Garmin DriveSmart 55 and Traffic, GPS Navigator, 5.5” Display, Simple On-Screen Menus, Easy-to-See Maps

I bought this GPS because I don’t have a navigation tool in my car and I didn’t like using my phone to navigate. This device is awesome! I had an older version and liked it so I bought this upgrade and I love it! It’s easy to program in destinations and has so many features! The screen is a nice size and very clear and vivid. I like it so much that I keep it plugged in even when I don’t need navigation assistance. It automatically turns on and shows you where you are going. Another thing that I like is that it has a subtle beep when you are approaching a school zone or when the speed limit is dropping. It has road construction alerts and reported traffic slowdown alerts as well. I took a long trip and after two hours it beeped and suggested that I take a rest! I synced it with my phone but I don’t care for that feature because sometimes the Garmin app just randomly pops up on my phone and asks me questions. This GPS is great, I wish I had bought it sooner!

I purchased the Drive Smart 55. I am very pleased with the unit. Even though it is only 5.5 inches, its excellent resolution (for a GPS unit) makes it easy to read and follow. You do need to spend a little time with it to get it set up how you like. One feature I really like is its excellent voice command interface. I use it with my 2006 Corvette. The rake of the windshield on that car means that mounting it low enough that it is not a distraction means it is far enough away that using the touch screen is a bit of a bother. [Update 5/7/2019: This product: https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Windshield-Drivesmart-Driveassist-StreetPilot/dp/B07K17PZP8/ref=sr_1_1?ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-a0049-win10-dsk00-nomod-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&keywords=garmin+navigator+windshield+mount&qid=1557267369&s=gateway&sr=8-1 largely solved this issue] Because of the excellent voice command system, I find I don't need to fiddle with it much. I do wish that I could control the settings (other than volume) using voice. Not enough of a minus to cost a point IMHO. [Update 5/7/2019: Further use of the voice control reveals that it can be hit or miss: For example I had a hard time getting it to recognize the street name 'Morriss' - it kept finding Morse regardless of how loud I yelled at it. I did find that including the city/state as part of the address made a big difference. ] Like most GPS units (including Google Maps) it is slow to change from 150-250 ft to zero when you are at the next turn. However, the indicator on the map is spot on, so a quick look tells you what you need to know. The displayed directions are concise, useful and large enough to take in at a glance. I wouldn't mind shutting off the speed function, as it is redundant to my head-up display. I have not figured out yet if it is possible to turn that off [5/7/2019: you can turn off the audible but not the display], but I suspect it is. (It always has a reddish tint . I don't need it to tell me that I am generally exceeding the speed limit by a few MPH when not in residential areas :D ) I have not yet used the traffic system. I will update this review once I have. Overall I am very pleased with the unit so far.

I like this but suction cup, no place to set that on my vehicle and when turning on you have to agree every time instead of one and done. More viable attaching to dash needs to be available. Vent is unreliable, magnet maybe, but you have to put a screw in your dash. And a learning mode should be available where the voice shuts up and pays attention. Second issue is any time I turn it back on I have to agree to terms and conditions, should be one and done, it also tries to access via usb automobile entertainment center and it doesn't do that and I get an error message from my car.

Works pretty well. I drive a semi and use this to navigate MN and WI daily. It learns my routes and on Monday morning it will ask if I want to go to the location I always go to first on Mondays, same with other days. The speed and locations are accurate. I like the size of the display, not huge, but large enough to glance at and see. It stores a lot of locations, though I have filled it up. It was not really designed for what I use it for.

I have owned Garmin GPS for many many years. I have always found Garmins easier to use, much better screens than TomTom, but HATED Garmin's routing..and traffic. I have also owned several TomToms and though their screens look HORRIBLE, their touchscreen sensitivity is HORRIBLE..Tomtom at least where I live and travel ALWAYS, ALWAYS, provided much better routing than any Garmin I ever had, and blew away every Garmin I had on traffic. Long story short my TomTom GO620 finally died so I decided to give Garmin "one last chance". WOW...This DriveSmart 55 surprised the heck out of me. Suddenly it was taking me on almost the exact same routes as my TomTom 620 did...in the past Garmin would choose much longer routes/ALWAYS like...DUMB!. The screen looks GREAT, voice recognition is rather good if you speak a bit slowly. Traffic is now GREAT..I use the Garmin connect app and it gets super quick traffic data from my phone just like TomTom did. Shows you when you are approaching a red camera, you can change the warning tone to ONCE, or have it repeat over and over in case you didn't hear the first red-light warning..and though I didn't even care about this feature...bluetooth voice calls are crazy clear, and callers told me they thought I was talking straight into my phone. I almost bought the larger model..but I feel the 55 hits a sweet spot and just like newer phones, the screen goes almost to the edges now. This GPS is one of the best electronic THINGS I bought in all of 2020. I am VERY impressed...if I have one negative..wish maybe it had a magnetic connection rather than needing to plug the power wire in directly to the unit. Still and all I LOVE this gps..and with the Drivesmart 55...I think TomTom is really gonna struggle with their crappy 1990's hardware in 2020! Way to go Garmin! I'm impressed. Goodbye TomTom!

Great GPS for your automobile! Beats anything the automobile manufacturers put in their cars. Really beats using your cell phone as a GPS! Excellent detail with turn by turn verbal instrations. Plug in and go. Plus it has lifetime updates with the absolute most accurate information.

The best one yet. This one has a beautiful screen with bright graphics and the features it offers are extremely useful. There are some functions I do not use regularly, but the ones I do use function perfectly. Can be positioned on the dash so it is low and up front. Does not block my view while keeping it easy to view quickly, keeping eyes on the road. I have found one issue with all the Garmins. Rarely, the voice commands do not agree with the graphics. The voice will say go left when the screen shows a right turn. (It usually corrects itself at the last minute). Trust the graphics. When going somewhere unfamiliar it always gets me there. For those unfamiliar with GPS, sometimes it will not choose a route that you might choose if you have all the info and could plot your own route, but I use it when I don't have a clue. it will get you there.

Garmin DriveSmart 55 with Traffic (P/N 010-02037-02). Replacement for over ten year old Nuvi 350 that started to have difficulty “seeing” satellites. Ordered 6/20 arrived 6/22 with almost no packing material being used. Garmin’s excellent box saved the receiver. I have purchased Garmin GPS receivers and equipment for use in our aircraft and several other GPS receivers for different uses. High quality all. The poor: One page, wordless-diagram about how to mount the receiver is the manual included. Must go on-line to download an actual manual that is not as descriptive as that of Nuvi 350's manual. USB cable included is very short. Expect to extend or substitute cable in order to have a reasonable reach. No protective pouch or soft bag to protect receiver is included as was once standard. Battery was close to being discharged when received, as is expected - takes quite a while to charge the battery. Battery charging current is about 0.35 amperes and the current does go to zero when the battery is fully charged. WiFi works, but is extremely slow. Updating using WiFi takes major parts of a day, when it works, and uses about 0.52 amperes. The receiver requests that one insert a memory chip to facilitate downloading, which I did and was very easy to do. However the memory chip appears not to be used as part of downloading. A major selling point for this model (use of WiFi for updates) is next to useless. Down-loading of a software up-date was slow but successful. Took several attempts to update maps and some 20 hours of WiFi use. 12 volt to GPS receiver cable does not contain a traffic-information-receiver bulge as seen on other traffic-models. If the traffic feature works with the 55T, it must use the included constant-diameter cable as an antenna with a traffic receiver being inside of GPS receiver. Yet to be tested. The display of the 55T is gorgeous. But that has little utility as one should certainly not be watching the display while driving. Bluetooth was not tested as I have no interest in its use. Bottom line: Save about $40 and get the lower resolution, slightly smaller Garmin Drive 52 with traffic (P/N 010-02036-07). Perhaps Garmin will improve the speed of WiFi in the next version of this premium GPS receiver that is intended for use in a passenger car. Mac Added: Detatchement is tricky Attach with lever on windshield suction cup downward and with latch on the circular latching-disk downward. To detach: Place thumb of left hand under the left side of the GPS Receiver and the remaining fingers of the left hand on the top of the left hand side of the GPS receiver. Place the outside edge of the index finger of the right hand against the latch on the circular latching-disk and press upward slightly WHILE rotating the GPS receiver with the left hand. Gets HOT I estimate 35 C when not in sun. - detach when not in use. Because of how hot the 55T runs, expect an early failure.

Excelente !!

I ordered a Garmin GPS from Amazon.com.au on express post and they sent me one from the USA with USA maps. I asked them if they could delete the USA maps and send me a download for Aussie maps. Nope, I had to send it back and it has taken weeks to get my refund.

It is easier to enter destination locations as compared to all my previous models by other companies. That is really great. Oddly enough when I loaded it in my home it showed local gas stations with gas prices. I thought in the car I would also see that but I have not. There are two features that I miss from other company machines. It does not allow me to enter gas purchases and calculate gas mileage. Previously I could set the speed to calculate 20%over the limit so if it went red and sound I knew I was liable to get a ticket. Now this just goes red at the speed limit. The ease of entering a destination makes it a great buy and the sound is fantastic, even over phone calls. Ease of map upgrades will be fantastic as opposed to connecting it to the computer every time.

Va llegando el Garmin Drive 55, les comparto las primeras impresiones. 5 Pulgadas de pantalla se ve pequeña, como un celular, probablemente 7 u 8 pulgadas es un mejor tamaño. No trae instructivo detallado, solo recomendaciones. La configuración es simple, de entrada te permite seleccionar la ubicación y el idioma. Configuras preferencias, conectas a WiFi y actualizas, la actualización tardo 45 minutos. Te da opción de descargar la app de garmin en tu celular para el tráfico. Si trae el mapa de México qué era lo más importante, en 15 días les actualizo como me fue usándolo en la ciudad.

This gps has great graphics easy to read numbers and letters.Shows your texts weather and traffic with great detail.Also has free map updates.Only 4 stars because mine has frozen twice in first month and has newest updates but maps are far behind goole maps for accuracy.This being said still a great unit.