FM traffic

The newer GTM 20, with the receiver in the middle of the cable, has a small 2.5mm (3/32") miniature phone jack for connecting an external antenna. The tip of the plug is connected to the antenna. With a reasonable length of thin insulated wire (six feet or so of 22-24 AWG) and a connector available from RadioShack (though not cheap), you can make a relatively unobtrusive antenna that you can hang on your windshield. It would be much thinner than power cable.

It's a good idea to use the antenna jack for a thin wire antenna.

A quick search has shown that there is no assurance of getting the new GTM-20 with the receiver in the middle of the cable rather than the old one with the receiver in the lighter plug.

The other issue is that lifetime traffic is included, something that I don't need because I already have ClearChannel lifetime.

Does anyone know where to get the newer GTM-20?

dobs108

I have the GTM-25 power cord with the receiver located about 6 inches below where you plug to gps.

I also put the cord over the mirrow2, it extends my traffic range

I have put my unit placed in front of the instrument panel stuck to it with a mall piece of Velcro away from the speedometer. Actually it covers most of the Tachometer and I find this way to be the best way I can see the GPS desplay without moving my head to a side. In this position the traffic receiver cable hangs by the side of the root of the stearing wheel column. I still get a good reception in Florida.

I was using my Nuvi 255 WT Sunday morning in the Chicago area and about 1/2 an hour in to the trip I noticed there was no traffic icon displayed. I thought that was strange because I all was see the traffic icon. About 15 minutes later the traffic icon showed up. Any idea what is up with that?

Most cases when you lose the green icon you are in a area not receiving the traffic signal.

That's what I found out too.

If no traffic is available for the road you are on, the traffic icon will not appear. If Chicago is like New York City, traffic is available for limited-access roads such as interstates. Four-lane state roads with intersections are not included, with exceptions. Downtown city streets are not included.

dobs108 - nuvi 760 with Clear Channel FM traffic

yes, if you renew it is lifetime. i have a 660 with lifetime traffic.

I have used MSN Traffic on my 680 (a paid subscription to be discontinued) & the free FM traffic for life that came with my 765T. In my opinion (Baltimore area only) they both work well and are a valuable tool in determining when to choose an alternate route due to traffic flow.

Clear channel and it seems to do all right, but I have not tried any other. It has been fairly accurate for traffic around the tunnels of Norfolk and virginia beach

Has anyone heard anything about the MSN Direct yet, it's been awhile but it should be coming to a end.
Has Garmin or anyone stated what can be done for the getting the traffic updates?

It ends January 2012 if I recall correctly.

Garmin has discontinued all Nuvi models that came with MSN Direct traffic receivers (780, 785, etc.)

Yes, the external antenna is the way to go, but my 2.5 yr old GTM 20 does not have one. If I ever upgrade, I'll be sure to get one that has the external ant. jack.

I have the same thing. My two year old C550 came with an original GTM 20 and my 765T came with the newer model. For the older version, I use ornament suction cups like these http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.83693168.jpg that I picked up in an assorted size eight-pack for about a $1 at an after Christmas sale. I stick them to the windshield and hang the cable from them. It works very well and I get great reception. The downside is you have the large cable hanging around. The newer GTM 20 has an even thicker cable so it is not practical. Thus the external antenna makes more sense with that one.

I tend to use the older model GTM 20 with my 765T because it has a TTN subscription on it. The newer one is NAVTEQ with ads so I don't use it as much.

Here is the coverage map from Navteq...

http://www.navteq.com/rdstraffic/index_150.htm

Poking around I came across this Press release from INRIX which supplies the traffic data for Clear Channel and thought it might be of interest.

http://inrix.com/pressrelease.asp?ID=99

Now, I wonder if the Garmin receiver is an HD receiver and if it picks up this additional data?

I never knew antenna placement was much of an issue. The free traffic on my 265T using the supplied GTM25 has worked seemingly ok in Phoenix and Denver burbs and places in-between. Receiver "bulge" is on top of the steering column. Still the best "bang for the buck" gps I've owned.

I'm considering purchasing a Clear Channel Traffic Subscription.

I've had a 660 for a few years. When the 3-month free trial period ended for traffic I never purchased a subscription because based on the traffic data that I was getting during the trial, it just was too inaccurate.

I live in the So-Cal/LA area. If I check the NAVTEQ map online at http://www.navteq.com/ and compare it to the data on the sigalert.com map and the Google traffic map, the Navteq map has different (probably incorrect) information. Both the sigalert map and Google map have similar data which in my experience is accurate - especially sigalert for my area.

So, I have two questions:

1. Was the traffic data that I had on my 660 during the free trial period coming from Navteq or from Clear Channel?

2. Is there a website with a traffic map for Clear Channel that would show what they are reporting so I could compare it to Google, Sigalert, and Navteq for accuracy before purchasing?

EDIT: Is this website showing what is on Clear Channel on the Garmin?
http://www.totaltraffic.com/LocalTraffic/Los%20Angeles/Defau...

I really like the free traffic on my NUVI 265 I wouldn't want to pay for a subscription though.

In the Baltimore metro area I find the traffic updates on my 1350LMT (NAVTEQ Traffic-RDS Coverage)to be mostly accurate. However, I also rely on traffic reports from the local radio stations when deciding if an alternate route is needed.