Garmin’s Drivesmart series offers the perfect navigation companion for your daily commute or road trip. This series provides a broad variety of GPS navigation devices that boast affordability, as well as all the features of high-end GPS devices. The Garmin Drivesmart 55 and 65 are the newest additions to this series, with the 55-inch LCD display and the 65-inch HD display. Both are equipped with a host of features that can help you travel from point A to point B with ease.
Garmin DriveSmart 55 vs 65, in this article you will see an in-depth analysis of these two devices and which one is better. I will also provide you with unbiased and product-orientated factors that will help you in choosing the best one.
Quick Comparison of Garmin DriveSmart 55 vs 65
Image | Best Choice   |   |
Product Name | ||
Key Feature | Smart Notifications Via App | Smart Notifications Via App |
Display Type | Colored Multi-touch Display with glass and white backlight | and white backlight |
Display Size | 5.5 inches | 6.9 inches |
Internal Storage | 16 GB | 16 GB |
Maps | Free Lifetime Updates | Free Lifetime Updates |
Voice-Activated Navigation | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life | Upto 1 hour | Upto 1 hour |
Box includes | Garmin DriveSmart 55, Vehicle suction cup mount, Traffic receiver/vehicle power cable, USB cable, Quick start manual | Garmin DriveSmart 65, Vehicle suction cup mount, Traffic receiver/vehicle power cable, USB cable, Quick start manual |
Display Resolution | 1280 x 720 pixels | 1024 x 600 pixels |
Compatible Backup Cameras | BC 30 and BC 40 | BC 30 and BC 40 |
Customer Reviews | ||
Best Price |
The Garmin DriveSmart 55 and 65 are two of the most popular on the market today. They have a very wide range of applications, including driving, driving conditions, navigation, and more. The products have become so popular that there is a good chance you’ll see them in your car!
What is especially great about these products is that their attributes can be integrated into any kind of vehicle. You can drive them into the ground, or use them as a training tool. It’s up to you!
The only downside to these products is that they’re very expensive. But, with our wonderful free shipping services, you can always get more money back than not by buying them.
Map Functionality:
The maps on these products are meaningful. You can use the map functionality to track your travels or to provide real-time updates on your current situation. The map functionality is something that is hard to come by in other products. It’s also easy to use because you don’t have to worry about ever having to connect to the internet while traveling.
Wireless Connectivity:
Driver wireless connectivity is a great feature that many of them have. It allows you to connect your phone to your driver’s windows, so you can keep an eye on the road. It also helps you avoid running into other drivers while driving.
Garmin DriveSmart 55 Review:
- Easy-to-use 5. 5” GPS navigator
- Simple menus and bright, easy-to-see maps, Display resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels
- Garmin Traffic suggests alternate routes
- Voice-activated and ability to pair with a compatible smartphone for hands-free calling
- Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for map and software updates without a computer; BACKUP CAMERA COMPATIBLE: yes (BC 30 or BC 40)
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Garmin DriveSmart 55 is a product that’s been around for quite a while now. It was released in 2010 and is considered the best GPS of its kind. The device includes the ability to track and display up to 4 different vehicles. But, it doesn’t feature any navigation abilities. It does have some neat features though, like the ability to display your speed with a speedometer and odometer, as well as showing you where you are on a map. There’s also an option to get audible alerts for things like sharp turns or upcoming traffic lights.
One of the main benefits of this product is that it can be used as a training tool as well as used in your car. It features modes that can be used both at home or while on the road, which makes it great for driving schools and professionals who need to use their smartphones in their car while they’re out there teaching people how to drive safely!
Garmin Drivesmart 55 features:
Don’t Hate Traffic — Avoid It
DriveSmart gives you a multitude of ways to avoid traffic tie-ups, thanks to Garmin Traffic and its ability to access current traffic information. You get alerts about construction or traffic jams ahead that may affect your travel time. You can even plan alternate routes in advance and then send them to your device as driving directions. The Garmin DriveSmart also provides alerts for nearby red light and speed cameras, as well as for sharp curves along your route. With Foursquare points of interest, you can find nearby places to eat, drink and fuel up. It has a 5.5-inch touchscreen display that lets you turn your navigation trip into a mobile experience. Use the free Garmin Drive app to easily find places and then share your location, send your ETA and choose your favorite coffee shops and restaurants.
Voice-activated Navigation:
This Garmin Drive Smart 55 GPS is ready to guide you to your destination, with or without you touching it. Say “OK, Garmin” to ask questions or give directions, or just ask for a specific street by name. Garmin DriveSmart 55 GPS comes preloaded with detailed maps of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Maps Made Simple:
Perfect for traveling, the Garmin DriveSmart provides guidance and turn-by-turn directions with clear and concise spoken instructions for drivers. The device offers a 5.5-inch display with a high-resolution color display to view multi-layer mapping, lane guidance, speed limits, and the speed of your vehicle.
Driver Alerts: Know Your Surroundings
Garmin DriveSmart 55 is designed to encourage safer driving and increase situational awareness. The driver alerts system warns you of upcoming sharp curves, speed changes, railroad crossings, and more. It even provides spoken alerts for speed limit and school zone sign recognition, as well as safety camera locations.
Lifetime Maps:
This product offers lifetime maps. This means that you’ll never have to pay for a map update again. It’s a great feature because it saves you money and also allows you to use the map functionality more often.
Mobile Connectivity:
This product is wireless. This means that you can connect your smartphone to the device while you’re driving and use your smartphone’s GPS to navigate. You can also download new maps as often as you want.
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Voice Alerts:
There are a lot of different voice alerts on this product. It has a lot of different things that it will alert you about, such as sharp turns and traffic lights. This feature is especially helpful when you’re driving in unfamiliar areas or if there are no street signs to help guide you on where to go next. The voice alerts are also helpful when the GPS signal becomes weak because it will alert you if there’s a problem with the signal.
Garmin Drivesmart 65 Review
- Easy to use 6.95” GPS navigator
- Simple menus and bright, easy to see maps
- Garmin Traffic suggests alternate routes. Backup camera compatible-yes (BC 30 or BC 40)
- Voice activated and ability to pair with a compatible smartphone for hands free calling
- HISTORY network of notable historic sites and U.S national parks directory
- Built in Wi-Fi connectivity for map and software updates without a computer
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Garmin DriveSmart 65 is a fully narrated GPS navigator that provides real-time information to help you drive with confidence. With a 6.95-inch touchscreen, it enables you to easily maneuver through city streets. The device offers an easy-to-use interface, simple menus, and bright, easy-to-read maps. It comes with Garmin’s TripAdvisor data, with information on sights and attractions. The device runs on Garmin Real Directions, which guides like a friend using landmarks and traffic lights. It has Garmin’s ecoRoute that lets you enjoy driving without worrying about your fuel efficiency. The device comes with three years of free updates.
Garmin Drivesmart 65 features:
Don’t Hate Traffic — Avoid It
DriveSmart gives you a multitude of ways to avoid traffic tie-ups, thanks to Garmin Traffic and its ability to access current traffic information. You get alerts about construction or traffic jams ahead that may affect your travel time. You can even plan alternate routes in advance and then send them to your device as driving directions. The Garmin DriveSmart 65 also provides alerts for nearby red light and speed cameras, as well as for sharp curves along your route. With Foursquare points of interest, you can find nearby places to eat, drink and fuel up. It has a 6.95-inch touchscreen display that lets you turn your navigation trip into a mobile experience. Use the free Garmin Drive app to easily find places and then share your location, send your ETA and choose your favorite coffee shops and restaurants.
Voice-activated Navigation:
This Garmin Drive Smart 65 GPS is ready to guide you to your destination, with or without you touching it. Say “OK, Garmin” to ask questions or give directions, or just ask for a specific street by name. Garmin DriveSmart 65 GPS comes preloaded with detailed maps of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Maps Made Simple:
Perfect for traveling, the Garmin DriveSmart provides guidance and turn-by-turn directions with clear and concise spoken instructions for drivers. The device offers a 4.3-inch display with a high-resolution color display to view multi-layer mapping, lane guidance, speed limits, and the speed of your vehicle.
Driver Alerts: Know Your Surroundings
Garmin DriveSmart 65 is designed to encourage safer driving and increase situational awareness. The driver alerts system warns you of upcoming sharp curves, speed changes, railroad crossings and more. It even provides spoken alerts for speed limit and school zone sign recognition, as well as safety camera locations.
Difference between Garmin 55 and 65
Display Size Difference:
Garmin Drive Smart 55 lets you view turn-by-turn directions at a glance on a bright 5. 5” edge-to-edge touchscreen display while Garmin DriveSmart 65 comes up with a 6.95” edge-to-edge touchscreen display.
Display Resolution Difference:
While the Garmin DriveSmart 55 boasts a smaller display, it more than makes up for it in terms of resolution, with 1280 x 720 pixels compared to the 1024 x 600-pixel resolution of the Garmin DriveSmart 65. This means that text and graphics on the DriveSmart 55 are sharper and crisper than its Garmin DriveSmart 65
Price Difference:
Garmin DriveSmart 65 is slighty expensive than Garmin DriveSmart 55, meanwhile the display resolution of DriveSmart 55 is better than DriveSmart 55, when seen from far the DriveSmart 55’s display has more clarity.
Final Verdict/Our Recommendation:
Today’s overall winner is Garmin DriveSmart 55. The Garmin DriveSmart 55 is a great product for driving enthusiasts and professionals for whom time is money but still want a quality GPS unit that won’t break their wallet. I hope that after reading Garmin Drivesmart 55 vs 65 detailed comparison, you’ve come to a decision that which one suits your needs and requirements. Let me give you some hints, if you need advanced features and technology while compromising money to pay, then Garmin DriveSmart 55 is best for you. But in case you want a larger display and you don’t care about the resolution Garmin DriveSmart 65 is the best option for you.
FAQs
Q1: What is the price for the Garmin DriveSmart 55 and 65?
Answer: The Garmin DriveSmart 55 is $184.99 and the Garmin DriveSmart 65 is $239.99.
Q2: What is the difference between the Garmin DriveSmart 55 and 65?
Answer: The Garmin DriveSmart 65 has a bigger display of 6.5” inches so it features a bigger screen. On the other hand, the Garmin DriveSmart 55 has a smaller screen of 5.5″ inches with a higher display resolution. If you want a better resolution go for Drivesmart 55, and If you want a bigger screen but lower resolution then go for Garmin DriveSmart 65.
Q3: Can I use my own maps?
Answer: Yes, you can use your own map but it will need to have a compatible map data plan that works with your device. For example, if your phone doesn’t have a data plan or if you don’t want to pay for one, you cannot use your own maps because they will not work with your device!
Q4: Why do I need a GPS navigator? Isn’t Google Maps good enough?
Answer: No! You should not rely on Google Maps or any other app on your phone because they may have problems or fail.
Q5: For the DriveSmart 55 and 65 models, do they come with free Lifetime map updates?
Answer: The Garmin DriveSmart 55 & Traffic and the DriveSmart 65 & Traffic devices receive map updates and traffic without being charged.
