What’s the difference between the Garmin Drive 51 and 52?

Garmin has two similar automotive GPS devices currently available. So, what are the differences between the Drive 51 and Drive 52?

You can find out in this comparison guide for the two Garmin car navigators.

Quick Summary

With the Garmin Drive 51, you can pick to use either U.S. only maps or maps that contain both U.S. and Canada. All versions of the Garmin Drive 52 feature U.S. and Canada maps.

Otherwise, these two GPS navigators both offer an optional traffic tracking function.

The two devices also have the same weight, size, screen specifications, general features, battery life and temperature range.

Garmin Drive 51 vs. Garmin Drive 52 Comparison Chart

You can check out Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the Drive 51 and 52 GPS Navigators below.

Map Options

When it comes to variants, the Garmin Drive 51 offer two map configurations as you can pick between U.S. maps only or U.S. and Canada maps.

The Garmin Drive 52 comes with one map configuration where you can use U.S. and Canada maps.

Traffic Options

For both GPS navigators, you can pick between having live traffic tracking or not.

Model Numbers

You can check out the model number for each of the available versions of both products below:

• Garmin Drive 51 LM with U.S. Maps: 010-01678-0B
• Garmin Drive 51 LM with U.S. and Canada Maps: 010-01678-06
• Garmin Drive 51 LMT-S with U.S. Maps and Traffic: 010-01678-0C
• Garmin Drive 51 LMT-S with U.S. and Canada Maps and Traffic: 010-01678-07

• Garmin Drive 52 with U.S. and Canada Maps: 010-02036-06
• Garmin Drive 52 with U.S. and Canada Maps and Traffic: 010-02036-07

What’s in the Box

You can also take a look at the content included inside each box for the two automotive GPS devices below.

Garmin Drive 51:

• Garmin Drive 51 GPS Navigator
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• Vehicle power cable
• USB cable
• Quick start manual

Garmin Drive 52:

• Garmin Drive 52 GPS Navigator
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• Traffic receiver/vehicle power cable
• USB cable
• Quick start manual

Physical Dimensions

The Drive 51 and Drive 52 are identical when it comes to size.

You can find the measurements for the width, height and depth below:

• Width: 5.5″ (or 14.0 cm)
• Height: 3.3″ (or 8.4 cm)
• Depth: 0.8″ (or 2.0 cm)

Weight

The two Garmin GPS navigators in this versus showdown also weigh the same at around 6.0 ounces (or 170.8 grams).

Screen Type Features

The two devices are equipped with a screen that has the following features:

• WQVGA Color TFT
• White backlight
• Resistive touch

Screen Size

The screen size for the 51 and 52 are also identical.

You can find the width, height and diagonal measurements below:

• Width: 4.37″ (or 11.1 cm)
• Height: 2.48″ (or 6.3 cm)
• Diagonal: 5.00″ (or 12.7 cm)

Screen Resolution

The screen resolution is also the same for the car navigators at 480 pixels x 272 pixels.

Compatible Garmin Accessories

You can take a look at the lists of compatible Garmin accessories for the Drive 51 and Drive 52 below:

Garmin Drive 51:

• BC 30 Wireless Backup Camera with HD/RDS (010-12242-10)
• AC Adapter Cable Kit (010-11478-02)
• AC Adapter Cable, Europe (010-11478-05)
• Dual Port USB Power Adapter (010-13023-01)
• 5- and 6-inch Universal Carrying Case (010-12101-00)
• Universal Carry All Case (010-12101-01)
• Vehicle Power Cable (010-11838-00)
• USB Cable (010-10723-01)
• High-speed Multi-charger (010-10723-17)
• Air Vent Mount (010-11952-00)
• Universal Bracket Mount (010-11983-02)
• Suction Cup Mount (010-11983-00)
• Suction Cup (010-10747-00)
• Deluxe Portable Friction Mount (010-10908-02)
• Portable Friction Mount (010-11280-02)
• GTM 36 (010-01009-02)

Garmin Drive 52:

• BC 30 Wireless Backup Camera with HD/RDS (010-12242-10)
• AC Adapter Cable Kit (010-11478-02)
• Dual Port USB Power Adapter (010-13023-01)
• 5- and 6-inch Universal Carrying Case (010-12101-00)
• Universal Carry All Case (010-12101-01)
• Vehicle Power Cable (010-11838-00)
• USB Cable (010-10723-01)
• High-speed Multi-charger (010-10723-17)
• Air Vent Mount (010-11952-00)
• Universal Bracket Mount (010-11983-02)
• Suction Cup Mount (010-11983-00)
• Suction Cup (010-10747-00)
• Deluxe Portable Friction Mount (010-10908-02)
• Portable Friction Mount (010-11280-02)
• GTM 36 (010-01009-02)

Maps and Memory Features

The two GPS navigators share the same set of maps and memory features, which you can find below:

• 8 GB internal storage
• Map updates
• microSD card slot
• Preloaded street maps

Navigation Features

When it comes to navigation, both products also support the same features.

The traffic feature is limited to the 010-01678-0C or 010-01678-07 models of the Garmin Drive 51 and 010-02036-07 model of the Garmin Drive 52.

You can find the full lists below:

Garmin Drive 51:

• Driver alerts
• Foursquare points of interest
• Garmin Real Directions landmark guidance
• Lane assist with junction view
• TripAdvisor Traveler Ratings
• Route shaping
• Speed limit indicator
• Traffic (010-01678-0C or 010-01678-07 models only)

Garmin Drive 52:

• Driver alerts
• Foursquare points of interest
• Garmin Real Directions landmark guidance
• Lane assist with junction view
• TripAdvisor Traveler Ratings
• Route shaping
• Speed limit indicator
• Traffic (010-02036-07 model only)

Battery Type

Both GPS devices in this comparison guide comes equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Battery Life

The internal batteries for both are expected to last up to 1 hour from a full charge.

Operating Temperature Range

The Garmin Drive 51 GPS Navigator and Garmin Drive 52 GPS Navigator both have a recommended operating temperature range of -20°C to 55°C (or -4° to 131°F).

Charging Temperature Range

The two car navigators also have the same recommended charging temperature range, which is at 0°C to 45°C (or 32°F to 113°F).

Resources:

• https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/551975/pn/010-01678-0C
• https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/612579/pn/010-02036-06