Tapping the car/current location icon on the map brings up the Where Am I? screen, with the options shown below. There are options to Show or Hide this info, but unfortunately (unlike on other nuvis) there appears to be no way to clear the trip log short of a hard reset! Perhaps this is just an oversight that will be fixed in an upcoming firmware update I’m certainly hoping Garmin hasn’t decided that privacy features should be limited to higher priced models! Where am I? The trip log is the thin blue line shown below. The trip log allows you to display where you’ve been (which can be a big help navigating mega-mall parking lots, and even in everyday city driving). Tap a data field to change what is displayed. Want more info displayed? Go to Settings > Map, press the down arrow icon and select Map Data Layout > More Data, to get the setup shown below, giving you two extra data fields. Different choices are offered for whether you are or are not navigating. If you tap the lower left data field, you can customize what is displayed there. Nevertheless, it is a listed feature for the Essential series, and should look something like this… The model I tested was a pre-production unit, and it did not have the Junction View. You’ll primarily see this on freeways and on some surface streets in urban areas.

The next turn icon in the top left corner highlights the proper lane to be in. In my testing of the Essentials series, I’ve seen speed limits not just on highways, but on many secondary roads as well.Īnd if you exceed the speed limit, the current speed field will turn red… Here’s a look at several: Speed limit display and warningĪs noted above, the nuvi 50LM includes speed limit display.

Nevertheless, the nuvi Essential series has some nice features. Generally speaking, all nuvis will get you from point A to point B when you pay more, you’re primarily doing it to get bells and whistles. NOTE: Much of what follows is based on my hands on review of the nuvi 40, a very similar model. Two versions of the nuvi 50LM series are available – one with the entire US except for Alaska and Hawaii, and one for all 50 states plus Canada. To see how the nuvi 50LM stacks up against other models, check out my Garmin nuvi comparison chart.Upgrade to the newer, but similar nuvi 52LM or the nuvi 54LM which has maps of Canada and Alaska also.Or keep the 5” screen, but give up lifetime map updates with the nuvi 50.Drop down to the nuvi 40LM and you’ll get the same features, but with a smaller 4.3” screen.

Garmin express does not recognize nuvi