Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Before clicking “buy” for a Garmin Nuvi 57 or 67, I would highly recommend that you look into the Garmin Nuvi 2X89 & 2X99 models (i.e. 2689, 2789, 2699, 2589, 2599, etc.) first. The #57 / #67 models you are looking now do not let the driver communicate with the device by voice (i.e. voice navigation). That is a big safety & convenience issue. For fairly modest extra cost (especially when considered over the several years you are likely to be using it), you could get a MUCH better Garmin. For example just to give you a rough sense, as of today (keep in mind that the prices change almost daily), the 5" 57LM is currently listed for $145 new & the 6" 67LM is listed for $165 new. If you would consider getting a “certified refurbished” model, you could get a 2589LMT for $139 or a 2689 for $149 -- i.e. less money. Or you could get a new 2589 for $192. In making the recommendation, I should note that I *really* hate wasting money where greater value is not there, and I often end up buying the lowest trim line of things, because the improvements on the higher trim options frequently are commonly pretty inconsequential. But this is the (fairly rare) case where I think there is serious value in an upgrade (safety + ease of use + frustration with it), especially when factoring in that what the difference would work out to over the lifetime of the product. I have tried many different kinds of GPS units over the years and really looked into the current option for my purchase. I ended up buying the Garmin Nuvi 2699 (which is from the 2014/15 model line). I did so after returning the 2598, which I had initially purchased to save about $60. But it was a 2013 model and was a frustrating mess -- those savings were definitely not worth it to me, whereas the 2699 has exceeded my expectations. FEATURES TO CONSIDER PRIORITIZING for any Garmin device: (1) --- Voice-activated navigation (aka, "Voice Command") --- The 57 does NOT have voice activated navigation (i.e. "Voice Command", where you communicate with the device and tell you where you want to go by talking to it, rather than by typing things in. To me, that really seems like a top priority for any GPS device. For safety, foremost, but also for convenience and, increasingly, legal reasons (and if your state does not have currently a law against using touch screens while driving, it might soon enough, and other states through which you drive might). (AVOID: be wary of the 2-digit Garmin model lines, as most or all of those lack voice navigation, plus a few of the 4-digit models, like the 2X39 models, do not have it either.) (2) --- A Garmin from the 2014/15 model line --- See the Garmin.com website for models listed by years; the Garmin website is frustratingly buggy and old school, but it is very useful for figuring out which models are newer vs. older. The 2014/15 model line was vastly improved over even 2013, which was an improvement over previous years. (AVOID: the 2X57, 2X97, & 2X98 model lines, as those were 2013 models; they aren’t that much less $ than the 2014/15 models, and they are nowhere near as good) The 57 is a 2014, so it may be ok, but it isn't listing some of the newer features (like pinch to zoom) so it is hard to know if some of the lower trim lines did or did not get the newer features. (3) --- "Pinch-to-zoom" screen technology is much better --- It basically gives you touch technology that is more like interacting with a Smartphone, where the screen really more accurately your touch, and you can quickly move around the map (i.e., expand outward, shrink, move north, etc.), in addition to more easily using other touch functions. It isn't perfect, but it is vastly better than the touch functionality on the earlier units without it; it is a very worthwhile upgrade, if you can do it. (4) --- Try to get largest screen size you can afford, that will fit in your car --- Try to get a 6" if you can (or 7") rather than 5”. It would be hard to recommend anything smaller than 5"; that would be unbearably frustrating. Bigger screens let you see what you need to, quickly, with a faster glance. A bigger screen helps you keep your eyes on the road longer, which is where they need to be as much of the time as possible; it also makes the touch navigation easier. (5) --- "Garmin Real Directions" is extremely important --- “Garmin Real Directions” is the difference between helpful voices that say "Turn left on Elm Street, then turn right on Maple Street," versus a irritatingly non-specific voices that say "Turn left, then turn right". It is really important for a driver's sanity; fortunately, it looks like most of the newer, higher-trim models seem to include Real Directions by default now. It is really important to understand that “Garmin Real Voices” is completely different; that is just a less electronic sounding voice and, on its own, does NOT give you the street names. According to the Garmin website FAQ section, it is only the Garmin 55, 56, 65, & 66 models that have the “Real Voices” option without the important “Real Directions" functionality (as of Nov 2015, Garmin's website says the following models “use Garmin Real Directions with Garmin Real Voice for the ultimate navigation experience!”: zumo 590; these DEZL models – 570, 770, Cam; these NUVI models: 57, 58, 67, 68, 2407, 2408, Cam; these NUVI series #s: 2507, 2508, 2509, 2609, 2707, 2708, 2709, 3507, 3508. And while figuring out Garmin’s definition of a model # vs. series # is tricky, But I know that the 2589, 2599, 2689, 2699, 2789, & 2799 models have both Real Directions and Real Voices; otherwise, if a model you are looking at does not advertise "Garmin Real Directions," it is probably safe to assume it doesn't have it, and that it should be avoided. (6) --- "LM", /"Lifetime Map" updates are important (and included with most lines now) --- Maps change pretty frequently, you don't want your GPS guiding you by an old map. Among older models, many did not include "LM"; most of the newer models, seem to. But definitely look for those letters, because you will definitely want to be able to update your maps for free. OPTIONS YOU MAY (OR MAY NOT) CARE ABOUT: --- Traffic avoidance (T) & HD digital traffic (HD) --- Both of those traffic options are very limited and reserved to mostly urban areas. Check the Garmin coverage map to see if it would do anything for you. (see coverage maps at http://www8.garmin.com/traffic/) Does nothing at all for me at home (but still nice to have for the occasional road trip) -- Bluetooth – I don't ever use the hands-free Bluetooth phone option myself; seems clunky and cumbersome to me, and I don’t like having Bluetooth toggled “on” on my phone all the time. But might be of value if you happen to really need a hands free option for your Bluetooth smart phone, for either safety or driving law reasons, and your car doesn’t have one. --- Backup cam --- It requires installation, so is crazy expensive once the full cost is considered; get one separately if you need it. I would probably be better & cheaper anyway. In any case, do consider that you might reduce your own frustration levels, and increase your driving safety, if you go with a hands-free Garmin like the Nuvi 2X89 (2589, 2689, 2799) or 2X99 (2599, 2699). I would at least recommend looking into them before you buy this one, if nothing else. ------------------------------------------------------ --- Good luck, and happy travels! --- ------------------------------------------------------