Review on 🌍 Garmin DriveSmart 61 NA LMT-S - Lifetime Maps/Traffic, Live Parking, Bluetooth, WiFi, Smart Notifications, Voice Activation, Driver Alerts, TripAdvisor, Foursquare by Todd Cobb

I was a bit concerned reading some of the reviews on this device. This is a new model, so it's reasonable to be wary of bugs at the very least or serious hardware problems at worst. Now that I've got the device set up and using it on the go, I can say you have nothing to worry about. I've owned several Garmin GPS units over the years and this one is by far the best in terms of useful features, screen size, screen readability, navigation prompts, etc. To ensure a smooth experience, make sure you charge the device and have connected Connect it to a Wi-Fi network and update the firmware before doing anything. The second task is to update the maps. Third, read the instructions. Most of us reasonably expect a modern device to be user-friendly, but this GPS was - for me at least - a big leap in terms of features. So do yourself a favor and take a look at the manual. Finally, check out all the apps you can use to connect to your phone or even compatible smartwatches. New devices can work in ecosystems, giving you better features at a lower cost. The DriveSmart 61 LMT-S definitely fits that description. Since I'm my girlfriend's official pilot everywhere, I just hooked up my smartphone to enjoy extra features while driving. This brings me to voice control. Smartphones usually use "natural language” for voice control. The DriveSmart 61 LMT-S is a little different. It uses short voice commands and a menu system to do tasks for you. Make sure you give him a good "wake up" command so he doesn't get frustrated with being ignored. I gave my device the command "Garmin wake up!" and works very reliably. Longer wake-up commands work better. In general, the device understands my voice commands quite well. However, it has a little more trouble with street or company names. Garmin does have some homework in this department, but otherwise this device shines. I liked the improved cues, overall better pronunciation, visual turn assist, alerts for hazards like sharp bends in the road, etc. I am so pleased with this device that I ordered a Garmin Fenix 5X watch, to try advanced navigation after parking my car. Unfortunately, I was born with limited geographical options; I'm lost in my own living room. I need all the navigational help I can get. I will post updates to this review as needed.