Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic review
Crutchfield customer from Santa Maria, CA on 11/12/2020
This GPS receiver works as it should. I read about auto zoom and it's limitations. Yes there are some limitations but they are not a big problem. I like seeing where I am and the entire remaining trip on the screen at a time. This auto zoom is limited to presenting the trip up to the next turn. This is not a problematic limitation. The Toyota navigation system had no real auto zoom per say. The turns showed up on the right side of the screen close up and that sufficed. Garmin's system is faster and more detailed. At first selection points of interest was confusing, but with a little playing around with the system, I figured out how to use it. Santa Maria, Calfifornia streets are changing fast. The data base is not very up to date for this town. I use the coordinate feature quite a bit right now, as many businesses moved or are not there any more.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Vandenberg Air, CA on 11/1/2020
Easy to use, voice recognition fine - just have to figure out what words it wants to hear. Still haven't figured out how to hang up the phone or put in a contact list. It does seem to like a white, mid New England accent. Mine is more black and southern.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Newbury Park, CA on 10/31/2020
I have become a fan of the Garmin portable GPS units since first buying a vehicle that did not have built in navigation nor the capability to replace the factory radio due to it being tablet style and no aftermarket replacements are/were available to replace it. I have not had an extension opportunity to use this unit but it performs as it should and having the large screen makes it very easy to view at a glance while driving. Will not hesitate to buy again if I should need one.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmartT 65 "ROCKS"
Donald from PAHRUMP, NV on 8/5/2020
This unit is so cool and within the first min. it was up and running Plug into the lighter and hit the power button. I have Garmin built in to my Kenwoods in dash units but this is even better. large fonts and just wonderful. Crutchfield is the only place I will buy from. There help reps make you feel like your family.
Pros: 100% Great
Cons: None for me so far
1 of 1 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Santa Fe, NM on 7/5/2020
excellent screen resolution, very easy to use.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Great GPS
Crutchfield customer from Durand, MI on 6/6/2020
Love this GPS. It has Voice commands and access to many things when linked to your smart phone. The large screen is perfect for the aging eyes.
Pros: Large screen, fast connections and voice commands.
Cons: Battery life could be a little better but in normal use, you have it connected to power anyway.
0 of 0 found this helpful
Love my new Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Centreville, MD on 5/25/2020
I had an eleven year old Garmin which has served me well. It was time to upgrade to a new Garmin, especially with a 6+ inch screen since I am now 72 years of age. I am pleased with my new Garmin; have already recommended it to a close friend.
Pros: Great GPS device with great Bluetooth hands free cell phone capability.
Cons: None
0 of 0 found this helpful
Garmin Drivesmart 65
Crutchfield customer from Saint Louis, MO on 5/13/2020
Quite a complete gps device. Though with some finding flaws as with most gps devices, new and ongoing road construction, new street closings and changes, etc. it is better than its "free" competitor. It frees up on board gps devices for a more independent and hands free operations. Very good for fleet and multiple route uses.
Pros: More positive quickest routes.
Cons: Without Alexa, which I didn't op to get, voice recognition is not spot on some times.
0 of 0 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from San Antonio, TX on 3/17/2020
Having trouble getting the live traffic to work, otherwise, it is as advertised.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Scottsville, VA on 3/17/2020
0 of 0 found this helpful
Shakeyjohn
Crutchfield customer from Klamath Falls, OR on 3/8/2020
This is a great GPS always gets me to where I'm going.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Monroe, WI on 12/30/2019
this unit has more app's , then i ever imagined.with fast map updates and great visualinformation
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Albuquerque, NM on 12/28/2019
I bought this for use as a screen for a back up camera. I'm now sorry I did because it is on all the time not just when we back up.
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2 of 5 found this helpful
A real life saver.
Crutchfield customer from Church Road, VA on 12/25/2019
Great unit. Love all the functions
Pros: Easy to use. Large clear display. Great graphics. Lifetime map updates. Notifies you when speed limit changes.
Cons: Have not found any yet.
0 of 0 found this helpful
Great like Garmin always is
Crutchfield customer from Altoona, WI on 12/24/2019
Have owned TomTom & Garmin & I prefer the Garmins. Seems just a little more refined. Both will get you where you want to go.
Pros: Easy to use
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Not Lost Today
Crutchfield customer from Clinton, AR on 12/22/2019
Only used it once so far. Was easy to load info and destinations. Really like the sound warning when approaching dropping speed limit. Has an excellent screen, clear graphics. Haven't tried the voice functions yet.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Springfield, IL on 12/15/2019
0 of 0 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Newburyport, MA on 10/31/2019
Love this one just speak your address and follow the directions no problem had Garmines before they are the best
Pros: buy it you won't be sorry
Cons: none
0 of 0 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65
Crutchfield customer from Saline, MI on 10/5/2019
Excellent GPS. Easy to use. I like the large screen and voice activation.
Pros: Large screen. Voice Activation.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Lock Haven, PA on 9/1/2019
This Garmin is awesome!!! I bought both the DriveSmart 65 and the BC40 what a great combo. It only took 10 minutes to set up, I'm very happy with both.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Go Garmin
Crutchfield customer from Smithtown, NY on 8/16/2019
Far exceeds expectation. Great screen, large & clear. Excellent traffic updates. Red light camera notification superior.
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Cons: No downsides
1 of 1 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Huntsville, AL on 7/21/2019
Worked very well on first trip to Gulf Coast. Still learning what it is capable of doing. Great size, easy to read quickly.
Pros: Easy to read.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Easiest and safest GPS in existence. All done by voice!
Crutchfield customer from Goffstown, NH on 7/2/2019
No more typing in multiple required fields, just say the wake-up phrase and it interacts quickly. 10 seconds and you are on your way. Driver alone in the car and driving gets directions without diverting attention at all! I have had a frustrating time with previous GPS units and the attempts at getting the right destination; this one gives options from which you can choose. This was a present for my 90 year old father who got the concept of operation instantly. I'm going to toss my old one and get one too!
Pros: Voice control is unbelievable!
Cons: I didn't buy one for ME!
2 of 2 found this helpful
Best GPS Yet
Crutchfield customer from Greer, SC on 6/10/2019
This is the 4th Garmin GPS I've owned since 2001, starting with the Street Pilot. They have all been great but the DriveSmart 65 is far superior. All it's information, including updated maps and traffic information, and other numerous features are very important , but the large, sharp display is the best of all. I highly recommend it.
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1 of 2 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Connecticut on 4/11/2019
This GPS is a mixed bag. I'm coming from Waze and Gmap navigation and wanted a top of the line GPS to help me reduce wear on my phone and help with hands-free calls. Let's start with the good. The screen is really good. Location lock instantaneous. Now the bad 1. Hardware choice is questionable. It uses an old style mini-USB cable. That means yet another cable to track and keep in a car. Can't reuse a micro-USB phone charger cable. The charger is also huge! Nowadays I'm used to small smart 12v chargers that barely stick out. This is something from 1990s. Speaker is also very weak and tiny. If I drive faster than 50mph it doesn't cut over road noise. 2. Software is bad. Unit has a huge screen but limits how much information is displayed. You can for instance have either at what time you'll arrive or remaining driving time to dest but not both. No compass, no mute button on map, no search button. There's no way to display multiple route choices after a route was generated. You need to cancel the drive and reroute from the beginning. It takes several "clicks" to display simple info like route overview, change volume etc. The traffic is also way off,especially on smaller roads, which results with unit recommending a re-route just to get stuck on some small road. Finally routing is questionable. It gives you 2 options when you first create a route but often the 1st option from Waze is missing from choices given by Garmin. Weird and perha
Pros: Screen quality GPS lock time
Cons: Software Routing Hardware quality
19 of 23 found this helpful
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Crutchfield customer from Madison Heights, MI on 3/3/2019
Just used this unit on over 1000 miles of trips. Easy to use like all Garmin. Easy to read and good routing. Dealt with re-routes very well. Ended up buying a couple other mounts elsewhere. We used the CD slot mount which worked great. Beanbag mount works too... All the old Ball style Nuvi mounts work. It comes with a suction cup mount for the windshield but we did not like that one. Definitely a big upgrade and worth the money.
Pros: Excellent functionality Easy to read New style directions are a big improvement Good routing
Cons: Had to buy mounts elsewhere
5 of 7 found this helpful
Garmin has done it again
Melton from San Antonio Texas on 2/12/2019
I have been using Garmin before there were street GPS Units and by far this is the best unit i have ever used considering i have 3 Garmins in a draw. very easy to setup and configure with or without the phone. The traffic receiver works awesome since i drive in heavy traffic to and from work. the routing is really well established and reroutes when needed. I did download the Garmin drive app and it communicated well with the Garmin. I haven't really used my phone with it since i use my Bluetooth features from my car but it still shows who is calling and receives text messages so i do not have to look down at my radio while driving my car when they come in.. Charges really fast, less then 40 minutes to charge the unit to full while driving. The screen is clear and crisp and the touch pad is very responsive to the finger and easy to ready. the speech is really nice to have, just tell it where you want to go and it will take you.First I thought the screen would be too big but no it's perfect. CONCLUSION: GREAT PRODUCT BY GARMIN ONCE AGAIN. and thanks for Crutchfield having such fantastic products. I give it 5 Stars
Pros: Clear crisp screen, easy touch, traffic comes in really fast, light and not bulky. wireless updating to latest maps and software made easy, gives easy directions and reroutes quickly.
Cons: Garmin should considered adding a screen protector and case for it since it is a large gps like a tablet and this unit needs to be protected.
13 of 13 found this helpful