LIKE OUR REVIEWS? SUPPORT OUR SITE ON FACEBOOK OR GOOGLE PLUS
TopTenREVIEWS - Gold Award - Awarded for excellence in design, useability and feature set

As data-based navigation apps become available for smartphones, you may be tempted to avoid dedicated navigation GPS devices. Unfortunately, the costs of these apps are heavy data usage, incredible burdens on the processor and a drain to the battery. Fortunately, the Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT was designed to handle the constant work of mapping and planning your course while maintaining the same ease of use as a smartphone's touchscreen.

On top of its usability and muscle, the Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT also offers free map and traffic updates for the life of the device. Due to its light weight and small size, incredible navigation prowess and extra features, the Nuvi 3590LMT is the best navigation GPS and the clear winner of our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award.

Dimensions:
10/10
Compare
Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT
Garmin Nuvi 3760LMT
Garmin Nuvi 2595LMT
Garmin Nuvi 2460LMT
TomTom GO 2535 TMWTE
TomTom Go 2535 M Live
Garmin Nuvi 50LM
Magellan Roadmate 3055-MU
TomTom XXL 540 S
Garmin Nuvi 550
10
9.8
9.4
8.8
8.8
8.8
8.1
8.3
8.3
7.8

In display technologies, many devices fall into the trend that says bigger is always better. However, with navigation GPS's, a larger device becomes a driving hazard. On the other hand, if the device is too small, you will stop focusing on the road to see the screen's display. Like the Baby Bear, the Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT is just right, with its 5-inch touchscreen. The display is bright and responsive, offering 3D maps and graphics to give you a better since of perspective. The most unique element of the Nuvi 3590LMT's display is its dual-view feature. While driving, one side displays the traditional map view, but the other side of the screen shows a graphic representation of the upcoming turn. If you've never used a GPS unit with two views, this will take getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, this makes finding the right turns much easier.

The Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT is an average-sized device and weighs just over 7 ounces. If you take the GPS out of your car, the battery can last up to 4 hours, although the preferred usage is to plug it into your car. If you want to program personal points of interest or listen to audio books while using the Nuvi, you can install a microSD card to expand the storage space. The GPS connects securely to a docking station, which can be mounted to your windshield or dashboard. The dock offers several angles, so if you have issues with glare, you can easily twist and move the Nuvi around until you are satisfied.

Navigation:
10/10
Compare
Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT
Garmin Nuvi 3760LMT
Garmin Nuvi 2595LMT
Garmin Nuvi 2460LMT
TomTom GO 2535 TMWTE
TomTom Go 2535 M Live
Garmin Nuvi 50LM
Magellan Roadmate 3055-MU
TomTom XXL 540 S
Garmin Nuvi 550
10
9.8
8.8
9.8
8.5
8.1
7.5
6.8
6
5

No navigation GPS gets you to your destination easier than the Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT. Garmin improved on every function of other GPS devices and packed several unique features into the Nuvi 3590LMT. If you're in a new area, lane assist displays your preferred lane, explaining how far you are from your next turn or exit. This feature is like having a local driving coach help you get around without disrupting traffic. When it's available, photo navigation displays images of your destination. Also, personalized routes allows you to avoid certain roads, like freeways.

While driving, the Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT shows several points of interest. For major chains, the logo appears as you approach and disappears once you've passed. For smaller businesses, generic images display gas, restaurants or motels. If you're looking for a place to eat, you can program what you're in the mood for, and the Nuvi 3590LMT will show you several options, from chains to locals.

If there were any issue to the navigation, it comes from its traffic displays. The Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT uses FM transitions to pinpoint heavy traffic areas, so in areas with less FM coverage or weaker signals, the GPS has trouble finding and avoiding traffic. Fortunately, the Nuvi 3590LMT comes with free traffic and map updates, so you'll always be ready for whatever the road has to throw at you.

Ease of Use:
10/10
Compare
Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT
Garmin Nuvi 3760LMT
Garmin Nuvi 2595LMT
Garmin Nuvi 2460LMT
TomTom GO 2535 TMWTE
TomTom Go 2535 M Live
Garmin Nuvi 50LM
Magellan Roadmate 3055-MU
TomTom XXL 540 S
Garmin Nuvi 550
10
8.8
8.8
7.5
7.5
6.9
6.3
6.3
5
5.8

The Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT is one of the easiest devices to pick up and use. While driving, the display offers plenty of useful visual information, like a 3D map to give you better perspective of the area around you. The Nuvi 3590LMT also helps by displaying the road's speed limit as well as your current speed. The high-resolution touchscreen is as easy to use as a cell phone, and you'll be able to get to all the custom settings as easily as you would your smartphone. Speaking of smartphones, the Nuvi 3590LMT connects with most phones through Bluetooth, allowing for hands-free calling and texting.

Several extra features were packed into the GPS. A picture viewer will display downloaded images for times that you're not using the Nuvi 3590LMT for navigation. Also, while you drive, you can listen to audio books from the device. From the user forums, you can find several fun uses and interesting third-party plugins for your GPS.

Help & Support:
10/10
Compare
Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT
Garmin Nuvi 3760LMT
Garmin Nuvi 2595LMT
Garmin Nuvi 2460LMT
TomTom GO 2535 TMWTE
TomTom Go 2535 M Live
Garmin Nuvi 50LM
Magellan Roadmate 3055-MU
TomTom XXL 540 S
Garmin Nuvi 550
10
8.8
10
10
8.8
8.8
10
7.5
8.8
10

Garmin is the model by which all other navigation GPS manufacturers should follow with customer care and support. The site is easily navigable, and contacting customer service representatives is easy. Telephone support offers instant help, and emails can take about two days to get a response. One fantastic element to email support is the option to reply directly to the agent answering your questions. If your questions are not completely answered, you don't have to fill out a new email and speak to a new person.

 

Summary:

The Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT offers several unique features and great functions, making it the best navigation GPS available. The clear and fluid screen is as functional as a smartphone, but you'll never have to worry about high data usage or overheating again. The dual screen view and excellent features deliver the smoothest and most accurate maps to date. The Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT proves that a dedicated navigation GPS is still the best copilot you could hope to have in your car.

 
Electronics » GPS » Navigation GPS » Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT

Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT

Pros
The dual-view display shows a 3D overhead map next to a graphic display of the upcoming turn.

Cons
Traffic notifications are based on FM transmissions, so areas with weak FM coverage will not display heavy traffic.

The Verdict
: 10/10

The Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT improves on all basic functions and offers several extra features to make it the best navigation GPS available.