This line of GPS models was introduced by Garmin in 2015. Featuring a 5-inch display with pinch to zoom similar to what is found on a smartphone. All of these GPS units have a lifetime subscription to map updates and traffic. The Garmin Nuvi 2539LMT is the base model with maps of North America and least expensive. The Garmin Nuvi 2559LMT adds maps of Europe plus bluetooth capability. The Garmin Nuvi 2589LMT has everything the 2559LMT has plus voice activated navigation. Finally the Garmin Nuvi 2599LMTHD has everything just mentioned plus HD digital traffic which is useful if you live in a large metropolitan area.
We’ll review mounting options in a bit. First I wanted to be sure that if you have any of these units, don’t lose the cable. Your traffic subscription is tied to the actual cable itself. If you lose your cable, you will need to replace with a very expensive (about $60) traffic charger. A plain car charger will not provide you with traffic, you need to buy the model with traffic incorporated into it.
Now for the mounts. Since Day 1, Garmin has used a design with the Nuvi series which incorporates a custom cradle with a socket on the back. This cradle fits over a 17mm ball which is part of the mount. Starting in 2013, the cradle was modified from one that fits the top and bottom to one which snaps into a round groove on the back of the GPS. It’s a good solid hold as long as you have it snapped in properly. Garmin must have liked this design as they carried it over to the majority of the 2014 and 2015 line of GPS units.
The default mount that is provided with the GPS is the Garmin 4.3-Inch and 5-Inch Suction Cup with Mount. A photo of the mount you will receive accompanies the article. This is the same mounting base that Garmin has used for roughly the past ten years (they changed the cradle, not the base mount). Garmin also includes an adhesive disk for those that wish to use it on the dashboard. If you would rather not put adhesive on your dash, you could use this cradle with Garmin’s highly regarded bean bag mount which we discussed in a prior article.
How about some alternative locations and mounts? Vent mounts have been available for many years but Garmin completely missed the parade on these until 2013. Finally coming out with a vent mount of their own, Garmin’s entry is a very well made mount. Unlike many of their competitors, Garmin saw the need for a vent mount with a clamp on the back if it. This means these mounts will fit horizontal and vertical vents.
On the motorcycle, the best manufacturer from our experience is RAM Mounts. Custom cradles from RAM are not available for this series of GPS and we aren’t sure if there are plans to do so. Fortunately RAM offers some very well made mounts for smartphones and tablets that utilize spring loaded tension grips and one of those models fits this line of GPS. We discussed RAM’s X-Grip line in a previous article which can be read here. RAM bundles this cradle with a solid motorcycle mount. The cradle opens large enough to accommodate the 3.3 inch width of the GPS. The mount fits handlebar diameters to 1.25 inches which is large enough to fit most motorcycles with a conventional handlebar.
Motorcycle owners can also consider using the cradle that is provided with the windshield mount. That cradle can be removed by simply pulling it off and then snapped onto a motorcycle mount that has the 17mm ball. I prefer the RAM mount with integrated custom cradle as it is a much more secure mount so be very sure to tether the GPS to your bike if you select this option.