I am a bad boy.

I have the Garmin 2597 LMT which has lifetime maps and lifetime traffic. Its the top end with Bluetooth and a 5 inch screen. It is thin and costs under $200 if you get it on sale it is cheaper.

I like it and fast and easy to use.

One size doesn't fit all.

It also doesn't have HD traffic which the OP was interested in and asking about. The 2597 has Garmin traffic which used to be called 3D traffic ( if I can keep Garmin's name changing straight)and not HD Traffic.

The top end Nuvi model is the 3597 which does have HD traffic. HD traffic is suppose to update traffic much more often than Garmin's normal traffic service but it's hard to say whether that's true or not. I've found that HD traffic is for the most part accurate but whether it's faster or better than Garmin Traffic I can't say.

You might want to read through this recent thread, where several users recommended the 3597LMTHD: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42431

Yes, you should. Bad boy!

It was stated in part by Dwaynes...

"I got a smart phone last year and decided that I no longer needed my Garmin. ...any opinions out there?"

Next time that same thought comes to your mind... get rid of the smart phone and keep the Garmin!

The only thing the smart phone showed you was that it wasn't very "smart" doing what you did.

Nuvi1300WTGPS

It is hard to answer phone while trying to get a exit number.

..of the US commercial wireless systems though.

Imagine, people actually paying to be tracked & advertised to through monthly data fees. What a world & culture we now live in.

That's because they've been told they need something, are somehow deficient if they don't have it, and if it is the "latest and greatest", they MUST stand in line for hours to get it on release day. Cool!

No reason to be ashamed, imo.
Between my nuvi 200W, 295, 765T, 10" Android tablet and Nokia 1020 phone (both with CoPilot), I find myself using the Android for long trips, the Nokia for short trips, the 295 for geocaching, and the 765T in the glove box for backup.

..Different strokes ...

I use my phone for the longer trips, and my Garmin for trips less than 200 miles or so. My pnone is faster, and up to date all the time.

Oh well, at least came to your senses...

On my last trip, I used my NUVI2555LMT for navigation. Our Android Tablet running Mapfactor was an alternative to the strip maps that I used to print for my wife, so she could have a guide of where we're going, where we are and where we've been. That saved me a pile of work, and she could open or close it when ever she wanted.

I got the directions and traffic that I wanted and she got what she wanted. Happy Wife, Happy Life!

are top of the line models with HD traffic. Both also have the ability to link with compatible smart phones using Garmin's "Smartphone link" app.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-go/apps/smartphone-li...

I have done a similar thing using copilot and my wifes iPad. I use my 2460 for driving and she now can keep track of where we are and find interesting things to do using copilot. She use to try to do this with paper maps and guidebooks but could not keep track of where we were, now she always knows where we are and can make suggestions of alternate routes. Like GPSgeek says "Happy Wife, Happy Life!"

I also use my Nexus 7 with copilot to find where we are and things in the area to not disturb the Nuvi. It makes it a lot easier and I am not in the middle of finding a poi when we need to make a turn. Makes my husband happy.

Better late than never.

I wish I would have never gotten rid of it in the first place. You live and you learn.

I have a 3597 and a "smartphone" I find the Smartphone link traffic to be better than any Garmin traffic. I am also able to monitor data use on the phone and find that the Smartphone app has quite low data usage even on a 500 or so mile trip.

Yep. Yous just cant beat a Garmin for navigation. The GPS on phones are great don't get me wrong but a stand alone unit like Garmin is just way better.

We have a 765T and RVND 7720 that we use in our RV and also use the 765T in the car we tow. Now we have bought a new Jeep Cherokee with the navigation built in. Sounds like I would never need it on the phone, but I think I do. I will keep what I have, but there are times, especially when in our home city that I will be driving a different car and it is just easier to use the phone since it is in my pocket anyway.

So yes, Dwaynes, you should be chided for giving away your Garmin, but getting it on you phone too is just variety in a good way.

I just got my 2597 and it does not have a traffic cable. Is the traffic integrated into the unit itself? It just came with a standard Garmin DC plug.

I'll never get rid of my Garmin. That being said, I too am in the market for a new model.

What would be considered the basic top three or five on the market right now?

I know this is a broad question, but I don't stay up on the new features. Any input would be much appreciated.

I just picked up a used 1450LM for $35 from a work contact, who is going to use his smartphone for GPS. His loss - My gain.

Have not yet got a chance to compare it to the 50LM I currently have. But I'm hopeful.

Hopeful, I'm not sure what that means. You've now got a Nuvi that's years older than your 50LM so I'm curious what your $35 has bought you.

This. The less I use my cellphone, the less is known about me. I am not the target demographic you are looking for. Not married to my wireless device either, like most people seem to be.

An idiot I know ran his mobile GPS alongside my old Nuvi 750. If I had to rely on the mobile phone, I'd have missed every turn! Nothing I could say would convince him that it wasn't worth the $20/month he was paying for mobile GPS, though.

--

it's the dog's fault

Well, for one thing, it bought him the capability to import and save multipoint routes.

doesn't necessarily mean better.

Needed another GPS for someone, and since the maps are every bit as current as the 50's and it still can go from point A to point B, and all the bells and whistles are not needed, just what is the downside? None that I can see.