GTM36 confusion (rusted USB connector)

I own a Nuvi 855 and a Nuvi 2797, both have the traffic receiver in the cord. Without that cord no traffic!

Just look on Ebay and get a cheap replacement cord.

The lifetime traffic is tied to the traffic receiver.

I have a Taiwanese Nuvi 2465. The traffic cord (GTM 35) come with lifetime traffic for Taiwan and not the US. I have to get a new lifetime subscription for the US traffic.

My newer units (2495 and 3597) come with GTM60 HD traffic.

Nowadays, I use SmartLink Traffic. I found that more convenient and has a wider area of traffic coverage and traffic information is more up to date.

Do you mean "strait" as compared to a right angle USB plug? I guess all the Garmin traffic/power plugs I have seen have a right angle mini USB plugs. Does the GTM 36 work OK? I suppose it is possible that some refurbisher replaced the USB plug

As far as I know, the GTM 36 is only available as a cigarette lighter plug, not a USB plug. Also, I'll bet a buck that the traffic receiver in the GTM 36 is in the plastic cigarette lighter base and not the cable so I'm not clear as to why you'd want to buy a power-only cable and splice it into your existing cable.*

Both your 2597 and 2797 are Garmin Smartlink App compatible so if you have a smartphone, you could power the nuvi however you want and let the smartphone app provide (much better) traffic rather than buy a different GTM 36. The smartphone link app takes very little data if that's holding you back from thinking of trying it.

Regarding lifetime traffic being tied to the traffic cable/receiver, it's probably true, but not an issue. In the older traffic receiver/cables, the traffic receiver required a paid subscription for traffic but that hasn't been the case recently. I surmise that any new or used GTM 36 will have its own free traffic subscription and any Garmin GPS compatible with the GTM 36 would receive traffic through the cable/receiver right out of the box.

[Later]
* Oh wait, I think you're looking at going the other way around.

A quick check determines that both of your units are Smartlink compatible with either Android devices or Iphone devices. Some units, such as the 3590, are only compatible with Android devices. Smartlink is better than the traffic cable for receiving up to date traffic. I prefer it over Traffic HD.

Yes, not a right angle. I have never seen that. The seller (used), said they "checked with Garmin and they were made both ways," but that's an Ebay seller.

So, I am still lost in all of this. IF the traffic receiver in EACH cord is tied to when you first used Express, there is no need to pay for such a cord. A repalcement power cord (right angle mini-USB) can be had between $17-21.

I have tried Smartlink and am not worried about data use.
The problem I have is I BT the phone to my car audio so it can be used for calls. I don't think I can tie to both simultaneously, but I'll try that.

You can. After you connect, go into the Apps section on the Garmin, select SmartLink, then select your phone then uncheck to use for HandsFree.

The only drawback is that the Garmin won't reliably reconnect to your phone an Smartlink. On my phone, 3597, a lot of times I have to go to Settings>Bluetooth and choose the phone to re-pair and Save.

Sounds annoying, and it is. But Smartlink traffic beats both forms Garmin's built in traffic by a long shot. You get quicker updates, that cover anywhere you have cellular coverage. Garmin's traffic is only available in select areas.

phranc,

That sounds great and worth a try.
I DID find a place that has right angle mini-USB modified for Garmin power. They make them for motorcyclists. Everything from a 9" to 30" at no more than $16.

Thanks!

I am a little confused. What difference does it make whether the mini USB plug is right angle or strait? Will the strait connector not fit with the way your device is mounted? Which Garmin device do you have? Does the power plug into the device itself or into the cradle?

It will reduce the strain on the USB connector with the right angle one.

Since I switched to Smartphone Link I have relegated my GTM power cord receivers to the junk drawer. I use this instead: 3.1A Dual USB 2 Port Car Charger Adapter 5V and this: Startech 6 ft Mini USB Cable - A to Right Angle Mini B

It is just over $10, is much less bulky and works just fine.

I have the Nuvi 2597 and the traffic is in the unit. It came equipped with the TA-20 charger cable. Based on your post.Your unit may not have the correct cable since it appears that the end was pulled apart. The 2797 per specs show it came with a traffic receiver. So which unit is the cable for?

Garmin posted this on how to determine what units have a embedded receiver? There are two simple methods that can be used to determine if a device uses an embedded receiver. See https://support.garmin.com/faqSearch/en-US/faq/content/nMwqY...

Exactly what I have found in several places. Garmin was aware of the weakness.

Now that my base stays with the same cable all the time, I am using double sided Velcro to hold the cable to the bracket and take all strain off.