Customer Ratings & Reviews

the voice command is a joke - almost never gets it right. Had others in car trying to get a street name correct - almost never

It kept resetting and changing the directions. Had to turn off and on multiple times. Not sure if it was defective or not but did not find it easy or helpful.

Dim, low contrast screen with strong reflections - hard to view from windshield distance. No voice controls, so you have to set up everything while parked.

It was less than 2 months old and had to send it back. I buy new and they send me back a refurb unit. Bad return policy.

Half mile is said as one half mile. Confusing directions. Had a Tom Tom before and expected this to be better. But it is worse

Tried to call Garmin and can’t get ahold of anyone because of the covid? I’m headed yo Best Buy with it.

Doesn't work like a new one, settings are already set and seem to not be able to change. Useless.

No matter what setting I applied, it kept telling me to exit the highway to just get back on it.

Software outdated No real time info Not user friendly and intuitive

Doesn't recognize many cities and give wrong way street too many times .

I just returned it. I love the features, and was happy to be able to give voice commands, Bluetooth, etc. Just one problem....You can't see the screen during daylight with the reflective glass screen. It doesn't matter what angle. So annoying to see every reflection in the car, and unnecessary. My old Nuvi, which I will go back to, has a matte screen easily seen in all light and all angles. The weird thing is when I returned the Drivesmart 51 LMT-S, I checked out the cheaper Drivesmart 51LM S (without the Traffic, Bluetooth, Voice Command,) and it has the matte screen! Why on earth would you put the reflecting screen on the better model? It makes no sense to put reflecting glass on ANY model. Very disappointed.

Used it for a 4 hour long drive to DC, and it clearly guided through the confusing streets there. Best features for me are: (i) It shows restaurants, gas stations and ATMs as dropped pins on the live map (which helps in planning better) (ii)WIFI software and map updates made it easy and hassle free without touching my PC (iii)Traffic updates when connected to bluetooth smartphone (this part required a little bit of work as I needed only traffic and no other bluetooth features) (iv)Extra clear guidance on most scenarios including lane indication, red light camera alerts, curve alerts etc.. Overall a great buy.

The "Live Traffic Updates" is a bit deceiving. You have to burn your cell phone data plan to allow your SmartPhone to provide traffic update services to this device (what is the point for that - might as well use GoogleMaps on your phone...) OR you have to buy a power cable that is compatible with the Live Traffic Update... My previous Magellan which had Live Traffic Updates did not require anything of this sort. Other features like Bluetooth etc are nice. On this price range, I would not expect this type of dependency.

I only used Garmin - otherwise Smartphones. I still use Garmin for long trips. This is my second and the first Garmin lasted a while which I am planning on donating. Thats tell a lot. Customer service was also good - haven't used them lately so I can not tell now.

I admit to being a long-time Garmin fan and the DriveSmart 51 LMT-S didn't disappoint. I've used several different brands over the years and Garmin hands down has the best navigating software -- it rarely misdirects you and always finds even odd addresses. This new model is replacing my old Nuvi 55, which still works but I needed a new model to add Canadian maps. It connected to satellites in less than a minute right out of the box. Updating software through the Garmin Express app was easy. Traffic feature via the smartphone app is a nice touch -- and you can adjust the Bluetooth function setting to still use your car Bluetooth for calls and dialing if you prefer that. New users might need to spend some time getting used to the interface but other than that it should provide years of good service. No complaints.

Unfortunately I reminded myself of this other objection to this product after I concluded my previous feedback discussing the requirement to use smart phone data for the traffic feature. Let's remember that we are still in the days that many smart phones cannot even make it through a full day of regular use due to battery drainage. So, if one makes long trips like I do, (3 days at a time), requiring a cell phone for constant data use for the free traffic is just another annoying source of battery drain. What happens when that cell phone battery is dead. Of course I guess one could connect, yet another cord to keep one's phone charging if you have one available... More cords in the front seat, more aggravation, more distraction...from driving safely. And let's not forget missed calls/messages because the cell phone battery is dead....and the traffic feature is no longer available...as you are driving through Chicago.... :-(

This is my 4th Garmin product and have been happy with past units -as far as accuracy -I always thought they are the best. Pros: -keyboard is easy to use -map updates more convenient using wi-fi instead of having to connect to your computer. -driver alerts are more detailed than previous models Cons: -told me to exit the turnpike eastbound -then immediately directed me to get back on the turnpike westbound to literally “ backtrack” to my destination. -om the second day of use-would not connect to my phone via Bluetooth. This feature worked fine the first day. It would not let me even check the “traffic” box to enable the traffic feature on second day of use. -during my commute-the map disappeared and the unit “rebooted” -as I had just turned it on. -called customer service and the short of it -absolutely no help. I understand they are tired and probably stretched thin-but both times I called-I was cut off several times and then their responses had nothing to do with what I was trying to explain. Not worth the frustration-unit is going back. I always liked Garmin but they aren’t what they used to be.

Device keeps turning off whether plugged in or not. I have full battery and the device turns off about 3-5 mins before reaching destination no matter what I do. This is my second device that has done this, i returned the first one thinking it was a defect but apparently it is just the device. It will be being returned again, don't bother with this it is a waste of time and money!

With all the accidents/deaths caused by cell phones in the front seat, I don't understand why GPS companies are exposing themselves and their customers to dependence on cell phones while driving. I have bought numerous Garmin GPS' (from Best Buy and other stores) and I loved them...they operated completely independently--excellent devices that promoted safe driving. I bought them for my kids because I didn't want to give them any excuse for touching their cell phones when driving...and the previous generations of Garmins worked--right out of the box to do that. Now, this unit as sold in the box, requires the use of the cell phone data/connectivity--unless you buy extra expensive cables (starting at $69.99). I literally had to find a store that sold refurbished older units last fall to find one for my son using the old style. Garmin, I otherwise love your products. I hope its not someone fiddling with their phone trying to re-connect with their GPS in a fatal accident that gets you to reconsider this step backwards. At the very least, if you INSIST on this approach, sell the cables at a lower cost, so responsible people don't have to pay 1/3 to 1/2 of the price of the GPS extra just to use this feature. This doesn't even address the cost of cell phone data usage.

This product claims life time free traffic updates and claims live traffic updates. The ONLY way to get traffic updates is to purchase a traffic receiver cable or pair it through Bluetooth to a smart phone. I don't want to interact with my phone while driving. The point of a stand alone GPS for me is so that my phone is not needed at all. This device should come with the traffic receiver cable. This does not make sense not to when advertising free lifetime traffic updates. There is no way to charge the device other than plugging in to the car charger. It comes with a USB cable but it doesn't appear to charge through a computer. There is no simple way to enter frequent addresses as favorites. I am returning this thing today.