traffic updates?

If the traffic update to the NUVI is after the fact, what kind of warning do you get on a unit that doesn't do traffic? I've seen the 265WT for as low as $229.

I would say the same quality ........ pointless. I was just wondering if anyone had realtime experience with the traffic updates. Amazon has the 265wt for $219 and the 255w for $175. They also have a 760W for $199. All the reviews for them seem to be fairly positive.

We hear a lot of stories about when the traffic update was late or non existent - or even when it reported a slowdown when none was there. Stories about when it worked right are much fewer and further behind.

Last summer we were planning on driving up I-95 when we heard of a traffic accident that had all lanes blocked both directions. Used my trusty Nuvi 200 to find an alternate route and spent 90 minutes traveling the same distance because of all the bailout traffic. The road was cleared in about 20 minutes and had been flowing clear for over an hour when we passed the scene where the accident had happened. If I had traffic on the 200, I would have seen the road was clear.

I bought a Nuvi 760 with 3 months traffic subscription. I live within 30 miles of a traffic coverage city and on 3 different occasions, it sent me in different directions showing (on screen) twice due to traffic and once road construction (road closed). Otherwise I would have been tied up in the heavy traffic, and then once I would have had to turn around several blocks when I found the road closed. I haven't as yet looked into renewing this service, but I sure have thought about it as I do frequently go into that coverage city.

I have a Nuvi 680 and subscribed to life time with it. A few years ago it wasn't that accurate but I can't live without mine now. I travel through Phoenix, AZ a lot from Northern AZ and it has redirected me many times away from crashes on the freeways. I always turn of the radio to back up what my Nuvi is telling me, and every time it has been correct. If you do get life time subscription, it is only for the GPS you currently have. You can't get a new GPS and convert your subscription to it.

Oh, it also gives some other things that I don't use but maybe you would:

Current weather reports
Gas Prices
Theatre show times

the traffic feature has a lot of flaws. When it is right it is great but sometimes it just doesn't have a clue. I travel the Houston highways and beleive that the traffic systmes use a lot of historical data in lieu of raw live data.

i llok for "differant" patterns and rfind them reliable

On my 885T, I've received a traffic update (and warning) just after committing to the direction I was going. Had I been slower to get started, I would have gotten the alert before making the commitment.

From everything I've read, it seems that it's fairly even between those that either love, like, tolerate or hate the traffic feature. Seeing that I won't be using the GPS for business and only leisure and occasional travel, I'm thinking traffic is not a deal maker/breaker either way.

Anyone have comments (good or bad) on any of the 3 GPS' (255W, 265WT or 760) that I'm thinking about?

I have been using a 760 with MSN in the Detroit metro area for about a little over a year now. I use it everyday both going to work and coming home. I have my choice of 2 freeway routes home and I usually let the GPS decide which way is best based on traffic conditions.

I would say that no traffic system is perfect, even the radio doesn't get everything. Much depends on the reporting system in your city. In the Detroit metro area it's right a lot more than it's wrong. It’s pretty accurate at reporting incidents and when I don't listen to it I'm usually sorry.

That said the minutes that I will be delayed are always incorrect. However, it is an excellent gauge of how to proceed:
1 minute then keep going
3 minutes consider and alternate route
7+ minutes don't go anywhere near that place.

"Anyone have comments (good or bad) on any of the 3 GPS' (255W, 265WT or 760) that I'm thinking about?"

Not to muddy the waters but you also might want to consider a 780 (with 3 month MSN trial) for about $212 at BUYDIG.com Both my wife and I enjoy our 7x0 models (750 & 780).

I work and travel the baltimore-washington area and find the Nuvi gives me excellent real time heads up to changing conditions on major roadways. Sometimes, when there is too much bailout traffic around accidents, I am told sitting through the delay is still faster than rerouting. However, traffic delays on smaller local routes are not always picked up and consequently, not nearly as accurate in anticipating travel time--maybe people turn off GPS close to home or something. Anyway, for cities with coverage, it is worth it to me.

I just looked on the garmin site and compared the 760 and 780? What's the difference? They look exactly the same, with the only difference being FM or MSN traffic. Why the $100 in MSRP?

MSN offers more than just basic traffic even though the concept is the same. Right now, on the Garmin website the 785 is $50 more than the 765.

I bought the 885 at best Buy for $399 on Sunday.

Hi Jeffysno, You can get the 265wt at costco for 219, and it already has free traffic built into the unit! Mine seems to be on time with the events on the road.

Ultimately the best unit for you depends on your needs. No one here knows your driving habits; the amout of traveling you do; whether its only to familiar places or to new and challenging places. Nor, even your desires for bell and whistles.

While the Garmin site shows a $100 difference between the 760 and 780, I believe the difference is more like $6 - $7 at BUYDIG. (I have no affiliation other than purchasing from them.)

Having had Clear Channel (FM) on my 660 and now MSN on both my 7x0's I would prefer the MSN (mainly for gas prices.) Your research might lead you otherwise.

Isn't the traffic update supposed to also list any current long term road works that is going on in a major city?
I have not seen any updates of obvious road closings and detours shown here in near downtown Cleveland.
Am I missing something?
My Nuvi 885T is sending me to roads that are closed for major repairs.

.......... the 255WT.

Actually, I originally decided on (and purchased) the 255W, but then saw the 255WT and decided that for the extra $15, even if the life time traffic sucks and I don't use it, I'll at least know and not have to wonder "what if?".

Ended up returning the 255W for a full refund and am now enjoying the 255WT ($189 @ bestbuy). Thanks for all the feedback from everyone and the POI-Factory in general. Lots of great information on here!

I have a Zumo 550 for my motorcycle, and use it in my car as well ... I have been kicking around the idea of purchasing a traffic receiver and wanted to know if anyone is using it with the zumo, what their experiences were (good bad indifferent) and which they chose.

I live in the Pocono Mountains (PA) and regularly commute to northern NJ for work ... the I80 corridor is hell and I am hoping this could help me avoid traffic

Thank you in advance for anything you can help with

[If you do get life time subscription, it is only for the GPS you currently have. You can't get a new GPS and convert your subscription to it.

Oh, it also gives some other things that I don't use but maybe you would:

Current weather reports
Gas Prices
Theatre show times]

I've moved my MSN power cable to 3 different units (that are, of course MSN compatible) and it's worked on all 3.

I started a post similar to this over two years ago. Who would have thought then that MSN's Traffic Service's days may be numbered with the free Lifetime Traffic Alerts that Garmin is rolling out on even their lowest line GPS units? The 1200 & 1300 series, just rolled out, all come with it.

I thought the lifetime traffic was installed and carried by the Traffic RECEIVER... not the GPS unit.

So it CAN be moved from one GPS unit to another GPS unit.

Of course... once that reciever dies.... you need to get another receiver. But the GTM-20 can be purchased with or without lifetime traffic pre-installed on it.

It IS on the Traffic Receiver, which is why it can be moved from unit to unit

Do you pay a monthly fee for the Garmin traffic. I was under the impression that FM traffic transmitter was built into the GPS

I have two GDB 50's (traffic recievers that handle MSN), one for my car and one for my wifes. They look like car chargers except they recieve an FM signal from local radio broadcasters that give us all of the MSN content. Since we each have a 760 we use each others GBB 50's without any problems. Each reciever has it's own 20 digit product key that is used to register them with MSN. Yes, MSN service does cost money but at the time free traffic wasn't an option but I do like the extras and will continue with the service.

You're confusing two different things.

1. The FM traffic is hardware built into the power cable (GTM 2x or GDB 5x) which *receives* traffic data via FM frequency (not related to your car's radio) and supplies the traffic data to the GPS unit.

2. The FM transmitter is hardware built into the GPS which *transmits* via FM, audio generated by the nuvi to a selectable (empty) frequency on your car's FM radio. All audio from the nuvi is then heard through your car's FM radio and speakers.

My 680 came with MSN traffic. I work in the Baltimore Metro area and travel the beltway daily. The traffic updates are real-time and extremely accurate. I find this service to be very helpful to determine if an alternate route is needed. Any future GPS that I purchase will have the traffic feature. However, make sure the traffic provider is available in your area.

It's up to your budget. Mine I think it worth the traffic.

The traffic is great. Costco has the 265WT for $219.