Complete Tutorial & Users Guide For Garmin Drive Smart 65 GPS Navigation with Amazon Alexa & Traffic 

Thank You!

You all probably dont give a damn but does someone know a method to log back into an Instagram account? I was dumb lost the login password. I love any tips you can give me!

Where did you get it from

Ll excellent and informative tutorial well done and simple enough for layman to understand

Glad you enjoyed it, but I did sleep in the dog house because of that wife comment ;-)

You are welcome, I am glad it was helpful

Thank you very much for your kind remarks, and for your subscription. I agree they should also make a Siri version of this and it wouldn't be bad if they added the SIM card option to this so that you don't drain your phone battery while traveling.

You are very welcome, and I am glad it was helpful to you!

Wow, thanks!

Awesome! Thank you!

Thank you very much!

Thanks for your feedback, I am glad to hear that!

You are very welcome, and thanks for your feedback

You are very welcome , and I appreciate your feedback

Thank you, I am glad you liked it

You are very welcome, the SD Card is for many things, such as Camera Recordings, Still shots, Songs and media, and Additional maps or POIs. ( POI means Points Of Interests like Tourist attractions, Hospitals, Parks etc )

Glad to hear that, Thanks

You're very welcome!

www.ebay.com/itm/313578857537

For the first time you have to let it charge for a full 8 hours period, only then the battery will last about 2 hours without external power. If the battery does not last that long you need to change the battery. For changing the battery I have a separate video. Thanks

No problem, so that would be in proximity alerts and you can enable it or disable it. See Page 21 in this manual www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart55-65/EN-US/DriveSmart_55-65_OM_EN-US.pdf

Max speed limit is located on signs next to the road. Easy.

LOL, it is so true right!

Hi, no problem, and yes you can use the maps offline with no satellite signals, however you can only brows the maps and zoom in to them manually your location on the map will not change as you walk or drive. The GPS will only show your location at where you last time had satellite signals. Yes you can power the GPS through a computer or car USB Port only if you use a special cable like this www.ebay.com/itm/333716621477 otherwise the computer will go in to PC SYNC mode which will be unusable for navigation, map or app access.

Hi, I have a 120 to 12 volt charger that I plug a GPS into that needs charging. When I replace a battery in one, I just plug it into this charger and let it charge up, overnight. I also use it to charge the internal battery of any GPS unit that need charging. These chargers are cheap on eBay - about $7 with free shipping. A USB cable will not charge them. I use a standard Garmin power cable, even on traffic models. I just turn them off and let them charge. The battery will charge in the off position. The problem with cars, today, is they have switched power outlets, meaning power outlets are on only when the engine is running. That sucks. My old Mountaineer has a power outlet that is on all the time but running a GPS on it will run down the battery., as I found out. In my .CRV it has two power outlets but both are switched. This is why I have a 12 volt outlet that I plug into a buss bar in my office.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 got my money back on that bait and switch on eBay. Got it the next business day.

You're very welcome, and Greetings from California.

Hi, I just made a special video for you on that, here is the link ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kATqV2HRXJo.html

Yes you should be able to do that. There are some advance settings in the Garmin GPS that will change the output power of the auxiliary audio port.

Yes. My Mini Countryman car only allows my phone calls via Bluetooth but not my music so once I connected via aux I can play my music etc from my phone thru my car speakers . Note: The first aux cord I tried didn’t do anything but my other aux cord did. Not sure why both looked the same.

Thanks for your compliments. Unfortunately this will not work for your truck, you need a Garmin DEZL GPS, or an older Garmin Nuvi 460T. For example Garmin DEZL 760 is a good one.

Thank you, for color changing you need to go to Map themes at 25:27

I found this feature just what I needed

Hi, the audio cable plug is not on the GPS itself but on the Car Cigarette Lighter adapter plug. Also if your car stereo has Bluetooth Host and Accessory option you can play the GPS sound through the car stereo. Make sure the Bluetooth option is enabled in your Garmin GPS.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 thank you very much, I will try that. Great advice 👍

The only icon that users can change is the vehicle icon, everything else is embedded with the operating system, and to change it your have to unparse the OS and change it's code.

Thank you for your reply

No problem 😊

You are very welcome, and thank you!

Thank You!

You are very welcome, and about your question, the answer is unfortunately NO. The older Garmin units could do that but they discontinued that feature on the newer ones. I called Garmin to ask them why, and I was told that the Post Office is constantly changing the Zip Codes as new developments are rising and that was causing major issues to the Navigation Devices.

Hi the cracking noise could be something as simple as a bad speaker which is very cheap, or it could be the Audio Amplifier which is on the main board. If it is the main board you will need to send it back for warranty service, because the cost to replace it will exceed the value of the GPS device.

I don't think it can be disabled but you can double check by browsing page no 11 of this manual www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart55-65/EN-US/DriveSmart_55-65_OM_EN-US.pdf

Thank you for your help. I found by accident that the Garmin setting regarding "Environmental Zones" is not actually for avoiding polluted areas. It is for avoiding these designated "low emission zones" where you must purchase and display "Emission Stickers". You have been to Europe, and I assume Germany, where you will have seen the stickers talked about on this page: www.germanemissionssticker.com/ Garmin's manual states: Avoiding Environmental Zones Your device can avoid areas with environmental or emissions restrictions that may apply to your vehicle. I have found nothing about disabling the split view. I think, like you, that it can't be disabled, but I will call Garmin. Your narrative voice with your light accent is very relaxing and professional sounding, making your technical videos even better.

​@@dannyo3317 Thank you! I learned something new, I didn't know about the emission-restricted zones, even though I travel to Germany every few years to visit my family and friends. Also thank you for uplifting my self-esteem on my accent :-)

Greetings to you sir, unfortunately unlike the Alexa echo speakers on the Alexa Garmin device you can't change the voice or language of Alexa. Although you could change the voice and language of the Garmin GPS

You are welcome!

PS. The voice is The KITT car voice that I have previously purchased. It would be awesome to hear that on this new Garmin65, if possible. Thank you so much in advance! Your videos are very informative!

Thank you for the compliments. So in order to do that you have to first generate the unlock code for that specific voice and copy both the voice file and the unlock file into the Garmin Voice folder. It is a pretty involved process but not impossible. Here is a video on that ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GZXesnEf4SI.html

Hi, I made a video for you on that here is the link ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Bp94LiwvA-I.html

Great job!

How long till the battery needs to be changed ?

Have you called Garmin Support? They are very easy to talk to and they have helped me a lot. (no, I don’t work for garmin. lol) Good luck!

Try saving the trip then you can simply go back to your saved trips to continue. Also see if you have the option of the Garmin not shutting down when you turn off the Car. To check the availability of this option go to the Volume control screen and click and hold your finger on the upper right corner of the screen for 30 seconds. Now you have some additional settings to explore.

That is nuts!

That option is only available in Garmin's Aviation Navigation Devices, like garmin Aera 510 which are specifically for Pilots.

My pleasure!

The AUX is actually AUX-OUT which means you connect it to your Car Radio's AUX-IN to get the sound of the GPS from the large speakers of the car. It will also give you the sound of any phone call through the car speaker if your phone is connected to the GPS via Bluetooth.

Hi, unfortunately it does not, for that you need a Truck Specific Garmin GPS such as Garmin Dezl 750, or any Garmin Dezl model.

You are welcome! I am glad it was helpful

Yes and yes, it works for this model and yes you will lose your AUX Out port. Here are the list of compatible devices for the BC30 dēzl 570/580/770/OTR500/OTR700 dēzlCam RV 660/770/780 Garmin Drive™ 50/51/52/60/61 Garmin DriveSmart 50/51/55/60/61/65/70 Garmin DriveAssist 50/51 Garmin DriveLuxe 50/51 Garmin DriveTrack 70/71 nüvi® 55/56/57/58/60 nüvi 2407/2408/2507/2508/2509/2609/2709 nüviCam

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 thanks for the response in this case its best to use BC 40 just you have to everytime say or touch to start the cam you reverse.

@@saurabhsakhuja Indeed, that will be your best option.

No problem, so that depends on the type of car you drive. In some cars as you turn the ignition key to off position the vehicle will cut off the power from the Cigarette Lighter port. However there are also cars that will always have power on the cigarette lighter port even when the vehicle is OFF. So on such cars you have to get Garmin's hard wire car kit and wire it to a switched power source in your car.

Garmin Zumo 390 is a good one and you can get them for a very good price on eBay

I don't think so, but there are some advanced settings that might allow you to do so. Go to the Volume Control Page, and click and hold your finger on the upper right corner of the screen it will take you to the hidden advanced settings.

Yes you can, simply disable the WiFi and it will not search for updates.

Yes this will turn ON/OFF automatically when the vehicle is turned ON and OFF. However this functionality is only possible on those vehicles that cuts OFF the power from the Cigarette Lighter adapter when the ignition is turned OFF. Not all vehicles will do that. For example in my GMC Truck even when the Truck is turned OFF the cigarette lighter power is ON. So I have to manually unplug my GPS. Keep in mind that removal of the GPS from the windshield is highly recommended for theft prevention.

I did some research and unfortunately the only wired camera that Garmin offers is not compatible with DriveSmart 65. Although it works with DriveSmart 66 and many other models of Garmin. Here is the link www.garmin.com/en-US/p/768650#devices

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Wow, I really appreciate that direction. I don't know what "Drive Smart 65, or 66 IS, but I think the link you gave me will help. Thank you again for that, you put me on the right path I think. As all new cars come so equipped (wired connection) I am surprised it is such a big deal. Several have asked me "what have you got against a wireless connection"--they work well, easy to install, etc./all. But then again, if car makers issue new cars with a wired connection--which has better signal feed, and no need for batteries, why is it so odd to people that I want to aftermarket the same to my older Truck?

@@jimquantic People don't know any better; you are correct. A wired camera is much more reliable and has better signal strength than a wireless one.

Glad it was helpful!

Hi the cracking noise could be something as simple as a bad speaker which is very cheap, or it could be the Audio Amplifier which is on the main board. If it is the main board you will need to send it back for warranty service, because the cost to replace it will exceed the value of the GPS device.

The best way to do so is to use Garmin's Original Wall Charger, here is an example www.ebay.com/itm/332429371420

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 thank you very much 👍👍

@@baldvale5418 My pleasure!

That is very true, on the newer Garmin Devices, the rout change will happen automatically without notification. There are some additional advanced settings when you press and hold the upper right corner of the Volume Control Screen which may allow you to enable that feature.

Not really, you need a different app called Garmin Base Camp and it is also free to download from Garmin website.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 So the save data that I save in Garmin Express can not be transferred into Garmin Base Camp?

@@cocofx85 So you hook it up to your computer and run Garmin Base Camp, then you transfer POI's to your base camp. After that connect the new GPS and transfer the POI saved to Base Camp to it.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Thank you. Was hoping you could just wasn't sure it would still work with the newer apps/ devices.

I use something like this www.ebay.com/itm/284927917978

You are very welcome, Glad it was helpful!

That depends on what you are driving. For example if you are driving a Semi Truck, a Bus, or a Large Motor home you must use a Garmin Dezl, because it will have all the important Truck related info on it. It will not take you through the roads where Trucks are not allowed, or it has low clearance bridges, or dead ends where you cant make a U-Turn.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 I've been using Google maps for the past 3 years and I drive a semi you just have to pay attention to signs ahead of time that's not that hard and plus Google maps you can see the road right up at you especially when you're going through windy twisty roads you can see the curves ahead of you and everything which I like but that's just my preference and also not every truck driver can use Google maps like me I mainly just listen and look at the route and pay attention to signs

Hi, it's at 41:45

I looked up my database and discovered that this model is not equipped with the 4 Digit PIN Lock security option. Here is the full Manual www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-6E5DFD2E-EEE4-4EF3-89BC-AACD1B4936C7/EN-GB/DriveSmart_66-76-86_with_Alexa_OM_EN-GB.pdf

Hi, that would be a very good feature, but unfortunately, that is not how it works. Garmin units can only load maps from either their internal memory or the Micro SD card slot.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 thank you for your reply.

@@user-oy2ml2qh9f You are welcome!

Thank you, and yes you can use a FM transmitter to Bluetooth adapter like these www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=bluetooth+to+fm+transmitter&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Thanks for the help! If anyone is in the same situation, the web doesn't explain much, but the manual confirms that you can have the phone connected and still use Bluetooth to connect to the car stereo ( directly or FM transmitter) or with an aux cable. Do take into account that the aux is in the cigarette lighter charger, because for old cars that have no aux, installing an aux without changing the stereo means putting an adapter in the glovebox. So the cabling will be tricky / ugly. I will try first with an FM transmitter and if I like the GPS, look for a more permanent cabling solution, hiding charging adapter, aux cable behind the dash.

You can do that on Garmin too, just say " OK Garmin" then say " Set Volume to 10" Or you can just tap on the speaker icon and adjust it with your finger.

I don't see a volume icon on my 65 on the route map? ,or are you talking about the main page?Also when I go back to my route(from the icon) will it go back to were I am on my route will it recalculate?@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101

@@terrytaylor5558 You can't get the actual Volume Control on the active route page, but you can get to the volume icon with only one click. To do that, click on the wrench icon, click on the gear icon, and check the box of the Volume Contol option. Now you will have the volume control icon available by clicking on the wrench icon.

Yes, you first click the speaker icon at the bottom, then slid the volume button all the way to the left. There is no MUTE ALL button because this has Amazon Echo " Alexa " and it has to be able to provide feedback when you ask a question.

You need to get the maps for South America, then you will need to un-check the box next to the North America Maps. You do that by going to settings, My maps

Media can be played even from a Micro SD Card so you don't necessarily have to connect your phone. The traffic and other live info require not only a smartphone but the Garmin Smart Link app on the phone as well.

Thank you for your compliments. The answer to y our question depends on what size screen you want to have. If 4.3" screen OK, I recommend the old Garmin Nuvi 765 because it has an earphone jack to connect it to a wired helmet earphone. Same goes with Garmin StreetPilot C550, or C580.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 I was hoping to go for a larger screen, easier to see on a glance. 6"+ Thank you for your input

@@mikesouthworth1999@mikesouthworth1999 That would be the Garmin Nuvi 2757LM, and it has a cradle with an earphone port for your helmet.

You can't do it from the app but you could from Google maps, please watch this video to learn how ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iJMwu0NSFx4.html

You are so welcome!

Apparently I had the wrong thing. Found the cord that works. Sorry!

No worries, thanks for your compliments!

Hi, Yes it comes with a Lifetime Map Update for North America Only. Not for any other areas of the world

Yes

I don't think you can specify at what number of excess speed the alarm should be activated, however there are some advanced settings that might have that option. To access the advanced settings go to Volume Control screen and press and hold down the upper right corner of the screen.

You can't mirror the phone screen with the GPS, however, you could use Alexa to take you to your destination. For example, you could say " Alexa, navigate to 4432 Broadway, San Francisco, California". You must have your phone linked to your GPS to use Alexa on the GPS.

Absolutely as soon as I get one I will make a video on that too. Thanks for your feedback

Yes you can use it with or without Alexa, basically you don't have to have any smartphone to use this GPS unit.

I am not using a webcam, instead I am using a couple of Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Cameras.

You are very welcome, and yes you can do that on the new ones as well. Here is how ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0ipeb8kdnBs.html

I like on request, in the cities that I know my way around, because I can always choose a better shortcut from my own experience. However if I go somewhere that I have never been to before, I chose Automatic.

Car Share Lanes is another name for Carpool lane or HOV lane. This lane is for vehicles with two or more occupants only.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Ok, so it's a special lane, it's not for my 4x4 car. Then I will keep this option activated. Thank you very much, I have never encountered such a lane of traffic so far.

@@argentus5483 No problem!

Yes you can, and I have three separate videos on that topic here are the links ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kATqV2HRXJo.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fnROe-xBgyU.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iJMwu0NSFx4.html

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Thank you!

@@DougFLA123 No problem!

Thank you, I learned that after I made that video, I appreciate your input.

I don't know of any for the DriveSmart, however a Solar Reflective Windshield should not stop the GPS signals. The GPS navigation frequency is above 1227.60HMz maxing at 1575.42MHz no glass coating can stop it unless it has metal coating.

Thank you!

At that price you can't go wrong, besides the TA20 is only $15 on eBay, so you are still ahead to have a state of the art navigation system for under sixty bucks.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 I got the 55 LMT for $30. Can’t beat that, can you?

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 got bait and switched by the eBay seller. I bought a 65T and he substituted a 61 LMT -S for it. I told him or her to shove that 61 LMT-S, as soon as I caught the switch. He or she must have thought I fell off that turnip truck that went through town last week, but he or she will find out that I had a good grasp on the standards. I have eaten some stuff from EBay that was not exactly as described but will not tolerate a blatant bait and switch.

@@johnclarke6647 I agree with you 100% they should deliver what they advertise. Even a surprise upgrade is not necessarily welcome, let alone a downgrade to this magnitude. You need to contact eBay support if they are not cooperative.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 let me see what comes before I raise hell with EBay.I got the battery in the Navi 65 LMT up and running. I think it will be OK. It is up to 3.90 volts+ and had a good charging current. It really behaved a little strange until I got the voltage where it should be. I am going to just watch it before replacing the battery. It is working, fine, now.

This GPS does not support Truck Routing, you need to get Garmin Dezl for that.

You can see that here 44:38

That option is not available on this that model unfortunately.

I have a complete studio setup on my desk with 3x Car Cigarette Lighter Ports.

I recommend this one because the RV890 is more complicated by asking your extra parameters of your rig which doesn't apply to a Lincoln Town car. However, if your Town car is a stretched limousine then you definitely need the RV 890.

Yes it covers all of North America which includes USA/Canada/Mexico/Alaska/Hawaii/Virgin Islands

Yes it uses phone date if you use it for RU-vid music, amazon music etc., but if you play the songs which are already saved and downloaded on your Smartphone, it will not use any data for that.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 thanks for your help i may start downloading some songs lol

@@carluk1 You are very welcome!

Yes but the " OK Garmin" is limited to a few Garmin Commands only. Where as Alexa can tell you anything, such as " Who invented electricity"

i like your garmin dive smart

There aren't major differences between the two except that the Garmin Drive Smart 61LMT-S requires a smartphone for traffic condition updates. So the " Dash S " is a bad thing not an extra feature. The ones that don't have -S they have a built in traffic receiver and they don't depend on a smartphone for traffic updates. Here is a comparison chart for the two www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Garmin_DriveSmart_65_vs_Garmin_DriveSmart_61_vs_Garmin_51_LMT-S_vs_Garmin_61_LM/BHitems/1457466-REG_1310443-REG_1310448-REG_1310452-REG

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Ihave a smart phone. What you are basically tellin me is get the 65 . Is that correct?

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 what about the 65MT? I can’t seem to find any real differences from the standard 65 Drive Smart but I assume there are differences.

@@johnclarke6647 Whichever one offers LMT, not MT, and not LMT-S

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 will do. I am looking at a 65MT, very closely.

Hi, you are very welcome, I know for a fact that the GPS language can be changed to Spanish, and I also know for a fact that you can use this on Costa Rica just buy the Costa Rica maps and you will be good to go. To change Alexa Languages on any Echo Devices, you need to download the Alexa Smartphone App.

​@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 thank you so much for your answers!!!. You know, for example, we have some Fire HD 10 Tablets which they are manufactured by Amazon and Alexa in those tablets speak english only, no spanish (in none of them). We contacted Amazon Customer Support to check this and they told us that indeed in some devices Alexa can speak only English, although in Echo devices can be available more languages than English. Our Echo Frames, Echo Dots, Echo Shows, Samsung TVs, Yamaha Sound Bar, etc. all of them speak spanish with no issues, but for this I have been selecting each device carefully before buying it. That's why I would like to be 100% sure that Alexa in the Phone Settings (in the Alexa App) can be configured in Spanish. I can buy and wait to return the device just in case it does not come with Spanish enabled. However, I would love to buy it so that my father can use it immediately, without so much waiting. I also wrote to Garmin 3 days ago, but no answers yet. If you have how to check this for me, I would really appreciate your response again. Thank you very much again in advance. :)

@@JoseRodriguez-zo8sn I just checked and it has no option for any other languages but English. Sorry!

Yes Garmin GPS is much different than TomTom, for some it's more complicated whereas for others it's better since it is much more customization capabilities. For example, with Garmin you can use third-party opensource maps which are free, water charts for sea navigation, land maps for hiking and camping, and Air maps for pilots. Also, there are more than a dozen PC-based applications for route planning, trip planning, and flight mapping. In short, TomTom is like a Mac, and Garmin is like a PC, so both have their own targetted consumers.

Yes, mine came with it, so check with your supplier and ask them for it.

Greetings, you should get the models that end with LMT not LMT-S for example Garmin Drive 50LMT, or Garmin SmartDrive 50LMT

See if this will help ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7Pwx7e_kIDE.html

Thank you very much I got it done.@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101

Garmin BC 30 and BC 40 are both compatible with this GPS. However the BC 30 quality is terrible and not acceptable in any standard. The Resolution of the BC30 is 240P and BC 40 is 720P, so I recommend the BC40. Both cameras are overpriced, so try to find a used one if you can.

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 thank you one more question. Can this gps. Works in mexico

@@joecostu1571 If you map says North America ALL, it covers Mexico, it says United States and Canada the it doesn't cover. Mine came from factory with full coverage of all three countries United States/Canada/Mexico