Garmin 010-01532-0C Drive 50 USA LM GPS Navigator System with Lifetime Maps, Spoken Turn-by-Turn Directions, Direct Access, Driver Alerts, and Foursquare Data

Garmin Drive 50 USA LMI bought this GPS unit as a backup for google maps on my Nexus 5 for a cross country trip from IL to CA. Surprisingly by the end of the trip, I found myself using the Garmin about 99% of the time. I am comparing this unit against google maps that I use 99% of the time otherwise.The reasons I like this better than google maps:1. The split screen was really informative - especially with large lane guidance in unfamiliar areas and upcoming stops displayed next to the map without having to navigate away from the live map. This may not be a problem with long stretches of roads but in a city for example, the ability to show important stops like gas, food and rest stops without having to risk going away from the map and losing a turn.2. The "Up next" info was probably the most useful feature for me as the three most important things during a long trip Viz. Food, Fuel and rest areas are very conveniently shown next to the map. This allowed me to get fuel at the upcoming gas station if the next one after that (whose distance was also shown as part of what's up next information) was going to be 100 miles away. This saved my from running out of fuel a couple of times in the middle of the AZ/NM/NV area.3. The current speed limit was very helpful and I found it was about 100 yards off from the signs posted (i.e. the GPS took about 100 yards to catch up with the posted speed limit signs). This is better than google maps which does not have any such information at all.4. Offline navigation! This in itself was the main reason I brought a dedicated GPS unit and I was not disappointed! I shudder to think of not having navigation in the middle of Arizona/Utah because of lack of phone coverage.After using a dedicated GPS (while coming from a position of skepticism of it's usefulness over google maps), I will say that I probably will be using this GPS for all my long distance driving over using my phone (and leave my phone always connected to the charger). But for inner city navigation, I still prefer google maps/waze for almost instantaneous traffic based navigation.

We purchased this Garmin GPS to replace a much older unit which could no longer be updated to navigate west of the Mississippi River due to older electronics and low data storage. I first ordered a large screen (import brand) GPS and checked it's accuracy here in town, and again in a nearby community. That GPS unit was not accurate, it's navigation was confusing and I definitely did not care for it's navigational voice commands. I wouldn't trust it for one minute to help us get through a congested and unfamiliar, 65-70mph metro area. I did not like it at all! I then purchased this Garmin Drive 50 LM GPS and checked it's navigational accuracy and found it to be VERY accurate. We used it on our latest trip...my wife and I loved it! It is not only very accurate, but it kept me fully informed, in a timely manner, which lane to occupy way ahead of our exits, and the voice commands were clear and easy to understand. Let me add one more criteria; the voice. The voice used in this Garmin is sorta soothing...when keeping up with congested traffic at 65mph in an unfamiliar metro area, you, as the driver are watching everything going on around you. Depending on how heavy the traffic is, and how crazy the other drivers are, you do NOT want a hard, jolting voice command startling your concentration! I enjoyed hearing a pleasant toned voice helping me with directions. I rate our new Garmin at 5 stars!

I haven't gotten to use this much yet since it's still winter here and Maine and most of my traveling is during the summer since I'm a photographer. I'll be likely updating the review by then. In the meantime, I'm on the fence though it has more pros than cons. I love the larger screen compared to my old TomTom and the much better quality graphics. I'm also a constant second guesser so having a split screen when it comes to highway exits is nice as well. It's been pretty accurate so far except for when I have to hop on the northbound highway from my home. I kid you not, the gps made me drive ALL the way to the end of the road that the on-ramp is on and then made me turnaround on some strange side street before heading back to the on-ramp and taking it! It was 5 more minute of driving when it was completely unnecessary. Mind you, there is no clock or one-way turn onto the northbound on-ramp so I have no idea why it insists I do that. Now, I just double check which ramp I need and then skip that step Haha But so far it's the only real complaint I have. I mainly purchased this because it comes with lifetime map updates and I was tired of my old outdated gps and refused to pay for something that I feel should be included. It's the reason I don't use my in-dash gps in my Jeep because I refuse to pay for updates. Anyway, it's the perfect side, great quality, easy to read, doesn't have a super annoying voice and even has a green suv/jeep icon which is actually what I drive so bonus Haha

The item works good. I don't understand why it won't charge the battery and hold the charge. After I charge it to full. 15 minutes later it turns off?