What Garmin GPS Model?

Moved to the Technology Corner

Wayne
Moderator

Somewhat like DJ in that I probably have half a dozen or more GPS units around for the cars, truck and boat. I like the Garmin Nuvi series as well and just recently, last six months, bought a Nuvi 2557LMT, which as indicated has the lifetime maps feature. The 5 inch screen was one of the main selling features I wanted, as well as lane assist. None of them are completely up to date on the maps. However I have noticed that location seem important to how fast the map makers update their products. The last time I was in Boston to see my daughter, it even had the alley ways showing but get out into western Colorado and some of the secondary gravel roads are not shown. I suspect they are more concerned with, keeping the ones sold and used in the larger population areas updated first.

I like that Garmins in that they all tend to work much the same. Very little learning curve needed when buying a newer model, except for one strange one I have on my boat.

Decide what features you want on your GPS unit. I personally don't need Blue Tooth or the ability to look at photos on my GPS. But I do like to plug in a TOPO micro SD chip into the side slot so having that is important to me. Also the last time I did the map upgrade, I found it all wouldn't fit on the GPS on board memory so a micro SD chip had to be added, which for me meant I had to down load my Topo chip to a larger Micro SD chip so I would have memory space for the entire new map upload. Not a real problem but a bit of a pain to do.

Try to get this years model, we got the NUVI 65LMT and really like it. There is a new 66LMT, but I can't see any difference. Be sure and get lifetime free updates on whatever you get. We like to NUVI 65 because of the large screen size is much better in the RV.

I have several GPS units which I use in different applications. For what you described I would suggest one of the Garmin Nuvi units. You can pay for as many features as you want but I would at least get lifetime maps and the capability of using a micro chip of different, more detailed maps like the back roads and trails for the states you want to boondock in. Also relatively inexpensive.