Garmin - nüvi 40LM 4.3" GPS with Lifetime Map Updates - Black

Better Then Magellan 2136LM, which I purchased the day before... the 2136LM freezes and locks up too often, also misses locations by a few blocks (home address at that); took it back the next day for the Garmin 40LM, much better unit and it hits most location dead-on. Cost alittle more, but worth it.

I have another garmin nuvi- 760- from a few years prior and that still works very well. I got this one due to the price- all the features that are useful- and because it did not have traffic assist. I read too much about the advertisements with traffic assist, and frankly, I dont need it. The screen is wonderful and given I had a prior Garmin it was easy to use, although you have to work through the screens to customize it. I very much will enjoy the lifetime map updates, even though I only updated my old one once in 3-4 years (I dont know if it real matters). At $129 I thought it was a great value- solid product, great screen, without the potentially annoying and questionable traffic updates, and has everything to make the GPS work well (junction assist, easy touch screen, map updates, and sturdy construction). Also, the Nuvi 40LM is a good size at 4.3 inches- the 5 inch (nuvi 50LM) is just too big. The Nuvi 40LM has a nice matte black border, verus the glossy black border in the more expensive Nuvi's.

I bought this GPS to replace an older model that died. I could have fixed the older one if I had had life time map updates, but it was better to buy the new GPS than to buy maps for the older one. So it's great, this model has lifetime access to update maps. Another improvement, is the detour option. If you are stuck in traffic, hit the detour button and if there is another way the directions get updated. This GPS also doesn't constantly say recalculating, which is nice. The maps are improved too and show which lane on a highway you need to be in. The only drawback is this GPS does not come with enough memory. I was able to load all the maps, and hopefully they will fit in the future, but I was unable to load some voice updates. I spoke with Garmin and they said I could buy extra memory, but I think they should sell it with enough memory to hold all the functions available.

The Garmin Nuvi 40 LM is a good basic GPS unit. It has an intuitive interface and attractive casing ( I hated the silver frame on the Nuvi 1300 LM because it eventually gets faded over time,). Accuracy: This is the reason I gave it four stars instead of five. On some local roads the unit tells you that you have 90-100 ft before making a turn, when in reality I had about 20 ft. The maps were updated prior to me testing ( version 2012.30 downloaded on Nov 25, 2011). It also had me do an unnecessary U-Turn a block from an intersection instead of just making a left turn ( the intersection has been there for 15 years, and yes I chose the option to "ignore U Turns" on the settings.). it was able to find all of the intended destinations albeit the one U turn incident. The 40 LM calculates your destination in about 2-4 seconds (note: this was in my home state of CA when I tested destinations ranging from 10 miles to 200 miles. I tried plugging a destination in Florida and it took 35 seconds, which was understandable since it was 2450 miles away). If you deviate from your mapped route, it recalculates in 2 seconds The unit was able to retain the satellite signals at all times. I drove near power lines, under a bridge, and near large structures. The Lane Assist with Junction View works like a charm. I get a graphical presentation of the lane well ahead of the turn. POI: Only issue was that on some chosen categories, ie: Shopping and subcategory All Shopping, it only gave choices in a 4.5 mile radius, with no option to expand the search radius. You get a greater search radius when you tell the GPS to find a specific category such as Food and Drink and then choosing "Asian" or "Italian" instead of "All Food". Bottom Line: Free map updates, easy interface, value pricing, and build quality has me satisfied with this product.

I bought the Garmin GPS because I needed something for all the random places I need to go to get my work done, and it was the same brand my girlfriend uses. It has served its purpose exceedingly well. If I have any issue, the input is a little confusing. Rather than type in a full street address (like with most computers and map programs) you type in the street number, then confirm that to go to the next screen where you type in the street name. It throws me for a loop every time. Not to mention the reverse order of typing in a zip code before the address. Still, once you have the address in, it guides you well.

I use my Garmin on a daily basis... This upgraded one is far easier to use than my old version and free maps for life! I love the widescreen format, arrows indicating travel lanes when a turn is coming and the split screen as you are approaching an exit. On busy/convoluted roads, this gives the driver much more assistance in getting it right the first time and no more annoying "recalculating" voice over if you do get it wrong. :)

Same as sthe 42LM, but last years model, Cheaper on sale. 42LM just has different symbols on screen. Have had no problems at all, but settings must be correct. Don't use shorter distance. I did and it guided me to some backwoods hills in Nevada where I was almost eaten by wild animals and bitten by snakes. Love the lifetime map updates, though it may take the map company years to actually update them.

I have had a garmin before and purchased this one for my sister and moving her out of state. It was wonderful!! Simple to set up the lifetime map updater on the computer. Simple to use. I would highly recommend this garmin to anyone wanting to purchase a GPS.