external FM traffic antenna

The Garmin GTM 25 or 35 charger with FM Receiver seems to work well with reception. Do you know what type charger with built in receiver you are using?

The one that came in the box. No ID on the cable. Garmin just lists as "FM traffic receiver with vehicle power cable". So I'm not sure which one since the pictures I found of both look identical.

The manual just shows a picture. It's for the 1XXX models so where can look up to see which traffic receiver I got? Interesting the picture is showing an external antenna. I'm going to call Garmin on Monday and ask why the shown antenna is not in the box?

Good Thinking.

Nuvi1300WTGPS

I have always wanted to get traffic updates but felt that the accuracy may not be there and actually make my journey longer.

I went to this website and it had an interesting review
http://www.gpsreview.net/traffic/

Yes, interesting article, but be aware that the date on the article is January 2008. MS got out of the Traffic business.

Just about all the data is collected by State and Local governments. Very little info comes from helicopters, etc. It's mostly all automated now.

On the I-95 corridor in VA, it will alert you to accidents in the DC area, when you are in Richmond, VA, which is about 100 miles away.

Yes, interesting article, but be aware that the date on the article is January 2008. MS got out of the Traffic business.

Just about all the data is collected by State and Local governments. Very little info comes from helicopters, etc. It's mostly all automated now.

On the I-95 corridor in VA, it will alert you to accidents in the DC area, when you are in Richmond, VA, which is about 100 miles away.

Temporarily mount your unit as high up on the windshield as possible. or Have a passenger hold it as high up as possible.

Does it help? Then the external antenna might help if you normally use a cup, vent or dash mount.

Sometimes a failing USB connection (wire bent/dropped too many times) will let the GPS work but not the traffic.

The antenna is incorporated in the car charger. I don't think external antennas are included, or usually needed.

I'll try to see if it uses a standard jack/cable and will update this post.

i was like that wanted to get traffic updates
but i wasnt sure how accurate it works
i am guessing that listening to the radio might work faster
then i got my 1390 with lifetime update and traffic
it is nice that come with both
but i found out that most of the time when i hit traffic, there is not much info about it

Any luck with better reception for traffic report?

Traffic is broadcast on FM stations to your traffic receiver. If they aren't updated or broadcasting then it is useless. I find mine to be useless. Most of the ones I get are for the toll booth I need to go through not the road I am traveling on.

I've traveled all over the country with the built-in power cord/traffic receiver on my 3790 and the traffic is hit or miss. I don't think its the reception but do believe its the transmission.
I tried the HD traffic on the TOMTOM LIVE and that is the best. Let's hope that the new Garmin HD traffic will be better on the new Garmin 3490.
I wouldn't spend money on an external device.
Good luck.

My 660 lists the GTM-20 in the setup screens. The ones you get access to by pressing on the battery indicator. Your GPS probably has the reciever listed there too.

After using the traffic for a while it's pretty worthless. Listening to AM radio is easier and has more accurate traffic updates.

I am in somewhat agreement with you. If something (e.g. accident) happened 15+ minutes ago it might show up on your traffic alert. Sometimes, I have sat in stopped traffic on the DC beltway for 15 minutes before my GPS "alerts" me to the traffic.

I can't believe there used to be a monthly charge for the traffic updates. Free AM radio is much better.

t took almost 2 weeks to get the charger GTM 25 from Hong Kong. Its Ok and it works. I had a problem getting the traffic icon displaying on the map page so I had to reset it using the reset procedure. Then it took about 30 minutes before the trafic icon appeared.

It seems like it only appears on the map when its receiving info and when its in range with the FM stations transmitting the info. If its out of range you will not see the icon. Resetting the FM table data really worked in getting the display. So far I don't think I would pay subscription for that service although its already paid for when you bought the new 1490T unit with life time traffic. Its not impressive so far.

Any tips from i should be aware of?

Traffic depends on where you are. Some cities are better than others. Atlanta, Ga is normally pretty accurate, as is Tampa, Fl.

New Garmin devices market this as a better traffic feed. Do you believe this will be better?

There are two types of FM traffic signals and I think your "free" system is only getting one of them but I forget which. There are coverage maps for both you can get to on the Garmin website (pretend you want to buy coverage and you will get to the maps). If you review your area, my guess is you get weak signals. 3D may be better but it's coverage map is really small right now. The nuvi can only receive what is available.

I like having the traffic but I agree with the comments about it being out of date. There is a definite time lag. I've gotten informaiton on traffic but nothing that helped me so far. But still I like getting it. The wrecks I've been notified of while they were still an issue were in a location that just waiting it out was my best option. But at least I had a warning and knew I had not missed an opportunity.

There is also a screen you can get to that will show you what signals you are getting for traffic - which frequencies. It on one of those screens you get to by holding your finger on the speed indication and then the speedometer.

Jim