Longer cable? (for Nuvi 3597)

NO

The power cable for your 3597 does a couple of things. It provides the power to run the unit and charge the battery AND is the antenna for the traffic receiver. Hiding the cable behind any metallic objects will be a shield preventing it from receiving traffic. Cutting the cable means you have to splice all the signal wires between the two portions of the cable and possibly affect the antenna as well. Radio antennas work best when they are "tuned" in that they are a specific physical length that is between the electrical wavelengths of the radio signal. I have to assume the antenna in the cable is tuned for the FM signal band of 88 to 108 MHz.

If you have traffic on the 3597, cutting the cable could affect the traffic antenna, that is in the cable.

Get a plug extension. I have seen some that are flat on one side and give you two outlets. Mount this under the dash, preferably, where you can easily get at it to plug and unplug the Garmin.

Personally, I don't think it's worth the effort.

Garmin also suggests that if you have problems with the traffic signal strength, to hang it over the rear view mirror, etc. I've never had to do this, but maybe, getting the cable up close the metal firewall, radios, and other wires, might end up cutting your traffic signal strength.

I'm certain you don't have that particular problem as your units traffic icon always remains green

Is it really Green, or merely an illusion, presented by the magicians at Garmin? Oh! If only we could be sure.

Any USB cord should work fine.

I have my GTM cable running from the unit on top of the dash next to the A pillar, down and snaked around the top of the steering column, then bundled under the dash close to the center console going to the lighter socket at the bottom of the center console.

I've never had any traffic reception issues with this configuration but them I'm also in the Los Angeles area where traffic transmitting stations are quite dense.

The cable has the integral antenna and the newer models have the traffic receiver built into the GPS.

When I connect my 2555LMT to a plug in supply, or one without the traffic antenna, it goes into computer mode.

You might want to check into this.

Do not cut the cable as this is dub as traffic antenna. Also check your local law as some municipals have ordinance where to put your gps unit.

In that case, going in the opposite direction would be best. Purchase a 12V lighter extension cable and extend the cable that way.

Good suggestion! I thought of that too. As much of the Garmim cord that you can get exposed, the better the reception.

Just be sure that the chances of a short are minimized and it's fused properly

I discovered this morning that with the 3597 stuck high on the w/shield (temporarily, until Bean Bag mount arrives), I actually got Traffic at my house. That's the furthest I've gotten it so far with either the 660 or the 3597. Guess I'll have to drape the cord over the mirror, once the Bean Bag gets here. Won't get here today, as we had rain, then sleet, then snow and it's 21°F here now and I know that puny little mail truck will never make it thru our hilly neighborhood.

My solution for the past several years has been to stretch the cable from the dash outlet up and place as much as possible in an open loop on top of the dash. I then place the bean bag on the portion of the lead from the lighter socket. It holds everything in place and there is no stress on the cradle connector. I started doing this when I purchased my 885T about 6 years ago. In that time I had only one cradle failure, and it was with the connection between the unit and the cradle rather than with the cable connection as many others have reported.

As the combination power/antenna lies mostly flat on top of my dash I have very good signal reception and nothing hanging from my mirror that could be viewed as having "obstructed vision."

I live where JC lost his sandals. I have to gather the cord with a rubber band to keep it out of the way. Even Reno has no cameras.

If you want something like this:
http://bit.ly/pqecuF

Buy a 12v lighter extension receptacle, hard wire that to the fuse block and connect the GPS cable and run the mini plug trough a ¼ hole or between the dashboard and windshield.

Like others have warned you it may not work with the FM traffic antenna.

I have a permanent mounted Nuvi260 since 2008 with an old map but with the latest RLC file, it verbally warns me when approaching a RLC intersection.

Surprise! The mail truck did show up today. Guess the roads did clear up enough for them to make it. The Bean Bag mount will work fine. Draping the cord over the mirror get me a Traffic signal at my house. I will have to go up the interstate till I lose the signal and then try your method and see whether I gain or lose range.

I placed a tie wrap on the neck of the ball mount and holding the cable to reduce strain in case of the mount falling or foot entanglement.

Thanks for the info.

Thank you for the tips... My problem is that the cable is too long in my car and gets in the way, and too short in my police car and requires hanging down the windshield. That's a pain because I'm dealing with cords from a radar gun, GoPro camera and now the garmin. I will look into the power plug extension thing.

What Do You Mean, "In My Police Car". Is the department too cheap to provide you with a GPS, so you have to supply your own? LOL

a lot of them use the maps in the MDT.

Just curious, what's MDT?

never thought of doing this ..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_data_terminal