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New Garmin Drive models for 2019
alanb
557 Points
https://newsroom.garmin.com/press-release/automotive/garmin-drive-navigators-arrive-simplified-road-trip-ready-features-2019
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/612620/pn/010-02038-02#
The major things I have picked out so far …
Models include Drive 52, DriveSmart 55, DriveSmart 65
Built in traffic receiver (Garmin eliminated the bundled traffic receiver in the 2017 models)
3D terrain views available again (eliminated on previous Drive models)
Smartphone Link app replaced with Drive app including free weather and traffic cameras
No replacement for the DriveLuxe series.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/612620/pn/010-02038-02#
The major things I have picked out so far …
Models include Drive 52, DriveSmart 55, DriveSmart 65
Built in traffic receiver (Garmin eliminated the bundled traffic receiver in the 2017 models)
3D terrain views available again (eliminated on previous Drive models)
Smartphone Link app replaced with Drive app including free weather and traffic cameras
No replacement for the DriveLuxe series.
Comments
The 5.5" edge to edge screen on the DriveSmart 55 looks nice.
But I wonder if they brought back the 3d map browser from the Nuvi 3xxx? I liked that better than the DriveSmart 61, which has the old map browser. The screenshot below might be a clue.... a major difference in the 3d browser was that it showed the sky and horizon, but this appears to have the horizon at the top edge of the screen, like the DriveSmart 61. So they have probably just added 3d terrain withoug changing anything else.
Can't see anything here that would make me want to upgrade, but it's nice to see they have at least introduced some new devices and brought back 3d terrain.
Is garmin drive going to replace the smartphone link or is it only work with these new models?
Drive App-compatible Garmin devices (iOS or Android)
Garmin Dash Cam 45
Garmin Dash Cam 55
Garmin Dash Cam 65W
Garmin DriveSmart 55LMT
Garmin DriveSmart 65LMT
Garmin Speak
Garmin Speak Plus
I like the Nat park data. I go to many of them a year across the USA and I now use files from other sources which can be wacked out and hoaky. Ask me how I know..
Has anyone actually bought one yet and posted a review anywhere?
So I guess it depends on exactly what you expect... if you don't want to use the app directly on your phone, you would still have all the features on the GPS itself. Personally, the only thing I ever use the Smart Link app for is traffic on my DriveSmart 61. And it has been a pain about connecting through bluetooth at times.
But we probably shouldn't be surprised that Garmin is simplifying their apps. The killed the StreetPilot App (that was only available on iOS) last year. They killed the Navigon app for Android and iOS within the past year or two. They killed the Viago app for Android/iOS about 9 months after introducing it. And now they have stopped development of Basecamp and MapInstall.... leaving a major bug that prevents you from sending maps from Basecamp to your GPS along with a 32-bit program that will break with the next version of MacOS.
See the pattern? >:)
I guess I will start liking Apple car play in my vehicle.
I have been a customer of other Garmin products. Might have to look at Apple for these uses also.
Thank you
Then they are dumping Basecamp because they don't want to maintain it, and don't really think anyone wants to do route planning on their computer anyway. And they are also no longer interested in supporting third party maps that depend on MapInstall to put them on the GPS.
Nice job, Garmin.
Sorry I’m a newbie. I don’t know what happened to rest of my comment. I’ll shorten it up this time. 1) does the DriveSmart65 have the traffic receiver in the cable where I don’t need to have the Garmin paired to iPhone 2) does the preloaded maps cover Canada as well as North America.
Note that your DriveSmart is also compatible with the Drive app on your phone for traffic. If you use the Drive app for traffic, it will take precedence over the traffic receiver. In general, the traffic coverage using the phone app is superior to the coverage you get through the receiver.
On the DriveSmart 65, your pre-loaded maps should be the full North America version including Canada and Mexico. According to the device features on Garmin's web site: "Garmin DriveSmart 65 includes preloaded street maps for the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Bahamas. Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity makes it easy to keep your maps and software up to date without the use of a computer."