Review on 📍 6.95” High-Res Display Garmin DriveSmart 65 - Voice-Controlled GPS Navigator with Built-In Features by Andrew Webster

Where to start? Many searches end in complete disappointment. A few years ago we bought a Garmin Nuvi. She has served us well over the years and we affectionately called her 'Lady'. When we turned off the path, say at a gas station or a restaurant, she grumbled and redirected. Those were the good days, until her screen went black. Fast forward to yesterday. Keep in mind that this is a Garmin DriveSmart 65 and Traffic is used in name only. It didn't come with the traffic update cable. After updating the software and charging the battery, it was ready for the first test. The first step was to set it up for the house. The "lady" knew our home address, DriveSmart would have accepted the number 9547 but W9547 (see below) so I chose the "Current Location" option. He knows our exact location, doesn't he (read on)? Then I tried to find the destination with the address number E809. You're a guest, that's not a broken leg. So 809 CR, Elmwood was a good choice. There is no option to select the E/W direction. From there it went down the hill. When we intentionally turned right, he told us to turn back. Maybe he planned another route that we didn't know about. Nuvi would reset the path. Well after about 6 miles he started getting some directions right until I figured out I should turn right and he told me to go straight. When we got to the last street she told us to turn right. This resulted in an eight-mile circle. Back to basics, we stopped at a gas station to ask for directions. Of course we should have turned left, not right. Following the instructions of the farmers at the gas station, we finally arrived. Oh, new GPS! Then return home. It was easy to set up with the Home preset. Big! That got us out of the way in the right direction before the first corner. DriveSmart shows a right turn (north) but the direction we originally came from was left (south). When we turn left, our digital compass points south. Once again, after repeated requests to change course, Drive Smart gives in and begins to head in the right direction—until the next major intersection. DriveSmart tells us to turn right - no, we know to turn left. At this point I had challenged DriveSmart with our in-dash GPS (which wasn't entirely trustworthy) to see how they compare. Once again, DriveSmart wants us back, but again concedes. So we are getting closer to our home address. Dash tells us that we have reached our destination on the right side. DriveSmart, go to the next street and turn left at the subdivision. Suffice it to say, this isn't the Garmin we knew. The good specs are that the screen is sharp and bright, the touchscreen is responsive and many features are excellent. But if the GPS cannot perceive information logically and give logical instructions, it hurts to drive.