can a gps over 10 years old still be used today?

The answer to this question is a solid yes - if you know what you need to make it work.

I periodically read reviews for smartphone navigation apps, and there are a few very common complaints. The top 3 are "GPS signal lost!", "Gave me wrong directions!", and the most common, "Why did you change it? Put it back the way it was!"

People get frustrated enough to where they just say to hell with the phone and look up Garmin GPSes instead. Then they see the price of a Garmin DriveSmart 66 and say nope, too expensive, and would rather get something used that's dirt simple to use and cheap.

If that sounds like you, I have the information you need. All of it.

I am going to purposely concentrate on 4 very specific basic models that are easy to acquire along with everything you need to get the thing working right.

While I personally prefer more advanced models, the goal of this article is to be a guide that is very easy to follow.

The models

All of these are from 2013, and they all still work just fine.

• Garmin nuvi 42LM
• Garmin nuvi 44LM
• Garmin nuvi 52LM
• Garmin nuvi 54LM

It is important that you get a model with LM in the model name, like this:

Be sure to purchase one that has the clip and the suction mount. If the listing does not show these two things in a photo:

...don't buy it and look at other listings until you find one that does.

The 42 and 44 are 4.3" screens, and the 52 and 54 are 5" screens. All four operate exactly the same. If you are unsure which to choose, get a 5" model. It doesn't matter if it's a 52 or 54 since both work the same.

Adding a memory card to store USA, Canada and Mexico map data

It is required to buy one 32GB microSD memory card since the internal memory on its own doesn't have enough space to fit modern map data. The card slot is on the Garmin itself and you do not need to plug it into your phone nor your computer.

ONLY use 32GB. If you try using 64GB or greater, it will not work.

Cables needed

You need two cables. One for power, one for transferring map data from your computer.

These cables may look the same, but don't act the same, so you need both.

A warning: If you try to power the Garmin in your car using a data cable, IT WILL DAMAGE IT because the pinouts are different, so don't do that. You need the appropriate cables.

• USB power-only cable for the car
• USB data-only cable for the computer

If you don't have a USB port in your car, any USB car charger will work. It is not required for it to be the high-power type. The charger needs at least one A slot (the older, larger rectangle one).

Alternatively, if the Garmin you buy comes with its own car charger, that will plug right in to your car's 12V port and you don't need the power cable. But you do need the data cable.

Updating to the latest maps

Insert the memory card into the Garmin first.

On your computer, go to garmin.com/express and install the software (free).

Once Garmin Express is running, use the USB data cable to connect the GPS to your computer.

Garmin Express will automatically detect the device and ask if you want to add it. Do so.

Garmin Express will then most likely tell you the GPS needs an update. Do so.

If there is a map update required, it will take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours to complete, depending on your internet connection speed.

Remove old Favorites first (if any are present)

On the GPS:

1. Where To?
2. Favorites
3. Select a Favorite:

4. Click the Favorite's speech bubble:

5. Click the Delete button:

Do this for all Favorites you want to delete.

Setting up your old Garmin - adding a Home location

Configure your GPS to show decimal degree coordinates first.

1. Where To?
2. Down arrow (bottom right of screen)
3. Coordinates
4. Format (bottom middle button)
5. Click the gray box under Format.
6. Select h ddd.ddddd°
7. OK
8. Click Back (bottom left) 3 times

Find the coordinates of your home parking space using Google Maps. Find your home, then right-click Google Maps to get the coordinates.

Example:

On the GPS:

9. Settings
10. System
11. Set GPS Simulator to On.
12. You will be given a notice "GPS simulator is turned on (for indoor use)".
13. Back (twice)
14. Where To?
15. Down arrow (bottom right)
16. Coordinates

Refer back to the coordinates you acquired from Google Maps. The first number is latitude, and the second longitude. In the continental United States, all GPS coordinates have a north latitude and a west longitude. This means the first number is always positive and the second number always negative.

17. Enter the coordinates into the GPS.

Once you are done entering your coordinates, it will look similar to this:

Compare this screenshot to the above Google Maps image and you'll see the numbers match up, which is what you want. The only difference is the longitude number, where if it's under 100, it starts with a 0.

18. When finished entering coordinates, click Next.
19. Click Set Location
20. Click Back three times
21. Where To?
22. Go Home
23. Use My Current Location
24. Favorites

You should see "Home" now listed.

25. Back (twice)
26. Settings
27. System
28. Click On under GPS Simulator and change to Off.
29. OK
30. Back (twice)

If you ever need to reset your home location, go to Favorites, select Home, select the Home speech bubble, then Delete.

Setting up your old Garmin - Route Preferences and Avoidances

1. Settings
2. Navigation
3. Under Route Preference, click the gray box and then select Faster Time or Shorter Distance. Off Road is meant for in-the-woods use. Generally speaking, Faster Time is the best option to use.
4. When finished, click OK.
5. Click the gray box under Avoidances

There are 6 options (one is hidden that you have to click the down arrow to see) to enable or disable here. A checkbox next to an option means the GPS will avoid it. No checkbox means it will not avoid it when calculating a route for you.

6. When finished, click OK
7. Back (twice)

Finding stuff

While viewing the map

Click the vehicle icon (it will either be a little car or an arrow).

Select Hospitals, Police Stations or Fuel to see the closest destinations for each.

If for example you selected Fuel, a list of gas stations closest to your current location will be shown. Select one, then click Go to start navigating.

Address search

1. Where To?
2. Address
3. Enter the address of the location.
4. Click Save to save as a Favorite, or skip that and click Go to navigate there.

Points of Interest search

1. Where To?
2. Points of Interest

You have several options here, all divided into categories. If you want to skip the categories and just spell the name, click Spell Name and do so. Bear in mind that the search may be slow, since this is an old model.

To just see what's local around you for specific category, pick a category. For restaurants, that would be Food and Drink, then pick a subcategory such as Asian, and the closest Asian restaurants will be listed.

What to do if the Garmin can't find the location you wanted

Use coordinates in a similar way that you set your Home location.

Find the place you want to navigate to on Google Maps first and right-click the map to get the coordinates.

1. Where To?
2. Down arrow (bottom right)
3. Coordinates
4. Enter the coordinates.
5. Next
6. Save to save the location as a Favorite, or Go to navigate there.

Things that may cause an old Garmin not to work properly

Heated windshield

I'm not talking about heater fans, but rather the windshields on some luxury cars that have little lines that heat the windshield similar to rear glass defroster lines. If you have a windshield with those tiny little wires in the glass, that will block signals like crazy and cause the GPS to outright not work.

Large steel bridges

When crossing a large steel bridge, that can bounce around the GPS signal and cause your position on the map to go wacky until you've crossed the bridge.

Parking garages and some airport terminals

Big thick concrete will block a GPS signal. If you enter one of these structures and the Garmin says "lost satellite reception", you'll know why.

Urban canyons

An urban canyon is a deep city environment with skyscrapers all around you while driving through it; this can sometimes block GPS signals.

Dense foliage

This is somewhat rare and usually only happens in mountainous areas during the autumn season, but a lot of tree cover with leaves flying around all over the place can sometimes temporarily block a GPS signal. Like with the large steel bridge scenario, this can cause your position on the map to go wacky for a short time.

FAQ

Can I run this off of just the battery when fully charged?

Yes, but it's not recommended. Leave it plugged in all the time.

Can I run this off a USB power bank?

If you want to, yes. You will get anywhere from 8 to 24 hours of continuous use from a power bank's full charge.

Will this GPS work during hot summer driving?

Yes, as long as there is some air moving in the car either from a window rolled down or the A/C running.

The general advice here is to know what to do when parked. If it's a hot summer day and you park somewhere where there is no cover from the sun, get the GPS and its power cord out of the sun and put it in the glove box before leaving the car to prevent it from getting cooked. If it gets cooked, that will make it fail (possibly permanently).

Is there a service fee for any of this?

No. GPS is already paid for by taxpayer dollars and run by the US Government.

What map data do I get with this GPS?

All of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Again, you need the 32GB microSD card installed to hold all that data. It is REQUIRED.

Will the GPS notify me of a map update?

No. You have to check for map updates yourself about once every 6 months. Every 6 months, launch Garmin Express, plug in your GPS, and if there is a map update, the software will tell you.

Is there traffic reporting?

No. Navigation only.

Does this old model have any ability to receive a location from my phone?

No.

How do I get a list of directions from the GPS?

Pick a destination either from Favorites, Points of Interest, Coordinates or elsewhere, click Go and let the GPS calculate the route first. Once the route is calculated and it's telling you where to go, click the top blue text bar on the map screen, and the directions list will be there.

Will this GPS automatically recalculate a route if I miss a turn?

Yes.

Does this GPS have a trip computer?

Yes. Pick a destination (similar to what was described just above) and click Go. After that on the map screen, click the bottom right field where your speed is listed, and you'll see the trip computer. Information such as arrival time, miles to go and so on will be listed.

Can I get that trip information to always be on the map?

Yes.

1. Settings
2. Map
3. Down arrow (bottom right)
4. Map Data Layout
5. Change from Standard to More Data
6. OK
7. Back (twice)
8. View Map

Four boxes will be on the right side of the map. Each of the top 3 can be clicked and changed from 6 available choices. The ones you will probably want are Arrival Time, Distance and Time to Destination.

To switch back to full map view:

1. Settings
2. Map
3. Down arrow
4. Map Data Layout
5. Standard

In Standard view while viewing the map, the bottom left field can be clicked and changed to one of the 6 options just like in More Data view, except it's just that one box.

Note that in either Standard or More Data view, there are two view modes, tracking and navigating. When not navigating (GPS is on but you haven't selected a place to navigate to), each box only has 3 custom options to select from since no place to navigate to has been selected. In navigating mode, you get the 6 options. Once you have set what you want to see for both tracking and navigating, the GPS will remember these settings and you don't have to set them again unless you want to.

How many Favorites can I save on this GPS?

1,000.

Does this GPS have a safe mode?

Yes.

When Safe Mode is on, the screen cannot be interacted with while your car is in motion. With it off, it can be used while your car is moving.

1. Settings
2. System
3. Safe Mode (select On or Off)

I found a map error. What can I do about it?

Nothing. Deal with it.

I couldn't find the location I wanted in the GPS. What do I do?

Use coordinates as noted above.

The screen brightness at night is too bright. Can I adjust this?

Yes. When the Garmin switches from day to night mode, you can select Settings, then Display, and adjust brightness there. The Garmin will remember the setting. Bear in mind brightness decreases gradually from day to night based on the clock, so you might have to adjust it a few times before you get it exactly how you want.

Does this Garmin have a "dark mode"?

Yes.

1. Settings
2. Display
3. Color Mode
4. Set to Night, and the Night theme will be used all the time.

The clock is set to 24-hour and I want 12-hour. How do I do that?

1. Settings
2. Time
3. Time Format

I want to completely reset the unit. How?

1. Delete all Favorites first
2. Where To?
3. Recently Found
4. Clear (to clear out the Recently Found list)
5. Power the GPS off
6. On battery, press the bottom right of the screen, hold, and power on.
7. Wait until "Erase all user data?" appears, select Yes.

Note that if you do this, you will have to set everything up from scratch again. Basically everything mentioned here. Fortunately, it doesn't take too long. Also, it may take a few minutes for the first GPS signal to be acquired after a reset.

Published 2025 Aug 5