Garmin nuvi 57LMT GPS w/ Lifetime Maps & Traffic Updates Renewed

Just received the re-furb Nuvi 57LMT a couple days ago. With help of on-line manual, set up was easy. Though it does traffic ('T') you have to order a different cord ($60+/-) for that and it will only work in metro areas. Since I am very rural and rarely in big cities, I would have been fine with a 57LM and would have saved a few $. Set up was easy. Touch screen super. Great brightness to meet lighting needs - 60% does the job with lots to spare. Choice of 'voices' - nice, clear tones. Lots of travel related info. that did not detract from driving instructions. Whole screen is easy to read while driving. Went to town with it turned on and it on 'home'. Went about doing needed stops. The 'voice' and screen kept right with me, reminding me what turns to take for the path home. Finally before heading home, I went way off route and then let it guide me home...right on the money. Have a 7 hour drive, one way, across 3 States ahead of me and that will prove it's worth....or not... Happy so far. Did buy a sun shield and a Bovke carry box for it. Sun shield snaps on firmly, easily. Box protects unit and holds the related stuff securely.

I've really tried to give this gps a chance but it just is not quite up to par. I've used it on about a half-dozen trips now and every time it comes up with weird, inefficient routing. Fresh maps and a full software update didn't help.One example, I recently took a trip to the beach, a route I know fairly well. The gps instructed me to take an exit that I knew was incorrect, so I ignored it and went past the exit. When the gps recalculated it gave me the proper route, and reduced the estimated travel time by 20 minutes. If the unit is set to "quickest route," why didn't it take the proper route in the first place?Also, this unit has a thing for trying to take you down unpaved roads even when the "avoid unpaved roads" option is selected. I had a frightening experience a couple days ago where the gps took me across 5 miles of mountainside gravel road in an area I was unfamiliar area without cell phone signal. The whole reason I purchased this gps was to use when I don't have a cellphone signal and can't use maps on my phone. Now, quite honestly, I don't trust it.If you're interested in a unit with the "traffic" feature, I've got bad news, it's a joke. Unless you are taking a road trip in excess of two hours, don't plan on the gps ever acquiring a traffic signal. Even on US Interstates the fastest it has found a signal is 90 minutes into the trip.Bottom line:Will it get you to where you're going? EventuallyWill you need 4 wheel drive and a fresh change of shorts? Probably

I replaced my Garmin 1450 and was really disappointed with this. Right out of the package it feels very cheap. Made with a very smooth plastic, no weight to it at all. the 1450 had a grip surface and had some weight to it. The 57lmt lost some great features. Customization is gone. You can't chose what buttons to appear. like peed, how many miles to go, time to arrive. Instead the buttons are locked on the screen and you can not change them. Another big downgrade, you can not look up by zip code. It starts with house number, street. I get the "not found" result a lot. The cord to connect to the computer is specifically for this unit. It is a garmin cord and none other will work. A good change is the speed of the gps. I don't have to wait for the "redirecting." If you miss a step it instantly redirects without having to wait. The four square feature will show you virtually anything around you without needing to type in anything specific. However I will not use this feature a lot. While on a trip I typically do not look for a café, coffee shop, barber, or antique store. It is very thorough. I looked up the 1450 and it was on ebay in "almost new condition for under $50. Thought about returning this and buy the 1450 again but I hate going through a return/refund process and I needed to just move on from the old to the new

I previously owned a earlier version and have been happy with it. I like some of the new features Garmin added, but I hate that some of the features they made it a little harder to use. The earlier version had Home and favorite on the initial menu screen. One button and you were there. This version takes a few more steps to accomplish the same. It might just be that I have to get use to it. I gave it a five because of the added features and did not mark off any points as the inconveniences may be attributed to just getting use to it. I would recommend this product and would consider buying upgrades in the future.

The unit was surprisingly small, but what a great amount of information it provides!! I'm particularly fond of the feature that indicates whether a freeway exit is on the left or right. I've decided the small size is not a disadvantage, since I rely on the voice commands and not so much on the screen. The Garmin has turned out to be extremely useful, since I got it just before I moved to a different state and am using it a lot now. This is my first GPS, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I'm really, really happy with it!

Works pretty well but arrived with a small chip and a scratch on the screen. The screen should have been replaced during reconditioning. Also the gizmo tells us we're still 200 feet from home when we're parked in the driveway.I've used it about 3 weeks now & my 3 stars was a mostly correct rating, but two and a half would have been a better choice. Traffic conditions monitoring is poor. On several occasions I've been in heavy crawling traffic with barely moving vehicles as far as the eye can see & it tells me no traffic ahead. The older model with its red, amber & green conditions was actually more accurate than this model.

I've owned several Garmins dating back the the pre-Nuvi StreetPilots. The 57LMT doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but I've discovered that I don't really use all those features. What is important to me (and what the 57LMT provides) is a bright screen, well thought out interface, junction view/lane guidance, clear spoken directions, and a decent POI database,Things I wish it had (but doesn't): accurate traffic reporting and a powered mount.