Ultimate Garmin GPS Comparison Guide
I wanted to share with others my research on all the Garmin models out there in one easy to see spot. For those unfamiliar with the basic family differences Garmin breaks them down into 3 categories.
Essential Series - These are the everyday GPS units with basic features. They are the most affordable, simple, and user-friendly.
Advanced Series - These are the next step up from the essential series. They have additional features that go beyond basic navigation.
Prestige Series - Most advanced, premium line of GPS units available from Garmin. Top notch performance and cutting edge features.
-----------------
The letters after each model number in all series mean the following:
LM - Lifetime Map Updates
T - Live Traffic Updates
-----------------
-----------------
The model numbers that Garmin uses are in different formats for each series. I will detail them below mentioning only the differences between each model. Any models not seen here are old models and have been replaced by these in 2013.
Essential Series (Split into screen size categories):
4x Series (4.3" Screen):
Nuvi 42 (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 4.9"W x 3.1"H x 0.8"D
US Maps ONLY
Nuvi 44 (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as Nuvi 42 but with...
US AND Canada maps
-----------------
5x Series (5" Screen):
Nuvi 52 (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 5.5"W x 3.4"H x 0.8"D
US Maps ONLY
Nuvi 54 (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as Nuvi 52 but with...
US AND Canada maps
----------------
----------------
Advanced Series (Split into screen size categories):
24xx Series (4.3" Screen):
Nuvi 2457LMTHD (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 4.8"W x 3.0"H x 0.76"D
Lifetime HD Digital traffic providing updates at 30 second intervals
NO Voice Activated Navigation
NO Bluetooth
Nuvi 2497LMT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as the Nuvi 2457LMTHD but with...
Lifetime traffic updates but with less frequent updates
Voice Activated Navigation
Bluetooth
-------------------
25xx Series (5" Screen):
Nuvi 2557LMT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 5.4"W x 3.3"H x 0.76"D
NO Voice Activated Navigation
Lifetime Map Updates
NO Bluetooth
Nuvi 2577LT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as the 2557 but with...
NO Lifetime Map Updates
Voice Activated Navigation
Bluetooth
Nuvi 2597LMT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as the 2557 but with...
Lifetime Map Updates
Voice Activated Navigation
Bluetooth
-----------------------
27xx Series (7" Screen):
Nuvi 2757LM (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 7.4"W x 4.5"H x .9"D
Screen Size 7"
NO Voice Activated Navigation
NO Lifetime Traffic Updates
NO Bluetooth
Nuvi 2797LMT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as the 2757
Voice Activated Navigation
Lifetime Traffic Updates
Bluetooth
-------------------
-------------------
Prestige Series (there is only one model in this series):
Nuvi 3597LMTHD (click to see on amazon in new window)
This is the current Garmin Flagship model
Screen Size 5"
It carries any and all of the features seen on other models but it includes a high resolution screen
It also has a touchscreen and supports multitouch
HD Digital traffic providing updates at 30 second intervals
I wanted to share with others my research on all the Garmin models out there in one easy to see spot. For those unfamiliar with the basic family differences Garmin breaks them down into 3 categories.
Essential Series - These are the everyday GPS units with basic features. They are the most affordable, simple, and user-friendly.
Advanced Series - These are the next step up from the essential series. They have additional features that go beyond basic navigation.
Prestige Series - Most advanced, premium line of GPS units available from Garmin. Top notch performance and cutting edge features.
-----------------
The letters after each model number in all series mean the following:
LM - Lifetime Map Updates
T - Live Traffic Updates
-----------------
-----------------
The model numbers that Garmin uses are in different formats for each series. I will detail them below mentioning only the differences between each model. Any models not seen here are old models and have been replaced by these in 2013.
Essential Series (Split into screen size categories):
4x Series (4.3" Screen):
Nuvi 42 (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 4.9"W x 3.1"H x 0.8"D
US Maps ONLY
Nuvi 44 (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as Nuvi 42 but with...
US AND Canada maps
-----------------
5x Series (5" Screen):
Nuvi 52 (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 5.5"W x 3.4"H x 0.8"D
US Maps ONLY
Nuvi 54 (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as Nuvi 52 but with...
US AND Canada maps
----------------
----------------
Advanced Series (Split into screen size categories):
24xx Series (4.3" Screen):
Nuvi 2457LMTHD (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 4.8"W x 3.0"H x 0.76"D
Lifetime HD Digital traffic providing updates at 30 second intervals
NO Voice Activated Navigation
NO Bluetooth
Nuvi 2497LMT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as the Nuvi 2457LMTHD but with...
Lifetime traffic updates but with less frequent updates
Voice Activated Navigation
Bluetooth
-------------------
25xx Series (5" Screen):
Nuvi 2557LMT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 5.4"W x 3.3"H x 0.76"D
NO Voice Activated Navigation
Lifetime Map Updates
NO Bluetooth
Nuvi 2577LT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as the 2557 but with...
NO Lifetime Map Updates
Voice Activated Navigation
Bluetooth
Nuvi 2597LMT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as the 2557 but with...
Lifetime Map Updates
Voice Activated Navigation
Bluetooth
-----------------------
27xx Series (7" Screen):
Nuvi 2757LM (click to see on amazon in new window)
Unit Dimensions 7.4"W x 4.5"H x .9"D
Screen Size 7"
NO Voice Activated Navigation
NO Lifetime Traffic Updates
NO Bluetooth
Nuvi 2797LMT (click to see on amazon in new window)
Same exact specs as the 2757
Voice Activated Navigation
Lifetime Traffic Updates
Bluetooth
-------------------
-------------------
Prestige Series (there is only one model in this series):
Nuvi 3597LMTHD (click to see on amazon in new window)
This is the current Garmin Flagship model
Screen Size 5"
It carries any and all of the features seen on other models but it includes a high resolution screen
It also has a touchscreen and supports multitouch
HD Digital traffic providing updates at 30 second intervals
