Garmin DriveSmart 76, 7-inch Car GPS Navigator with Bright, Crisp High-Resolution Maps and Garmin Voice Assist

Nice large screen. Useful when using a rental car. I printed out the catalog because I'm older and like making notes as I go along.. Some challenges trying to set it up using only the printed instructions on my tele. I also bought a protective case for traveling. It takes a couple of hours to set up, so do it and use it locally before you travel to distant cities. Having a GPS of your own beats learning how to use all the different ones in rental cars. Having everything ready to go before you leave the rental lot is important. Also, have adapters ready; there are still rental cars with USB outlets, my new DS 86 still has a USB and a lighter plug. USB outlets are no longer in some newer cars.

Better than expected. Replaced existing Garmin GPS (6 years old and still working fine) with this larger screen and updated model. Even added the Backup Camera (sold separately). Out of the box, not much in the way of configuration is required. Latest updates are via WiFi and that does take +1 hour at Gigabit Internet speed (we use Commercial grade Access Points for Wireless). GPS did arrive with NO POWER, would not even come on!! until charge for a little while. Suction cup supports weight of GPS fine but getting it to adhere to windshield was tricky - position just right and it works flawlessly, get it wrong and forever trying to make it work. Best suggestion - put suction cup on first then attach GPS.FEATURES - larger screen. SYNC with Android phone - can take calls and work hands free as GPS will work with cell phone. TEXT messages appear on GPS screen also but so far not able to respond to them - just view only. GPS gets Google Traffic info from cell phone.Overall it was a good purchase. No were in the documentation will you find the WARRANTY!!

The media could not be loaded. I was annoyed that dodge expected me to pay an additional $600 to turn on the navigation system. I like the idea of having a good camera in a 200 mph car.My years of experience with garmin in my semi trucks already had me convinced.The frontal collision and lane departure warning functions both work. Those are improvements in computing power made more recently.Automatic incident recording is an absolutely invaluable tool.All data and video from three minutes prior to the crash are saved even if the device is destroyed it is likely that the video can be retrieved from the SIM card.Insurance companies get upset when expensive vehicles get wrecked or stolen.The video camera can be left running while you are parked to record anything going on around the car while you are out of sight. The front camera has nearly 180 degree coverage even near the car. It is high quality video that will stand up in court because it’s satellite linked and location and time identified.The camera can easily be removed post incident and will definitely record any incident and several minutes prior immediately into permanent memory until you erase. If the device is destroyed in a crash the information will still be there on the device.The garmin is easily removed from it’s factory windshield suction cup mount with a simple click. I have literally had suction cup mounts go over 100,000 miles in a bouncing dirty semi and never came off the windshield. It accepts voice commands just like a cars internal navigation system will.If you are a traveler who likes using their own navigation system the device is easily portable from vehicle to vehicle.Don’t forget it or you’ll cry. 😢

The DriveSmart 76 is my second Garmin GPS. My first one was the DriveSmart 61 that I bought in 2018. The 61 and the 76 look virtually identical. They both have the same screen size (6.95” diagonally), and they both have the same screen resolution (both screens look very sharp). I’ll be comparing the two in my review.My older model 61 still works fine after six years of use. So, you may ask, why did I feel the need to upgrade to the model 76? Quite simply, the voice recognition on the model 76 is significantly better.Voice recognition is very important to me. I don’t use my GPS while mounted on the windshield or the dash. In my opinion, the moving-map display on a GPS is a major distraction. I see people all the time weaving in traffic because they’re playing with their phone and not watching where they’re going.A few years ago, a driver who was texting crashed into my car. I don’t want to be guilty of that kind of behavior. So when I’m driving, I keep my eyes on the road and my Garmin GPS laying facedown. Because I depend entirely on verbal commands from the GPS when driving, the voice-recognition of the device is very important to me.Voice Recognition: To begin a verbal search on my older model 61, say “Voice Command.” How well does it understand my request? On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give it a five (5). Some searches are OK. But about half the time it thinks I'm requesting something completely different. This happens even though I’m speaking very clearly and distinctly, or even after repeating the name of a business or a restaurant numerous times. Quite often, the verbal search results on the model 61 are ridiculous, frustrating, and so bad they’re comical.To begin a verbal search on my new model 76, say “OK Garmin.” How well does it understand my request? On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give it an 8.5. It’s not perfect, but it’s significantly better than the model 61. As a test, I drove around one day with the 61 and the 76 side-by side. The model 76 can usually understand my search request on the first try. However, there were many times when the model 61 failed to understand the exact same request after numerous attempts.Search by Category: Depending on the name of the place you’re looking for, some searches are easier to find on the model 76 by category. For example: You may be looking for a specific German restaurant. If the GPS is having a hard time finding the name of a particular restaurant (because of your pronunciation or some other reason), try requesting “German Restaurant”, followed by the name of the city and state. If there are any German restaurants in the requested area, you’ll be presented with a list to choose from.Improved Voice: Another thing that I like better about the model 76 is a much improved voice. For “American English” (with full “OK Garmin” capabilities), Garmin uses a female voice named Zoe. It’s more clear and natural-sounding than the voice on the model 61.Battery Life: The 61 and the 76 both have a rechargeable internal battery. When fully charged, you can expect the battery to only last about an hour. That’s not very long. But keep in mind that the unit will be plugged into a 12V outlet in your vehicle when in use.The internal battery is really only necessary to power the unit while it’s connected to your computer with a cable (or Wi-Fi), while downloading updates and maps. I find it very helpful to use an AC adapter when downloading updates. Amazon sells them, and they’re not expensive. What you want is an AC adapter that plugs into a standard home 110V AC wall outlet, and has a cigarette lighter socket that supplies 12 volts DC. This allows you to charge the GPS in your home, and also provides you with all the time you need to download updates without running out of power.Tip: When you press the power button on the model 76, it turns off the display and it appears to be off. Not so. It’s only sleeping. To completely turn off the unit and preserve maximum battery power, hold down on the power button. After a few seconds the screen will ask if want to turn off the device. Tap “OFF”, and the unit will be turned completely off. Note: When connected to an outlet supplying 12 volts, the internal battery will still be charged even though the unit is turned completely off.Note: After about five years of use, my model 61 got to the point where it wouldn't hold a charge for more than a few minutes. I replaced the internal battery myself. But to do so, you need the right tools, and you need to be comfortable with taking it apart and putting it back together. I expect the longevity of the model 76 battery to be about the same.Model 76 Likes: 1. Big and clear display. 2. Much improved voice-recognition. 3. Once you learn a few basics, the operation of the unit is pretty intuitive. 4. It has a more pleasant and natural-sounding voice than older models. 5. Free map and software updates. 6. You can sync this device with your mobile phone for phone calls and music. However, I use my model 76 as a stand-alone device.Model 76 Dislikes: 1. The voice-recognition is very good, but it’s not perfect. There are times when I have to repeat or rephrase my request. 2. The one-hour battery life isn’t any better than my older unit. 3. Garmin only provides one voice selection for American English that has all of the “OK Garmin” capabilities. Again, the voice is pleasant and natural-sounding. But it would be nice if they offered other voices for download. 4. Battery replacement could be easier. Garmin knows that no rechargeable battery lasts forever, and that at some point it'll need to be replaced. The internal battery in my model 61 needed to replaced at five years. I did it myself, but it required the right tools, and I was OK with taking it apart and putting it back together. Not all consumers may want, or otherwise have the skill to tackle the job. In five years or so, I expect the model 76 will also require a new battery. Garmin, why not make it easy for the consumer to replace the battery without the need for any tools or skill when the time comes?Final thoughts: I like the Garmin model 76 very much. In fact, I sold my model 61.