Garmins interfacing with phones, post your experience

My Nexus connects to the GPS for Smart Traffic and searches only. Voice connects through the car stereo. I've never had a dropped connection once connected, but sometimes I have to bring up Garmin Connect on the phone to first establish the link.

I had a lot of issues with my Garmin Drive Smart 70 LMT and after months of back and forth troubleshooting, logs, calls to support, etc. eventually some updates fixed the majority of my issues. I'd give them a ring - they're very helpful.

Interesting. How did you get the updates that were not already being downloaded via Garmin Express?

Thanks for your reply.

It all depends which Garmin device you are using. I have two Garmin devices 3597 and NuviCam which are Smartlink App or Bluetooth compatible.

1. Nuvi 3597 has almost no issues with my Iphone 6 running on IOS 10.3 (Beta). If Smartlink App is open on iphone, 3597 connects nicely but some times enables phone calling feature on Nuvi on its own. All features work without any issues.

2. NuviCam came out with bundle of Bluetooth issues and it took them more than a year to resolve the most nagging issues. I still get "IOS service disconnected" everyday but it connects back again automatically most of the times. I have opened problem ticket with Garmin for more than 6 months and still no resolution.

There are two types of Bluetooth services which are running on these new devices:

1. Bluetooth --> to pair your phone with Nuvi device for hands free calling.

2. BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) --> used to transfer data from Smartlink app to Nuvi device. BLE is the service which transfer all data like traffic, weather and all other information you can see on your Nuvi.

I personally don't use phone calling feature and keep Bluetooth disabled on Nuvicam. BLE runs to feed all the info to the device.

If you have any Bluetooth issues, it is mostly due to your Garmin and not your phone.

Thanks for sharing, exactly what I was looking for.

Bluetooth problems often arise from compatibility and implementation of BT module into device and software. Especially different versions or generations are prone to problems.

I connected my 770 with my old Nokia phone (about 6 years ago) and it was able to make calls and Nuvi even imported phone book, so you can make calls via GPS. Same effect I had when connected 770 with Galaxy S4. Phone book was available vie GPS.

But as there was no real benefit in this connection I never tried it since.

Have occasional problems with a 2598 and a Droid Mini. Quite often have to delete the association in both devices then create a new one. Irritating.

I've had smartphone link working quite well. I've not experienced any drops of the connection. It doesn't always start smartphone link automatically.

Occasionally the phone calling feature gets turned back on without being doing anything.