I needed a new GPS because I commute (a lot) and was on the fence about the Garmin 55 vs. 65. Your video convinced me that the 55 was the best choice and sure enough, it was. I appreciate your attention to detail.
Best review of a gps, garmin navigation, ever! In the history of youtube !!! I think garmin should pay you some money for this review. Lots of people, including myself, are buying garmin navigation system cos of your review... Well detailed !!! Thanks for sharing your talent with us, brother.
Looking at the specs on different websites I noticed this one had a higher resolution screen but you're the only review I've seen that mentions it. This version looks good, I'm going to go with this for its higher PPI vs a bigger screen with less. I thought I wanted a 6x or 7x, but I think this is the sweet spot. Not only does it cost less but it looks great and the option to deactivate pop-ups seals the deal. Thank you sir!
This is an absolute great video. I have so many questions answered now. I'm going to purchase this unit for visiting customers for my business. I'm old school and dont even have a cell phone yet, so this is a tremendous jump for me. But I am worried about being distracted by it. Thanks for spending the time reviewing this model !
The best review ever…I had garmin nuvi 50 and was looking for something simple and practical…this review convinced me to order this model cause the drive smart models have issues despite their bigger dimensions I stick with what I know
Best review of a GPS system I saw on UA-cam. And as soon as I heard "I didn't want Alexa stuff I think its garbage" I knew I would agree with a lot of your preferences. Thanks. I still have to decide between a Premium License on Sygic (which I like) and this Garmin Drive Smart 55.
Although I prefer a standalone Garmin, for paid phone navigation I think TomTom GO is better than Sygic. I actually paid for a year subscription to try it out. It's very nice and has very frequent map updates. My absolute favorite part of TomTom GO is that if you have geotagged photos on your phone, the app can read the GPS coordinates info from the geotag in the photo and navigate you there. That is a super cool feature. TomTom also just introduced Android Auto support for GO.
@@sat103 TomTom go is cheaper and better programmed. The instructions are easier, and the active lane guidance is less confusing. I used both, but the new price structure of sygic is subscription based. Sygic is 55 a year without promotion and Tomtom is 12.99 a year. Almost never crashes and you get more dependable functionality
TomTom GO is also _slightly_ better in the privacy department now. The app used to require permissions to all your contacts just to work, but now it doesn't ask that on install. I'm hoping GO sticks around, because TomTom also has AmiGO, the online-only version. It's nice but I hope it doesn't replace GO outright, because one of the best parts of the GO app is locally stored maps.
I have a DriveSmart 65 & 55. One of the things I miss on the 65 is the voice command menu. The 55 shows the menu as soon as you say the voice command phrase and the 65 does not. A minor inconvince because I have to remember the phrase. Sometimes I draw a blank and have to do things manually. I have learned from your videos. My favorite is the Nuvi 2460 because of the gas saving option a hybrid between shortest and fastest. But the 2460 calculation is getting too slow.
Thanks for the review My old old old Garmin (paid like $400 back then) finally is falling apart. Got it back in the 1990s when I had my 1993 Trans Am. All the heat and bitter cold made the case separate and thus looking for a replacement. Going to search around for "what's all in the box" but think the 55 will fit the bill.
Nice review - Are you still liking your 55? I'm looking at getting a GPS satnav soon. On another note - I don't know that I necessarily agree with you about not buying a refurb, for several reasons. First and foremost - many items get returned because the buyer just simply didn't like it or wanted something else - it had nothing to do with the unit being faulty. Secondly, refurbished units are actually better to buy in the sense that they have been through much more QC than a new unit out of the box had on average. Lastly - no manufacturer wants a refurb coming back to them a second time so they either fix whatever is wrong (if there is really anything wrong) or just salvage the parts and trash the rest. It just wouldn't make much sense for them just to polish it up and send it back out. Bottom line is they want users to keep these things - not keep sending them back.
The 55 cannot hide favorites icons on the map, and to the best of my knowledge the only audio it can send out is to a smartphone, and only during a call.
Thanks. I seen EX on the box that came from Amazon and was thinking "someone got it wrong" and couldn't compare the two models.( But now i know they are both the same) i paid $145.00 but it also came with a clip & suckion cup dash Mount
I spoke to the manufacturer (technical support). Smart series navigations use only GPS and some navigations also use Galileo and Glonass. The manufacturer also does not have information about the GPS module installed in their devices. So it is not known how many satellites it connects to. Therefore, it is not known whether he will not lose communication with the satellites on the way. There are too many unknowns for me.
@@sat103 I don't know how do you know that ?. There is no such information on the manufacturer's website. I would have to ask tech support. However, the 30-minute battery life of the DriveAsist 51 LMT-S model is a joke :) Garmin does not provide the technical parameters of the equipment at all. You buy blind.
@@Jacek.. I found out by accident. The way to check satellite connections is to touch and hold the signal bars at top left. I checked the connection, and on the next screen, the DriveAssist 51 showed both GPS and Galileo connections. Out of all the Garmin GPS automotive models I have owned, only that one showed GPS + Galileo. And yes, the battery life on the DA51 is terrible and must be used connected to power.
I could not find these two features in the owner’s manual. From the start screen, hold your finger on the green signal strength bars on the upper left and the GPS Graph View will show. Pretty cool! The other is hidden menus so be careful you don’t accidently change something. From the start screen, tap the Volume icon. Now press and hold your finger on the upper right corner of the screen (cover the word ‘volume’) for about 10 seconds. That opens the Diagnostic Page.
Thanks for the video on this. This model continues to rank high and your video has helped me feel good about buying it. Thanks for making the effort and sharing.
See this DriveSmart 65 video showing the 3D maps. It looks the same on the 55. They look cool but in my experience do not aid with navigation very much, and you ordinarily only see them in major cities. ua-cam.com/video/Uh0LYGFwi1w/v-deo.html
I got the DriveSmart 61 LMT-S and guess what...? I have those annoying orange driver alerts that you can't turn off! I called Garmin support and asked if they have plans to have the option to turn it off in the next software/firmware update and they said no since the updates only fix issues. Well those alerts are an issue lol. I'm going to sell it and get the 65.
Will this unit allow you to program a custom route, like if there is someplace you would rather take a specific route vs. the shortest or fastest? Great review. I can see me turning a lot of that stuff off, too. :)
Just bought one of these and watched your video. Great video. Thanks for the information and suggestions. I updated it before use. I took it out for a test run today, drove for about 20 minutes. Not hot outside. The unit got super hot. I mean, even the front glass was very hot to the touch. It did cool off about 5 minutes after unplugging it. I am wondering now, how hot is too hot? Will this last on a 2-3 hour trip I am about to take without shutting down from overheating? Have you had any overheating problems since you bought it last November? Thanks.
Operating temperature of the DS55 is -4F to 131F (-20C to 55C) according to the manual. I'll link the official Garmin PDF manual below if you want a look. Basically speaking, if you treat the DS55 the same way you would a smartphone, then you have a good idea of how hot is too hot for general use. The DS55 does have a temperature sensor in it and will shut down if it overheats the same as your phone would, but repeated overheating will cause it to fail early. The only way to keep the DS55 cooled off for longer trips is to get a vent mount, mount the DS55 on the vent and run fans, even if it's just regular air with no A/C. Regardless of whether using a Garmin, TomTom or smartphone for navigation, this is the best way to keep the thing running within operating temperature so it doesn't overheat. This is the official Garmin Air Vent mount buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/pn/010-11952-00 It can be found cheaper on eBay or Amazon by searching for Garmin 010-11952-00 (that's the part number) DS55 PDF manual for reference: www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart55-65/EN-US/DriveSmart_55-65_OM_EN-US.pdf
@@sat103 Thank you for the quick reply. As a matter of fact, right after I posted that question to you, I took your suggestion from the video and ordered a Garmin vent mount online from Walmart. It was only $15, so I figured, what have I got to lose. I really do love the this GPS. Previously, I had two Magellan's. I don't even know if those are sold any more. This is a big improvement.
I am debating myself to get the Drivesmart 55 over Drivesmart 65 because later one might just be a little too big unnecessarily and will take up my windshield screen and block the view. Have you tried to mount it on the windshield? How does it appears to be while driving?
The DS55 size is good when on the glass, but all cars are different depending on vehicle size and windshield angle. Exact physical dimensions for the DS55 are 5.4" x 3.0" (13.72cm x 7.62cm). If you want to know how that would fit in your car, get a ruler and cut a piece of cardboard to that size to get an idea of how it would fit. If you want to do the same for a DS65 size to see how that fits in your car, cut another piece of cardboard to the DS65 dimensions of 6.8" x 3.9" (17.3cm x 9.9cm).
Humble is one of only 4 cities left in Texas using those stupid things because they're running out the contracts. You don't have to pay it if you're sent a "fine", and if it gets sent to collections you can completely ignore it. www.khou.com/article/news/verify/verify-red-light-camera-tickets/285-106f0e90-2157-479c-96c3-ba5ac76268b3
Like your style buddy. I'm in the UK. my only gripe well three really. The manual I printed out does not show any page numbers. Who's idea was that one? Are speed cameras especially mobile on the device . On my Tom Tom I put the cameras on for £20. I've got 58 years NCD but 5 speeding tickets. I've been on two courses to avoid points and the 'tutor' said he would always trust his speedo not a GPS. I asked him why don't you advise all drivers to obtain a GPS to drive safer as it is an accurate device to indicate what speed a driver is travelling. I pointed out I have a marine GPS in my boat that can pinpoint where I am and what speed I am travelling. It can indicate where I am to 3 feet. He still said 'he' always would trust his speedometer. He wants more customers! = money. I'll try to look through the manual to see where you click to see how to get the icons up to choose where to navigate to. I really wish there was the old fashioned manual to refer to as in the old days.
Use the PDF manual, it has full page numbers and you can optionally print it www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart55-65/EN-US/DriveSmart_55-65_OM_EN-US.pdf
You can't get more accurate than the vehicle speedo. In the boat the GPS will have clear view of the sky & satellites (to the south), whereas on the road the signal gets blocked by buildings, trees, tunnels etc so the unit sometimes estimates the speed based on time of travel between set points.
Correct. Speed reported by GPS is always a predicted calculation and at best is "accurate enough," but not right-now precise like a properly calibrated road vehicle cable speedometer. Also, on most GPS speedometers (including Garmin) there is a delay in reporting. The delay is very small (0.5 to 1 second) but definitely noticeable.
@@frankn4424 Utter bull shit. A GPS has 13 or so satellites to give a fix anywhere on the earth. They are not affected by any buildings as you say...... Sorry but you are totally under a misconception re how GPS works. It all on the internet to gain the knowledge you require.
To mount one on a ifnot. screen just cover that screen with protective cover (like one you peel off from a new device screen). Then use suction cup and stick it on the center of the car's infot. screen,
I've just bought same today, I inserted micro sd card in slot at back but it doesn't go all the way in, is it correct that about a third of card is still showing? Love your video so have subscribed 😊
The best red light camera database for a Garmin is from POI Factory and is updated much more often. The New York Metro area is actively updated regularly and has 637 listings just for that area alone. www.poi-factory.com/poifiles/us/red-light-cameras
Newer Garmin models have free updates but will not be any better than what you have now since it has the same free updates. To get red light alerts that are accurate, updated regularly and free, Waze on the phone is the best option. Many people use a Garmin for navigating and Waze for traffic alerts. It is not a perfect solution, but it works and the cost is $0.
Man, i readily should have waited until that last line before ordering mine refurbished from Amazon. Smh. I guess I’ll see what happened, free return with prime is like 30 days. Loved your video tho.
@@joust182 i ended up keeping it because i like it so much. So far so good, it froze once but even then i just turned the screen off and on in about 15 secz. I dont think ill have any problems with it. W/ Red light camera notification, it basically paid for it self already. Screen is more responsive than my old one so i can plan my routes 2x faster.
Do NOT buy the 61! I have the 61 and it has those annoying orange driver alerts you cannot disable. You can disable the audio alerts but the orange banners unfortunately you cannot.
Just subscribed to your channel. I do have one question for you. On this model, how well are the traffic updates? The power cord is supposed to receive traffic updates but usually gets poor reception. Thanks.
If using a non-smartphone means of getting traffic reporting, check traffic coverage first by looking at the map here coverage.here.com/rds-coverage.html If you are in an area that shows good coverage, you can enhance your traffic data reception by using a Garmin GTM36 cord which you can find new or used on eBay. Bear in mind it _must_ be connected directly to a 12V power port in the car and not a splitter, else it will not work properly. This is what the GTM36 looks like, and no you don't have to buy it new. Again it's available used on eBay. buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/100586 If on the other hand the traffic map shows you are not in a covered area or right on the edge of one, traffic data reception will be spotty and you would have to pair your phone to Garmin to get traffic info (which will require data usage.)
Dear Sat nav 103 I've a new Drivesmart 55 with wifi although I do not have that connected , bog standard is OK by me. I removed the alerts re churches and schools hot dog shops etc, etc. It has speed cams built in which I think is essential. I was looking forward to the speed reduction ahead but do not seem to have that facility. I'm looking at you video again to see if you have to set that to get it. Perhaps it's missing on this particular machine?
@@sat103 Looked at all pages No 2 can't see anything that relates specifically to speed reduction (alerts) I deactivated over the speed limit warning as that would be giving me hassle. as I'm always just over the limit but by only 2 mph. ding ding ding ding. could not see red light to choose deactivate, I wouldn't want that anyway because if you go over a red light = Money . Loads of them here and so they should be no doubt about that. see some near misses though. Red light gamblers .Younger folks have grown up with what we called button pushers but I've had to get into it late on in life but I've set up the odd digital programmers for heating system. A jet fighter pilot I put a digital prog in for set it up in remarkable speed. I took my hat off to him. His mind was soooo sharp. It's a nuisance but if you had time you might consider going through the bit about driver awareness features but I could swear you showed it next to or near to the list of schools etc but I could not see it on my list of alerts. My GPS is brand new & I found it easy to remove most of the warnings that I do not need apart from the essential speed cam warnings. I notice Garmin's warnings are not like 'Pocket GPS speed cam set up where on my tom tom I could set the distance before the speed cam which I set at 300 yards initially but then moved it to 400 yards, The mobile vans a bastards in the UK and are as crafty as a waggon load of foxes. They move their position for optimum revenue collection. I mean on a bridge 50 metres from the 50 limit and do drivers at 47 MPH on a three lane carriageway with not a chance of a pedestrian in sight, because it's nigh on impossible for them to get onto that carriageway. They caught quite a few drivers out before most twigged them. Really appreciate you clear vid. By the Way mine is a Drive smat 55 MT-S 5.5" full UK Ireland Europe map updates - live traffic by phone (if you want it) + hnds free phone!
Hi there, thank you for your good explanation. Do you mean this model? Garmin Drivesmart 55 EU LMT-D. I am from Belgium. Do you you have the same one as that I ordered yesterday ? Thank you so much
Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking , does the alert for speed reduction ahead activate if a route is chosen and in progress or does that feature work without a route chosen. ? I'll have another look at your video to see what the position is exactly in the list of driver alerts. I can then look at my list to see if it is even in the list. It does say as I said that it should be as it is in the manual I have that I reprinted but I still had to number each page as it did not print any sheet with any page numbers on. Thanks regards Mick
It will work anywhere there is a clear view of the sky. It gets its position from GPS satellites in space and the map data is stored within the unit itself. Cell phone service is not required.
I purchased mine already. Is there a chance to change the colors of the roads? I see yours is purple mine is blue I like yours. purple pops out. Another thing I don't like the location is preset to Florida and despite my attempts to change it I just could not change it. It keeps starting from Florida. Would highly appreciate your tips on how to change the colors and set the location
When you are navigating to a destination, the route line will show as fuchsia as seen in the video. When not navigating to a destination it will show a different color.
Is anyone else having trouble with the brightness of the display? Switch on with ignition and it goes to 40% and you have to mess around turning up the percentage. And at other times it will just go dim for no reason.
I have a 50 LM and it has been a wonderful gpds until the battery died on my last week. I am going to put a new battery in it. I got a 2597 LMT to replace it. I have ordered a battery for the 50 LM, but suppliers are dragging their feet on it. I may pick up a 65 T, what do you think?
DriveSmart 65 is good but both the DS55 and DS65 are meant to be used always plugged in and are not known for good battery life. If good battery life is what you're after, an older nuvi 50LM with a brand new $15 1100mAh battery from eBay can in theory run for 4 to 6 hours on a full charge at 70% screen brightness. The original 50LM battery is 650 to 750mAh, so 1100mAh is a big upgrade. Search for "garmin nuvi 50lm battery" on eBay and you'll see them. Similarly, there are 1200mAh batteries available for the 2597. In comparison, the DS55 and DS65 battery life is only 45 to 90 minutes at best on a full charge.
Hi Have an old TomTom go 50 works just fine. But want a bigger screen . But the map on the Garmin is just a mad blob of colors compared to TomTom's map. So I have a hard time to justify to go for a Garmin ( i like Garmin products). So is it anyway to get a clean map on the Garmin compared to TomTom's.
If you prefer the TomTom map, they make three bigger 6 inch models. TomTom VIA 1625M, TomTom GO Comfort 6 and TomTom GO Supreme 6. You can compare the three models here www.tomtom.com/en_us/navigation/car-gps/compare/
I'm replacing my Nuvi 265W, which is fine for me, but the maps are so out of date I need to change. I DO NOT have a smartphone. Do you still recommend the Drive 55?
If you like the simplicity of the 265W, get a used nuvi 50LM from eBay. The DS55 is nice, but if all you need is a decent daily driver, a 50LM can be had for cheap and you can use Garmin Express to update to current maps. Just make sure it comes with the clip and suction mount, and put a new 32GB card in it. Video: ua-cam.com/video/AJpqk-UFnzE/v-deo.html
sat103.. Thanks for the quick response, but not quick enough, LOL. I tried to order a 55 at BJ's on sale but they were sold out so I ordered the 52. I'm about to take a trip. I don't need many features, just a basic GPS with up to date maps. I'll miss my ancient Nuvi because once I get used to something I don't like changing. I'm not the Luddite my friends claim me to be.. but I'm close.
Q: I have the old Nuvi and when the cable glitches, I constantly get a pop-up on my screen telling me to use an approved cable. It will not stop, no matter how many times I dismiss it or turn it off. Does the DriveSmart work if you use a regular USB cable for power instead of the traffic receiver cable? If you notice some of your videos showing lots of partial views, some of it is me rewatching sections!!!! Thanks.
If it's the older mini USB (which the DriveSmart 55 does use) then I believe it should work, but only if you use a specific USB cable that has the appropriate wiring built in. I cover this in this video ua-cam.com/video/vFgqZAgUOjw/v-deo.html with a follow-up here ua-cam.com/video/NVNJJsJoUaQ/v-deo.html As long as the USB port on the Garmin device itself hasn't been "cooked" by too much sun or has tarnish/rust on it, it should work.
Yes but you should use a Garmin-specific USB cable. It is wired slightly differently than a normal cable so the unit will charge properly. buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/pn/010-10723-01
The 51 is the previous model. The Europe model is the Garmin DriveSmart 55 EU MT-S and Garmin DriveSmart 55 EU MT-D. MT-S version requires a smartphone for traffic information. MT-D uses DAB+ radio signal for traffic information.
@@sat103 I really appreciated your answer Mr. 🙏🏽 Thank you very much. I'm going to Portugal, that's about 2.700 KM. From here. I'm afraid to make a mistake and take the wrong route, if it loose signal, or enter in the wrong lane. That's why I LOVE what happen in your video in the 3:48 That's perfect. Which one (model) could you kindly recommend me? Warm regards from Graz,Austria.
I prefer the model that does not use the smartphone, so I would get the MT-D. The MT-D will have traffic data for the major highways of Guimaraes, Lisbon, and Porto areas in Portugal. You can see the roads that will have data in the Garmin here wego.here.com/traffic/portugal/porto
@@sat103 Thank you very much once again. From Austria to Portugal is a huuuge way. So I just want to be prepared. :) Big hug Mr.! Warm regards! Júnior Santos.
Bad idea to use a DriveSmart on a motorcycle because it's not glove friendly at all, the sun will cook it quick and make it overheat fast, and the screen shake from the thin case will make it unreadable while driving. That's why Garmin makes the zumo XT. It can do custom routes, but also has "Round Trip Routing" specifically for motorcycles that the DriveSmart doesn't have. It can also be used horizontal or vertical (DriveSmart 55 is horizontal-only).
I just received my Garmin, stuck it to the windshield, and it is so difficult to remove. yes, I pulled the lever back. Do you have any suggestions for easy , sake remover ? Thanks !
On the rubber base itself is a small flap that sticks out. After lifting the plastic lever, you pull on the rubber flap for safe removal. You can see the flap on the base in this image m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519wxzHx05L._AC_SX569_.jpg
@@sat103 The first time I stuck it on, it was extremely difficult to remove, even with the tab. After the mounting area acquired a little dust, it releases easily, and seems to still stay mounted with no issues. Thanks,
Yeah it should be around $250 or close to it. That's pretty much the best price you get for the unit + camera bundle. Getting the BC 40 camera separate from the DS55 doesn't cost less if going new.
Does the back of yours get incredibly hot? I got one from Walmart and used it on the way home which was 6 miles. By the time I got home it was insanely hot on the back around the power plug in area.
I'm considering this to replace a zumo 660 for motorcycle use. Will I be able to see this clearly in sunlight? Any other reason to not get this for MC use? TIA!
Not on its own. But if you manually input locations yourself, yes. For example, if you use ChargeHub's map (or app) to find EV charging station locations chargehub.com/en/charging-stations-map.html and then input those directly into the DriveSmart, they will be exact to your specifications. Currently, it is best to use a place like ChargeHub to find EV stations and then separate navigation (Garmin, TomTom, Google Maps, Apple Maps, whatever) to guide you there. And the reason for this is because ChargeHub gives you extra info that GPSes and mapping apps don't.
@@sat103 the problem with chargehub, is, it isn't updated all that often. I drive electric, and noticed how rarely they update things. I use the PlugShare app, which is the app that all electric car drivers use. I'll see if I can get the app to somehow connect with the GPS unit. I'll talk to the techs at plugshare, and see what they say
If there is a way to somehow export all the EV charge station locations from PlugShare as a Google Maps KML file, that could be imported into Garmin BaseCamp software and then into the DriveSmart. Or if I were doing it personally, I'd take the data and create a POI database just to make things easier and look nicer on the DriveSmart map where I could add my own custom map icon and such.
E-250 is about the same size as a large SUV so a regular car GPS can be used. If most driving is in residential neighborhoods and highways, use the DriveSmart 65 with Garmin friction mount (search Garmin 010-11280-00 on eBay), which will allow you to easily get it out of the sun when not in use, and hide it away when parked so the GPS is not stolen. If most driving is done in city metro areas, a phone with Google Maps or Waze is better for the traffic reporting and to be made aware of lane closures.
Thanks for such an amazing video. The question that I haven't saw no one ask is can you adjust the resolution on the drive smart 65 because I think that is the important thing that Im looking for in the 65 inch model
Yes, but it would be better to use a Garmin Dezl model which is specifically made for semi truck use. Dezl has specific truck routing options that the DriveSmart does not have.
No, the DriveSmart 55 EX is automotive only. A better option would be to use the phone with the Google Maps app, HERE We Go app or Magic Earth app, all free. You can preload offline GPS maps with HERE We Go and Magic Earth easily, allowing you to have navigation with location on and data off.
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i noticed that is has a Bluetooth and wireless setting does that mean that you have to use have your phone hooked up to it to use it
@@mattg8787 No, it's optional.
I needed a new GPS because I commute (a lot) and was on the fence about the Garmin 55 vs. 65. Your video convinced me that the 55 was the best choice and sure enough, it was. I appreciate your attention to detail.
Best review of a gps, garmin navigation, ever! In the history of youtube !!!
I think garmin should pay you some money for this review. Lots of people, including myself, are buying garmin navigation system cos of your review...
Well detailed !!!
Thanks for sharing your talent with us, brother.
👏 i agRee!! 😂❤
Excellent! Very thorough review from a very knowledgeable source! Goes far beyond the product documentation for very useful suggestions.
Looking at the specs on different websites I noticed this one had a higher resolution screen but you're the only review I've seen that mentions it. This version looks good, I'm going to go with this for its higher PPI vs a bigger screen with less. I thought I wanted a 6x or 7x, but I think this is the sweet spot. Not only does it cost less but it looks great and the option to deactivate pop-ups seals the deal. Thank you sir!
you are the only one explain everything in perfect way ... thank you so much
This is an absolute great video. I have so many questions answered now. I'm going to purchase this unit for visiting customers for my business. I'm old school and dont even have a cell phone yet, so this is a tremendous jump for me. But I am worried about being distracted by it. Thanks for spending the time reviewing this model !
Best video I've seen on this device in the hours of research I've done. Thank you.
Thanks for this review. I was struggling to find the difference between the ex and the non ex. Im buying 1 today for cyber Monday.
About gps
The best review ever…I had garmin nuvi 50 and was looking for something simple and practical…this review convinced me to order this model cause the drive smart models have issues despite their bigger dimensions I stick with what I know
Great honest review. Looks like a fantastic SatNav. Heat issue is not much worry to me as I live in the UK ☁🌧🌨
Excellent review! Helped me to make my decision...Thank you...you have a natural talent for doing reviews.
*Just bought this off Amazon because of your review.* $170
Thanks!
I just wanna get from point A to point B that's all. and this GPS for me is a must have. Thanks for the review!.
That was one killer review.
You really know your stuff.
Best review of a GPS system I saw on UA-cam. And as soon as I heard "I didn't want Alexa stuff I think its garbage" I knew I would agree with a lot of your preferences. Thanks. I still have to decide between a Premium License on Sygic (which I like) and this Garmin Drive Smart 55.
Although I prefer a standalone Garmin, for paid phone navigation I think TomTom GO is better than Sygic. I actually paid for a year subscription to try it out. It's very nice and has very frequent map updates. My absolute favorite part of TomTom GO is that if you have geotagged photos on your phone, the app can read the GPS coordinates info from the geotag in the photo and navigate you there. That is a super cool feature. TomTom also just introduced Android Auto support for GO.
@@sat103 TomTom go is cheaper and better programmed. The instructions are easier, and the active lane guidance is less confusing. I used both, but the new price structure of sygic is subscription based. Sygic is 55 a year without promotion and Tomtom is 12.99 a year. Almost never crashes and you get more dependable functionality
TomTom GO is also _slightly_ better in the privacy department now. The app used to require permissions to all your contacts just to work, but now it doesn't ask that on install. I'm hoping GO sticks around, because TomTom also has AmiGO, the online-only version. It's nice but I hope it doesn't replace GO outright, because one of the best parts of the GO app is locally stored maps.
@@sat103 agreed good sir
I have a DriveSmart 65 & 55. One of the things I miss on the 65 is the voice command menu. The 55 shows the menu as soon as you say the voice command phrase and the 65 does not. A minor inconvince because I have to remember the phrase. Sometimes I draw a blank and have to do things manually. I have learned from your videos. My favorite is the Nuvi 2460 because of the gas saving option a hybrid between shortest and fastest. But the 2460 calculation is getting too slow.
Austin Texas!!! Yea!!
My City!
Great review also.
Thanks for the review
My old old old Garmin (paid like $400 back then) finally is falling apart. Got it back in the 1990s when I had my 1993 Trans Am. All the heat and bitter cold made the case separate and thus looking for a replacement.
Going to search around for "what's all in the box" but think the 55 will fit the bill.
They had Garmin devices in the 90's?
Excellent honest review, I purchased this unit yesterday and today I'm glad I got it.
Nice review - Are you still liking your 55? I'm looking at getting a GPS satnav soon.
On another note - I don't know that I necessarily agree with you about not buying a refurb, for several reasons. First and foremost - many items get returned because the buyer just simply didn't like it or wanted something else - it had nothing to do with the unit being faulty. Secondly, refurbished units are actually better to buy in the sense that they have been through much more QC than a new unit out of the box had on average. Lastly - no manufacturer wants a refurb coming back to them a second time so they either fix whatever is wrong (if there is really anything wrong) or just salvage the parts and trash the rest. It just wouldn't make much sense for them just to polish it up and send it back out. Bottom line is they want users to keep these things - not keep sending them back.
This is a great review. Thank you so much. I bought the unit, but haven’t unboxed it yet, but you taught me so much. Thank you!!
Just purchased the 55, can’t wait to get hand on it!
Thanks! Do you know if THIS model hides favorites while driving? Also, do you know if it connects to the car stereo speakers? Thank you!
The 55 cannot hide favorites icons on the map, and to the best of my knowledge the only audio it can send out is to a smartphone, and only during a call.
Thanks. I seen EX on the box that came from Amazon and was thinking "someone got it wrong" and couldn't compare the two models.( But now i know they are both the same) i paid $145.00 but it also came with a clip & suckion cup dash Mount
I spoke to the manufacturer (technical support). Smart series navigations use only GPS and some navigations also use Galileo and Glonass. The manufacturer also does not have information about the GPS module installed in their devices. So it is not known how many satellites it connects to. Therefore, it is not known whether he will not lose communication with the satellites on the way. There are too many unknowns for me.
The only automotive model I've ever seen from Garmin that had GPS + Galileo was the DriveAssist 51. All others were just GPS.
@@sat103 I don't know how do you know that ?. There is no such information on the manufacturer's website. I would have to ask tech support. However, the 30-minute battery life of the DriveAsist 51 LMT-S model is a joke :) Garmin does not provide the technical parameters of the equipment at all. You buy blind.
@@Jacek.. I found out by accident. The way to check satellite connections is to touch and hold the signal bars at top left. I checked the connection, and on the next screen, the DriveAssist 51 showed both GPS and Galileo connections. Out of all the Garmin GPS automotive models I have owned, only that one showed GPS + Galileo. And yes, the battery life on the DA51 is terrible and must be used connected to power.
I could not find these two features in the owner’s manual. From the start screen, hold your finger on the green signal strength bars on the upper left and the GPS Graph View will show. Pretty cool! The other is hidden menus so be careful you don’t accidently change something. From the start screen, tap the Volume icon. Now press and hold your finger on the upper right corner of the screen (cover the word ‘volume’) for about 10 seconds. That opens the Diagnostic Page.
I haven't traveled with mine yet. But i know i will enjoy it for years to come
Great review! Just bought one, appreciate your analysis. Thanks! 🙂
Great review ! Picked mine up today thanks to your video
Thank you for clearing up what the EX means!! I searched all over : P Great review.
Thanks for the video on this. This model continues to rank high and your video has helped me feel good about buying it. Thanks for making the effort and sharing.
I watched to see 3 D maps. If you showed one with buildings, I missed it. Outside of that, a great video.
See this DriveSmart 65 video showing the 3D maps. It looks the same on the 55. They look cool but in my experience do not aid with navigation very much, and you ordinarily only see them in major cities. ua-cam.com/video/Uh0LYGFwi1w/v-deo.html
Just purchased this same unit.......very nice informative review.....thanks.
Thanks brother. Just got one because of you.👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿🤟🏿
I got the DriveSmart 61 LMT-S and guess what...? I have those annoying orange driver alerts that you can't turn off! I called Garmin support and asked if they have plans to have the option to turn it off in the next software/firmware update and they said no since the updates only fix issues. Well those alerts are an issue lol. I'm going to sell it and get the 65.
Will this unit allow you to program a custom route, like if there is someplace you would rather take a specific route vs. the shortest or fastest? Great review. I can see me turning a lot of that stuff off, too. :)
Great info! Thanks for explaining everything so well!
Sounds like I need to move to Texas, I hate those cameras. I'm no speeder but I never vote for them
Speed cameras suck. I'm grateful we don't have them in MN. I have gotten 3 tickets from them in other states.
I have the Garmin DriveSmart 65 now and I can confirm it also doesn't have the annoying orange banners!
Just bought one of these and watched your video. Great video. Thanks for the information and suggestions. I updated it before use. I took it out for a test run today, drove for about 20 minutes. Not hot outside. The unit got super hot. I mean, even the front glass was very hot to the touch. It did cool off about 5 minutes after unplugging it. I am wondering now, how hot is too hot? Will this last on a 2-3 hour trip I am about to take without shutting down from overheating? Have you had any overheating problems since you bought it last November? Thanks.
Operating temperature of the DS55 is -4F to 131F (-20C to 55C) according to the manual. I'll link the official Garmin PDF manual below if you want a look. Basically speaking, if you treat the DS55 the same way you would a smartphone, then you have a good idea of how hot is too hot for general use. The DS55 does have a temperature sensor in it and will shut down if it overheats the same as your phone would, but repeated overheating will cause it to fail early.
The only way to keep the DS55 cooled off for longer trips is to get a vent mount, mount the DS55 on the vent and run fans, even if it's just regular air with no A/C. Regardless of whether using a Garmin, TomTom or smartphone for navigation, this is the best way to keep the thing running within operating temperature so it doesn't overheat.
This is the official Garmin Air Vent mount buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/pn/010-11952-00 It can be found cheaper on eBay or Amazon by searching for Garmin 010-11952-00 (that's the part number)
DS55 PDF manual for reference: www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart55-65/EN-US/DriveSmart_55-65_OM_EN-US.pdf
@@sat103 Thank you for the quick reply. As a matter of fact, right after I posted that question to you, I took your suggestion from the video and ordered a Garmin vent mount online from Walmart. It was only $15, so I figured, what have I got to lose. I really do love the this GPS. Previously, I had two Magellan's. I don't even know if those are sold any more. This is a big improvement.
In my opinion in such size of screen (5.5-7") and for the content that it is displaying, more important is the size of the screen than resolution.
I am debating myself to get the Drivesmart 55 over Drivesmart 65 because later one might just be a little too big unnecessarily and will take up my windshield screen and block the view. Have you tried to mount it on the windshield? How does it appears to be while driving?
The DS55 size is good when on the glass, but all cars are different depending on vehicle size and windshield angle. Exact physical dimensions for the DS55 are 5.4" x 3.0" (13.72cm x 7.62cm). If you want to know how that would fit in your car, get a ruler and cut a piece of cardboard to that size to get an idea of how it would fit. If you want to do the same for a DS65 size to see how that fits in your car, cut another piece of cardboard to the DS65 dimensions of 6.8" x 3.9" (17.3cm x 9.9cm).
You sold it to me buddy, I got mine today.
FYI texas does still use red light cameras maybe not in Bastrop but in Humble. Great review
Humble is one of only 4 cities left in Texas using those stupid things because they're running out the contracts. You don't have to pay it if you're sent a "fine", and if it gets sent to collections you can completely ignore it. www.khou.com/article/news/verify/verify-red-light-camera-tickets/285-106f0e90-2157-479c-96c3-ba5ac76268b3
i brought mine back because when your from canada you get streets and towns from all over the usa
Thanks for the excellent video. If it was hard wired into the dashboard would it turn on/off with the ignition?
Yes, if the pinout is correct. Garmin uses specific wiring on their charger cords. Info here www.wiringview.co/garmin-usb-power-cable-wiring-diagram/
very very thorough, thank you
Thanks for being thorough
Like your style buddy. I'm in the UK. my only gripe well three really. The manual I printed out does not show any page numbers. Who's idea was that one? Are speed cameras especially mobile on the device . On my Tom Tom I put the cameras on for £20. I've got 58 years NCD but 5 speeding tickets. I've been on two courses to avoid points and the 'tutor' said he would always trust his speedo not a GPS. I asked him why don't you advise all drivers to obtain a GPS to drive safer as it is an accurate device to indicate what speed a driver is travelling. I pointed out I have a marine GPS in my boat that can pinpoint where I am and what speed I am travelling. It can indicate where I am to 3 feet. He still said 'he' always would trust his speedometer. He wants more customers! = money. I'll try to look through the manual to see where you click to see how to get the icons up to choose where to navigate to. I really wish there was the old fashioned manual to refer to as in the old days.
Use the PDF manual, it has full page numbers and you can optionally print it www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart55-65/EN-US/DriveSmart_55-65_OM_EN-US.pdf
You can't get more accurate than the vehicle speedo. In the boat the GPS will have clear view of the sky & satellites (to the south), whereas on the road the signal gets blocked by buildings, trees, tunnels etc so the unit sometimes estimates the speed based on time of travel between set points.
Correct. Speed reported by GPS is always a predicted calculation and at best is "accurate enough," but not right-now precise like a properly calibrated road vehicle cable speedometer. Also, on most GPS speedometers (including Garmin) there is a delay in reporting. The delay is very small (0.5 to 1 second) but definitely noticeable.
@@frankn4424 Utter bull shit. A GPS has 13 or so satellites to give a fix anywhere on the earth. They are not affected by any buildings as you say...... Sorry but you are totally under a misconception re how GPS works. It all on the internet to gain the knowledge you require.
I just ordered one after watching this video from Amazon for $272 CAD. Had a NUVI 50 since 2012 and suddenly this year it wouldn't charge anymore.
To mount one on a ifnot. screen just cover that screen with protective cover (like one you peel off from a new device screen). Then use suction cup and stick it on the center of the car's infot. screen,
Is this how for truck and you can update it?
I've just bought same today, I inserted micro sd card in slot at back but it doesn't go all the way in, is it correct that about a third of card is still showing? Love your video so have subscribed 😊
Yes, you are correct. The card slot on the DS55 is a push-in and not a click-in. Some of the card will be exposed.
@@sat103 Thank you 😊
Here is NYC, speed and red light cameras are installing everywhere. The garmjn 55 is not showing them. Or they are not up to date
The best red light camera database for a Garmin is from POI Factory and is updated much more often. The New York Metro area is actively updated regularly and has 637 listings just for that area alone. www.poi-factory.com/poifiles/us/red-light-cameras
@@sat103 its a membership plan?
What about the newer garmins? Do they provide the red light camera and speed light update freely?
Newer Garmin models have free updates but will not be any better than what you have now since it has the same free updates. To get red light alerts that are accurate, updated regularly and free, Waze on the phone is the best option. Many people use a Garmin for navigating and Waze for traffic alerts. It is not a perfect solution, but it works and the cost is $0.
Very good information! Thanks
Man, i readily should have waited until that last line before ordering mine refurbished from Amazon. Smh. I guess I’ll see what happened, free return with prime is like 30 days. Loved your video tho.
so what happened?
@@joust182 i ended up keeping it because i like it so much. So far so good, it froze once but even then i just turned the screen off and on in about 15 secz. I dont think ill have any problems with it. W/ Red light camera notification, it basically paid for it self already. Screen is more responsive than my old one so i can plan my routes 2x faster.
For your information this is only compatible with GTM 60 .
You are wrong. The DS55 is listed by Garmin directly as being a supported device on the TA20, GTM36 and GTM60.
Good job.
Is it better than the 61 ? that was my initial choice but because you mentioned the resolution I decided to go with that one.
Do NOT buy the 61! I have the 61 and it has those annoying orange driver alerts you cannot disable. You can disable the audio alerts but the orange banners unfortunately you cannot.
Does the 55 ex have live traffic on it
Just subscribed to your channel. I do have one question for you. On this model, how well are the traffic updates? The power cord is supposed to receive traffic updates but usually gets poor reception.
Thanks.
If using a non-smartphone means of getting traffic reporting, check traffic coverage first by looking at the map here coverage.here.com/rds-coverage.html If you are in an area that shows good coverage, you can enhance your traffic data reception by using a Garmin GTM36 cord which you can find new or used on eBay. Bear in mind it _must_ be connected directly to a 12V power port in the car and not a splitter, else it will not work properly.
This is what the GTM36 looks like, and no you don't have to buy it new. Again it's available used on eBay. buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/100586
If on the other hand the traffic map shows you are not in a covered area or right on the edge of one, traffic data reception will be spotty and you would have to pair your phone to Garmin to get traffic info (which will require data usage.)
Dear Sat nav 103 I've a new Drivesmart 55 with wifi although I do not have that connected , bog standard is OK by me. I removed the alerts re churches and schools hot dog shops etc, etc. It has speed cams built in which I think is essential. I was looking forward to the speed reduction ahead but do not seem to have that facility. I'm looking at you video again to see if you have to set that to get it. Perhaps it's missing on this particular machine?
www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart55-65/EN-US/DriveSmart_55-65_OM_EN-US.pdf See page 2, "Speed Limit Reduction"
@@sat103 Looked at all pages No 2 can't see anything that relates specifically to speed reduction (alerts) I deactivated over the speed limit warning as that would be giving me hassle. as I'm always just over the limit but by only 2 mph. ding ding ding ding. could not see red light to choose deactivate, I wouldn't want that anyway because if you go over a red light = Money . Loads of them here and so they should be no doubt about that. see some near misses though. Red light gamblers .Younger folks have grown up with what we called button pushers but I've had to get into it late on in life but I've set up the odd digital programmers for heating system. A jet fighter pilot I put a digital prog in for set it up in remarkable speed. I took my hat off to him. His mind was soooo sharp.
It's a nuisance but if you had time you might consider going through the bit about driver awareness features but I could swear you showed it next to or near to the list of schools etc but I could not see it on my list of alerts. My GPS is brand new & I found it easy to remove most of the warnings that I do not need apart from the essential speed cam warnings. I notice Garmin's warnings are not like 'Pocket GPS speed cam set up where on my tom tom I could set the distance before the speed cam which I set at 300 yards initially but then moved it to 400 yards, The mobile vans a bastards in the UK and are as crafty as a waggon load of foxes. They move their position for optimum revenue collection. I mean on a bridge 50 metres from the 50 limit and do drivers at 47 MPH on a three lane carriageway with not a chance of a pedestrian in sight, because it's nigh on impossible for them to get onto that carriageway. They caught quite a few drivers out before most twigged them. Really appreciate you clear vid. By the Way mine is a Drive smat 55 MT-S 5.5" full UK Ireland Europe map updates - live traffic by phone (if you want it) + hnds free phone!
i.imgur.com/m13qWU5.png
Great review. Well done. Thank you.
Hi there, thank you for your good explanation. Do you mean this model?
Garmin Drivesmart 55 EU LMT-D. I am from Belgium. Do you you have the same one as that I ordered yesterday ? Thank you so much
Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking , does the alert for speed reduction ahead activate if a route is chosen and in progress or does that feature work without a route chosen. ? I'll have another look at your video to see what the position is exactly in the list of driver alerts. I can then look at my list to see if it is even in the list. It does say as I said that it should be as it is in the manual I have that I reprinted but I still had to number each page as it did not print any sheet with any page numbers on. Thanks regards Mick
If activated it's always on whether guidance is in use or not.
How does this navigation system perform in remote areas with no service?
It will work anywhere there is a clear view of the sky. It gets its position from GPS satellites in space and the map data is stored within the unit itself. Cell phone service is not required.
@@sat103 thanks for the quick response man!
Great review
I purchased mine already. Is there a chance to change the colors of the roads? I see yours is purple mine is blue I like yours. purple pops out. Another thing I don't like the location is preset to Florida and despite my attempts to change it I just could not change it. It keeps starting from Florida. Would highly appreciate your tips on how to change the colors and set the location
When you are navigating to a destination, the route line will show as fuchsia as seen in the video. When not navigating to a destination it will show a different color.
I have the drivesmart 65 and the volume sucks
Is it better than the 71 ex I just purchased one
Is anyone else having trouble with the brightness of the display? Switch on with ignition and it goes to 40% and you have to mess around turning up the percentage. And at other times it will just go dim for no reason.
I have a 50 LM and it has been a wonderful gpds until the battery died on my last week. I am going to put a new battery in it. I got a 2597 LMT to replace it. I have ordered a battery for the 50 LM, but suppliers are dragging their feet on it. I may pick up a 65 T, what do you think?
DriveSmart 65 is good but both the DS55 and DS65 are meant to be used always plugged in and are not known for good battery life. If good battery life is what you're after, an older nuvi 50LM with a brand new $15 1100mAh battery from eBay can in theory run for 4 to 6 hours on a full charge at 70% screen brightness. The original 50LM battery is 650 to 750mAh, so 1100mAh is a big upgrade. Search for "garmin nuvi 50lm battery" on eBay and you'll see them. Similarly, there are 1200mAh batteries available for the 2597. In comparison, the DS55 and DS65 battery life is only 45 to 90 minutes at best on a full charge.
Hi
Have an old TomTom go 50 works just fine.
But want a bigger screen .
But the map on the Garmin is just a mad blob of colors compared to TomTom's map.
So I have a hard time to justify to go for a Garmin ( i like Garmin products).
So is it anyway to get a clean map on the Garmin compared to TomTom's.
If you prefer the TomTom map, they make three bigger 6 inch models. TomTom VIA 1625M, TomTom GO Comfort 6 and TomTom GO Supreme 6. You can compare the three models here www.tomtom.com/en_us/navigation/car-gps/compare/
I'm replacing my Nuvi 265W, which is fine for me, but the maps are so out of date I need to change. I DO NOT have a smartphone. Do you still recommend the Drive 55?
Great review 👍
Subscribed.
If you like the simplicity of the 265W, get a used nuvi 50LM from eBay. The DS55 is nice, but if all you need is a decent daily driver, a 50LM can be had for cheap and you can use Garmin Express to update to current maps. Just make sure it comes with the clip and suction mount, and put a new 32GB card in it. Video: ua-cam.com/video/AJpqk-UFnzE/v-deo.html
sat103.. Thanks for the quick response, but not quick enough, LOL. I tried to order a 55 at BJ's on sale but they were sold out so I ordered the 52. I'm about to take a trip. I don't need many features, just a basic GPS with up to date maps. I'll miss my ancient Nuvi because once I get used to something I don't like changing. I'm not the Luddite my friends claim me to be.. but I'm close.
Is the drivesmart 55 being sold in 2022 the same as this one?I'm not getting the ex but a 55?
If it's new-in-box, it should be.
@@sat103 Thanks for the reply.I 'm hoping I'll be happy with it . My old Garmen Nuvi died.
where can you find the model number of a garmin auto gps?
On newer ones it is on the back, on older ones it is on the bottom
At 3:29, how do you get that split screen? Is it automatic?
It's automatic and called Junction View. At certain highway exit ramps, an image similar to the one shown will appear showing a more detailed view.
Q: I have the old Nuvi and when the cable glitches, I constantly get a pop-up on my screen telling me to use an approved cable. It will not stop, no matter how many times I dismiss it or turn it off. Does the DriveSmart work if you use a regular USB cable for power instead of the traffic receiver cable?
If you notice some of your videos showing lots of partial views, some of it is me rewatching sections!!!! Thanks.
If it's the older mini USB (which the DriveSmart 55 does use) then I believe it should work, but only if you use a specific USB cable that has the appropriate wiring built in. I cover this in this video ua-cam.com/video/vFgqZAgUOjw/v-deo.html with a follow-up here ua-cam.com/video/NVNJJsJoUaQ/v-deo.html As long as the USB port on the Garmin device itself hasn't been "cooked" by too much sun or has tarnish/rust on it, it should work.
Very informative, thank you.
I just got the drivesmart 66 full Europe maps much better than Tom Tom satnavs
Hi, is it ok to use a cellphone charger in the house or should I just charge it in the car occasionally, as I don't need to use nav all the time?
Yes but you should use a Garmin-specific USB cable. It is wired slightly differently than a normal cable so the unit will charge properly. buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/pn/010-10723-01
@@sat103 thank you! Much appreciated!
Hi! Thanks for the review.
In Europe (Austria) I could find only the 51 LTMS EU. Is that soooo good as yours? Best regards.
Júnior
The 51 is the previous model. The Europe model is the Garmin DriveSmart 55 EU MT-S and Garmin DriveSmart 55 EU MT-D. MT-S version requires a smartphone for traffic information. MT-D uses DAB+ radio signal for traffic information.
@@sat103 I really appreciated your answer Mr. 🙏🏽 Thank you very much.
I'm going to Portugal, that's about 2.700 KM. From here. I'm afraid to make a mistake and take the wrong route, if it loose signal, or enter in the wrong lane. That's why I LOVE what happen in your video in the 3:48 That's perfect. Which one (model) could you kindly recommend me? Warm regards from Graz,Austria.
I prefer the model that does not use the smartphone, so I would get the MT-D. The MT-D will have traffic data for the major highways of Guimaraes, Lisbon, and Porto areas in Portugal. You can see the roads that will have data in the Garmin here wego.here.com/traffic/portugal/porto
@@sat103 Thank you very much once again. From Austria to Portugal is a huuuge way. So I just want to be prepared. :) Big hug Mr.!
Warm regards!
Júnior Santos.
I’m thinking of using this on my motorcycle. Will it work with base camp to load custom routes
Bad idea to use a DriveSmart on a motorcycle because it's not glove friendly at all, the sun will cook it quick and make it overheat fast, and the screen shake from the thin case will make it unreadable while driving. That's why Garmin makes the zumo XT. It can do custom routes, but also has "Round Trip Routing" specifically for motorcycles that the DriveSmart doesn't have. It can also be used horizontal or vertical (DriveSmart 55 is horizontal-only).
I just received my Garmin, stuck it to the windshield, and it is so difficult to remove. yes, I pulled the lever back. Do you have any suggestions for easy , sake remover ? Thanks !
On the rubber base itself is a small flap that sticks out. After lifting the plastic lever, you pull on the rubber flap for safe removal. You can see the flap on the base in this image m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519wxzHx05L._AC_SX569_.jpg
@@sat103 The first time I stuck it on, it was extremely difficult to remove, even with the tab. After the mounting area acquired a little dust, it releases easily, and seems to still stay mounted with no issues. Thanks,
On the right side that show the picture of the 2 intersection. How can I get that on my garmin drive 52 ex
Junction View is automatically shown when you approach most major highway exits
@@sat103 ok thx. I got mys yesterday and I’m new by using this device
Will it work with backup camera?
Garmin sells a version with an included backup camera, so yes. See it here buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/698187/pn/010-02037-05
@@sat103 thanks, I noticed it's a $100 bucks cheaper on Amazon. I saw a cheap used one on offerup but didn't know if backup camera would work.
Yeah it should be around $250 or close to it. That's pretty much the best price you get for the unit + camera bundle. Getting the BC 40 camera separate from the DS55 doesn't cost less if going new.
Does the back of yours get incredibly hot? I got one from Walmart and used it on the way home which was 6 miles. By the time I got home it was insanely hot on the back around the power plug in area.
21:11
I'm considering this to replace a zumo 660 for motorcycle use. Will I be able to see this clearly in sunlight? Any other reason to not get this for MC use? TIA!
Does this GPS unit have the ability to pinpoint electric car charging stations?
Not on its own. But if you manually input locations yourself, yes. For example, if you use ChargeHub's map (or app) to find EV charging station locations chargehub.com/en/charging-stations-map.html and then input those directly into the DriveSmart, they will be exact to your specifications. Currently, it is best to use a place like ChargeHub to find EV stations and then separate navigation (Garmin, TomTom, Google Maps, Apple Maps, whatever) to guide you there. And the reason for this is because ChargeHub gives you extra info that GPSes and mapping apps don't.
@@sat103 the problem with chargehub, is, it isn't updated all that often. I drive electric, and noticed how rarely they update things. I use the PlugShare app, which is the app that all electric car drivers use. I'll see if I can get the app to somehow connect with the GPS unit. I'll talk to the techs at plugshare, and see what they say
If there is a way to somehow export all the EV charge station locations from PlugShare as a Google Maps KML file, that could be imported into Garmin BaseCamp software and then into the DriveSmart. Or if I were doing it personally, I'd take the data and create a POI database just to make things easier and look nicer on the DriveSmart map where I could add my own custom map icon and such.
@@sat103 I emailed the tech support at PlugShare, asking if this can be done
hello, what gps do you recommend for a plumbing commercial van e-250.. any ideas? because all i find is trucking gpss. thanks
E-250 is about the same size as a large SUV so a regular car GPS can be used.
If most driving is in residential neighborhoods and highways, use the DriveSmart 65 with Garmin friction mount (search Garmin 010-11280-00 on eBay), which will allow you to easily get it out of the sun when not in use, and hide it away when parked so the GPS is not stolen.
If most driving is done in city metro areas, a phone with Google Maps or Waze is better for the traffic reporting and to be made aware of lane closures.
Does it have Truck Mode?.
I need truck gps..
No. Use a Garmin dezl instead. It is made for trucks. www.garmin.com/en-US/p/765327
Thanks for such an amazing video. The question that I haven't saw no one ask is can you adjust the resolution on the drive smart 65 because I think that is the important thing that Im looking for in the 65 inch model
No, the resolution cannot be changed. Most (if not all) Garmin automotive models are resolution locked.
What can you use when you dont use msp, like spedometer
Can I use this for semi truck
Yes, but it would be better to use a Garmin Dezl model which is specifically made for semi truck use. Dezl has specific truck routing options that the DriveSmart does not have.
Where is the manual on this device
could you please share the link you got it from?
You can find this specific model by searching "Garmin DriveSmart 55 EX" on eBay. At the time I write this it's just $99 now for a new one.
Can you change Usage Mode to Bicycle or Pedestrian?
No, the DriveSmart 55 EX is automotive only. A better option would be to use the phone with the Google Maps app, HERE We Go app or Magic Earth app, all free. You can preload offline GPS maps with HERE We Go and Magic Earth easily, allowing you to have navigation with location on and data off.
🤔 grEat qUestIon???
The 65 doesn’t show a banner I have a 65
Does this have a life maps?
Yes