Garmin 3597 and the app Smartphonelink

I do not have any experience but here are links from Garmin that describes what is going on.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-go/apps/smartphone-li...

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.garmin.and...

Yes, I used both on the iPhone 5s. While not stellar, the app provides an added basic level of Internet communication. You can search for a location in the app (which is nice, as the app looks to the Internet, which is obviously more current than the Garmin map), and once found, choose to send it to the navigator. Once you send, a message appears on the navigator asking if you want to go to the place that was just received, or if you want to save it.

So far, it's worked well (with some flaws -- mainly failure to communicate 100% of the time between the phone and Garmin).

I wouldn't buy a new Nuvi just for the app (until it's much improved with more Internet-based features, which is obviously doable, and I have no idea why Garmin hasn't implemented them -- I've sent some suggestions, which they blew off), but if you have a need for an app compatible Nuvi, there's no reason not to use it. It provides some incremental benefits (mainly searching for locations via the Internet, which is more current than your Garmin maps, which can then be uploaded to the device for navigation).

Just remeber to keep the app "open" in iOS 7, even in the background. If you kill it, you will need to relaunch it to connect to your Garmin.

I am using Smartphone app (on my Google Nexus 5)with all Live Services on my Nuvi 3597 for last several months.
Yes, connectivity is still an issue. Sometimes Nuvi does not connect (Bluetooth) right away with the Phone.

I like Live traffic, it is pretty good.
I could not find any use of Live traffic cameras.
Advance weather is good too. All weather alerts seems
to be correct.
The other nice feature I liked is Dynamic Parking. It starts showing Parking sigh when you are near your destination. it is quite handy in big cities to find parking. Overall, I am not too disappointed with it.

Did you purchase the Live Traffic in-app purchase? I ask, because this is from the email exchange I had with Garmin on it:

The traffic functions provided in the SmartPhone Link are near the same as the HD traffic, which already are included with your unit. The only differences is that the SmartPhone Link traffic option works on your phone's data, which may or may not have better reception than the HD receiver. It also operates on the phone's bandwidth, which again, may be better than what can be transferred over even the HD radio channels and leads to a faster refresh rate and more information downloaded quicker.

I would recommend using the HD receiver for a while, and if you notice outages or areas that you require quicker or more accurate information, let us know and we can check to see if the SmartPhone Link application will offer better coverage.

I'm wondering if the live traffic would function in areas not covered by their HD traffic?

Depending on Navteq's (Here's) traffic feeds, it should work just about anywhere as the maps on the Here site cover the entire country with traffic shown in almost all areas.

If you have HD traffic coverage in your area then you all set. I am in Canada where we have no HD coverage. So for me Live traffic is the best choice.
Secondly, Live traffic and HD traffic will not automatically switch when one of these services not available. You have to manually switch between Live traffic and HD/FM traffic.
Live traffic uses a tiny bit of data on your smartphone but not much.

I think i must borrow my wifes Iphone for some more testing, i have an android and there seems to be some kind of trouble with the bluetooth connection, i will try the other phone and see if it works better.

The thing i hope for and think will be good (if i get it to work) is that my wife can do spontaneous planning as we are travelling without to steal my garmin, just send the position and confirm it with voice navigation.
If i get it to work like that it will be good.

best regards

I use it with my samsung. I am a limo driver and there are always new hot places that people want to go to. The only sore spot with the app for me is once connected with bluetooth, it doesnt disconnect after the destination send. As a reult, the battery life on my phone gets depleted fast.

+1 to that. Although I think the battery on my Galaxy 4s and on the Nuvi 3597 both run down pretty fast anyway.

Horrible, so hit or miss if it will load the traffic cam on the Garmin.

Pick up the phone using the phone web browser, go to the traffic cam web site, cams come up just fine.
So its not that the camera is unavailable, the app is horrible. Would like my 4.99 back, lol

Chicago area, plenty of public cams, using on Galaxy S4

If you are in Toronto Canada area, You will see huge improvement in traffic coverage on Live Traffic via Smartlink App. Lots of side streets like Wilson, dufferin, Keele, steeles, Bathurst, Weston and lot more have started showing with traffic info in the afternoon. Looks like they have included all the bottle neck areas on these streets.
Yesterday, I used my GTM 60 instead of Smartlink app for traffic. It was a huge difference in coverage on MF traffic and Smartlink app. Traffic coverage via Smartlink app is very extensive. Some who has smartlink subscription in GTA, may confirm it?