There are so many good GPS navigation devices that you can count on such as Garmin DriveSmart 60 Vs 61. These devices are very easy to use because you just need to mount them and let them work based on where you want to travel. However, Garmin tends to offer so many similar models with identical features and it can be confusing to choose one. For those wondering which to go for, let’s see what they can offer here.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- How to Choose a GPS Device
- What are Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61
- How are the Design of Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61
- How are the Navigation in Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61
- How are the Features in Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61
- How are the Experience with Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61
- Garmin DriveSmart 60 Vs 61
Contents
Buying a GPS Device
As an active person, we travel a lot and while it is often inside the city, there are areas that we have never been or are not very familiar with yet. This is where GPS will become useful and chances are most of us are already using them on a daily basis whether it is to track the run we have done this morning or to notify your location when ordering some foods. There are lots of advantages from having a GPS system and the fact that they are free to use makes it even better.
GPS can be used in lots of different devices such as a golf rangefinder, a smartwatch, your dog’s collar, etc. The main function is to locate something on earth and since this is a satellite based system, we can access them from most places on the globe. They can be installed or built-in your car and we can also install one from a dedicated device like Garmin DriveSmart 51 Vs TomTom Go 520 and so many more. They are typically very affordable and easy to use.
When it comes to a standalone GPS device, what you may want to consider first is probably their display size. This is because you need to see this information to navigate and not all GPS devices have the same screen size. The larger they are the easier we can read the information, especially our aging eyes and if they can have better resolution, it will be even better. However, do note that larger screens may get on your view or the road.
Next is to consider the functions in your GPS device. In general they are identical meaning you can just type a place name such as a hotel, shopping mall, building name, park, etc. and the device will find the spot and route you to the destination. However the database of each brand can be different and some do offer more information that comes with the upgradeable firmware or maps. If you often travel to tourist destinations or unfamiliar areas, having something with more or richer POI will be extremely useful.
In addition, there can be more features in the GPS device depending on what they can offer. Most are able to be connected to your phone to send the map from smartphone to your device, some have traffic antennas built-in the device to receive the information. In some models such as those from Garmin, their GPS device can be combined with a camera to also record your travel if needed so we get both GPS and dashcam in one device.
| Garmin DriveSmart 60 | 61 | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 6.7 x 0.7 x 3.7 inches | 0.7 x 6.8 x 3.9 inches |
| Item Weight | 8.5 ounces | 9.6 ounces |
| Best Offer | click here | click here |
About Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61
Now when you are ready to choose one, it is time to see what the market has to offer because there are so many of them out there and while they are very much similar to each other, different models can offer different abilities as well or some are more reliable than the rest. With the emergence of smartphones and how we use them for everyday tasks, it seems there are not that many companies developing this type of device anymore.
Yet we still get plenty to choose from and for GPS, we always look from Garmin. It can be surprising to see how many GPS based devices this company makes because they have been operating for quite some time and probably among those that popularize smartwatch for fitness purposes. Integrating GPS in a wearable is a brilliant idea because it can use the information to gather other stats that can be useful to you. For navigation purposes, the device is usually very simple.
They act as receivers from the satellites and point out where you are on the earth based on the map that your device carries. There are so many good options Garmin is currently offering such as Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61 which are very similar to each other. This line is used to carry a wide range of car GPS with similar core abilities but have different bells and whistles. The differences between one another are usually not as prominent.
In most cases they are upgrading the component and firmware to make the whole device more reliable. If your older Garmin starts to crash often or is not able to hold the battery life anymore, it is wise to upgrade into their newer options. In comparison, the Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61 are pretty much similar with their large display and navigation functions including being connected to your smartphone to enjoy the rest of the features. The DriveSmart 61 is a newer model and it is also overall the higher option.
Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61 Design
Moving further, let’s check the device first and as you can see, they are identical. It is difficult to say which one is newer and older because they bring the same fashion, The 6 series is a 6-inch display line so any model in this range will have the same display size but, the clarity is different because DriveSmart 61 looks better and it seems that the display have more pixel to work as well. The typical issue is still the same however because they produce reflection in bright light.
Both of them come with internal memory that can vary from 4GB to 16GB but for the DriveSmart 61 it is 16GB to carry more updates and data. You can add external micro SD for these devices but they are sold separately. In the box you will get the main device and everything to get started such as cup suction mount and USB cable, and their power cord.
Now let’s see what the Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61 can offer starting from the most important part and it is their navigation. Just like most GPS devices, they are coming with built-in maps that are upgradeable too and for those wondering, the “LMT” in the model refers to this ability but just like most companies, there must be some terms and conditions as well. The basic navigation is the same for the two yet it seems DriveSmart 61 is coming with upgraded firmware already.
This model is now adding more POI’s in the maps and TripAdvisor feature which is great for travelers who often drive to tourist destinations. It is also added with route shaping through your preferred streets or cities when driving long distances.
Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61 Features
The features for these navigation devices are also slightly different or DriveSmart 61 being the richer one. Both of them can be used with Garmin’s dedicated add-on camera if you want to convert them into a dash cam and this is very useful for higher functionalities. They have a built-in Bluetooth system too when you want to connect the device with a smartphone and enjoy the features from their app. Compatibility wise it can be different however so different DriveSmart series may only be compatible with older or newer smartphone apps from the company.
The Bluetooth integration is great because they can deliver the call to your GPS display and let you focus on the road instead of fiddling with the phone. They also carry speed limit indicators to remind you about the limit in the certain roadways but this seems to only be available for major roads. In addition, we also get warnings for important spots like school zones and light speed cameras, etc. from the system. As for the traffic, the two can receive the information but DriveSmart 61 has the receiver built-in already.
Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61 Experience
In terms of application, the Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61 are very similar. The thing with older devices is they may not be as sophisticated with some missing features and hardware issues. The display is equally wide and we think it is very easy to see. The DriveSmart 61 does look better however and you can find more information about the navigation from this model too. The DriveSmart 60 is more basic and to receive the traffic information we also need to plug the power cord.
Garmin DriveSmart 60 Vs 61
There are lots of reliable GPS for your car and these two are some of them. The differences between Garmin DriveSmart 60 and 61 are better screen and updated firmware that makes DriveSmart 61 more reliable. It has more information on the navigation system while also carrying the core functions in the previous Garmin’s GPS. It is now featured with a traffic receiver in the unit so we can use it with or without the power cord as long as it is connected to your smartphone.
Conclusion
The choice is all yours because not everyone will need the additional features in DriveSmart 61 but if you don’t mind connecting it to the smartphone for traffic, we will highly recommend this version as it is often cheaper and comes with newer upgrades.