Garmin nüvi Essential Series

Great while it could be updated – Great while it could be updated. When this unit was sold it went with the guarantee that I would get free maps for the life of the unit. A promise now broken. I am now told that this unit is to old to get map updates. SO MUCH FOR GARMIN GUARANTEES. Show details

Beware: Garmin Mapping problem on Nuvi devices..maybe on all? – I have 2 navigation/mapping problems with my Nuvi 55, which also occur on my in-law's Nuvi 65. 1: When trying to navigate to various rural towns using the "Go to" function the gps will take you to a random spot in the general area. I have contacted Garmin, and after much toíng and froing, sending screen shots, I have been told that if there… Read more

is a district by that name, the GPS will take you to a spot in that district REGARDLESS of whether there is a town of the same name!!

This is the response from the Garmin tech expert: "I have researched this matter thoroughly and few of the locations which you have reported appear to be areas and not just towns.

If the entire area is considered that town name then the issues that you are reporting are not classified and issue with the device mapping. The device can route to anywhere inside of the area and this cannot be changed as the area is not an exact town.

Even if there is a town by that name in the area as well. "

We have been caught out several times when route planning/navigating when the GPS takes us to a random spot up to 15 kms from the town requested. This also happens on a different model owned by my in-laws so I suspect that this is an overall Garmin mapping problem.

2: When wanting to go to some towns the goto function will allow you to select a town (eg Goolwa SA) but will then lock in another part of the town (ie Goolwa North). This has happened on several town searches and the GPS will not give you the option of going to the actual town requested. This also happens on my in-laws GPS. Garmin refuse to acknowledge that this is a problem.

I have had many Garmins and have been a fan and advocate. However, in light of these significant mapping problems, I will not buy a Garmin again.

Excellent value for the money – Having had a couple of Navman GPS over the past few years I thought I'd try out something different. Using Product review it became clear that of the other makes the Garmin seemed a well supported brand. It got rather confusing trying to determine just which model to go for but after steadily eliminating much of the advanced option features I came… Read more

down to this one, the LM simply because we mainly drive in the country or interstate and don't need live traffic reporting. While the car has Bluetooth I didn't have any use for it as we seldom make or receive calls on our cellphone while actually travelling. The big appeal is the free "lifetime" maps, something the last Navman promised (for 3 years, anyway) but didn't deliver. As soon as I loaded the PC software and connected this up it did everything, checked for firmware updates and then updated to the latest map without a hitch. the display has a wide range of "skins" so it's nice to be able to choose one that suits best. It was very easy to use the settings but I did find the navigation a bit hard to follow for a few days, but fine now. It took a lot longer to figure out how to use the FIND feature as known addresses didn't always work for me, even when they do on the Navmans. It wasn't the devices fault, just my slow learning rate. It actually works better at that then the earlier Navmans. you need to be careful though to enter suburban names precisely. I was confounded when Bendigo East couldn't be located on this device, but OK on the Navmans. Turns out it will only accept East Bendigo as valid.. no biggie but again, unbending.

The spoken dialogue has a good range of optional voices but only a couple actually use Street Names, so we soon learned to stick with the default Male Aussie one. the directions are more definite than the Navmans and if you continue to go in the "wrong" direction (we don't always agree with the given directions) it doesn't start hammering you to "do a U turn" but take sup as though all was still on course. But if you continue to go in a definite wrong direction, I guess it has a limit how far you can stray, it will give you gentle but firm directions to get back on track. Some place names are pronounced a bit unusual so you need to listen carefully, but mostly its fine. Occasionally it will send you off one a route that you know is not the shortest, such as in your own city, but for this level of technology I doubt if it's on it's own in that respect. I'll always carry a printed street directory when visiting larger cities, just in case.

Overall it is well worth the low $112 we paid at The Good Guys March 2015. saw them for around $166+ elsewhere.

Great device for basic GPS assistance, but check out that it includes all the features you might be wanting to use.

Top Product - pity about the maps shortcomings – I purchased this Sat Nav for $137 (including NZ delivery) New Zealand dollars on-line from JB HiFi in New Zealand. I was impressed - the maps are clear, the directions good and it is very quick to show an alternate route if I deviate from the route shown. Top marks here. It is a pity that so many small towns are left off the maps so if you are… Read more

trying to find a small town buy a paper map. One or two errors in the maps also but nothing very serious has so far come to light. One or two rather odd inclusions in the maps to, obviously compiled by someone who doesn't have much idea of what these places are.

It is a pity the Garmin people don't have an email address you can send a note of errors or omissions to. I was surprised when I phoned the call centre that they were not interested in the map inaccuracy I wanted to report. In fact I never got the chance to tell anyone, instead a rather pushy foreign accented woman insisted I upload a new map even though my sat nav was brand new and I had just uploaded the latest map a few days previously. Unsurprisingly the error was still there in the new map.

Despite my gripes I am very happy with my Nuvi 50. (I will be travelling with 'proper' maps when I head out into rural areas.) It works well and in the more populated areas should be excellent for getting around unfamiliar territory. Clear maps, good directions. Easy to follow. A few annoying and silly errors and omissions in the mapping software

Very impressed – Bought this model as it had lifetime maps included, which my previous unit did not have. Too expensive to update the older model ($100). It starts immediately and I like the traffic conditions update. Warns you of likely mobile speed camera locations as well. No bluetooth in this model, but never used this option in my previous unit. Much, much… Read more

lighter in weight, no battery backup. Easy and quick to update and I have been notified when this is available. Only had Garmin units and have been pleased with this GPS. Accurate, with photo display at larger junctions.

Good unit, easy to update maps – Unit is maybe too large for a car windscreen, perfect size for van or light truck, I adapted my bracket for the dash above the radio in my car. It does the job really well and is quick to recalibrate. The voice instructions are excellent... " Turn left after 7/11 " for example. Map updates using Garmin Express is super easy. Red light and speed… Read more

camera warnings are now updated easily through Garmin Express. If I had a complaint it would be that speed and red light camera audible warning should have its own volume adjustment ( not loud enough). This is my fourth GPS including TomTom but This 67LMT is by far the best.

Best GPS I have ever had ,easy set up and free up dates – Warnings are fantastic ,speed is spot on plenty of notice before you have to turn etc. Very happy with my Garmin,highly recommend.Very easy set up great clear voices. notifies when up dates are available speed camera warning school warning police camera in area warning and changes color if you over speed .10/10

Trouble updating maps – I tried to update the maps. I've owned this Garmin less than two years. I can no longer update the maps. I tried. Now I see this model is discontinued. Before I tried updating, at least I had maps. I am so incredibly disappointed. I won't buy another Garmin. Update: A friend researched the problem on the Internet, discovered another… Read more

person with the same problem who found a way to manipulate the unit settings, and got the maps updated. I'm now using the Garmin again. The maps seem fine. Before trying to update maps again I'll likely buy a different brand of product.

Large and clear display but maps and speed data hopelessly out of date – I had a Tom Tom for many years. The display eventually faded and the maps got out of date so I bought the Garmin for the cost of the updates required for the Tom Tom. The free updates and extra details the Garmin provided was a clincher. However, the maps are years out of date and speed limits are not accurate even after updating. Garmin has… Read more

not heard of school holidays. Unit constantly makes "bong bong" noises even when I am under speed limit. I can turn it off but then I can't hear the warning noise when approaching a speed camera which is an important reason for purchase. Can not be relied upon so is unusable.

Nice gps but beware f free maps – I bought it on 29 th July 2012 from JB Hifi to use in NZ . Worked well again in August 2013 when I got my son to register it for free maps and update them prior to going. Worked well. In December 2014 he update it again for free and used it in NZ again. When he tried to update the maps last week Garmin would not update the maps only the… Read more

software. I called them and was told I wasn't entitled to free maps . They said I had paid previously to update which isn't true and have to pay for an update. So much for free maps for life.

Great unit but it rejects cables – I've had the Nuvi 55 for ages and it's really good. The problem is that last time I wanted to update the maps two things happened - first, the Garmin Express app told me I had an update - no problem, I updated Garmin Express without a problem. But when I connected the GPS to the computer to update it, it said I was using the wrong cable and to use… Read more

the one that came with the unit. Like most houses, I have many USB cables, all exactly the same. I ran around and tried a half dozen, all with no result. Eventually one worked - one marked Logitech!

What happens if I can't find a cable it thinks is right?

Works OK for me – Travelling around Australia I found the maps generally accurate. Display is easy to read under all light conditions and windscreen mount is effective. Free lifetime updates via Garmin Express works fine on my windows laptop. Doesn't offer a choice of routes - only most direct or fastest, which I find a drawback. Otherwise nothing to complain about.

Absolutely terrible re updating maps through their "Garmin Express" – Extremely difficult to get their garmin express app for mac to work. Their suggestion on changing data cable is worthless. AND, if I leave it running "in the background," (as they suggest),it prevents the mac from sleeping when on power adapter mode! A totally junky app. Will not buy garmin again. If you cannot update the maps, what use is it? AND, it can mess up your computer.

Device is good, maps are hopeless – I find the 67LMT quite fast and easy to use. But, the maps are hopeless. It displays and tries to get me to take roads that are not there, it tried to send me down a no entry road and also does not recognise a road I take that has been made for over 2 years. I have logged various 'map error' reports on the Garmin website, but do not hear… Read more

anything back.

I have Heremaps on my phone, but wanted a designated unit so I could still take calls. Think I will take it back and stick to the phone.

Didn't last as long as expected – Bought in Sept 12, but only used from Oct 15 onward. Stopped working recently so got it checked by specialist retailer who confirmed it was a write-off. Garmin offered reconditioned replacement for $84.60 delivered, but mine returned to them at my cost ($10). Bought Navman for $119. Unable to update.

crap compared to navman – have had 4 navmans over the years,decided to give garmin ago,purchased a 65lm,found out,speed,red light cameras and school zones are extra to downloads to buy,comes standard in the mapping system with navman.updated to lmt version,not much better,may be good for the states no good for Australia.going back to navman a far better product.but found… Read more

all gps systems are far behind "where is "mapping as far as up to date and accurate mappind and warnings,was told it is updated every 5 minutes,may buy a smart phone instead

The Worst and Slowest GPS – This GPS is the worst i used in my life. I had the Garmin 2597 which was Freezing so took it to the JB HI FI where i bought it they replaced it for the Garmin Nuvi 67lmt which was 37$ Extra. I regret i have spend the money on this products. Very Slow Touch Screen Very Hard to

Garmin – We purchased a Garmin GPS the usb inside socket had a manufacturing fault sent it away to be fixed cannot repair refused to refund,repair,or replace , had lifetime maps cannot upload at all. They wanted us to pay for a refurbished unit will never buy a Garmin product again terrible company to deal with never again. However The Good Guys were… Read more

terrific and offered a credit towards a new GPS Garmin would not credit any money at all.

guess what won't be buying a new Garmin.!!!

Great unit - reliable – In comparison to some of the poor reviews here, mine has been fine. I've had it for 3-4 years and its been nothing but reliable. The maps are accurate and the voice and prompts are fine. It sometimes calls turnoffs too late but I'm sure the others do as well. With any satnav, still watch the road and read the signs. Nothing is perfect. I now… Read more

use the Garmin in conjunction with Google maps on my smartphone, as Google maps shows live traffic and alternate routes. And Google maps HAS tried to send me the wrong way up a one-way major thoroughfare.

Great unit outdated maps – I recently purchased a Garmin 65 LMT after already owing a few different brand GPS's.While the unit operates correctly and is easy to use,it is badly let down by the maps.The latest maps have streets missing that are 15 years old and the POIs list businesses that have been closed for over 20 years. The map problem seems to be with all brands as… Read more ·  1

they seem to use the same map supplier.Getting an answer from the maker is near impossible but I have sent an email just in case.

First GPS and I'm impressed – Got this little tech at DSE in David Jones Melbourne CBD with a price match at $138. Obviously no other store has it and stocks are running low (due to discontinued model?). I am impressed with the responsiveness of this little machine and how accurate it calculates the routes (only few tho since I just bought and tested for 2 days). I do NOT… Read more

complain about the non-retina grade screen or 'poor' design of the interface compared to Tomtom. Garmin got this thing going firmly well by keeping the essential part-route guiding, smooth. I have not got into downloading any new map but will try on that. Very satisfied for now!

Perfect GPS – Bought this Garmin (first time) from JB HIfi for a discount. Despite great discount, relatively infamous brand in Australia, the GPS is actually response fast and accurate on road! The update is easy like 123 and fast as well, compare to my previous NAVMAN 400lmt which sucks at update or 0 updates after purchased for 6 months. Will choose Garmin again.

Horrendous – Every time it comes to a junction on the motorway it takes you off, round the roundabout and back on. It is incredibly dangerous and I ended up turning the thing off and resorting to maps. I suppose the voice is excellent, if inaccurate, the only way to use this on a motorway is to check the route by maps first and know which junctions you wish to exit. very little don't use on motorways,

Hopeless charging – The 65 LMT is functional, but no better than a number of recent Garmin Nuvis. It has standard features, but none is a game-changer. The bigger screen is OK, but the trade-off is that it is a bit heavier and bounces a bit. The big disappointment is that it cannot be charged through a standard wall charger, even when using the supplied Garmin… Read more

cable. A Garmin wall charger is required. That's another $39.

The unit also cannot be charged from a computer using the Garmin USB cable supplied. Pretty hopeless really. Your only option is the car charger.

Perhaps Garmin could concentrate more on making their products fully functional, rather than releasing endless new models every second week, which are faulty and clearly not field-tested before releasing...and become obsolete in a couple of years anyway

Don't bother with Garmin customer care either. If the GPS is faulty, they can't be bothered fixing it. Safer to stick to TomTom.

Will Garmin's Nuvi 50 GPS Kill You? – The latest map is 2013.30 which was released in 2012. Forget all the lifetime free map upgrades up to four times a year. You can't trust the speed limit alerts and the speed camera database is almost 3 years old. The Garmin Nuvi 50 suggests you go the wrong way up one-way streets. Sooner or later the Nuvi 50 might kill you if you… Read more

trust it rather than ignore it.

There's no use complaining. Garmin don't reply to customer support requests.

I called Garmin and they suggested I buy a map that gets mailed to me on a micro SD card.

The fact Garmin still advises its free Lifetime Map Guarantee should be taken up by the ACCC.

It's a shame I had no choice but to give it 1 star. A GPS is only as good as it's maps and Garmin's failure to provide free map updates is dangerous!

great buy – i bought my Garmin 3 yrs ago at Harvey Norman's for $88 i had a hiccup where it froze on me, took it back to Harvey and they sent it back to the Garmin manufacturing. They decided to replace the whole unit, and I haven't looked back. would like to know where i can get a manual book on how to upload maps. thanks

You will never be seen again! – I have never been so lost in my life using the nuvi 40. I used the GPS as I did not know the exact route. It has twice taken me off the highway sent me down back roads that are C roads or dirt. The mountainous journey over the Great Dividing Range was terrible. I was on my own and I was directed away from the Hume Highway and onto a C road that… Read more

ended in dirt, when it started to rain it became a nightmare. I emailed the company and left a complaint as why did the GPS direct me off an A road onto a C road, but they never got back in touch. I consider it dangerous now and will not use it, I just get lost. Good, clear screen, nice size. Recharges quickly and long battery life. The routes are for the quickest by calculation based on distance and speed, not the safest or the quality of the road i.e. a dirt road over a highway.

Dependable GPS – I bought this GPS unit to help navigate around New Zealand. It provides both Australian and New Zealand Maps. This unit was cheaper to buy than hire one from the car rental place. The unit performed perfectly, was easy to use, provided clear voice directions and was quick to acquire satellites. Software downloaded from the Garmin website was… Read more

a simple process and when interfaced with the GPS unit provides free map updates. I noticed that there is also other stuff for the GPS unit to download as well.

This unit provided a better experience than the previous Tom Tom GPS unit I owned which would not power down after switching off ignition and did not have New Zealand maps.

Searching an address was easy by selecting suburb, street number then street name or by searching a Point of Interest (POI). During my travels I detoured a few times and the GPS unit quickly recalculated a new route. The unit switched from day to night (screen intensity) mode without issues.

The Garmin 42LM claims it is "Ideal for those who want an easy to use, dependable GPS." This is true and it is why I'm giving it 5 out 5. I recommend the unit to anyone that wants a basic GPS to help navigate. Easy menu system, provides all the basic features.

GARMIN!!! are you people reading this? – This unit has only lasted 6 months, The right side of the touch pad is not working at all, I misplaced the purchase receipt so the store wont honor the warranty, This gps used to tell me I was 100 meters left of where I really was, It also showed me as being 80 meters under sea level. NOT HAPPY AT ALL. Thsis was my first gps so I have nothing to copare it to. everything

Basic GPS, make sure you update map pack regularly – Got it while it was on special last year, free lifetime map upgrade. Pro + intuitive to operate + very easy to plot the course + not complicated, since its very basic, but useability wise its really really well thought out :) + reasonable recalculation time + good start up GPS location time. around 5 seconds ( i live in Sydney) . +… Read more

your current speed vs speed zone comparison. I look at this more than i look at my car's speedometer

+ traffic safety camera and mobile speed camera zone warning.

+ good battery life.

Con

- I live in Sydney , and last time (March 2014) i want to find WoyWoy- fisherman's wharf (The Boulevarde, Woy Woy) Garmin couldn't find it.

- Make sure you check with a google map or something , and confirm destination, sometimes the system can have errors, but only during initial final destination setting. one time i wanted to go to North Sydney and Garmin plotted course to Canberra.... luckily i checked.

- It takes you on the most obvious route, so it doesn't have "time saving" most efficient route built in.

- In order to update your Liveupdate with your PC, you will need a special USB connector. I found that standard USB connector doesn't work with Garmin, only PS3 (play station 3) 's USB connector will work, only when I use my PS3's USB connector will my Laptop detect garmin. so this is just a tip to save your frustration. Pretty reliable, inexpensive ($100 with lifetime map upgrade). good useability and intuitive to use Need to double check destination route. need PS3 USB to connect to laptop, because normal USB connector doens't work.

Functional and Easy to use – The Nuvi 40 was provided by NRMA as I had purchased two years of roadside assistance. This is my portable unit, the main Nuvi is hard-wired to my business vehicle. The 40 will be taken on a pleasure trip to UK and US - Card maps purchased. All Garmins do not allow for probable traffic disruptions when they calculate arrival times; I believe… Read more

some of the Tom-Tom competitors do so. The 40 is simple to use and good value for its street price. There is no bluetooth but this is not very detrimental for me. Simple to use and takes up little space in airline carry-on luggage. Garmin brackets are virtually designed for each model of GPS. Leave the bracket behind anywhere and it is almost certain that a replacement will have to be purchased from Garmin.

Bang for buck – Bought this nuvi 42lm for a trip from brisbane to perth stopping off at a variety of locations & friends places along the way & thought this would make it easier to get to/from places in towns/cities than a ubd/refidex. Software was easy to use & updated without any dramas. Unit is very easy to use & has all the basic functions covered, did… Read more

everything it was supposed to do & saved heaps of hassle as my wife hates directing in traffic using a map/book.

May take a while to find satellites & start trip but once locked in they stay put. If you're in a covered car park there's little chance of any gps locating a satellite.

The way point feature is a one shot deal - i.E. You can't add multiple way points (points of interest) to a destination so you need to be prudent & enter the next way point as you reach the one you just got to (make sense?) i had wanted to load the trip with destinations & way points pre-loaded but that function isn't available here - i could be mistaken, but i couldn't find a map which plotted my route in the software.

Although you get unlimited maps for free you have to take it for granted that they won't be as up to date as a paid subscription. I found that generally main cities/towns are about 6~12 months out of date (especially in northern nsw where road works are everywhere) & remote locations (venus bay, sa) is years out of date - the roads in the community don't appear on the map. Having said that, the spoken street names & directions were correct! Maps are nokia files with the associated quality i used to enjoy with their products.

Considering i paid about $70 for the unit (dick smith) it's proven to be well worth the minor niggles. In 7700kms she ('susan' after the voice file) never once got angry & always got me to where i wanted to go.

In short: if you want a reliable, cost effective, easy to use gps that will do everything to get you where you want to go without the cost associated bells & whistles (like 3d maps, photo street views etc) then this is well worth considering.

Ps - i bought an after market attachment that allows the unit to sit on one of the a/c vents. This makes it easy to access, still in touch with the satellites & off the windscreen. Ease of use, cost, size, spoken directions

Customer service – I purchased my Garmin device while on holidays in London and was told I could load Australian maps when I returned home. I have tried to contact the company several times by e mail with no response. The only reference to a map I can find is Aust and NZ combined for 150 US dollars More than the device cost. Not happy with after sales service. … Read more

My device is now useless after using it for 8 days.

Device was Ok but after sales service does not exist especially with my problem

Disappointing map error and bad routes calculations/given – Cheap with free liftime map, but bad experienced with streets in wrong suburbs in Qld and Vic. Reported to NAVTEC a few months already and get available map updated later - still streets in wrong suburbs. tend to give bad routes - long and slow. For example give only long route to Port Campbell along Great Ocean road and would not give the… Read more

alternative inland route like the ToTom GPS that we had before. Lifetime map update Put streets in wrong suburbs and give bad routes.

how hot or cold – It,s ok for the money, for occasional use. Misses shortest way and sends you on a longer road. But what puzzles me is... In settings, Temperature ??? F or C ok, but what is this: Temperature Water ?????? No temperature is shown. Can someone enlighten me ? The Garmin COLORADO displays the temperature. Thanks. Voice volume is good and map is ok too. This TEMPERATURE WATER puzzles me...