Portable GPS Navigators Take the Doubt out of the Road Ahead
Road trips, especially to places less traveled, are supposed to be adventurous. But worrying about missing a turn, where to fill up with gas, overlooking great points of interest, or getting caught up in local traffic conditions add unwelcome driver anxiety—and passenger tension. That’s where Garmin GPS navigators for cars, RVs, and off-road vehicles come in. They take the doubt out of driving. Whether it’s a daily commute or a cross-country adventure, Garmin GPS navigators cut through the confusion for more fun and enjoyable road trips.
Garmin has developed a variety of vehicle-specific GPS navigation systems. There are several series of dedicated GPS devices for cars. RVs have their own unique GPS series. And for those who prefer off-roading, there are GPS navigators specifically for ATVs and motorcycles.
Let’s see how each kind of vehicle-specific GPS device can help the driver while enhancing the journey. But first, let’s summarize 10 advantages a portable GPS device has over a smartphone map app.
10 Advantages of a Dedicated GPS Device—especially a Garmin GPS—over a Smartphone
- All screens are brighter plus many are larger. They also have louder audio, making them ideal for use in noisy or bright vehicle cabins or the great outdoors.
- Runs faster and refreshes more quickly since it is dedicated to just one task.
- Doesn’t require a cellular connection so it is reliable wherever it goes. It should be noted, however, that some enhanced features on GPS devices do work in conjunction with a smartphone and a special, downloaded app so there can be an important synergy between the two devices.
- Bright 3D and 2D graphics coupled with spoken turn-by-turn directions using street names or landmarks provide easier and more practical navigation.
- Many can provide driver alerts such as speed limit changes, traffic jams, etc.
- Voice control, once only available on smartphones, can now be found on more and more GPS devices.
- Designed for windshield and/or dash mounting for near eye-level visibility. It also comes with the needed mounting hardware.
- Runs on vehicle’s power system so there’s no need to worry about it running out of power. Plus, each device has a built-in rechargeable Li-Ion battery so it can be untethered and used away from the vehicle.
- Compatible with Garmin’s wireless backup cameras so the GPS screen can show what’s behind the vehicle when backing or beside the vehicle when mounted on a 4×4’s frame.
- Some even have a convenient, built-in dash cam to capture the adventure, decluttering the view out the windshield.
Garmin GPS for Cars
Garmin’s reliable, full-featured car GPS navigators help your customers find what they need and where they are going. The current series of navigators are Drive, DriveCam, and DriveSmart.
Drive 52
These 5-in. Garmin GPS units have simple menus and easy-to-read, yet advanced mapping. Each navigator displays turn-by-turn directions plus provides spoken turn-by-turn directions as well as Garmin’s Real Directions landmark guidance.
The Drive 52 includes preloaded, detailed maps of the US and Canada as well as TripAdvisor ratings for hotels, restaurants, and attractions. It also has History Channel POIs, National Parks Directory, and shops and restaurant information from Foursquare. The Up Ahead feature shows upcoming stops for food, fuel, and other helpful milestones along the route. It even includes driver alerts to encourage safer driving, so it’s the ideal complement to any road trip or daily commute.
DriveCam 76
The DriveCam 76 is a 7-in. unit for the driver who wants a GPS navigator with built-in dash cam, Bluetooth, and WiFi. The dash cam continuously records and saves video of detected incidents on Garmin’s online Vault. This online site is accessible via Garmin’s Drive app which your customers download onto their smartphone. App-enabled features also include hands-free calling, live traffic and weather, traffic cams, live fuel prices, and text messages/smart notifications from the phone. Built-in WiFi makes it easy to keep maps and software up to date without using a computer. DriveCam also has Voice Assist so it will respond to spoken requests and navigate to the destination.
Additionally, there are maps of North America, TripAdvisor traveler ratings, a directory of U.S. national parks, and all the useful upcoming stops. Plus, this Garmin GPS unit has forward collision and lane departure warnings as well as alerts for upcoming hazards to help increase driver awareness for safer driving.
DriveSmart 65, 66, 76, and 86
The DriveSmart series is a premium line of GPS navigators with screen sizes ranging from 6 in. to 8 in. They include Bluetooth, WiFi, Traffic Alerts, and Amazon Alexa. DriveSmart provides your customers with the ultimate voice-controlled, hands-free experience when connected with the Drive app on their smartphone. Voice control works with both the Garmin navigation system as well as Alexa—simply say “OK, Garmin” or “Alexa.” Alexa control even extends to Alexa-enabled smart devices in the home.
The Garmin Traffic receiver is built into the power cable. This provides information on local traffic jams or slowdowns and can even suggest alternate routes. And like the Drive series, the Garmin DriveSmart GPS devices have the built-in History Channel database, National Parks Directory, Foursquare, and TripAdvisor ratings.
Garmin RV GPS
Garmin’s dedicated RV GPS navigators provide custom routing and road warnings that car-based GPS units simply cannot. They are ideal for RVs, motorhomes, and vehicles with towable trailers. Garmin’s RV series units range in size from 7 in. to 10 in. One model, the RVcam 795, also has a built-in dash cam. All have Bluetooth, WiFi, Garmin Voice Assist, preloaded maps, driver alerts, and TripAdvisor ratings. Larger models also include History Channel sites.
RV-specific features include:
- Custom RV routing considers the provided size and weight of the RV then finds a recommended route
- Road Warnings provide information about upcoming steep grades, sharp curves, weight limits, and more
- BirdsEye Satellite imagery is especially useful as it shows vivid aerial maps to help with arrivals at RV parks and campgrounds
- Roadtrip Routes feature suggests more adventurous trips or scenic roads
Other RV-centric tools include:
- List of RV parks and services from Ultimate Public Campgrounds
- KOA campgrounds
- US National Parks Directory
- PlanRV Parks, Campgrounds, Truck Stops, Repair Services, and More Directory
- POIs from Foursquare
- Trendy Places feature
- Easy route planner with GPX file sharing
Pairing with the Garmin Drive app not only unlocks other features but also lets the driver see live fuel prices, travel plaza loyalty points, check real-time shower and parking availability, and available on-site amenities at participating providers.
And for convenience, Garmin RV navigators work with either a Garmin wireless backup camera or compatible third-party wired cameras.
Garmin Off Road GPS for ATVs and Motorcycles
If your customers prefer to roam the unknown, Garmin’s Overlander, Tread, and zumo GPS units are built for every part of the journey.
Overlander
The Garmin Overlander is ideal for those who need a rugged, all-terrain navigator that guides both on- and off-road. It easily switches from turn-by-turn directions for on-road navigation to topography maps for off-grid guidance in North and South America. It features integrated pitch and roll angles as well as a compass, altimeter, and barometer to help the vehicle navigate difficult terrain.
Customers can use their Garmin Explore account to wirelessly sync tracks and waypoints across the Overlander navigator, smartphone, and desktop. Built to go wherever the journey does, the Overlander comes preloaded with iOverlander points of interest to easily locate the next campsite—without a cell signal.
Tread Series GPS Devices & Tread Audio System
The Garmin Tread is for your customers who seek adventure—whether that’s on side by sides, ATVs, motorcycles, or snowmobiles.
The rugged, all-terrain GPS navigator includes plenty of options for group rides or longer off-the-grid expeditions while keeping them in touch and on track.
Guidance features include:
- Topographic mapping
- Satellite imagery
- Private and public land info
- iOverlander POIs
- Ultimate Public Campgrounds directory
- Forest service trails and roads
The Garmin Tread GPS navigator is available in several models:
- 5.5 in. Base edition
- 5.5 in. navigator
- 8 in. SxS edition
- 10 in. XL Overland edition
All are IPX7 weather-resistant, glove friendly, and feature a high-visibility display. ABC sensors are built in. Customers can even use them for on-road navigation, complete with spoken turn-by-turn directions. And all units work with the Tread app for group tracking, route planning, live weather, and syncing data across various devices. They are even compatible with Garmin dog trackers.
Variations in the series include:
- Availability of Group Ride Radio
- Whether a fist microphone is included
- Screen size
- Vehicle type
- Availability of custom routing based on size and weight
- Turn-by-turn navigation with OpenStreetMap and USFS Motor Vehicle Use maps
- Whether in-Reach satellite communications technology is built-in
And when it comes to audio, every adventure calls for a soundtrack. The Tread all-in-one audio system is specifically designed for off-road powersport vehicles.
Tread audio components work with any powersport vehicle to deliver premium quality audio. They are available as a complete system or broken into individual components of LED-accented tower speakers and amplifier audio boxes with LED controller, Bluetooth, and AM/FM radio.
Garmin zumo XT Motorcycle GPS
The rugged zumo XT is a motorcycle-specific navigator designed for riders looking for a thrill. Whether your customers are seeking scenic and twisty routes or want to go off-road, zumo has them covered.
The XT has an ultrabright 5.5-in. touch screen that is glove-friendly and rain-resistant. It can withstand all kinds of weather, extreme temperatures, and vibrations. There are turn-by-turn directions for on-road navigation and topographic or BirdsEye Satellite Imagery for off-road guidance. The Track Recorder remembers a user’s best rides, and the zumo XT can even be paired with a compatible inReach satellite communicator.
Garmin’s GPS Road Trip Guardians
Road trips should be fun, not frustrating. Garmin’s portable navigation devices for cars, RVs, and off-roading help your customers rediscover the joy of exploration. Garmin GPS units incorporate leading-edge technologies, compelling features, and exceptional ease of use.
So, retailers, if you cater to customers who thrive on going places, be sure to explore the Garmin GPS navigators we carry here at Petra. They not only have the obvious features your customers need but also added ones that will enrich their journeys even more.
Still need to become a customer? Start here!