Garmin DriveSmart 86

The Garmin DriveSmart 86 is a new GPS navigator released in 2021. So, how does this new gadget compare to the older DriveSmart 65?

You can find out in this comparison between these vehicle navigation devices.

Quick Summary

The Garmin DriveSmart 86 features a bigger screen and higher resolution than the Garmin DriveSmart 65.

The DriveSmart 86 is also the only one out of these products to support landscape and portrait orientations as the DriveSmart 65 only supports landscape.

When it comes to maps, the 86 model includes two new features as it comes with preloaded street maps in addition to supporting manually uploaded maps.

Garmin DriveSmart 65 vs. Garmin DriveSmart 86 Comparison Chart

You can find Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the DriveSmart 65 and DriveSmart 86 below.

What’s in the Box

There are two editions available for the DriveSmart 65 as you can pick between one that comes with built-in Alexa support and one that doesn’t.

The DriveSmart 86 only comes in one edition, which features Alexa support.

You can take a look at a breakdown of the content included inside each new retail box for these products below:

Garmin DriveSmart 65:

• Garmin DriveSmart 65 GPS Navigator
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• Traffic receiver
• Vehicle power cable
• USB cable
• Documentation

Garmin DriveSmart 65 Alexa Edition:

• Garmin DriveSmart 65 GPS Navigator with Amazon Alexa
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• Traffic receiver
• Vehicle power cable
• USB cable
• Documentation

Garmin DriveSmart 86:

• Garmin DriveSmart 86 GPS Navigator with Amazon Alexa
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• Traffic receiver
• Vehicle power cable
• Documentation

Weight

The DriveSmart 86 weighs in at 10.41 ounces (or 295.2 grams), which is heavier than the DriveSmart 65’s weight of 8.45 ounces (or 239.6 grams).

Dimensions

The 86 model of the DriveSmart is also bigger all around than the 65 model.

You can find the measurements for both devices below:

• DriveSmart 65: 6.8” Width x 3.9” Height x 0.7” Depth
• DriveSmart 86: 7.6″ Width x 4.7″ Height x 0.77″ Depth

Screen Size

The Garmin DriveSmart 86 uses a larger screen as well.

You can take a look at the screen size measurements below:

DriveSmart 65:

• 6.95″ Diagonal
• 6.0″ Width x 3.5″ Height

DriveSmart 86:

• 8″ Diagonal
• 6.8″ Width x 4.2″ Height

Screen Resolution

The new 86 model also displays at a higher resolution as you will get a sharper image than the older model:

• DriveSmart 65: 1024 x 600
• DriveSmart 86: 1280 x 800

Screen Features

You can check out the screen features for both car navigators below:

DriveSmart 65:

• Glass
• Multi-touch
• WSVGA color TFT with backlight

DriveSmart 86:

• Glass
• Multi-touch
• WXGA color TFT with backlight

Screen Orientation

With the DriveSmart 65, you are limited to using the landscape orientation. With the DriveSmart 86, you can use either landscape or portrait.

Storage Features

For storage, these GPS navigation devices are equipped with 16 GB of built-in internal storage. You can also add more storage through the microSD card slot.

Smartphone Requirements

You can also pair your smartphone with the DriveSmart 65 and DriveSmart 86.

In order to do so, you need either an iPhone or Android phone that features Bluetooth and cellular data connections.

Alexa Features

You can use the Alexa voice artificial intelligence with the DriveSmart 86, as well as the Alexa Edition of DriveSmart 65, for the following features:

• Alexa Skills
• Infotainment
• Music
• News
• Smart Home
• Time Management

Map Features

When it comes to maps, Garmin added preloaded street maps to the DriveSmart 86. The newer model also supports the ability to add new maps.

You can find a breakdown of the map features included for these devices below:

DriveSmart 65:

• 3D buildings
• 3D terrain
• Map updates

DriveSmart 86:

• 3D buildings
• 3D terrain
• Add new maps
• Map updates
• Preloaded street maps

Navigation Features

The Garmin DriveSmart 65 and Garmin DriveSmart 86 offer the same navigation features, which you can find the full list of below:

• Driver alerts for school zones, sharp curves, red light, speed camera warnings and more
• Bluetooth calling
• Garmin Real Directions landmark guidance
• Foursquare points of interest
• Route shaping through preferred cities and streets
• Lane assists with junction signs
• Speed limit indicator
• Traffic
• TripAdvisor Traveler Ratings
• Voice-activated navigation

Advanced Features

These two car navigation devices also offer the following advanced features:

• Live app services
• Smart app notifications
• Wi-Fi map updates
• Wi-Fi software updates

Compatible Backup Cameras

The DriveSmart 65 and DriveSmart 86 are both compatible with the Garmin BC 30 and BC 40 Wireless Backup Cameras.

Battery Type

These car navigators come with a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Battery Life

When not connected to a power source, the batteries of these devices can last a maximum of 1 hour.

Resources:

• http://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/612620/pn/010-02038-02
• https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/720310/pn/010-02471-00

In 2021, Garmin released three new car GPS navigation devices. You can check out this comparison guide to see what the major differences are between the Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76 and 86.

Quick Summary

The biggest difference between the Garmin DriveSmart 66, Garmin DriveSmart 76 and Garmin DriveSmart 86 is the screen.

The DriveSmart 86 offers the biggest screen and highest resolution. It also the also the only one that supports both landscape and portrait orientations.

Although, the DriveSmart 76 has the second biggest screen, it also displays at the lowest resolution out of this group.

The DriveSmart 66 has a smaller screen but can display at a higher resolution than the DriveSmart 76.

In terms of features, all three GPS navigators are identical.

DriveSmart 66 vs. DriveSmart 76 vs. DriveSmart 86 Comparison Chart

You can check out Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the DriveSmart 66, 76 and 86 navigators below.

What’s in the Box

In addition to the main navigation unit, each product also comes with a suction cup mount, traffic receiver, power cable and documentation.

You can check out a breakdown of the content included inside each box for all three products below:

Garmin DriveSmart 66:

• Garmin DriveSmart 66 GPS Navigator
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• Traffic receiver
• Vehicle power cable
• Documentation

Garmin DriveSmart 76:

• Garmin DriveSmart 76 GPS Navigator
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• Traffic receiver
• Vehicle power cable
• Documentation

Garmin DriveSmart 86:

• Garmin DriveSmart 86 GPS Navigator
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• Traffic receiver
• Vehicle power cable
• Documentation

Weight

The DriveSmart 86 is the heaviest, followed by the DriveSmart 76. The DriveSmart 66 is the lightest out of these Garmin vehicle GPS navigators.

You can check out the weight specifications below:

• DriveSmart 66: 6.17 oz (or 175 g)
• DriveSmart 76: 8.45 oz (or 239.6 g)
• DriveSmart 86: 10.41 oz (or 295.2 g)

Dimensions

The 86 model is also biggest while the 76 model is the second biggest. The 66 model is the smallest out of this group.

You can find the measurements, which are shown as Width x Height x Depth, below:

• DriveSmart 66: 6.0” Width x 3.4” Height x 0.7” Depth
• DriveSmart 76: 6.8” Width x 3.9” Height x 0.7” Depth
• DriveSmart 86: 7.6″ Width x 4.7″ Height x 0.77″ Depth

Screen Size

The DriveSmart 86 comes with the biggest screen while the DriveSmart 76 has the second biggest. The DriveSmart 66 comes with the smallest screen.

You can find the screen measurements below:

DriveSmart 66:

• 6″ Diagonal
• 5.7″ Width x 3.2″ Height

DriveSmart 76:

• 6.95″ Diagonal
• 6.0″ Width x 3.5″ Height

DriveSmart 86:

• 8″ Diagonal
• 6.8″ Width x 4.2″ Height

Screen Resolution

The DriveSmart 86 also offers the highest screen resolution. Although the DriveSmart 76 has a bigger physical screen than the DriveSmart 66, its resolution is lower.

You can check out the screen resolutions below:

• DriveSmart 66: 1280 x 720
• DriveSmart 76: 1024 x 600
• DriveSmart 86: 1280 x 800

Screen Features

All three GPS devices use a multi-touch glass screen with backlighting.

You can find the screen features below:

DriveSmart 66:

• Glass
• Multi-touch
• HD color TFT with backlight

DriveSmart 76:

• Glass
• Multi-touch
• WSVGA color TFT with backlight

DriveSmart 86:

• Glass
• Multi-touch
• WXGA color TFT with backlight

Orientation

When it comes to orientation, you can only place the DriveSmart 66 and DriveSmart 76 in landscape mode. With the DriveSmart 86 you can use either Landscape or Portrait.

Sensors

When it comes to sensors, these devices use GPS.

Storage Features

All three Garmin DriveSmart GPS Navigators in this versus guide come with 16 GB of internal storage. You can also add more space via the microSD card slot.

Smartphone Requirements

If you want to connect your smartphone to these navigation devices, then you will need either an iPhone or Android. Furthermore, your phone must support Bluetooth and cellular data connections.

Audio Features

When it comes to audio features, you can stream media and Alexa responses to these devices. You can also connect the navigators to your car’s speaker system via an AUX cable or Bluetooth connection.

Alexa Features

The DriveSmart 66, DriveSmart 76 and DriveSmart 86 come with the following Amazon Alexa features:

• Alexa Skills
• Infotainment
• Music
• News
• Smart Home
• Time Management

Map Features

All three navigation devices also offer the following map features:

• 3D buildings
• 3D terrain
• Add new maps
• Map updates
• Preloaded street maps

Navigation Features

You will also get the following navigation features with all three products:

• Driver alerts for school zones, sharp curves, red light, speed camera warnings and more
• Bluetooth calling
• Garmin Real Directions landmark guidance
• Foursquare points of interest
• Route shaping through preferred cities and streets
• Lane assists with junction signs
• Speed limit indicator
• Traffic
• TripAdvisor Traveler Ratings
• Voice-activated navigation

Advanced Features

Finally, these DriveSmarts provide the following advanced features:

• App live services
• Smart notifications via app
• Wi-Fi map updates
• Wi-Fi software updates

Compatible Cameras

The DriveSmart 66, DriveSmart 76 and DriveSmart 86 can be used with the Garmin BC 30 Wireless Backup Camera and Garmin BC 40 Wireless Backup Camera.

Battery Type

For power, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery is included in all three navigation devices.

Battery Life

When unplugged from your vehicle, the battery life for all three DriveSmart navigators can last up to 1 hour.

Resources:

• https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721098/pn/010-02469-00
• https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721063/pn/010-02470-00
• https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/720310/pn/010-02471-00