Garmin DriveSmart 55 with traffic EX GPS (Latest Model)

I have a small phone. So having a bigger screen to see where I'm going is a big help. I really like the feature where you can zoom out , it's very smooth, and you can see the whole globe. It's fun to play with (when you are parked).

Very easy to use. And you don't have to use a computer to update. Just connect to wi fi and update right from the truck.

Words cannot express on how much better and improved this Drivesmart 55 EX is over my older Nuvi 52LM. I still haven't figured out all the features it offers since I've only used it for 2 weeks. Right out of the box, I did the latest updates while charging it up then put it on my calendar to update it yearly to keep the free updates for lifetime. Way more features and it picks up the Satellites so much quicker along with my vehicle positioning. I still haven't utilized the APP. All it time. The only Con that I've came up with is the battery life should be better. Full charge gives me just shy of 1 hour of usage. Not a deal breaker especially with Walmart's special pricing of $99 that popped up. Well worth it at that price. I'm glad I purchased it.

I have used GPS for over 15 years. First, it was PC-based and almost unwieldy in a car. Eventually, several manufacturers came out with the small units. Now, it's dominated by Tom Tom and Garmin. This Garmin unit is excellent. For a first-timer, the learning curve may be a little steep because the unit does so much. Taking the time to explore the unit will pay off, however, because it can warn you of upcoming school zones, speed changes, railroad crossings, in addition to the mapping I would recommend the unit.

I've owned Garmin GPS units since the first ones in 2007 and upgraded every 4-5 years and I have to say this is the best GPS I have ever owned. It picks up satellite super fast, it recalculates your route super fast as well. It's the only unit I've seen that uses both GPS and Galileo satellites!! The screen is edge to edge so it seems bigger than it is, and it's crystal clear HD!! It powers up quick and has awesome features. With Bluetooth you can pair your phone and it will provide traffic info and no it doesn't use a lot of data doing that, but you don't have to pair your phone if you don't want to the unit still works fine. Here's a tip right after you get it update the firmware first THEN update the maps or the map update won't take if you select update all. I totally recommend this unit!!!

I go on lots of road trips around the country and as you know cellphone signal isn't the greatest between states. I wasn't expecting much as my lasp GPS was in 2010. But honestly they have improved these things significantly. You can add your phone to it, use it as Bluetooth to take calls, it has voice command, and you can control it with your phone. I see people buying android apple play stereo addition for their older cars, but I would personally prefer this. The GPS is quick and it loads fast, not like the old days. Great product overall.

Overall, the device has a modern look. The controls and screen layouts are familiar to this longtime Garmin user. I am using the built in (free) traffic data system. It seems slow to get running and the controls to get it working were a bit cryptic (you have to plug in the antenna wire in order to configure it). My biggest gripe is that they placed a logo on the edge of the display screen which wastes a lot of surface and sits sideways on the edge when the unit its in the typical landscape format display on the dashboard. I added a memory card but there doesn't seem to be any confirmation on the device that it was recognized, although there was data on it. And usually there is a format option on any device, but none here. I had to go online, log into my Garmin account, and download the PDF manual. Wireless map update is a nice feature.

Garmin DriveSmart 55 with traffic EX GPS (Latest Model) Pros: Good price. Good lane directions getting on and off US75 through Atlanta, US24 through Nashville, and US57 in Illinois. I could have gone miles out of the way without the GPS. It has good ability to change directions from what the original calculated map was to where I knew the way I wanted to go instead. After a few directions to turn around, it understood that I wasn't going the original way and recalculated the directions for me without having to stop and change the directions manually. Good size, and easily clamped onto the window, and taken off at night to be put out of sight. Good volume range, pleasant voice. Love the notice of speed limit in lower left corner. Cons: Yes it did warm up on the windshield facing the hot sun on a 85 degree day. Thanks to another review that I remembered, I turned the air conditioning to the windshield and the GPS cooled down. Traffic cable was almost non-existent. I did get one traffic alert that there was an accident 61 miles ahead. That ended up to be one damaged car on the drivers side center concrete barrier that we slowed and gawked at going 45mph. Glad I did not take an alternative route. I did not get any advanced notice of stop and go traffic on US24 that had closed one of the two lanes going in our direction for 10 miles until flashing signs warned to be prepared to stop. It took 50 minutes to go that 10 miles, and the only worker I saw surely did not put up all of those concrete barriers for 10 miles overnight. This should have been known about, and an alternative given!

This Garmin Drivesmart 55 is a good size for most cars and light trucks. The display is quite sharp. Although a glass screen, the overall weight is not excessive. So far navigation is spot on. I don't like that an electronic device of this price does not come with a very detailed owner's manual in the box. Instead, you must download and then print (on your dime) a hard copy. Yes I know once it is connected to wi-fi you can view an on-line manual on the device. Big help! Now let's look at the on-line or downloaded manual. Really it is quite general. Sure you can figure it out but at this price point, and all electronics manufacturers are pulling this stunt, you should get a detailed manual. Mounting the Garmin device is also assumed you will attach it with the suction cup mount included with the unit. Windshield mounting is illegal in some states, and Garmin mentions this in the fine print. You will probably need to purchase a dashboard friction mount or some destructive adhesive mounted unit.

The default location is Florida and i live no where near Florida. Couldn't figure out for 2 hours of playing with settings to get the gps out of Florida. I couldn't get it to update or anything even though it was connect to my wifi. Then I realized that i had to get an app on my phone, then register and sync it to the gps. Now im waiting an 1-4 hour update. It keeps fluctuating. I should NOT have to have a phone in order for this GPS to update. I feel so upset about this feature.