Customer Ratings & Reviews

I really like the Garmin DriveSamrt 66 - Garmin has crammed a lot of tech into this little box. I've put around 5,000 miles on this device over the first month of operation, including a 4,000 road trip that included multiple trip changes enroute using the voice control. Most of the time this was pretty seamless. In a nutshell, here are the highlights, and some lowlights... For reference, the device is being used in a 2015 Honda Accord XLE... The good... - Route calculations are pretty quick - seldom taking longer than 4 or 5 seconds. There is no aural message when it recalculates, it just does it - a plus in my book. - The unit can use the car audio through an AUX port, or entirely over Bluetooth. I used the AUX port, using the plug provided in the device charger (and my own cable). I used this mode so the Garmin controlled audio when notifications were made, they didn't compete with the music. - To get the most bang, use the Garmin Drive app on a smart phone which provides traffic, weather and amenities notifications. Delay notifications for the most part were pretty accurate, albeit I didn't use it in really congested areas. During the trip, we were rerouted due to a road closure without a hiccup, saving a headache. - Using the "OK Garmin" interface, searches for rest areas, fuel and meals are now easy to get, and can be added to the current route without touching the device. - The device is pretty light, the ball suction stuck to a dash-disk without any issues, even during hard braking or cornering. The supplied power cord was ample for my use, and the extra fast-charge port for a phone is a nice touch. - Audio played on the phone using the media player was acceptable, and provided decent separation and clarity. If you want hands free Pause, Play, Next, or Replay functionality, you'll need to use Alexa, which I didn't enable. "OK Garmin, Show Volume" will display the control for use though, for example. - Route planning options for fastest, shortest or cheapest routes (avoid tolls) are easy to use. - The unit responded to when power was provided to the plug, and when it was removed - it turned on and off with the key. - My phone is a 4 year old Android, Drive and other functions appeared to work well. - The Drive phone app works with all Garmin Drive enabled devices - the same app runs an RV-890 in my tow vehicle. - Updates are over Wifi, so for me, it can update in my car in the driveway using my home hotspot. Most updates are pretty quick, but full map updates can take 30 minutes or more. - For the most part, the "OK Garmin" voice interface work well. Most searches worked just using the name of a location - "OK Garmin, go to Devil's Tower National Monument". If there are multiple responses available, voice commands can scroll the list, select the desired destination, add it to a current rip, or be canceled. Critique... - When you open the box, there is a label stating "This device is ready use...". It's not. I returned my first one when it didn't turn on out of the box. After 30 minutes of charging, it wouldn't turn on. The replacement unit did the same thing. Instead of taking it back, plugged it into the car charger and left it - after around 45 minutes of driving around, it turned on by itself. I'm sorry Best Buy, as the first unit was also probably functional, but... - Only 2 data elements can be displayed on the bottom of the display, and speed can't be removed. I like to have Speed, Altitude, Time of Arrival, and Distance to Arrival - so I have to adjust it if I want to change. The DriveSmart 86 8 inch display will provide up to 4 elements, but the 76 7 and 66 6 inch displays only provide 2. My 11 year old Garmin Novi (5 inch display), which this replaced, provides 4 elements... - The Drive phone app (at least Android), doesn't have a quit function. Once you load it, it becomes a service, not an app. To turn it off, you have to go into Android, and disable it, or, forget the device. Since it does use some battery, it should have a "Quit" function. This issue is a bigger problem when 2 phones which talk to the same device are present they compete, and it isn't pretty. Such a simple fix for what can be a really annoying problem. - When playing music (I use VLC for Android), when the Garmin turns off, the phone plays for a couple seconds until it senses the disconnection. Not a Garmin issue, but worth mentioning. - When playing music through the Garmin, the sound quality is a bit less than playing directly off a flash drive, which I usually do. I suspect much of this is since my phone only has BT 4.0 - newer phones with a more recent version of Bluetooth will probably have better chips, and better sound quality. - There were some locations "OK Garmin" just didn't understand. For example, "Go to La Grande, Oregon" didn't result in a find. Turns out with that location, it wanted "Grande" pronounced "Grandee" using 2 syllables. So some practice may be required. Saying the full address instead, usually got good results. Indifferent... - As I noted earlier, while the device may be Alexa capable, I chose not the enable it. I'm wary of personal assistants in general as their primary purpose is to track user actions in order to target ads. Not using Alexa didn't notably inhibit the functionality I was looking for out of this device. - I suspect my criticisms or appreciations for this device would apply also to the DriveSmart 76 and 86 units also (although the 86 should be able to display more data). - My old Garmin Novi had an "At the pump" app that I really liked for tracking fuel mileage and usage - especially on trips. I really wish Garmin would add this back as an app. In summary - I'd definitely recommend the DriveSmart 66 to anyone looking to use a standalone GPS in their vehicle. The display is very crisp, calculations are pretty quick, and overall, the Drive app is worth running when on a trip.

I replaced an older Garmin Nuvi 54 with the Garmin Drivesmart 66. Being able to transfer and edit older favorates was a plus. The 6" screen enhances the view. A Blue Tooth connection and access to my cellphone and voice activation is a plus. I got tired of suction cups and with with a spring-locked Dash Mount with a 3M Tape Sticky. I added a storage case as well. A couple of trips around town. A 3 hr road trip tomorrow should verify somethings.

Excellent product. Great screen size. Accurate directions.

The device is easy to use. I would have preferred a larger screen. One problem I have is when I was in San Diego, I had trouble to enter my destination address in Yuma Arizona

The Garmin works great except it won't stick on the car with the double sided tape that attached it.

Good size, easy to use. Not many Garmins used anymore, Ltd selections

We bought this Garmin DriveSmart 66 to replace an old Nuvi 2455LMT in my wife's car. She is very happy with it -- a much bigger screen with better resolution, and more detailed directions. Setup was a bit confusing. I had some difficulty getting it to pair with my wife's phone. And at first, it wasn't giving us spoken directions. But I was able to troubleshoot those issues. But as I said above, this GPS was a big step up from my wife's previous Nuvi, and we're happy with the purchase. If your vehicle lacks Apple CarPlay or similar technology, this product is a great substitute.

Purchased a month ago an took on a 4000 mile road trip. My observations are: (1) Key functionality is dependent on having a Bluetooth phone tethered to the DriveSmart. Without the phone, searching for Points of Interest (such as campgrounds and State Parks) fails regularly. With the tethered phone the searches succeed. This makes no sense - as in my case the Garmin is always connected to the Internet via my in-car hotspot, so presumably could search for POI's that are not preloaded itself, rather than having to type the POI into the Drive app to search for it. Without the phone, integration with existing automotive infotainment systems doesn't work at all. This dependence on phones is a major handicap, such that I ended up dedicating an old phone just for the purpose of tethering the Garmin. (2) The routing favors major routes (Interstates and US Highways) over more direct routes on secondary roads. This may be to your liking - or not. FWIW - Google Maps is the opposite. It'll send you down 'unnamed road' if thinks it'll save you a minute. (3) The 'Up Ahead' feature is nice, but missing important features for those who road-trip. For example, by default it'll show you gas stations, restaurants, ATM's and rest areas, but it's not configurable to include (for example) campgrounds, grocery stores, or other POI categories except by a Custom Search, which appears to be keyword based, rather than a configured category. So if you create a custom search for 'Grocery' it will not show 'Supermarket'. If you use 'Market' as a category, it will show any business with 'market' in its name, such as 'Bob's Digital Marketing'. FWIW - The Sygix mapping app has an equivalent feature, but permits one to select which POI categories show up on the map by any of about 50 curated POI categories, not simple keywords. (4) Minor nit - turning the device 'off' doesn't prevent it from automatically turning itself back on when it's plugged back in. (5) It'll try to update itself periodically. I drive with a hotspot that has limited data, so a Garmin update would run me out of my monthly data allowance - potentially when I'm far from home. (6) Mine hung (froze) twice towards then end of my 4000 mile trip. The first time it recovered on it's own, the second time I had to power cycle it by holding down the power button. Each time the body of the device was hot - presumably because it was in an infinite loop.

No real issues except its not realy ready out of the box. There is a massive update that needs to be downloaded right away. Works great!

Long time Garmin Nuvi user and didn't know what to expect from the new Drive series. I miss not being able to have it in portrait orientation and the lack of data fields displayed all of the time, but I really like how much easier it is to find gas stations, restaurants, etc. along the route. Overall happy with it.

The updated graphics on screen are a nice update and the screen being between the 5” and 7” fits just right with thin bezels. I knocked a star because the button on the back of device is a terrible placement and the audio that comes across the Bluetooth has a delay.

The Garmin DriveSmart 66 is a strong U.S. navigation device with a bright 6″ display, clear guidance, and reliable routing even in areas without cell service. It includes hands-free calling, voice assist, and lifetime U.S. maps, plus live traffic, fuel prices, and weather when paired with a smartphone. The larger screen makes directions easy to read, and setup is simple. However, the voice command system can be inconsistent, and some rural or newly developed roads may lack detail compared to smartphone apps. Still, for drivers wanting a dependable, distraction-free GPS with modern conveniences, the DriveSmart 66 is an excellent choice.

Really enjoy the GPS. The only complaint I would have is that it’s hard to sync with your car stereo. I had some difficulties with it. I called Garmin 4 to 5 different people who could not help me and just read from the instructions which I did myself. I finally figured it out.

Garmin works quite well. It would have been nice if a bag to store it in was available.

This 6" Garmin GPS is great, except for the annoying glare because the screen is not glare-free like my 'ancient' 5" I had to put to rest. I loved that old one! Another thing I noticed is the arrows no longer show on the upper left for the lanes which indicate which lane you should be in. Instead, they are shown differently and are displayed on the right, which I am not used to. I prefer the latter of the two which is more precise, especially if you are in heavy traffic, but I suppose I will get used to that in time. Why change what already works? Anyway, I do like the spoken directions more because they are more precise, like "Turn left at the light", etc. Overall, I do recommend this product.

The item was a good GPS product but it seems like some of the back roads and other well-known roads don’t show up correctly so I have to go between Waze and Google maps and the Garmin. Overall good product just wish it was a bit smoother and battery life was self-sufficient which it does not.

The screen size is nice, it guides well to a destination. It is difficult to find current location section and store a current location.

Device works fine, problem is my 911 address issued 1992 don't exist in Google mapping. Garmin drivesmart mapping is with a 3rd party maybe I will work throw the technical process to fine my location in system

Very good GPS. I like that you can update the maps and firmware over WiFi, it connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and the traffic and weather info is accurate and up to date 98% of the time. The only issue I have is when I put in multiple stops and deviate from the recommended route, the unit won't show the updated highlighted route to the next stop . This only happens when multiple stops are entered and it's not a deal breaker by any means. Overall, this GPS is worth the money.

No issues, it works as hoped. If it has a way to warn me about radar traps, I haven't figured it out yet.