FM Transmitter question/usage hints

I've got it turned off. Even with it on top of the radio it has too much static.

I have the 760 with the FM transmitter. It works decent here in Phoenix with very little static. I tune it to 107.3. This channel has some distant Spanish content barely coming through, but when I activate the FM transmitter, it all but goes away. My radio antenna is on the right front passenger side. My father has a vehicle with the antenna on the rear of the vehicle, and he can't get a decent signal from his 660 at all.

That being said, I rarely use my FM transmitter since I would rather hear music over the radio than the GPS TTS directions. The internal speaker on my 760 won't win any prizes for its function, however it is adequate for hearing the directions and talking on the cell phone with the bluetooth enabled. I find it to be plenty loud (almost annoying on alerts.) I would suggest that if you are not using your GPS to listen to music or audio books (why would you if you have an ipod and sat radio)then it is not that big of a deal. The practical uses of the FM transmitter are very few. I would focus on other features of the GPS to make your decision.

I don't know how that setup would work (for my satisfaction). The nuvi will broadcast a signal all the time, even if it isn't "saying" anything. I would rather have it only transmit when speaking, and then it could over ride another device.

For me I have used the 760 in my '99 grand marquis (antenna in back windshield) and '99 Suburban (front antenna). The suburban works better. I play old time radio shows from the sd card and then it will interrupt with directions. The FM band is not that crowded in KS, so I have not had the issues some have had with larger metro areas.

Personally if I was listening to a different mp3 source, then the regular speaker is fine or get an amplified speaker for the nuvi. Then the nuvi is always "hot" and you can just turn off the car radio to kill the mp3 till you want to hear it again. Of course you probably know where you are going all the time so the directions aren't as important.

Daniel

Thanks JohnJance,phxpilot and dkeane for the helpful information. That is the kind of input I am looking for. Real world users with hands-on experience to me makes the most sense. I appreciate your input.