Garmin Drive 53 with 5" Screen and Traffic GPS Navigator

2024-06-29T20:00:00

I bought the 53 because my 52 finally died, again! I wasn't looking forward to spending the money again on hardware that doesn't last. I expect to get just a few years out of this one. Expectations are very low. I wasn't even able to get a Discount Code from Garmin for being a loyal customer. When this one dies I think I'll just start using my car's built-in GPS.

NotGlad

Originally posted at

2024-06-07T20:00:00

Have a Garmin 65 for my spouses SUV that sits on her dash & Garmin 55 for my pickup that I have installedat the left/top of my windshield due to having only my left eye. My wife liked mine better (switched when I drove) & was tired of her 65 falling off the dash so I had her order another for her car. On leaving for vacation the 53 grayed-out after 161 miles so we put the 65 back up. We tried it 2 other times during our trip but the same thing happened at different intervals. So we decided on another Garmin 55 & traffic. In retrospect, the lack of bluetooth would've been a pain. Very nice screen while it was bright & all our other Garmin dashcams, GPS, etc. are great.

Wmhl

Originally posted at

2024-06-03T20:00:00

My previous Garmin was a 2014 Nuvi 52 and it lasted 10 years before it crashed (memory full). So, I upgraded to this Smartdrive 53 because it was the same size and I could continue using the case I had. Once I figured out all the features it's been great. I'm a Coach Bus driver and it's a good tool to use on long trips or arrival time to destinations. After using it for a few weeks I do regret not getting a larger model. I hope this one gives me ten years too.

DriverLes

Originally posted at

2024-05-30T20:00:00

Nice unit, but the screen is a bit small not allowing for some info I was used to having. The clock is only am/pm, I am used to the 24-hour clock! Overall, I recommend it!

JREeten

Originally posted at

2024-05-25T20:00:00

I updated my Drive 53 about 30 days ago 4/26/24, since driving an various express ways, the Garmin will talk and show an exit that is not there, tell me I am going the wrong way against traffic. Otherwise the unit works very well.

Jim88

Originally posted at

2024-05-12T20:00:00

Garmin Drive is worth buying. It works like it supposed to.

Me2024

Originally posted at

2024-05-08T20:00:00

It gets me there and gets me back. The traffic function works well.

ProudVet

Originally posted at

2024-05-07T20:00:00

Did a great job going from Texas to Pa. Along with a Waze app, you are 100% covered on your trip.

Poconopete

Originally posted at

2024-05-06T20:00:00

I had a Garmin Nuvi 57 before and I gave it to a friend. TheDrive 53 is almost identical and I love it too. Easy to use and navigate. Garmin keeps my unit up to date all the time. I highly recommend Garmin products to anyone

Bossmanbass

Originally posted at

2024-04-30T20:00:00

I am a Regional Transportation Commission Paratransit driver for Clark County Nevada and the Garmin 53 w/Traffic works better than the navigation system we are given in our vehicles (don't forget to install a micro SD card + update one to two times a month!) Get yourself a quality Case & an extender suction cup mount (what comes in boxes is inadequate)

CJBparatransit69

Originally posted at

2024-04-24T20:00:00

I believe I'll love this far better than my old one - bigger screen, color, etc. But, I found it challenging to add favorites when I was setting it up. No home button, the 'save' feature is hidden in the information button.

ksmith5260

Originally posted at

2024-04-20T20:00:00

I raelly like this unit, with one exception the speaker could be better, I have two others the 52 and 1040 that sound clear and crisp the 53 sounds a bit raspy compared to the others. But as i stated in the beginning i do like the 53 in all other aspects. hope this helps.

lunerone

Originally posted at

2024-03-29T20:00:00

Great product, works better than my old one. Seems faster

Voyager

Originally posted at

2024-03-16T20:00:00

Purchased about 3 months ago. Downloaded updates. Everything works great. For people that are rural where 4G or 5G fades out, satellite GPS is best.

Colorado81089

Originally posted at

2024-03-05T19:00:00

I had my old Garmin GPS for over 7 years, so when it would no longer take a charge or download new maps, I looked for a newer model. Really like the 53 with one (minor) complaint - I loved the old one with English accent but could not find it on the 53 - so sad. 53 picks up the satellite really fast and instantly knows where I am located.

Pickleball C.

Originally posted at

2024-03-03T19:00:00

Although, I like many of the features and the screen, I haven't been able to get the traffic alert to work, even when I tried in a large city (Charleston, SC).

Ed462

Originally posted at

2024-02-26T19:00:00

I purchased this unit a January 2024 and was money well spent. No mor Google map confusion and wrong way direction. I only wish I had purchased the larger screen. This is still great unit.

Bullydogg

Originally posted at

2024-02-25T19:00:00

While driving across country my Garmin Drive 53 prompted me to take a break. What a wonderful feature. I like the clarity of the screen and the other expected features but as I have gotten older the breaks are more and more important.

Rickaroo22

Originally posted at

2024-02-18T19:00:00

TheGarmin drive 53 is fantastic. No more bad direction using google maps.

bullydogg

Originally posted at

2024-01-22T19:00:00

I still am looking at all the features I used it once in my van it seems to work pretty good some of the things that came with it don't work because I don't have Bluetooth in my van but I do have internet. Trying to figure out how to use all the little features

Meandgarmin

Originally posted at

2024-01-03T19:00:00

I've had other GPSs', but Garmin is the best and I wouldn't own another. The Garmin Drive 53 shows that they keep getting better

CarlJr

Originally posted at

2023-12-25T19:00:00

I have been a loyal Garmin user (prefer it over the indash map!) for many years. The addition of the Red Light Camera notification is amazing!!! Good to know that there are cameras ahead of me. The one thing I'd like to see now is traffic signal indicators - it really helps to know that my turn is coming up within "so many" traffic lights!

Radarbarb

Originally posted at

2023-12-23T19:00:00

No problems at all with this GPS. It just works like it should.

Dusty99

Originally posted at

2023-12-05T19:00:00

I am happy with trafic shown and good quality and fast

Benoit

Originally posted at

2023-12-04T19:00:00

I've had factory installed Garmin products in my previously owned autos. Now, in my new auto without GPS, i was pleased to find free-standing Garmin GPS products available. The latest software updates are amazing. I used this Garmin 53 to drive from Canada to Florida and back. Friggin' amazing device!

Jonesy

Originally posted at

2023-11-30T19:00:00

The maps displayed are more like the traditional maps we all are used to reading. The screen selections respond better than ever to one's finger pad pressure.

Joe43

Originally posted at

2023-10-24T20:00:00

I bought this a little over a month ago to replace my Garmin nuvi 265w that I had for over 12 years.

Fingers

Originally posted at

2023-10-17T20:00:00

I would have given this a 5 star rating but it does not show elevation.

Shufly

Originally posted at

2023-10-14T20:00:00

Just purchased the Drive 53. The keyboard entry with clicks is just brilliant. Clear screen and easy to use.

PeteB

Originally posted at

2023-10-12T20:00:00

I bought this for hiking/travel. It will fit in my shirt pocket. I pack a suction cup mount for use in rental cars. I use a small external battery pack that has 2 18650 lithium ion batteries for a with a total of 19800 MAH capacity for hiking. The current drawn is 900 MA. This will power the 53 GPS for 22 hours.

Marcywm42

Originally posted at