Just had my 3597LMTHD stolen last night :(

Well, theGPSStore.com still has the refurb 3597LMTHD in stock for $179.95. It is still about the best deal IMO.

I just bought the refurb 3597 for my daughter. So many are sold they must really be new.

dobs108

I suspect you are right dobs108. They are probably reboxed new devices.

Yes, I just checked thegpsstore (where I had purchased my 3597 a couple years back) and Garmin's site, now I have a few questions since new models are out:

1. What's the difference between their "Live" traffic on newer units compared to HD traffic? From Garmin's description, "Live" requires Smartphone Link, so it's feeding traffic info thru my phone? How does it compare with HD?

2. What other models have Powered Magnetic Mount? I believe the following does, am I correct, are there others?

a. 3597LMTHD
b. DriveLuxe 51 LMT-S
c. DriveLuxe 50 LMTHD
d. nuviCam LMTHD

The nuviCam seems like a discontinued model and available as a refurb from gpsstore, from the pictures, it looks kinda bulky and it's a 6" screen as opposed to 5" for other models listed above.

3. Does anyone have any opinions on these models other than the 3597LMTHD?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Report the theft to Garmin. It won't help you get it back, but at least they won't be able to get any map or firmware updates for it.

Smartphone Link with Live Traffic will work on all of these devices, including the 3697. I am not sure if you get any additional functions with Smartphone Link on the DriveLuxe models over the 3597.

As discussed in another thread Live Traffic is now free instead of a paid subscription. I actually get some traffic coverage in my local driving area with Live Traffic. I get no coverage with the HD receiver. I think most forum users have reported that the Live Traffic is more accurate and has overall better coverage. The downside is that it requires a smartphone, cellular signal, and uses a small amount of data.

I also suggest you report it to Sharcnet:

http://www.sharc.net/gps_theft_report_center.htm

If your stolen unit is ever sent to them, they will contact you. Not much hope of getting it back this way but it can't hurt and only takes a minute.

Thats really unfortunate. I haven't heard of anyone having one stolen in a long time. Don't hear much about cell phones being stolen either.

There some Garmin DriveSmart 50LMT brand new for low as $110

Hope you didn't have your actual home address as Home on your GPS.

If was stolen from your car when it was in your driveway, it won't make any difference.

If it was stolen from another location, the thieves would now know where you live.

Always best to use a street corner that's a few blocks away from your address.

@jfossy & bdhsfz6, will do when I get a chance

@alandb, thanks for the info regarding Live Traffic, if it works with 3597, then there doesn't seem to be any advantages with the DriveLuxe models for more money...

@GPSgeek, yeah, it was stolen in front of my house, but I did have Home as a local grocery store near my house.

Now I'm just trying to decide between the 3597 and nuviCam; never used a dashcam before, not sure if I really need it...
Also, need to convince the Wife that I must have my own GPSR again as she's telling me to just use her 2460...

It'd be shame if her 2460 accidentally fell from your pocket in a parking garage and got run over by another drivers car, before you could pick it up.

Accidents do happen. LOL

This is really good advice. I'll be changing it on both of mine. Thanks.

I have both, not only is the screen larger but there is a side extension for the camera so it is MUCH larger. Not really suitable for my Subaru Outback.

Unless you clear your trip log after every trip or shut your device off a few blocks before you drive to your home and leave it off for a few blocks when you leave home, changing your home location won't help much. It would e pretty easy to tell from the trip log where you live.

I think the best replacement for a 3597 is another 3597.
Great model.

While I mostly agree with this, the practice of using a false home location can also work against you. If you were to loose the GPS unit somewhere, an honest citizen would not be able to contact you to return it. This is particularly true with handhelds. I once found a cell phone and was able to contact the owner by calling his home number from his address book.

Just for the sake of argument, I don't quite understand the danger of a GPS thief knowing where you live. Is he going to race to your address to burgle it hoping he will beat you home? How would he know if the house is really empty with no one else there? How would he know you won't catch him there? Chances are, the GPS will be in a pawn shop before you know its been stolen.

If a thief really wants your address, he'll go through your glove box looking for a registration, receipt, tire warranty, etc. I would be more concerned if he stole the whole car, especially if I had a garage door opener clipped to the visor.

Today, there are plenty of other ways for someone to find your address.

All this being said, it isn't meant to diminish the OP's loss. its still a damn shame he had his unit stolen.

I agree with bdhsfz6. I put my real address as my home location, never clear my trip log and don't lose any sleep over it. In fact I have a label stuck to the back of all my electronic devices (including my GPS's) that reads "If found please contact" with my email and phone number. I think I have a bigger risk of my GPS accidentally falling out of my pocket or accidentally setting it down and leaving it somewhere than I do of having it stolen. I also believe 9 out of 10 people (probably more than that) who find something will return it if they can identify the owner.

I have never lost my GPS, but I did lose a digital camera once, and sure enough ... an honest person found it and contacted me. I offered to pay a reward and shipping, but he declined and even paid the shipping himself to return it to me. Since that gave me his address, I sent a gift card. I also lost a cell phone once and for some reason didn't have the identity tag on it, but the person who found it looked at my call log and figured out who I was, called me and personally dropped my cell phone off at my house.

I added my comment about the trip logs just to make sure folks who are concerned about this were aware of the trip log exposure, not because I use this practice myself.

Incidentally, I do usually take my GPS with me and seldom leave it in the car, so that reduces my risk of theft and increases my risk of losing it.

I was going to change my home address but after reading the last 2 posts I'm not going to bother anymore. Yeah, no sense in worrying about it after all this time.

I totally agree with bdhsfz6 and also have my home address on my units.

On both my 255WT I made a spalsh screen stating "$ Reward if found $" and included my phone number along with my email address.