Drivesmart 86 - A Review
  5 years
|
Drivesmart 86
Coming from a Drivesmart 65(non Alexa version)
Pros:
- Integrates very well with Apple Carplay
- When connected to Carplay you can hear everything through your car speakers without using bluetooth.
- Garmin Drive app connects every time and never has issues disconnecting. My Drivesmart 65 is about 80% (4/5 it's good to go)
- I like the extra real estate on the screen
- On upcoming turns options, it adds an additional spot
- The blue dashboard screen that shows the data snapshot is nice
- No more pink flags on the map when transferring routes from basecamp to "route planner"
Oks:
- Different adaptor: I used putty and my old connector in order to rig it to work. If I didn't do this I would have to use the one it came with (which doesn't work on my beanbag garmin holder)
- Junction view is smaller (see garmin.com pictures for reference)
Dislikes:
- Slow processor or non-optimized software. There is a lag when the map is changing as you drive. While this happens every once in a while in all previous units I've owned, with the Drivesmart 86 it does it A LOT MORE OFTEN. This appears to be that the larger screen (with more data) is being handled by the same size processor as the smaller units.
- Lack of Optimization with "Route Planner" - Now, maybe I'm missing something, or the process changed but I can no longer optimize a route within the "route planner" software on the device. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NAME OF THE APPLICATION HAS CHANGED (previously trip planner) and this is the only major impact I've noticed. A caveat, is that all these were GPX imported routes from Basecamp which in the past I've never had an issue re-optimizing.
- Custom POI Picture/Symbol/BMP file didn't show while driving and only when searching. Now, this could be because of the resolution of 48x48 which works fine on the Drivesmart 65, but I found it odd that unless the Custom POI was on my drive that it would not show the picture.
Conclusion
I decided to return the unit after 14 days of heavy use. I put approximately 798 miles, a combination of highway and city driving and put it through the gauntlet of my heavier driving weeks. I couldn't justify the premium price because the dislikes just weighed more on me than the improvements
Good review!
Thanks for taking the time to write it. It will be helpful for those considering the DriveSmart 86.
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon
Thanks
Nice review. Thanks for posting. Reviewers on Amazon give it mixed reviews.
Drivesmart 86 review
thanks for the review - I have one, and biggest problem I had was getting a beanbag mount that would work with the suction cup mount.
I have written quite a lot
I have written quite a lot about the DS-86 dash mounting situation. You can search for "Testing Dash Mounts" for a complete description of two dash (bean bag) mounts that work just fine. My Deco mount has worked without a single problem for some months now.
wil01
Garmin GPS integrates to Carplay?
Pros:
- Integrates very well with Apple Carplay
- When connected to Carplay you can hear everything through your car speakers without using bluetooth.
Wow! I didn't know a Garmin GPS can integrate to Apple Carplay now. Some questions:
1. How do you connect it to Carplay?
2. Or does it just connect through the Garmin Drive app on your iPhone?
3. Is there a Garmin icon in the Apple Carplay screen?
4. Does Carplay automatically mute your music when the Garmin GPS voice comes on? If yes, does it bring the music back slowly or abruptly?
Thanks!
Good review!
However, it seems to me that everything Garmin has produced since the Nuvi 3597 has kind of went downhill. It is my opinion that the 3597 was the best unit that Garmin has ever offered.
With God, all things are possible. ——State motto of the Great State of Ohio
Agreed upon on
However, it seems to me that everything Garmin has produced since the Nuvi 3597 has kind of went downhill. It is my opinion that the 3597 was the best unit that Garmin has ever offered.
I do love my 3597 until now.
DS86 w/t their series 66,76 and DriveCam 76 all considering the down hill of Garmin products, I would not say more even if inside their chip and battery differences between units.
Besides of cheapo chipset inside, their softwares have more or less functions
Lags, cheap quality inside and out, I do agree with all you guys here!
Wishing Garmin improving their products in the near future.
Garmin Improving Their GPSrs?
Wishing Garmin improving their products in the near future.
Don't expect much in the way of improvements for GPS receivers, because they are not Garmin's focus. Garmin's fitness devices are where the money is now. Standalone GPS receivers are an afterthought, which is why it's so surprising that Garmin released a new device (Drive 53) in 2023.
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