Just got an 66ex from a pawn shop. It was super cheap. Loaded it and looks good. Will use it on a project car I plan to use as a daily. How does it pair with your phone and or Wi-Fi? Also how is the traffic alerts?
Thanks for the video. I often like to plan my trips and destinations in the house and away from my car. Will there be enough battery power for say 20 minutes without having to supply USB power, or other?
Thanks for the information! I bought this unit,and am very happy with it. My one complaint is the audio portion. I cannot get the unit to talk to me consistently. I have tried the aux cable, Bluetooth, Alexa, and occasionally I can get it to work. But if I leave the car and come back to the route, I have no verbal assist. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
So I finally gave in and bought the DriveSmart 66 certified refurbished from eBay for $139 to replace my DriveSmart 55. It'll still be my backup device though.
My problem with this device, which is my most recent of several models, is the route guidance is too "stubborn". I was navigating to a store about three kilometers away. It wanted me to go east one km, north one km, and east one km. However, I don't like the middle north road it recommends (too much traffic). So, I want to go east two miles, then north one mile. But the device is so intent on using that middle street (maybe because it's a major route?), that when I go past that street, it keeps wanting me to back track to the west to get to it, even when I'm directly south of the destination. So, instead of say an 600 meter stretch to finish the route, it wants me to go 2600 meters with three extra turns. Ludicrous. I wanted to change the navigation settings, but all I see is "straight line", which is just a route guidance pretending roads and buildings don't exist, and "faster time". 2600 meters is slower than 600 meters, so that's not faster. Anyone have any tips?
@@allencristobal6336 I suspect that will probably happen. Sometimes I have to take unusual routes on account of long term road closures, so it might take awhile to relearn after I revert to a more normal route. I heard Garmin GPS units do this, so it should eventually learn
Just add a favorite that is two miles east (of your home, I guess), then quick schedule that destination first either from recent or favorite routes, then schedule the store about 3 kms away (or whatever you wanted via that route). Yeah, it's a few more touches, but this way, it will never ask you to use the busy road that you prefer to avoid.
This behaviour is the exact reason why I can’t stand using my smart phone for navigation anymore with Google Maps. I’m sad to see that it’s still exist even in dedicated Carmen device. I don’t understand why they’re so so stubborn, it drives me nuts.
Thanks For the review. My dad will be getting one of these in the next week. I think in a lot of the newer cars turning off the engine won't draw from the cigarette lighter power so it's effectively turned off with the engine?. So no need to turn off the power on the back of the unit in lets say a Nero but worth knowing for cars that keep drawing when cigarette lighter plugged in. Will be using it in Ireland so I don't think heat will be a problem like it would in Texas or somewhere even though a few days a year it can get very hot. Hopefully don't have to worry about drawing air on it.
Power is disconnected when the engine is off, but the DriveSmart 66 will then "sleep" instead of completely powering down when that happens. The screen will be off but the DS66 will still be drawing power in a low power mode using its own battery. Eventually, the battery in the DS66 will lose all charge from doing that enough times, and won't power on even when connected to power, requiring a 5 to 10 second press of the power button to start it again. If the DS66 is used often, fully powering off manually as shown in the video usually isn't required because the battery is charged normally from regular use. However, if the DS66 is *_NOT_* used often, powering it off manually will save you from the hassle of having to force-restart it from a 5-10 second button press.
@sat103 I opened mine up yesterday evening and Im having an issue with getting audio to work through my Bluetooth speakers incl Alexa. It wont happen. I went through the setup on a tutorial for the 86 and it has a step 'display over other apps'. This is the crux as I didnt see this step on my 66 in the Drive app. So will do it manually on my phone when I get home from work. I notice you didnt make mention of Alexa on this unit(or I didnt notice). Have you used Alexa at all on the 66 and if so how were your findings?.
I don't use my smartphone with the DS66 so I have not tried Alexa. "Display over other apps" is a phone thing and not a Garmin thing. On Android, that setting on a smartphone is found via Settings > Apps > Special Access or Special App Access and then a submenu selection either called "Display over other apps" *_OR_* "Apps that can appear on top". The wording changes around depending on Android version.
Do you have audio coming from the device or your car speakers via Bluetooth?. I'm having a world of difficulty having audio come over the speakers. Sometimes works sometimes doesn't. Im thinking of uninstalling the drivesmart app altogether as a believe this is only necessary for Alexa?. I just need it for the maps not phone book. I think though there is conflict with my phone paired to car radio headset independently?. Also my car has no aux audio port so I can't ditch Bluetooth for this. Suppose could get an aux to usb but I really want it coming over my speakers using Bluetooth.
I have a DriveSmart 51, probably 7 years old. Don't use much, mostly just on occasional long trip. Battery is finally about shot. Not too worried though as it boots pretty quickly. Looks like there are replacement batteries around $40, that's probably not really worth it for me.. It has 16GB memory, I added a 16GB microSD to allow for easier map updates primarily.
Increased resolution to 1280x720 over 1024x600, no annoying on-map non-removable favorites icons, yes the increased resolution allows to read street name text more easily.
@@sat103 Thank you. Wondering now, what does cost reduced mean? Garmin only has the one on its website, Amazon has a multitude available including refurb. I was thinking a refurb unit (states it has live traffic in the description), for $129 would be reasonable. I'm tired of buying high dollar electronics for the car that brick themselves 12 months later.
I bought a Drivesmart 55, I haven't had a problem with it, gave it to my girlfriend to replace a Magellan, then I went to replace the 55 couldn't find one, I ended up with the Drivesmart 65....its good so far but too big for me, but I got it for like 20.00 more than the 55.!!
Can anyone on here help me with a problem of satellite signal loss that occurs intermittently. I have two satnavs in my car. An integrated Harman Becker and a TomTom that I used in a previous vehicle. The signal loss occurs at the same time in both units and returns at the same time. Both devices work perfectly well when they have a signal. The signal loss and later return is nothing to do with where I go. I have a signal on Google maps on my mobile all the time - that never seems to go. Can anyone explain this? I live in an urban area in the UK.
That distinctly sounds like a combination of GPS signal deflection based on location and GPS-only vs. GPS+GLONASS or GPS+Galileo. Your mobile most likely uses at least two satellite systems (probably GPS+Galileo) so if the GPS signal drops, the other satellite system still works until GPS signal is acquired again. Your other navigation devices are most likely GPS-only. If you enter into an urban canyon en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_canyon and the GPS signal is deflected, all signal is lost until you're out of the canyon where GPS signal can be reacquired and navigation then works again. You can see which satellite systems your mobile uses at GSM Arena. If for example I look up the Apple iPhone 11, the listing for Positioning in the "Comms" category states it uses GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_11-9848.php
Thank you for the prompt reply. You are the first to throw any light on this problem that has been an intermittent issue for some time. That said, it often occurs just outside my home. It was working perfectly before I parked for the night then wasn't working the next morning. The reverse also occurs: not working when I park but starts working next morning. Sometimes it stops when I'm driving or the reverse: not working then just starts again. I'll have a look at those links you sent. Thanks again for your input.@@sat103
I fancy the Drivesmart 76 but the screen resolution holds me back; do you think it would be an issue, compared to my option B, the Drivesmart 66? I'm coming from a Nuvi 300 (very old I think), which I have not used for a good few years. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks for your run-through on these items. I'm sure I will be returning :)
I just picked up a Drive 53. Coming from a TomTom I find it strange how limited even the 66 is in what can be displayed on screen. TomTom allowed to display Current time, miles to destination, and arrival time all on the screen in the corners. I see one can CHANGE to display some features but that requires the driver to tap the screen . Many times distance in miles is not the same as TIME and vise versa.
Trip Data fields (accessible from bottom right corner when map is shown) can show everything you mentioned. Start a route, bring up the fields, then tap any of them to select the information you want to view. All are configurable.
@@sat103 sorry, I don't want to have to switch. With time time. I could set all the fields that I wanted to display on the screen without hitting buttons as I'm trying to drive. Are you saying that you can have more than one displaying?
@@Thatsmessedupman Trip Data has two modes, tracking (route not selected) and navigating (route has been selected). Bring up the Trip Data fields, set them as you like. Trip Data fields for tracking have been set. After that, select a destination (it doesn't matter where) and start a route. Now you are navigating. Set the Trip Data fields as you like. Trip Data fields for navigating have been set. Now just leave the Trip Data fields on-screen. You're done. The fields you chose will be remembered by the unit and you don't have to bring up Trip Data again, it will stay there.
@@sat103 Thanks, I do now understand that you can click the pop-up blue column and change. But that reduces the map view. I guess if you have the bigger screen that might not matter, but on the 53 it's awful wide. TomTom did a better job of just expanding the white corner box and reducing some font sizes to fit more information. It's a shame that they stopped making standalone.
*_IF YOU ENJOYED THIS VIDEO, PLEASE CLICK THE THANKS BUTTON TO GIVE SUPPORT, IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!_*
I found 1 of these in the trash 🗑️ yesterday. It works perfectly. I charged the battery 🔋.
Very helpful, thanks for the advice and video
I appreciate the follow up! Thank you!
Just got an 66ex from a pawn shop. It was super cheap. Loaded it and looks good. Will use it on a project car I plan to use as a daily.
How does it pair with your phone and or Wi-Fi? Also how is the traffic alerts?
awesome video.. very insightful ..
thanks for this .. :D
Can i connect it to my car speakers and play music from my phone with the garmin music interface?
Thanks for the video. I often like to plan my trips and destinations in the house and away from my car. Will there be enough battery power for say 20 minutes without having to supply USB power, or other?
Probably. I don't use my DS66 unplugged.
Thanks for the information! I bought this unit,and am very happy with it. My one complaint is the audio portion. I cannot get the unit to talk to me consistently. I have tried the aux cable, Bluetooth, Alexa, and occasionally I can get it to work. But if I leave the car and come back to the route, I have no verbal assist. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
So I finally gave in and bought the DriveSmart 66 certified refurbished from eBay for $139 to replace my DriveSmart 55. It'll still be my backup device though.
Does it have truck mode/route?
got the same 1 and I love it had it over a yr now only bad thing I dropped it and cracked the screen but cant really tell its cracked
Hello, I want to buy the drivesmart 66, but I don't know if garmig is going to launch new models in 2023, do you know about it? Thanks in advanced.
How does this compare to the 85 model?
Does this work as a stand alone? ...or does it have to be linked to an app on your phone? T.I.A.
Thanks...There's absolutely no chance of this overheating where I am haha!
My problem with this device, which is my most recent of several models, is the route guidance is too "stubborn". I was navigating to a store about three kilometers away. It wanted me to go east one km, north one km, and east one km. However, I don't like the middle north road it recommends (too much traffic). So, I want to go east two miles, then north one mile. But the device is so intent on using that middle street (maybe because it's a major route?), that when I go past that street, it keeps wanting me to back track to the west to get to it, even when I'm directly south of the destination. So, instead of say an 600 meter stretch to finish the route, it wants me to go 2600 meters with three extra turns. Ludicrous. I wanted to change the navigation settings, but all I see is "straight line", which is just a route guidance pretending roads and buildings don't exist, and "faster time". 2600 meters is slower than 600 meters, so that's not faster. Anyone have any tips?
Can it eventually learn from your common routes to suggest the route you prefer? I know my iPhone Maps eventually did that.
@@allencristobal6336 I suspect that will probably happen. Sometimes I have to take unusual routes on account of long term road closures, so it might take awhile to relearn after I revert to a more normal route. I heard Garmin GPS units do this, so it should eventually learn
Just add a favorite that is two miles east (of your home, I guess), then quick schedule that destination first either from recent or favorite routes, then schedule the store about 3 kms away (or whatever you wanted via that route). Yeah, it's a few more touches, but this way, it will never ask you to use the busy road that you prefer to avoid.
This behaviour is the exact reason why I can’t stand using my smart phone for navigation anymore with Google Maps. I’m sad to see that it’s still exist even in dedicated Carmen device. I don’t understand why they’re so so stubborn, it drives me nuts.
I am not sure about this particular model but in the earlier one there was an option to add custom avoidances, an area or a road.
Thanks For the review. My dad will be getting one of these in the next week.
I think in a lot of the newer cars turning off the engine won't draw from the cigarette lighter power so it's effectively turned off with the engine?. So no need to turn off the power on the back of the unit in lets say a Nero but worth knowing for cars that keep drawing when cigarette lighter plugged in.
Will be using it in Ireland so I don't think heat will be a problem like it would in Texas or somewhere even though a few days a year it can get very hot. Hopefully don't have to worry about drawing air on it.
Power is disconnected when the engine is off, but the DriveSmart 66 will then "sleep" instead of completely powering down when that happens. The screen will be off but the DS66 will still be drawing power in a low power mode using its own battery. Eventually, the battery in the DS66 will lose all charge from doing that enough times, and won't power on even when connected to power, requiring a 5 to 10 second press of the power button to start it again.
If the DS66 is used often, fully powering off manually as shown in the video usually isn't required because the battery is charged normally from regular use. However, if the DS66 is *_NOT_* used often, powering it off manually will save you from the hassle of having to force-restart it from a 5-10 second button press.
@@sat103 Thanks I didnt get the notification for your reply, very much appreciated.
@@seeyouthen alas the navi like most others has a battery that is good for around 1h of use
@sat103 I opened mine up yesterday evening and Im having an issue with getting audio to work through my Bluetooth speakers incl Alexa. It wont happen. I went through the setup on a tutorial for the 86 and it has a step 'display over other apps'. This is the crux as I didnt see this step on my 66 in the Drive app. So will do it manually on my phone when I get home from work.
I notice you didnt make mention of Alexa on this unit(or I didnt notice). Have you used Alexa at all on the 66 and if so how were your findings?.
I don't use my smartphone with the DS66 so I have not tried Alexa. "Display over other apps" is a phone thing and not a Garmin thing. On Android, that setting on a smartphone is found via Settings > Apps > Special Access or Special App Access and then a submenu selection either called "Display over other apps" *_OR_* "Apps that can appear on top". The wording changes around depending on Android version.
@@sat103 much appreciated I'll try this
Do you have audio coming from the device or your car speakers via Bluetooth?. I'm having a world of difficulty having audio come over the speakers. Sometimes works sometimes doesn't. Im thinking of uninstalling the drivesmart app altogether as a believe this is only necessary for Alexa?. I just need it for the maps not phone book. I think though there is conflict with my phone paired to car radio headset independently?. Also my car has no aux audio port so I can't ditch Bluetooth for this. Suppose could get an aux to usb but I really want it coming over my speakers using Bluetooth.
@@seeyouthen For navigation audio I only use the DS66 itself.
Not a patch on what was tomtom go 6200
I have a DriveSmart 51, probably 7 years old. Don't use much, mostly just on occasional long trip. Battery is finally about shot. Not too worried though as it boots pretty quickly. Looks like there are replacement batteries around $40, that's probably not really worth it for me.. It has 16GB memory, I added a 16GB microSD to allow for easier map updates primarily.
Is this the Garmin DriveSmart 66 EX GPS Navigation Device,
Hi may I know where can I able to set up for avoid toll? Is there a function for this device or not 😭
Settings > Navigation > Avoidances > Tolls and Fees (place checkmark to avoid)
What is the benefit of the 66 vs the 65? Is the screen detail noticable?
Increased resolution to 1280x720 over 1024x600, no annoying on-map non-removable favorites icons, yes the increased resolution allows to read street name text more easily.
Does the 66 come with a lifetime traffic subscription? The Garmin website is lacking in information.
Yes, as long as it's _not_ the cost-reduced 66 EX model.
@@sat103 Thank you. Wondering now, what does cost reduced mean? Garmin only has the one on its website, Amazon has a multitude available including refurb. I was thinking a refurb unit (states it has live traffic in the description), for $129 would be reasonable. I'm tired of buying high dollar electronics for the car that brick themselves 12 months later.
"Cost-reduced" = "Fewer Features", which in this instance for the DS66 means no built-in traffic receiver if EX is in the model name.
Does it show current speed on screen at all times? 👍🏻
When viewing the map, yes.
I bought a Drivesmart 55, I haven't had a problem with it, gave it to my girlfriend to replace a Magellan, then I went to replace the 55 couldn't find one, I ended up with the Drivesmart 65....its good so far but too big for me, but I got it for like 20.00 more than the 55.!!
I prefer the Drivesmart 55, due to its higher-resolution screen, that just looks so much sharper.
@@PersonUnknown-kt9mi I agree with you on that! Unfortunately at the time, I couldn't find a 55..🙁👍
Can anyone on here help me with a problem of satellite signal loss that occurs intermittently. I have two satnavs in my car. An integrated Harman Becker and a TomTom that I used in a previous vehicle. The signal loss occurs at the same time in both units and returns at the same time. Both devices work perfectly well when they have a signal. The signal loss and later return is nothing to do with where I go. I have a signal on Google maps on my mobile all the time - that never seems to go.
Can anyone explain this? I live in an urban area in the UK.
That distinctly sounds like a combination of GPS signal deflection based on location and GPS-only vs. GPS+GLONASS or GPS+Galileo. Your mobile most likely uses at least two satellite systems (probably GPS+Galileo) so if the GPS signal drops, the other satellite system still works until GPS signal is acquired again. Your other navigation devices are most likely GPS-only. If you enter into an urban canyon en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_canyon and the GPS signal is deflected, all signal is lost until you're out of the canyon where GPS signal can be reacquired and navigation then works again. You can see which satellite systems your mobile uses at GSM Arena. If for example I look up the Apple iPhone 11, the listing for Positioning in the "Comms" category states it uses GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_11-9848.php
Thank you for the prompt reply. You are the first to throw any light on this problem that has been an intermittent issue for some time.
That said, it often occurs just outside my home. It was working perfectly before I parked for the night then wasn't working the next morning. The reverse also occurs: not working when I park but starts working next morning. Sometimes it stops when I'm driving or the reverse: not working then just starts again.
I'll have a look at those links you sent. Thanks again for your input.@@sat103
I fancy the Drivesmart 76 but the screen resolution holds me back; do you think it would be an issue, compared to my option B, the Drivesmart 66? I'm coming from a Nuvi 300 (very old I think), which I have not used for a good few years. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks for your run-through on these items. I'm sure I will be returning :)
The nuvi 300 was made 18 years ago and is old. Either the DS66 or DS76 is a significant resolution increase over the 300.
@@sat103 Wow time flies. Museum next stop :) Thanks for your reply. I just ordered the 66, before you replied; now Im thinking the 76 :/ lol
I know that area where you're driving, and the GPS has to be FAST to be very useful.
👍
I love mine so far = Jacksonville beach Florida
I just picked up a Drive 53. Coming from a TomTom I find it strange how limited even the 66 is in what can be displayed on screen. TomTom allowed to display Current time, miles to destination, and arrival time all on the screen in the corners. I see one can CHANGE to display some features but that requires the driver to tap the screen . Many times distance in miles is not the same as TIME and vise versa.
Trip Data fields (accessible from bottom right corner when map is shown) can show everything you mentioned. Start a route, bring up the fields, then tap any of them to select the information you want to view. All are configurable.
@@sat103 sorry, I don't want to have to switch. With time time. I could set all the fields that I wanted to display on the screen without hitting buttons as I'm trying to drive. Are you saying that you can have more than one displaying?
@@Thatsmessedupman Trip Data has two modes, tracking (route not selected) and navigating (route has been selected). Bring up the Trip Data fields, set them as you like. Trip Data fields for tracking have been set. After that, select a destination (it doesn't matter where) and start a route. Now you are navigating. Set the Trip Data fields as you like. Trip Data fields for navigating have been set. Now just leave the Trip Data fields on-screen. You're done. The fields you chose will be remembered by the unit and you don't have to bring up Trip Data again, it will stay there.
@@sat103 Thanks, I do now understand that you can click the pop-up blue column and change. But that reduces the map view. I guess if you have the bigger screen that might not matter, but on the 53 it's awful wide. TomTom did a better job of just expanding the white corner box and reducing some font sizes to fit more information. It's a shame that they stopped making standalone.