Looking for Garmin Drive GPS under $150

• 

  jaffar on 09/07/2021 - 02:19

  +2

  I bought a Garmin DriveSmart 51 LMT-S GPS Navigator for $110 last year in May although I think it hit $90+ at one point (it was a comment under a deal) so $170 would be asking for too much. Looks like there aren't any good deals on at the moment so if you are set on the Garmin than you probably have to hold out for a deal if you are looking at the cheaper models (EOFY just passed as well, so sales might not be on for a while). I bought mine from Ryda eBay. They've got the DriveSmart 52 for $179 and they are sometimes included in the 15% off deals which would bring it down to ~150 although it seems to be exactly the same as the DriveSmart 51.

  I can vouch for the Garmin GPS. I have it on in the background displaying the map, speed limit, GPS speed, school zones, and speed cameras (reliability is generally pretty accurate but not 100%). Navigation is also pretty good as you can make it display all upcoming turns and it also shows you what lane you need to be in which can be useful sometimes. Garmin GPS + google directions (audio) is probably the closest thing to driving with a cheat code!

  • 

    Sheepytime on 09/07/2021 - 14:06

    Thanks! Was looking at their entry level range for the duration of my probationary license due to budget. Apart from Ryda, where else should I be watching? Currently having a peek at JB every other week but haven't found anything.

• 

  bobbified on 09/07/2021 - 09:21

  +1

  Anything phone related is out of the picture due to mobile phone use laws on probationary licenses.

  If you don't have any other option for navigation and you can't find it much cheaper right now, I would suggest that it would be a smart move to spend the little extra to get it now anyway. That little bit extra is nothing compared to the $500 or so fine if you get busted touching your phone.

• 

  Ryanek on 09/07/2021 - 13:07

  -2

  You should consider getting a new head unit instead that supports Android Auto and use Waze/Google Maps instead.

  • 

    Sheepytime on 09/07/2021 - 13:38

    +1

    Like I said in my post, anything that interacts with a phone in any way is out of the question.
    P plate rules do not allow interacting with phone in any way, can't even let a passenger hook their phone up to the head unit.

    • 

      Ryanek on 09/07/2021 - 13:41

      -2

      You don't touch the phone once its connected. You can interact with maps, music, podcasts etc. on the head unit itself.

      • 

        Sheepytime on 09/07/2021 - 14:00

        +1

        I know how they work, dad's car has one. Unfortunately vicroads does not allow it.

        Victoria’s mobile phone rules
        Learner, P1 and P2 drivers
        Learner, P1 and P2 drivers must NOT use a mobile phone (hand-held/hands-free/with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto) for any function while driving (including while stationary but not parked).

        https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/driver…

        Directly from vicroads itself.

• 

  iratepirate on 10/07/2021 - 22:53

  +1

  You can regularly get second hand ones for under $50 delivered from ebay any model number that has LM or LMT in it gets free lifetime maps included from Garmin so it doesn't matter if it's a few years old, just update the maps and you're good to go. The bigger it is the easier it is to see so go for 6" or 7" models.

  e.g. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/234083816474?hash=item36807b941a…

  • 

    Sheepytime on 11/07/2021 - 23:35

    Thanks, I actually had a look at their nuvi line but wasn't sure which models still provide decent performance and reliability.
    I know quite a few of them have lifetime maps and offer majority of the functionality for a fraction of the cost but was just unsure how their batteries would hold up over time.