Customer Ratings & Reviews

I already have a Nuvi 2597 LMT which has a 5” screen and the Garmin traffic feature. I have always liked it and saw no need to upgrade other than a couple recent trip driving trips to Chicago where on busy sections of interstate, the screen suddenly seemed a bit small. When in Best Buy, I took a quick look at the 6” models and the DriveSmart 65 caught my eye. It seemed just enough bigger that I took a chance when it was on sale and upgraded. I am not disappointed at all and am quite pleased. The screen is noticeably larger making it much easier to read and the graphics are crisper with better detail. It uses the same mount so any mounts I already have still work. My only complaint is the volume can’t be accessed quite as easily but isn’t difficult. Now for what I found surprising in a good way. Adding an additional stop to an existing trip is much easier and more intuitive. On the Nuvi 2597 the questions were a bit confusing on adding a stop along the way (checking for a restaurant or music store nearby). On the DriveSmart, adding to the trip is simpler and works well. The other feature I’m enjoying is the voice control. I’m not a big fan of all the Amazon and Google assistants – I don’t need Amazon listening in to my conversations and reporting everything back to the mothership so they can sell me more product; and in general, I feel capable of doing things for myself; but the Hey Garmin commands are pretty handy while driving. The voice recognition isn’t perfect but gets me to a screen where a quick tap completes the task. Much safer navigating while driving. I still prefer a dedicated GPS rather than using my phone. I don’t want to be approaching a turn/change in directions when a call comes in taking my focus off the directions. If you feel the same, I highly recommend the Drive Smart 65. I’m very pleased with my purchase.

This GPS navigation unit is exactly what I needed and expected from Garmin. Quick processing routes. Big clear display Free map updates! Built in Wi-Fi & Bluetooth with update capability though Wi-Fi. No computer necessary. Plus many more features. What more can you ask for? Works without a cellular signal or cell phone connection to. I like Google maps but if you don't want to tie up your phone, and kill your battery while navigating, this is a great option. You can send locations to this unit from your phone also.

Once charged, setup was easy. Pairing with phone took no effort. This unit replaced a much older model and is really great to use. It's a lot easier to use than the older model and has so many more features. I have used it several times already and it seems to be really accurate. Would recommend this to beginners as well as experienced users.

I had purchase this because did not want to kill my IPhone battery by using waze. I like waze but disliked advertisements so I purchase Garmin drive smart 65 . Make brief what I like. You can set the Garmin to list atms, gas station , restaurants etc close by as you drive. The big screen is great but I love I can hook my IPhone to the Garmin by Bluetooth which mean I can receives calls hand free after pressing a button on screen to answer or not and when answer the person can hear me clear while driving and I can hear them also but with max volume. Also love how it displays the text message on screen and if cannot read has a button show that Garmin can read the text message to you. The traffic alerts needs a little work because when I using for work it tells me to a certain way on freeway and I know it has traffic on that freeway every morning so I gives it 3 stars but still like it also need to have the cable connect to power to use the traffic alerts. The battery power stay on for about an hour but I just use the power cable all the time when driving.

This is my 4th garmin gps unit dating back 15 years at least. They keep getting better. This one is particularly easy. Speak to it and it speaks back. Built in WiFi receiver means map updates are particularly easier than in years past. Used to download a program into a Windows pc, then register your device, download the application and updates to the pc, then install it to the gps for many hours. Now connect the gps to your wireless network, use your email address, you’re registered and the unit downloads the updates directly to itself. Simple. Directions are clear. If you take a different route, such as local road that you know is faster than what the gps recommends, the gps will modify its routes while you’re traveling and still get you there with minimal fuss. Older units would always say “make a u-turn” because they would never recognize your way as an alternative. Built in traffic and weather updates are very useful. Warnings of upcoming speed and school zones.

I bought this for my husband's truck because he has no navigation system. We recently went to Maine on vacation and this Garmin was simply amazing for traveling. It is easy to use and the phone app made plotting destinations a breeze! The screen is nice and large, very easy to see. Lifetime update on maps, how can you go wrong?

Really easy to use but it probably helps that I am upgrading from a Nuvi. It is nice having a larger screen. The map update worked very well via wifi. It took 30 mins over wifi with the cable company I use advertising 200mbs. The instructions say to allow 3 hrs but they don’t indicate what mbs they base that on. I haven’t paired it with a phone yet and they say you need too via Bluetooth to get traffic updates. The windshield mount can be a little tricky to remove from the device, but you only need to if it won’t fit in the case you bought for the unit. Overall I’m very happy with the Garmin 65.

Wow! This is an absolute necessity, in my opinion, for every driver. It helps you drive SO much safer. It gives timely directions where to turn, merge, lanes to stay-in, etc. It watches your speed and gives updates for construction, too. It’s very important to attach it to WiFi every now and again, just to stay current. Easy as can be to WiFi update! The price is great for such a necessary tool for every day life. The touch screen is an absolute dream. It is easy as can be and the screen is a great size making it readable from even the back seat! Syncing the Bluetooth to your contacts and call logs, is a wonderful feature. Makes hands free calls safer without ever touching your phone. The “Okay Garmin” feature to add stops, addresses, making calls is so much safer and easier. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this GPS! What a wonderful tool to make life easy!

Great deal and has a huge screen. Definitely an upgrade from my 6 year old unit. It will make my drive time easier and safer. The bluetooth function works great and with the Garmin app on my phone I can search places on the phone and sync it with the GPS. My only concern is that it uses my cell phones signal or wifi to update traffic, weather, traffic cams and accidents. My old GPS had it built in to the power cable. Not sure if this will drain the battery yet but I will find out in the next couple of weeks as I am on an extended trip.

I'm one of those weirdos that prefers an actual GPS in my car instead of a phone app. I've been in the situation where you are following GPS directions on a phone app and the phone rang and you had to take the call and so lost critical directions during the call. Never again! The display is huge, packed full of useful information and is clearly laid out. I'm biased in that I've had Garmin GPSs for about 20 years now but I prefer their UI over that of competitors like TomTom or Google Maps or Waze. This has lifetime map updates and traffic support (though you have to either wire it to a supplied antenna or Bluetooth it to your phone to get that). One thing I ding it a star for is the fact that you cannot power it by plugging it into a USB port in your car (which my car has) - you HAVE to use the old school "cigarette lighter" connector. If you do plug it into a USB port, it goes into file transfer mode and won't act as a GPS. The other thing is that the UI has changed since my last model and it takes a couple more steps to do things like stop a current set of directions or go from the map to the "where to?" screen (the old models had icons on the map screen to do that.

Got this unit to replace an older Garmin unit. Good upgrade and this worked well for our road trip. The size makes it easy to read, and the ability to load up addresses for attractions and hotels and whatever you want, for the most part. Because it uses satellites, it's not flaky like cell phones, since it always has coverage. Lifetime updates for maps and one can purchase maps for other countries - we did this for a road trip around Ireland - very useful. As good as phones can be, these are more reliable.

I love my new GPS, the Garmin - DriveSmart 65 & Traffic - 6.95" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth works amazing. Just moved to a new state so I have no clue where I'm going, The large screen, voice commands, live traffic work very well. I wish best buy had the models with the traffic cord since I can order the same GPS with the cord from the Garmin website for the same price but it's my fault for not checking and trying to work with my store for a cable. One of my favorite options is the Shape Route feature so you can avoid an area you have learned you do not want to travel or add it in for sight-seeing. I will most likely be making another purchase of this for the better half's car too.

Excellent GPS for the price. Works very well, is large and easy to read and fairly simple to use which is VERY important when I'm driving. Only problem is the thickness which means it will not fit many aftermarket GPS/phone holders although the holder supplied with the phone is not great but sufficient. I do think that the supplied holder being plastic may get loose over time.

I am extremely satisfied with this Garmin GPS. The size makes it easy to see and read on your dash. The touch screen is nicely sensitive making searches and menu navigation easy. You can speak commands to it by saying "Hey Garmin" but you still are forced to follow the menu to navigate what you want to do. I feel the touch screen is simpler. Lastly I like how this can connect to WI-FI to do map updates. You can connect this with Bluetooth to your smartphone. This Garmin GPS is a great improvement over units from not to long ago.

Held off buying a new god because my old one had live traffic, or so I thought. I also thought I would need to use mobile data to have traffic, and I only use WiFi on my phone. This device comes with the same traffic my old device had, but it has so many great features.easily connects to my phone for hands free calling. Has tons of memory and a slot for a memory card. Uses pop ups to inform you of issues and alternative options rather than endlessly nagging you like my old device. Interface is easy to use and has built in manual. Really wish I had changed sooner. Oh and yeah the voice activation is wonky, but it works. Large screen a definite plus.

The GPS functions correctly and is fairly easy to set up. The ability to download previous planned trips from another Garmin GPS greatly helps in setting up the unit as a replacement. The ability to hold a charge is a little disappointing.

First the good? It is fast locating the satellites. The screen is large and easy to read. When connected to my iPhone by blue tooth, my incoming text messages show up on the screen. Very nice to have. Now the Bad. It is really stupid!! I set my home location and when I was away from home about 300 miles, I pushed the home button to obtain the route home. This Garmin directed me to take the interstate system instead of using state highways. I can maybe understand this even though the state highway was 40 miles shorter and a faster route. Given that I was familiar with my home state, I chose to drive the state highways instead of the interstate highway system. This Garmin tried to get me to turn around and travel on the interstate even though I had driven 50 miles on the state highway. I was 240 miles from home on the state highway, but Garmin wanted me to turn around and travel 320 miles to get home by using the interstate highway. The lesson here is trust your personal knowledge first. Use the Garmin as an assistant or aid to your travels. Other than it’s decision making ability, I do like the unit.

Bigger screen, more options and features. Love being able to pair to my smart phone. Lifetime maps update.

Best GPS yet. Very easy to use and recommend it. Never lost signal and can call anyone and receive calls with out touching my cell phone. Also tells street by street name as you are driving on the road and crosswalk and speed that you are going as well as mph posted on the road.Been with Tom TOM gps and truckers gps but this product out beats them all. Also tells where they are food , lodging , gas prices etc. Does everything I could ask for and more, Would recommend this product to anyone . Being a person who can program this and use it while being a person over 60's its worth it .

I love it. Easy connect to the Garmin’s app, to my iPhone and to Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi connection allows you to update maps without a computer. All my contacts loaded fast from the phone contact list. Bluetooth connection was easy to pare with mine and my wife’s phone. Screen is easy to use and clear and sharp. Entered over a dozen address and it found every one. Easy to save an address and to name them. Perfect size for mounting on the dash with the Garmin Portable Friction Mount, (PART NUMBER 010-11280-00). Comes with a car charging cable for the cigarette lighter AND a USB cable that works in a car USB port or an iPhone cube for charging in the house. Plugged it in and turned it on and with a couple of clicks it downloaded the latest map and software updates in about 15 minutes. All the on screen settings are easy to use and intuitive. Best GPS I ever had. Would highly recommend. Get one you will love it!