I've has this unit for a few years now and tested it all around Australia, and I have come to hate the thing. It seems hellbent on finding the worst route anywhere. It takes you on C roads when there are B roads, and B roads when there are A roads. It can't find the fastest or the shortest route unless there is only one road between you and the destination, and even then you can never be sure. It might take you on a side jaunt somewhere. And when you detour off the set route while driving it gets hopelessly confused, tells you you to go back wh...Read more

Having used a Nuvi 760 for the last 10 years I decided to treat myself with a new GPS and boy did I make a mistake. The 760 had a very user friendly interface and you could make it do nearly anything but make a cup of tea. My new Drive Smart 51 is the most complicated piece of junk. Instead of keeping the interface simple Garmin have gone for a new user unfriendly smart phone type system. They have changed the simple words such "Routes" to "Trip planner", "Favourites" has become "Saved". Even though I loaded all my favourites with their own dis...Read more

With SatNav plugged into my iMac, takes over an hour to initiate updates via Garmin Express installed on the computer. There are no progress bars or indicators, and it seems updates are not completable, as there is insufficient capacity in the device. The user is merely left wondering and guessing. Programming routes, favourites, etc. is only possible when device is connected in vehicle and with ignition key turned ON. Instructions are complicated and needed to be printed out and taken into car - this is my experience.

I have not tried bluetoo...Read more

Summary
Of the three series: Drive, DriverSmart,and DriverAssist, this one strikes the right balance of feature and cost. The default behaviours are mostly sensible and adequate. The device has updated technologies to match today's life style and offers solid essential features.

Pros:
Responsive UI
Mature approach to core features
OTA update via WiFi a huge improvement over USB (so you can ditch the Garmin Express software)
Stable software and durable build (e.g. using mini-USB instead of micro USB)
TripAdvisor and Foursquare features are .... well ..... usable
...Read more

● the good ●
1. Gorgeous bright and high resolution screen.
2. The user interface design is intuitive and a pleasure to use.
3. Features such as roadwork updates and upcoming restaurants are useful.

● the bad ●
1. The garmin express program (crucial for updating software and maps) is garbage. Garmin express is the worst program I have ever used. It is so broken and inconsistent that it's basically legal torture to use. I've never had so much trouble with a single program than garmin express.

- garmin's servers are slow and small updates take over 1 hour to download.
- garmin's update software fails to recognize the connected gps....Read more

Bought this to use overseas as it has Voice Command which is a critical feature for driving in Europe. It can also accommodate extra maps by way of a micro SD card, so I bought the Garmin City Navigator Europe NT Full Coverage 010-10680-50 maps for the outrageous price of $139.00 to work with this GPS whilst driving in Europe. To my horror I discovered that the Voice Command feature does not work on any maps but with what was originally loaded onto this GPS. For example, when trying to use it for France, it says this feature (Voice Command) is ...Read more

This is our most recent Garmin GPS.
We have now had 10 models over the years, but this one is the best.
Works perfectly anywhere including the bush - not like a phone GPS that needs a phone signal.
Its easy to program and accurate and easy to install on the windscreen with the magnetic base.
This means you can pull the unit off the windscreen when driving, give it to my navigator and change things while on the move.
We pre-program all of our important drives BEFORE we leave Australia, along with all our accommodation, things to see do as ...Read more