marked out, points of interest well displayed, and directions nicely presented.
Jack’s first impressions of the Garmin Nuvi 2585TV & GDR 20
While the audience for a sat nav with TV and camera functionally might be limited, there is no denying that both these features work, and work well. The picture quality when watching TV on the 2585TV’s 5-inch screen is pleasingly clear, and selecting channels and recording shows are all handled well, with simple button commands.
Similarly, setting up and operating the GDR 20 camera was a breeze, and blissfully uncomplicated. The image quality is perfectly satisfactory for the recordings you’ll be making, and it also records additional information on screen, such as speed, and GPS location. One minor issue is the built-in microphone, which can present a distorted sound when things get too loud.
The Garmin Nuvi 2585TV will probably be a hit with those whose day to day life sees them driving a lot. It’s quite easy to imagine taxi drivers using the TV function when waiting to pick up a fare, or driving enthusiasts using the camera accessory to film their favourite routes. The interest level for the everyday driver might be debatable, but that doesn’t detract from the fact the 2585TV and GDR 20 accessory perform the function they were intended for well.
What makes a Best Buy sat nav?
These are just our first impressions of the Garmin Nuvi 2585TV based on a short amount of hands-on time. Before Which? can recommended any product we put them through a rigourous set of lab tests to see how they perform in a wide vareity of tasks. Check our how we test sat navs page for a close look at what we do in the lab and watch the video below to see what makes a Best Buy sat nav.
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- Sat nav reviews – see the latest sat navs rated
- Testing sat navs – find out how we test sat navs
- Car tech tested – a review of car gadgets
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jayprime
I have a German SatNav installed in my car and it is pretty well useless because -
a) it will not accept a full UK Postcode. i.e. it will only accept the first 4 digits plus the first digit of the second section – AA11 1 – helpful.
b) the map only displays “A” roads.
When the car had its first service I asked about a map update – bearing in mind that it requires it to be on DVD. How much? £200!!
I ignore the one fitted in my car and use a TomTom!!
Rodney Fox
I have a Garmin Nuvi3790 and have yet to master the Trip Planner function, despite trying to follow instructions to the letter. The device tries to return me to ‘home’ after the first section of the trip-most frustrating!