Garmin Feedback Please- Nuvi 55LMT or 57LMT?

[Fueledbycoffee]

Our family has had our share of GPSs over the years and I would like a new for our trip to WDW and for DH who is in the trades and ends in unknown neighborhoods often.

I found a great deal on the Nuvi 55LMT on Amazon and was ready to order it.
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Naviga...p/B00HEGP33C/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

However, I remembered I had been wishing for the 57 because it has:

• Garmin Real Directions - Garmin Real Directions guides like a friend using landmarks and traffic lights

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Nuvi-5...UTF8&qid=1449021142&sr=8-1&keywords=nuvi+57lm

Has anyone used the "real directions"? Is it worth an extra $50?

Any other reason reason to spend more?

We won't add a backup camera and either way we have smartphones for googling.

 

[OKW Lover]

If you have smartphones anyway, there's really no reason to get a standalone GPS. Just use Waze to get you where you want to go. For long trips, be sure to have a car charger.

I've had a Garmin GPS for probably 10 years but its been 2+ years since I've actually used my current one just because the smart phone does everything and is always updated with the latest street info.

 

[sam_gordon]

If you have smartphones anyway, there's really no reason to get a standalone GPS. Just use Waze to get you where you want to go. For long trips, be sure to have a car charger.

I've had a Garmin GPS for probably 10 years but its been 2+ years since I've actually used my current one just because the smart phone does everything and is always updated with the latest street info.

Doesn't the phone use data to do the GPS routing? Depending on the length of the trip, that could affect someone with a limited data plan.

 

[rwdavis2]

Doesn't the phone use data to do the GPS routing? Depending on the length of the trip, that could affect someone with a limited data plan.

True, but a phone based GPS is far superior to a GPs only device.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

Doesn't the phone use data to do the GPS routing? Depending on the length of the trip, that could affect someone with a limited data plan.

Correct and we are driving from Michigan so I don't want to use data the whole way.
Even if data was free, I'd also have to find a GPS program I like because I only like Google Maps on a limited basis.
Lastly, we will obviously be trading drivers regularly so we would be changing phones around because we use them for FB, email, etc when we aren't driving.

This is totally a 1st world problem but was hoping to get some insight on the value of the $50 here or for extra Mickey bars and Dole Whips!

 

[sam_gordon]

True, but a phone based GPS is far superior to a GPs only device.

Oh, I agree. But I wanted to point out there IS a reason to use a standalone GPS.

Another one... there are also places where there is no (or extremely poor) cell phone reception, yet a standalone GPS will work.

 

[OKW Lover]

Doesn't the phone use data to do the GPS routing? Depending on the length of the trip, that could affect someone with a limited data plan.

That might be a consideration. But then you would need to compare the cost of any data overages for the trip to the cost of the GPS.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

Thanks for all of your thoughts on using the smartphones but I'm planning on getting a new Garmin for multiple reasons. Anyone have any experience with the Nuvi 57, specifically the landmark feature?