Garmin DriveAssist™ 51LMT-S

General Features
Dash Cam Features
Navigation Features

General Features

Overview: The Garmin DriveAssist 51LMT-S, part of the 2017 Garmin Drive series, is a combination dash cam and portable GPS navigation device. The dash camera continually records your drive and saves the video on impact. The GPS navigation device provides automatic routing and turn-by-turn voice directions, as well as records the precise location of any incident you may be in. The device also includes Bluetooth hands-free calling, access to live services through the SmartLink app, and voice-activated navigation. The DriveAssist 51LMT-S features free Lifetime Map Updates and Lifetime Traffic.

5" Capacitive-Touchscreen LCD: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S features a 5" (diagonal), color TFT capacitive-touchscreen LCD with a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels. The glass, capacitive-touch screen acts like your smartphone display, allowing you to use a pinching action to zoom in or out of the maps.

Wi-Fi: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S makes it easy to receive software and map updates with its built-in Wi-Fi. When connected to your home network, you'll be notified when a map or software update is available.

Bluetooth: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S has built-in Bluetooth technology, which allows you to sync the unit with a Bluetooth-enabled device for hands-free calling through its integrated microphone and speaker. You can make and receive phone calls as long as the devices are within 33 feet and paired.

Smartphone Link: Smartphone Link is a phone application that allows the device to download live data using your phone's data connection, and transferring the data wirelessly via Bluetooth. The free Garmin Smartphone Link app provides access to Garmin Live Services, which includes free and subscription-based plans for viewing traffic data, photoLive traffic cameras, weather, dynamic parking, and fuel prices. Garmin Smartphone Link is available for iPhone in the App Store (iOS 9.3 and later) and for Android in the Google Play store (Android 4.0.3 and up).

Smartwatch Compatibility: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S can be paired to your Garmin smartwatch (select fēnix, Forerunner, and vívofit models with Connect IQ) for extending navigation features, receiving notifications and driver warnings, and locating your car in a parking lot.

Smart Notifications: When connected via the Smartphone Link, the DriveAssist 51LMT-S will display calls, texts, and other notifications from your Android or iPhone. This allows you to read or hear your messages without having to pick up your phone.

Voice-activated Navigation: You can use your voice to activate and operate the DriveAssist 51LMT-S. Voice Command allows you to use the device by speaking words and commands and following the voice prompts. After speaking a predetermined Wakeup Phrase, you can enter the names and/or address of popular, well-known locations. If necessary, you can disable voice prompts without muting the device, so you'll still hear the audible directions as you travel.

Preloaded Maps: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S contains NAVTEQ's City Navigator NT North America with detailed road maps of the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and Mexico, plus Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Bahamas (New Providence Island and Grand Bahama), French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, and Jamaica.

Note: Optional maps are available for this device via microSD card or download directly from Garmin.com.

nüMaps Guarantee: If you register your device on Garmin's website within 90 days of acquiring satellites while driving, you can check to see if a free map update is available. You must be able to connect your device via a high-speed internet connection in order to check the loaded map version and download the map update.

microSD Card Slots: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S has two microSD card slots. One can be used for optional maps (available from Garmin), or download custom voices and vehicles from the Garmin Garage. The other is dedicated for recording and storing video from the dash cam.

Power Requirements: The Garmin DriveAssist 51LMT-S is powered by a built-in Lithium-Ion battery, which will provide up to 30 minutes of use when fully charged. The unit comes with a 12-volt car charger for powering and charging the unit while you travel. The unit can be powered by your computer when it is connected via the supplied mini-B USB cable.

Compatibility: You can connect the unit to your computer with the supplied mini-B USB cable for downloading map updates, custom POIs, voices, and vehicles. The DriveAssist 51LMT-S is compatible with Windows XP or newer and Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Dash Cam Features

Dash Camera Overview: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S is equipped with a built-in dash camera on the back of the device so that it faces out the front of the vehicle. It has a wide-angle view of the road ahead. The dash cam continually records your drive and saves the video on the dedicated microSD card. A microSD card with a capacity of 4 GB to 64 GB, and a speed rating of Class 10 or higher should be used.

Incident Detection: As you drive, the video from the dash camera is recorded to the microSD card. As the card reaches its capacity, the oldest, non-saved video is overwritten. The unit's Incident Detector G-sensor detects when the vehicle is impacted, and automatically saves the footage before, during, and after the event. You can also manually save video or take still images at any time.

Incident Notification: When the unit detects an incident, the device can send an automated text message to a designated contact in 60-seconds. The message is sent from a third-party service, not from your phone, and includes your name and a pre-selected message. If you wish to cancel the notification, you can cancel it within the 60-second window. Incident Notification requires a connection to Smartphone Link, an active mobile data connection, and can be disabled if desired.

Audio Recording: If desired, you can use the built-in microphone to record audio while recording video. Audio recording can be turned on or off at any time.

Camera-assisted Warnings: The device features an Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS), which uses the dash camera to provide warnings and alerts. These alerts are for information only, and do not replace your responsibility to observe all road and driving conditions. The warnings also rely on the proper placement of the dash camera. Some of the camera-assisted features include:

• Go Alert: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S will alert you when stopped traffic ahead of you starts moving. This is helpful at stop lights or during traffic delays. The alert is sounded only after the vehicle ahead of you has moved a substantial distance and your vehicle has stopped.
• Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS): The Forward Collision Warning feature alerts you if you are driving too close to the vehicle ahead of you. The device determines your speed using GPS, and calculates a safe following distance to the vehicle ahead of you, based on your speed. If the device detects that you are following too closely, a warning appears on the screen and an audible alert will sound. You can set the Forward Collision Warning sensitivity to low, medium, or high, and is activated only when your vehicle speed exceeds 30 mph.
• Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS): The Lane Departure Warning System alerts you when the device detects you may be crossing a lane boundary unintentionally. The feature only alerts you when your vehicle speed exceeds 40 mph. The warning appears on the left or right side of the screen to indicate which lane boundary you have crossed.

Garmin Real Vision: As you arrive at your destination, the device will sometimes display a camera view to indicate its location ahead. The on-screen graphics appear over the image to show you the location of your destination.

Travelapse: The Travelapse feature captures video frames at a set interval (one frame for each mile you travel, for example), and creates a fast-motion video of your trip. The device sets the distance interval automatically, based on the length of the route and the space available on the memory card. The unit continues to record regular dash cam video while recording a Travelapse video.

Video Playback: Using the Dash Cam Player application, you can easily view and organize files captured by your DriveAssist 51LMT-S. The app lets you rewind, fast-forward, and pause playback. Videos can be marked for later playback, if desired. You can save individual frames as photos to document an incident or to share. The free Dash Cam Player software (version 5.9) is available for download for PCs running Windows 7 or later, or Macs with OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or newer.

VIRB App: The Garmin VIRB app pairs with the DriveAssist 51LMT-S, allowing you to playback video footage on your compatible smartphone. The video clips can also be edited, deleted, saved, and shared with others through the app as well. The VIRB app is available for Apple iOS devices (requires iOS 9.3 or later), and for Android devices (4.4 or newer)..

Navigation Features

Free Lifetime Map Updates: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S offers free lifetime map updates (of the preloaded map software) so you'll always have the most up-to-date maps, POIs, and navigation information. Map updates are available for download up to 4 times a year with no subscription or update fees and no expiration dates. Free Lifetime Map Updates are subject to Terms & Conditions.

Live Traffic: Live Traffic helps you avoid traffic tie-ups that may delay your travel. Here (formerly NAVTEQ) collects, processes, and distributes real-time traffic conditions. Live Traffic requires the use of a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone loaded with the Garmin Smartphone Link app. Traffic data is refreshed every 60 seconds, with more than 1000 messages received with every update. Updates appear to the side of the map, so your driving map remains onscreen at all times. The updates can give you details about the situation, including the estimated length of the delay. Free Lifetime Live Traffic requires no subscription or activation, and is subject to Terms & Conditions.

Note: Traffic updates are available in approximately 124 markets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Location-relevant pop-up ads and coupons may be received when traffic is enabled on the unit.

Live Parking / LiveTrack: In addition to Live Traffic, the Smartphone Link app enables the use of Live Parking and LiveTrack on your DriveAssist 51LMT. Live Parking from Parkopedia.com shows you helpful parking information, including pricing and availability trends for on-street public parking. LiveTrack lets you share your location to your friends so they can track your whereabouts.

Traffic Map: The traffic map shows color-coded traffic flow and delays on nearby roads. When receiving traffic information, a traffic icon appears on the map. The traffic icon changes color (Green/Yellow/Red/Gray) to indicate the severity of traffic conditions.

Route Preferences: When calculating a route, you can select the following preferences: faster time, shorter distance, or off road.

POIs with TripAdvisor: The built-in maps include millions of Points of Interest (POIs) such as hotels, restaurants, gas stations, attractions, and ATMs. Many of the listings show ratings from TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. Additional search information sourced from Foresquare. In addition, you can download additional points of interest and add them to the unit's memory (Custom POIs). The free POI Loader software can be downloaded from the Garmin website to assist you in creating Custom POIs.

Map View Options: You can choose from a 3D map view or two 2D map views (Track Up or North Up) as you navigate to your destination.

Garmin Real Directions: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S announces your upcoming maneuvers with a clear spoken voice. Using Garmin Real Directions, the spoken turn-by-turn directions utilize traffic lights and recognizable landmarks to guide you. For example, the unit uses phrases such as "Turn left at the traffic light" or "Turn right at the gas station."

Active Lane Guidance: Active Lane Guidance with voice prompts lets you know in advance which lane you should to be in to make an upcoming turn. In select metropolitan areas, the DriveAssist 51LMT-S will enter split screen mode to display the photoReal junction view, a realistic depiction of the junction, complete with road signs and brightly-colored arrows to indicate the proper lane for navigation. The Bird's Eye view also gives you a top-down view of upcoming interchanges.

Speed Limits: As you travel along a major road or street, the speed limit is displayed on the screen alongside of the vehicle's speed display. If you are exceeding the speed limit, the color of the vehicle speed indication changes to red. If the highway's posted speed limit has changed since the last map update, you can change the speed limit display on the unit.

Driver Alerts: The DriveAssist 51LMT-S features audible and visual alerts to help you drive more safely and increase situation awareness. Warnings include alerts for Speed Limit Reduction, Speed Limit Exceeded, Slower Traffic, Animal Crossing, Railroad Crossing, School Zones, Red Light and Speed Cameras, and Sharp Curves. Each situation can be selected or deselected in the menu.

Where Am I?: The "Where Am I?" feature gives you instant access to important information in case of an emergency. When you touch the vehicle icon on the map screen, the "Where Am I?" feature provides the coordinates (including elevation) of your current position, plus the nearest address and intersections. There are also buttons to help you locate the nearest hospitals, police stations, and gas stations. You can also save the location for future reference.

Up Ahead: As you travel along your route, the Up Ahead feature constantly indicates the location of nearby businesses, including gas stations, restaurants, lodging, rest areas, parking, and banks/ATMs. The locations are shown as icons, some with brand logos, and when the icons are touched on the screen, details of the services are displayed, and you are given the opportunity to navigate to that address.

Last Spot: To assist you in finding your parked vehicle, the Garmin Locate feature saves your location to memory when you remove the device from the windshield mounting cradle while the device is on. You can search for your vehicle's location using the Last Spot button in the menu.

Destination Search: When the Where To? button is pressed, you can use the search tools to find your destination and plan your route. The search tools allow you to search for cities, addresses, intersections, or coordinates. The Search Bar lets you directly enter a category, brand name, address, or city name. The unit's memory stores the last 50 locations you have found so you can quickly find a previous destination.

Vehicle Icons: The unit offers your choice of nine standard icons, such as arrows, sports cars, trucks, and compact cars to represent your vehicle. The online Garmin Express offers dozens more vehicle icons that you can download for free. In addition, you can purchase icon and voice bundles that you can load to an optional microSD card.

Trip Planner: You can create and save a trip with multiple destinations using the Trip Planner. Once you have entered your destinations, you can manually set them in the order of your preference, or allow the device to calculate the most efficient route. Trip itineraries can be saved in memory for future use.

Trip Data: The Trip Data feature is a customizable tool to provide helpful statistics about your trip. Numerous data points can be selected, and three of them displayed on the main map screen. Selectable data points include: dual trip odometers (Trip A/Trip B), Direction, Current Speed, Maximum Speed, Moving Average Speed, Overall Average Speed, Stopped time, Moving Time, Total Time, Time of Day, Elevation, Location Coordinates, and GPS accuracy.

Where I've Been/Trip Log: The Where I've Been application allows you to view your previous routes and places you have stopped on the map. In addition, the device keeps a Trip Log, which is a record of the path you have traveled. The Travel History setting must be enabled in order for the Where I've Been and Trip Log features to function.

GPS Simulator: When indoors, you can activate the built-in GPS simulator and practice using the unit. This turns off the GPS receiver so it's not searching for satellites, saving battery power.

Optional Backup Camera: You can add the optional Garmin BC30 wireless backup camera to the DriveAssist 51LMT-S, allowing you to view on the screen what's behind your vehicle when it is in reverse.