Garmin Smart Link App for iPhone 5 - Live Traffic Services Issues (Help!)
  14 years
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I recently started using the Garmin Smart Link with my iPhone 5 and brand new Nuvi 2797LMT (a great new 2013 GPS from Garmin by the way). I purchased the premium live services from within the app but I seem to be having some difficulty with the Live Traffic. I thought it worked the same as the FM traffic subscription in terms of coverage and alert information except that it uses cellular data (internet) instead of FM radio signals.
Problem: Each time I click on Live Traffic (North America) it says Searching Nearby Traffic and then quickly says No traffic incidents found. How can this be because with my Nuvi even if there are no incidents such as an accident in the area, it will still show me things like lane closures, bridge closures, construction, etc. 15+ miles away. I called Garmin and the rep was not sure. Anybody else have this problem? I am using it in an area where there is FM traffic reception (weak, but it is present here and there in my town). Why doesn't it show me issues in my nearby city (Philadelphia) like the Garmin Nuvi 2797LMT does when it is receiving FM traffic updates? The whole reason I purchased the Live Traffic for my iPhone was because the FM reception is weak in my area and I figured the cell phone data traffic coverage would ensure that I had this information regardless. Unfortunately, it is not working as expected. I started using this app a few days ago and about 20 or so miles from here (even further from the metropolitan Philly area, it was connected to my Nuvi and updating the traffic normally and showing it on my Nuvi as I drove east). I think this product has good intentions but needs much improvement.
use regular maps
i just use the map on the iphone 5 and it gives me traffic without any extra apps or charges.
Would be nice if this app
Would be nice if this app would work with last year's Garmin models.
Cost?
How much do the premium services cost? The greater weather detail and fuel cost seem like they could be useful but only if the price is OK.
Jim
The advanced weather service
is 4.99/yr. I purchased it for my 2797LMT I just bought to see what it offered. You get animated radar and such but since it uses your cell phone data (via smart-link on the phone) plan to generate this it seems a bit redundant as I usually use a weather app on my phone if I have any weather concerns.
On the 7" screen it is easier to see for sure but it wont be something I renew after the first year.
(formerly known as condump) RV 770 LMT-S, Nuvi2797LMT, Nuvi765T
2797 Traffic
Using the 2797 with GTM 36 antenna in the NYC/LI metro area, I don't recall my device pointing out closings, construction, accidents unless they directly impact the traffic pattern en route. If not, then it says no incidents ahead.
Michael J. Moonitz Massapequa, NY C340, N650, N660, N1490T, N2797 LMT, NuviCam
Hands Free Laws make weather and traffic on the GPS helpful
is 4.99/yr. I purchased it for my 2797LMT I just bought to see what it offered. You get animated radar and such but since it uses your cell phone data (via smart-link on the phone) plan to generate this it seems a bit redundant as I usually use a weather app on my phone if I have any weather concerns.
On the 7" screen it is easier to see for sure but it wont be something I renew after the first year.
Although there are obviously weather apps and traffic apps (some great free ones) on the iPhone and some say you can just use those instead, the problem is that with the handsfree laws, you cannot and should not be fumbling around with the phone to look at traffic, weather, etc. while driving. Having the Garmin 2797LMT report this information automatically and announce what is coming up on your route - bad weather, accident, etc. is extremely helpful to me. This app just needs work as it crashes, does not always connect, and seems to have sketchy traffic information in particular. It only seems to show stuff in the immediate vicinity or something on your route. You cannot seem to browse a 25 mile radius like you can on your Nuvi with FM reception. This is still beta in my opinion and needs work! The app continues to crash when there are weather alerts even after I uninstalled/reinstalled the app and soft reset the iPhone 5. It has great potential but fails to fully deliver. What shame.
ptownoddy wrote: I recently
I recently started using the Garmin Smart Link with my iPhone 5 and brand new Nuvi 2797LMT (a great new 2013 GPS from Garmin by the way). I purchased the premium live services from within the app but I seem to be having some difficulty with the Live Traffic. I thought it worked the same as the FM traffic subscription in terms of coverage and alert information except that it uses cellular data (internet) instead of FM radio signals.
I purchased 2595 few days ago in Canada. I also purchased premium subscription for smartphone app on my Android phone. It seems to work fine.
In your case, I can only think of your Bluetooth connection problem. Please make sure your phone pairs successfully with your Nuvi. Once it pairs successfully, then you should get all the info in your Garmin.
Iphone XR, Drivesmart 61,Nuvicam, Nuvi3597
It's not the bluetooth; it's the app
I recently started using the Garmin Smart Link with my iPhone 5 and brand new Nuvi 2797LMT (a great new 2013 GPS from Garmin by the way). I purchased the premium live services from within the app but I seem to be having some difficulty with the Live Traffic. I thought it worked the same as the FM traffic subscription in terms of coverage and alert information except that it uses cellular data (internet) instead of FM radio signals.
I purchased 2595 few days ago in Canada. I also purchased premium subscription for smartphone app on my Android phone. It seems to work fine.
In your case, I can only think of your Bluetooth connection problem. Please make sure your phone pairs successfully with your Nuvi. Once it pairs successfully, then you should get all the info in your Garmin.
I appreciate the thought and although the Bluetooth can be a bit flaky on the 2797LMT (a recent new firmware update is supposed to fix some Bluetooth bugs and a number of others) the issue persists. I believe the problem is in the app itself because even when I am not on Bluetooth the reliability and availability of the traffic and weather information is poor. The app crashes and/or has incomplete or missing information frequently. Fortunately, it seems to be aware of traffic when you are in the card on a programmed route whether or not it actually shows up in the traffic incident list. Still, frustrating. As for the weather, it's just working right. I've uninstalled/reinstalled the app, soft reset the iPhone 5 and all of that...
GOOGLE
Navigation (Maps) is available for the iPhone. It uses real time traffic for routing. Voice was spoken on my car speakers via BT. Voice from the phone had priority over radio, XM, iPOD etc. Everything was automatic, I didn't know my HU had that capability. I'm using an Advent (OEM look) unit and they had a BT firmware upgrade when the new iPhones were released.
I prefer Garmin GPS anyday over Google Maps
Navigation (Maps) is available for the iPhone. It uses real time traffic for routing. Voice was spoken on my car speakers via BT. Voice from the phone had priority over radio, XM, iPOD etc. Everything was automatic, I didn't know my HU had that capability. I'm using an Advent (OEM look) unit and they had a BT firmware upgrade when the new iPhones were released.
A lot of people say that the iPhone google maps are best but I much prefer a 7" Nuvi over a small iPhone screen particularly when driving in busy urban cities. Lane assistance, signage, offline maps and other features not found in Google make the Nuvi far superior in my opinion. Plus, I took my Nuvi and integrated it into my dashboard so it's now a permanent install. Just my two cents.
ptownoddy wrote: I recently
I recently started using the Garmin Smart Link with my iPhone 5 and brand new Nuvi 2797LMT (a great new 2013 GPS from Garmin by the way). I purchased the premium live services from within the app but I seem to be having some difficulty with the Live Traffic. I thought it worked the same as the FM traffic subscription in terms of coverage and alert information except that it uses cellular data (internet) instead of FM radio signals.
Problem: Each time I click on Live Traffic (North America) it says Searching Nearby Traffic and then quickly says No traffic incidents found. How can this be because with my Nuvi even if there are no incidents such as an accident in the area, it will still show me things like lane closures, bridge closures, construction, etc. 15+ miles away.
I think I understand your concern or issue now. If you search traffic within your app on your phone, it does not find any incidents but on your Garmin you will see them.
I have the same issue. I have reported the issue to their development team as well. It is a bug in their app.
Iphone XR, Drivesmart 61,Nuvicam, Nuvi3597
Doesn't work for me either
I have a 3597 and Smart Link running on a iPhone 4. Traffic works fine with the cable, but constantly searches and drops using Smart Link 1.5. I don't trust the traffic information when it is working with Smart Link anyway. The subscription fee for a non-working feature is a real rip-off.