Garmin NUVI: FM traffic vs. MSN direct

I am considering replacing my 2610 Garmin streetpilot with a new NUVI
model.
Can anyone share a review on the FM traffic feature or MSN direct
feature? Is the subscription worth it?

techman41973@yahoo.com wrote:

The MSN Direct (at least in Atlanta) uses more of the speed sensors to
display traffic than TMC...

Also TMC only supports traffic while MSN Direct supports four features
(for the nuvi 600 series) and eight features (for the 700 series)...

These eight features are: Traffic, Weather, Gas Prices, Movie Times,
News, Stocks, Local Events, and Web Favorites (Send to GPS).


--
Jack

Get general GPS information at: http://www.gpsinformation.net/

Jack Yeazel posted for all of us...

Jack, I have a 660 and am not impressed with the FM traffic. If I get the 680
cord can I then receive the MSN traffic after subscribing?
--
Tekkie GRIP = Get Rid of Incumbent Politicians

Tekkie® wrote:


No, the 660 isn't compatible with MSN Direct, but the 680 is...
You can receive the first four MSN Direct features with the 680...

--
Jack

Get general GPS information at: http://www.gpsinformation.net/

On Sun, 11 May 2008 17:40:36 -0700 (PDT), techman41973@yahoo.com wrote:


I've used them both. They both suck. If anything, the MSN direct
subscription is not as bad as the FM traffic feature because it has more
features (gas prices for example).

However, with a Blackberry 8700 in my hand, I can check my location and
traffic just by clicking a button. I see red zones, green zones, yellow
zones, etc.

Interestingly, the free Google traffic feature on my cellphone is just as
innacurate with just as spotty a coverage as the more expensive Garmin FM
traffic and MSN Direct capabilities.

Other points:
- Of course, Google traffic is only free if you already are paying for
unlimited data on your cellphone (which I am) ...
- No, you can't just switch antennas ... they're both hugely bulky.
- The FM traffic antenna is a huge cigar while the MSN Direct antenna at
least has a kink in it but they're both hugely bulky and the Garmin wires
should be muuuuuuuuch more flexible 'cuz they make the whole thing worse.

In summary, don't bother with the traffic feature on the Garmins;
especially if you have unlimited web access on your cellphone!