I'm going to Garmin @ CES '26

Only people who would really use a navigator that can be used fully offline would be truckers and campers, who have the dezl and RV series navigators, all the other average joes would scoff at the price and buy a $15 amazon phone mount instead, assuming their car doesn't have android auto/apple carplay, which more and more cars are getting nowadays.

Have been a disappointment. As always, the hardware is fine. The unit software on the other hand is a mess. Take for example the new GPSMAP H1 & H1i Plus and eTrex Touch (Gen 2). The software these units ship with (they are basically the same unit software) a is a bug-ridden, crashing mess. It has improved however with the last two updates (you should see the changelogs for these updates). An advertised feature (Ascent Planning) is nowhere to be seen as of yet. I still have another month left to return my eTrex Touch (Gen 2) as the return window closes on Jan 31. Hoping that the units get one more update before then for me to judge if I should keep this $450 unit.

I know from experience (as most here do) that this is Garmin's "norm" but it simply should not be. People's safety can depend on a reliable unit that doesn't crash and is flaky in basic operation.

In fact, one of the changelog items in a recently released firmware update states:

"Updated tracking and activity recording to auto-resume if the device crashed"

This doesn't instill a lot confidence

One would think they would take the same care and testing that they take with all of their aviation units...I doubt that they would be in business if aviation units were as bug-ridden and crash-prone.

My 2024 Silverado will not load custom POI icons or 'Routes'. Therefore, I will continue to use my DS76, rather than the built-in Google Maps.

The GPS that is "Included" in new vehicles is very, very basic and does not have all the features that Garmins have. But most people are unaware of that. Garmin should focus on advertising how much more their units offer.

I did the same think you did. I used a Garmin 3497LMT for many years until I couldn't. I loved it but had to find a new unit. I went to the SmartDrive 66, which is is okay. I agree with you that Garmin is not doing enoughfor its automobile GPS units. I still having the separate GPS over uning Google maps and Waze on Android Auto as it doesnt interfere with listening to the radio or ebooks.

.what would people like to see moving forward?

I personally think that the current offerings are pretty much tapped out as far as features and I mean that pretty much with respect to both hardware and firmware. All that has happened for many years is improved use with phones or increased screen dimensions.

As much as I am inclined to agree with your sentiments, there are some things that I would like to see. The newest GPS receiver chips, like those from u-blox (new "all-band" chips), Septentrio (mosaic series), Analog Devices (MAX2771), and Telit Cinterion (SE868SY-D), offer advanced multi-band (L1, L5, E1, E5, B1, B2) and multi-constellation support (GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, etc.), providing superior accuracy by mitigating multipath and improving reliability, even in urban canyons, often with RTK capabilities for centimeter-level precision. I would like to see Garmin have Dual Frequency/Multi-Band chips in automotive receivers, like some of their other devices have.

I know that many comparisons have been made between Google Maps (and the others) to Garmin GPS devices. Do what they do with Garmins. For example, one of our frustrations as GPS owners is the time lag between map updates. Step up your game, Garmin, and offer map updates more often. If Google can do it, you can do it, too!

Another frustration is the POIs on Garmins. It takes too long to get the new POIs and stale ones remain too long. Find out how Google does it and do it better.

For this to happen the Garmin device need to be connected to the web more often. Many users have a smartphone in their pocket. Many Garmins connect via Bluetooth for traffic. Many Garmins will update via wifi. Make good use of it and keep things current.

Consider an additional choice of maps on the automotive devices. I like HERE maps, but they aren't the only choice. Open Street Maps (OSM) would be a nice additional choice. OSM is a free, open-source alternative to proprietary mapping services like Google Maps or Bing Maps. And, just in case anybody is unaware of this, there are some Garmins right now that come with OSM maps out-of-the box. Bicycle GPSs come to mind.

Garmin had Google Local Search in the past on Garmin Mobile XT. Bring that feature back.

Polaris Ride Command and OnXmaps offer Property Owners as a selectable feature. Offer that, but also make it searchable.

OnX also has Cell Coverage Layers. Offer that as a selectable feature, too.

Meetways has a feature to find a halfway point for a meeting. Enter two addresses, the type of place you want to meet, and it helps you figure out exactly where to go.

Garmin needs to move on from mini and micro USB ports, too. It is almost 2026, take a look at these new fangled USB-C ports.

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=9NWiPDU4gM0JWMfdWFol7A

So CES starts tomorrow. I'll be there at the booth towards the end of the week. Any new announcements would be tomorrow I would assume but again, I'm not holding my breath. OK, let's see...

Keep us updated. Doubt there will be much new in the Automotive GPS category but ever the optimist.

Be nice if Garmin had improvements. Auto Android is okay for around town or such, but I adequate for a trip.

I saw that TCL announced a new television today, ahead of the opening of CES 2026 tomorrow.

Perhaps we will know more about the Vivosmart 6 tomorrow.

I am also skeptical that there will be anything new for automotive navigation, but you just never know.

https://the5krunner.com/2025/12/14/garmin-vivosmart-6-leak-b...

In a November Garmin press release, no mention of any automotive products:

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/corporat....

It will be interesting to see if there are any at CES 26.

By all means, keep us informed!

I have seen a slow death of the Garmin Automotive units.

The removal of features and the time between any new automotive offerings has been a huge hint of things to come (or NOT to come).

Afraid you are right, which is too bad. I much prefer my DS65 to show me where I am, what streets are ahead, traffic. I have both Google and Apple maps available but that screen is not in your line of sight while driving and becomes a distraction. Wisely one is not allowed to watch video on the media display while driving... but are Google and Apple maps not a video.

I wish I could visit CES. I use Garmin GPS unit as a backup and will continue doing that.

So I went to the Garmin booth at CES and my main rep opted out of going to the show for the first time in years so I couldn't get the full story but the other rep I spoke to said they're not giving up on auto navigators and that there will be a refresh. He did not disclose any ETA on this but there "should" be an update to the DS 6 series at some point. We'll see...

Thanks for reporting back!

~Angela

hello

There still does not appear to be any Garmin automobile navigators that use Dual Frequency/Multi-Band GPS receiver chips.

It is in some Garmin Watches, Edge Cycling Computers, eTrex Outdoor Handhelds, Foretrex 801 and 901 Ballistic Edition Outdoor Devices, GPSMAP Series Outdoor Handhelds and inReach Mini 3 and inReach Mini 3 Plus Satellite Communicators.

I would think that a new automobile navigator would use Dual Frequency/Multi-Band GPS receiver chips.

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=9NWiPDU4gM0JWMfdWFol7A

Not any good news unfortunately, but maybe there is some hope. Thanks for the report!

Because of the way automotive units work with Lock-on-Road, the additional accuracy of Muti-GNSS is not really required and will tend to diminish performance (mostly the frame rate) needlessly. Once the unit is locked onto a road, having some additional feet of accuracy will not really make much difference.

For outdoor nav units and watches, you'd want as much accuracy as possible because you will likely not be locked onto a road when navigating.

What eventually drove you away from the Garmin 3497LMT? I was thinking of refurbishing one for buddy.

Do you think Garmin will avoid using them in automotive units for those very reasons, then?

The other issue, of course, is the cost. I suspect that the current generation of GPS receiver chips are less expensive than multi-GNSS, but I don't know that.

Those reasons I stated are mine alone and are merely assumptions. Garmin is well known for sticking with old outdated hardware (mostly processors and disk interfaces) and limiting the new hardware that they DO implement. Look at the new GPSMAP H1 / H1i Plus and eTrex Touch handheld units released late last year (these are top-of-the-line current models). They have implemented USB-C connectivity, however the speed of the interface tops out at the USB 2.0 speed of only 480 Mbps.

The only ones who know the exact reasoning behind all these self-implemented limitations is Garmin itself.

Don't you mean 3597? I've never heard of a Garmin 3497 here in the US.

The 3597 is a great GPS. I own 4, which I still use.

Just the fact that they use/used mini USB connectors long after many/most other manufacturers convinced me of that.

As someone that rides ATVs, UTVs and e-bikes off road, I am hopeful that Multi-Band Technology comes to Off Road and Motorsport Garmins.