MSN Direct service only available til January 1, 2012

trouble is i never found the traffic to be timely enough to make a big difference. I tried both fm and msn. I did like the other msn features.

When I read this news I was angry at first, but then I thought about it. Who knows what our GPS units are even going to LOOK like in two years?

Two years in technology terms is a LIFETIME, people.

I just hope that the software evolves enough to stop navigating me off the freeway only to tell me to get right back on at the next on-ramp.

My needs are simple.

It'll do that if you have your preferences set to 'shortest'.

I just happened to check my MSN Direct account yesterday. I had elected not to buy a lifetime subscription right before they announced the upcoming end of service. Yesterday I had a new renewal option for my inactive device -- service until January 1, 2012, for $29.95.

Any comment on which of the traffic services works best. I've been using MSN and I'm not impressed.

Best to ask others who live in the area you will be using it. From reading past discussions on ths topic, it really seems to vary geographically.

When I got my 680, I think I had 12 months free, with an option to add 6 months onto that for $9.99 when I activated (which I did.) My subscription expires this month, but I only see the option to extend for another 6 months for $9.99. I could do that x 4, but your deal of $30 would be better than $40, unless I think my 680 might die/be replaced before then...

I might just go 6 months at a time.

If I were you, I would just go ahead and start looking for the cable, once MSN shuts down it's traffic FM cables will start to sell at a premium.
I don't see either Clear channel traffic or Navteq traffic closing down, Clear channel and Navteq traffic alerting systems work on an FM sideband signal which utilizes RDS (Radio Data Service) technology. Digitized and coded real-time traffic broadcast and is silent to your hearing. The radio stations that we all listen to also get there information from the side band as well as help add to it.

Clear Channel Radio was the first broadcaster to launch a ground-breaking programming and technology service delivering real-time traffic data directly to vehicles, using its own network of reporters, traffic cameras, helicopters and airplanes – Total Traffic Network. Total Traffic Network now serves more than 125 metropolitan markets in three countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand. Total Traffic Network delivers real-time traffic data via in-car or portable navigation systems, broadcast media, wireless and Internet-based services.
The two systems are interwoven by the delivery and mapping data..

Buy early before MSN goes down and probably get a better price.

It only makes sense, since they don't collect the data, write the mapping software that controls the system or broadcast the information to start with.

Nateq and Clear channel both have something to bring to the table, MSN not so much.

MSN tried to offset their weakness of the two above by making their service more intuitive with more than traffic. The only option that made sense to me was weather. They just didn't have the distribution network that Clear Channel does or the Mapping software so between the two it is costing to much to keep it viable in the market after paying the other two for services.

So, I had purchased a lifetime service card from Amazon for $98 in early October and activated it, shortly before they announced that they were discontinuing the service. I didn't find out about the MS announcement until a month later, when I was checking on a GPS to buy for my daughter. Anyway, I did not realize that I could call for a refund and keep the service, but a couple of weeks ago when I was on the phone with MSN Direct because my unit has stopped working, they told me I was entitled to a refund. They're going to send me a check that is apparently based on the $129 list price for the lifetime service card, so I will make money over what I paid for for it.

Anyway, despite several attempts to get the service to work again (and it had worked fine for several months), I can't get it to receive data, so MSN told me to contact Garmin. When I did so, I asked if they could just send me the lifetime traffic cable instead, and also asked what their plans were for their customers who were being left without traffic service. Here is the response I received:

Unfortunately, MSN has chosen to terminate it's service, and will not honor the contract we had with them. As this action was not under Garmin's control, we will not be providing the FM traffic receiver to replace the MSN Direct receiver.

Now, if this is true that MSN had a contract with Garmin to provide service beyond 2012, it seems that they should have some obligation to provide us with a replacement cable so we do not lose traffic capability. Probably not likely, but maybe if we did it as a large group it could pressure them into doing something. It does seem like Garmin could at least sell us the FM cable at a deep discount.

I'd give you odds that the person that told you what you posted was a CSR and no better.

I'll also give you odds that what you reported that he said is pure bullsh*t. Not that he didn't say it, but that what he said was crap.

Those guys like to just make it up as they go.

I guarantee you that there is no recourse and that Garmin likely had minimum deliverables that they failed to meet.

It wouldn't suprise me if Garmin's announcement of the Nulink service was the nail in the coffin as far as Microsoft was concerned; Garmin has been busily whoring themselves out to anyone and everyone; Microsoft, Navteq. TTS, Clear Channel and so on.

I suspect that Microsoft could possibly have sued Garmin - but without a copy of the contract in hand and given the lack of a public spectacle of legal posturing, they have clearly decided to just let things die a slow death.

And, of course Gamrin COULD reduce the price on traffic receivers, but why should they? The vast majority of users will plunk down whatever the price is, assuming that they want to maintain their service.

The rest? Well, you just don't count.

Besides, since you made money on the subscription, don't be a total pig about it and spend some of that >$100 you are getting back to buy your lifetime traffic receiver. Do it right and you'll even have some change left over.

I'm waiting for at&t to put out their own receiver cord that provides what they send as NuLink. Maybe without the Google search, but receive the traffic and updates. Still, $5 a month is a little steep for just traffic and gas prices.

I dunno, to me it looked like something that was a canned reply and not written by a CSR. Of course, I could be wrong.

I have 880, with msn direct, this unit had been discontinued. but I don't know what will happen with my traffic. I should and hope can get free fm antenna from garmin as a replacement

I did not renew mine in last December because the service was going down hill in Toronto area. I started using Clea channel receiver which I got with my nuvi 765. Clear channel coverage has improved a lot in Toronto area now. So I am not missing MSN too much.

Garmin has already responded to people that have asked that same question about if they will be offering a replacement. They told them that they would not be offering any replacement traffic receivers when the MSN service ends.

It is unfortunate that the MSN service didn't survive the market but I don't know that Garmin should take a financial hit for it. I admit the FM cables are a little pricey but unfortunately we chose to buy Betamax and VCR won. I'm using my MSN service till it runs out then I'll either buy the FM cable, live without traffic updates for a while or suck it up and by a fancy new nuLink unit. You've got to admit the nuLink looks like a much better service anyway.

I had a different answer from CSR. I had been told, at this time Garmin has no plans regarding this issue, but in two years time, lots of things can change...

Whatever that mean...

I have MSN Direct as well. I really appreciate there extra servcies (weather alerts, news, etc.) in addition to the real time traffic service.

Is there a comparable service that provides these extras (like weather alerts, news, stocks, etc.) above and beyond traffic service?

Hopefully someone would devise a compatible interface that won't eliminate the recievers we purchased. Just when ya think ya did good purchasing something that assist's with our travel!!

Virgo

I was hoping the very same thing.

If you're willing to gamble, there are some really hot deals on the 780 right now.

It sounds like that CSR was just kicking it down the road to deal with it sometime in the future when most people have forgot about it and moved on to some other service.

I wonder what they will replace it with? Please tell me I won't have to upgrade again?!

I would think GPS's would go the route of eReaders and partner with Wireless providers. This would provide access to real time traffic and other features similar to MSN.

You can buy an FM receiver right now. You'd need to check for your particular model to make sure that it can handle the FM Traffic receiver but I don't think I've seen a Garmin unit yet that could do MSN Direct but not FM Traffic.

Take a look at Garmin to make sure yours can handle it. Then find the appropriate traffic receiver for your GPS/needs (some have a USB connection, some of a funky nüvi-specific connection, some will just go up the side of your windshield, some go behind the dash and plug into your radio's antenna, etc.) I'd recommend that you go ahead and buy the traffic receiver you'd like for your GPS if you think you'll still be using your current GPS 2 years out (really think about that one). If your MSN Direct service is still good until then I'd suggest waiting until you really need the FM service before subscribing. That way you have the cable you need, just in case they swap out connectors and yours is harder to find or no longer available, and you're not out extra cash for the subscription when you're really covered right now.

When it's time to subscribe to FM Traffic look at which service would work best for you (there are two FM traffic services which you can subscribe to). They have maps and you should be able to get a feel if one is better than the other depending on where you traffic. Check out the threads here and ask folks how the traffic is for your region and make sure you ask which service they have (most have TTN (Clear Channel), some have Navteq, and some have both - to which I'm not sure how they'd tell which one was active).

Anyway, at that point you'll be ready to subscribe to the service that best suits your needs.

Check out the 1690 with the 3G-based Nulink - it represents Garmin's view of what's next.

And for those who are thinking about 'adapters' and other such stuff, the likelihood is that there will not be anything retrofittable - it isn't the Garmin way.

thanks for the info

Has anyone tried the NuLink service? How does it compare to what MSN offers today?

Because it is useless where I live (as in extremely limited services available) I haven't even used my free 90 days yet!

Maybe on my next trip south... lol

While not horrible at $5/month. I really don't want to pay a monthly fee.

Granted, though, it's a better deal than the XM services (cost is about 1/2).

If it were like the old DashExpress units (where some central computer was getting updates of the GPSs themselves so you'd know what traffic was even on surface streets) I might be interested.

For all of the extra services, the only ones that seem to make sense to me are: Traffic and Weather. Gas prices are great but it's not like you're going to drive an extra mile and get gas as 1/2 off. You may get a few pennies off but that's about it. Seems like it'd be more trouble than it was worth. Movies/Local Events/etc, for me at least, could better be planned out on the internet before leaving or on a smart phone.

I myself will take a pass on this one for now.

Why bother if NAVTEQ is the supplier anyway. Unless of course your using this service on a cell phone all in one unit.

To bad they selected AT&T as a provider. Two years free then $5.00 a month isn't bad. as long as that's where the price stays.

Can't see it any faster since they still have to buy data from NAVTEQ and wait for them to deliver.

The gas price option is a gimmick, How accurate can it be when Gas prices raise .10-.25 by the minute and fall .01 by the day?

3G or what ever is next is probably the future for all these devices. If NAVTEQ themselves developed the technology it would be better cutting out the middle man for delivery.

I am still awaiting a substitute alternative from Garmin

MSN Direct is now only $19.99 for the rest of the time. I just got it back again. Not a bad deal for $20 till Jan 1, 2012.

Seeing that GPS is moving more and more towards cell phones I wonder what GPS makers are going to do to stay competitive anyways? I know my Nokia phone has maps that are bearable.

My iphone Has even better quality maps than nuvi with much more options..

Lawsuit against Garmin then might resolve the issue..

That is a pretty sweet deal, I had the service since it came out, but then I noticed I only checked the stock market scores, so I decided not to renew, but at that price, I just might reconsider..

I am now hunting for GARMIN GTM 20 FM TRAFFIC RECEIVER for my 880

I saw GTM 20 with lifetime traffic on eBay for $39

It is pretty clear why a lot of us find an alternative to Microsoft whenever possible.

I was under the impression that the service for MSN would be offered until they discontinued it.
I was offered a refund when I contacted them last year and told I could have the usage until they discontinued the service, however I tried to use it for gas stations and was not able to get through.
I did update my maps with a lifetime update.
Could this have affected my ability to use the service?

Mine still working weather, gas, news, flight, etc. The local events doesn't have a lot of info

Remember MSN Direct ends soon. Time to get a different traffic provider.

I think a two way communication will benefit users much better. for example, if you hit traffic that was not tracked by GPS, you could have the option to report it.

I believe that traffic and intelligent routing need lots of work.

They also could use a faster processor, to render graphic better.

I agree, but

I think a two way communication will benefit users much better. for example, if you hit traffic that was not tracked by GPS, you could have the option to report it.

I believe that traffic and intelligent routing need lots of work.

They also could use a faster processor, to render graphic better.

It seems like the more things like this happens, the more my GPS is becoming obsolete. I think it's time to transition to my smartphone and see how it does for navigation.

So... which Traffic receiver are most of you planning to get ?

I have an 885t and I have to do a little research to see what is compatible.

I think it may be the GTM-20, but I'm not sure.

I'd forgotten this was coming. The Christmas deals definitely made an upgrade from the old Nuvi680 tempting, but I'm going to go without the extras for now.

I have MSN direct on my 750 and still find it to be much better then my 1490LMT. The 1490LMT uses the GTM-35 and only seems to report traffic accurately when I'm sitting in it(if it reports it at all). I travel the major roadways in my area often like I-95, Rt 1 and the PA turnpike and have found the GTM-35 traffic to be extremely inaccurate.

The 885t does use the GTM-20 but I would probably save the money you would spend on the GTM-20 and apply it towards a new GPS with lifetime map updates and traffic. You're probably looking at spending around $80 for the GTM-20.

... I absolutely hate being suckered into things that are withdrawn shortly after I buy into them.

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it's the dog's fault