Garmin Drive 50 USA LM GPS Navigator System with Lifetime Maps, Spoken Turn-By-Turn Directions, Direct Access, Driver Alerts, and Foursquare Data

Garmin Drive 50 USA LMI bought this GPS unit as a backup for google maps on my Nexus 5 for a cross country trip from IL to CA. Surprisingly by the end of the trip, I found myself using the Garmin about 99% of the time. I am comparing this unit against google maps that I use 99% of the time otherwise.The reasons I like this better than google maps:1. The split screen was really informative - especially with large lane guidance in unfamiliar areas and upcoming stops displayed next to the map without having to navigate away from the live map. This may not be a problem with long stretches of roads but in a city for example, the ability to show important stops like gas, food and rest stops without having to risk going away from the map and losing a turn.2. The "Up next" info was probably the most useful feature for me as the three most important things during a long trip Viz. Food, Fuel and rest areas are very conveniently shown next to the map. This allowed me to get fuel at the upcoming gas station if the next one after that (whose distance was also shown as part of what's up next information) was going to be 100 miles away. This saved my from running out of fuel a couple of times in the middle of the AZ/NM/NV area.3. The current speed limit was very helpful and I found it was about 100 yards off from the signs posted (i.e. the GPS took about 100 yards to catch up with the posted speed limit signs). This is better than google maps which does not have any such information at all.4. Offline navigation! This in itself was the main reason I brought a dedicated GPS unit and I was not disappointed! I shudder to think of not having navigation in the middle of Arizona/Utah because of lack of phone coverage.After using a dedicated GPS (while coming from a position of skepticism of it's usefulness over google maps), I will say that I probably will be using this GPS for all my long distance driving over using my phone (and leave my phone always connected to the charger). But for inner city navigation, I still prefer google maps/waze for almost instantaneous traffic based navigation.

We purchased this Garmin GPS to replace a much older unit which could no longer be updated to navigate west of the Mississippi River due to older electronics and low data storage. I first ordered a large screen (import brand) GPS and checked it's accuracy here in town, and again in a nearby community. That GPS unit was not accurate, it's navigation was confusing and I definitely did not care for it's navigational voice commands. I wouldn't trust it for one minute to help us get through a congested and unfamiliar, 65-70mph metro area. I did not like it at all! I then purchased this Garmin Drive 50 LM GPS and checked it's navigational accuracy and found it to be VERY accurate. We used it on our latest trip...my wife and I loved it! It is not only very accurate, but it kept me fully informed, in a timely manner, which lane to occupy way ahead of our exits, and the voice commands were clear and easy to understand. Let me add one more criteria; the voice. The voice used in this Garmin is sorta soothing...when keeping up with congested traffic at 65mph in an unfamiliar metro area, you, as the driver are watching everything going on around you. Depending on how heavy the traffic is, and how crazy the other drivers are, you do NOT want a hard, jolting voice command startling your concentration! I enjoyed hearing a pleasant toned voice helping me with directions. I rate our new Garmin at 5 stars!

This Garmin drive seems small given how large GPS units have gotten over the years, but if you compare to older models, it's larger. The important thing for me is that it's large enough to see from both the driver and the passenger side. I've had to adjust to the interface, having come from years of using a different brand, but once I adapted, I found its use relatively intuitive.Even though I have a car with a built-in navigation system and even though my husband generally prefers to use his phone, I bought this mostly for travel since 1. rental car companies charge extra for GPS and 2. phone batteries die and coverage can be spotty and 3. my husband's car doesn't have built-in navigation. This Garmin GPS keeps giving directions even in more remote areas where cell signals can be lost. It's small enough to pack in a carry-on or briefcase/tote. It also fits easily in the console of my husband's car so that we can hide it when not using it.I've learned that "lifetime maps" means that you can update it for several years before a company discontinues support for the particular unit. Do update the maps since road re-directions and newly-built areas can wreak havoc with navigation if you happen to be in that area.Garmin is a trusted name. I started with a Garmin before moving to a competitor, but I returned to Garmin due to reviews and my confidence in the brand. I'm happy I did.-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

Always great to have this in my vehicle. I recommend this to others

My husband suffered a stroke three weeks ago. This forced me to have to drive to strange cities in order to get him to his appointments with various doctors and specialists. I never had a good sense of direction, which is why I never drove much. I always depended on my husband to take me places. When the stroke hit, this forced me to be the driver. This GPS device is a life saver for me. I don't know what I would do without it. Now, if I hear that my husband has to go to such and such a place, I am no longer afraid to drive him because the GPS device will tell me exactly where to go. I was always afraid to drive because of my lousy sense of direction. If there was a detour in the road, I would panic. This device took the fear away from me completely and has liberated me from my self-imposed prison. Not only this, but I am able to get my husband to the places he needs to go. I will never be without this device ever again.