SmartPhone Link

 

Just got a smartphone and I'm playing around with the features on here. So far, I've run into a few issues:

1. Parking Services is supposed to show you parking fees on the GPS unit, but I can only see them on the app. Anyone have any idea how to fix this?
2. Does it default to smartphone link traffic when I have both that and the FM receiver plugged in? If it's all the same, I think it would make more sense to use the FM Traffic receiver since that wouldn't use up my battery on my phone (I have unlimited data and use about 2GB/mo so I'm not worried about data overages).
3. I can't seem to get smartphone alerts working consistently. Not sure if it has to do with the fact that DND while Driving is also enabled?

Thanks for any insights guys!

WuLabsWuTecH wrote: Just got

WuLabsWuTecH wrote:

Just got a smartphone and I'm playing around with the features on here. So far, I've run into a few issues:

1. Parking Services is supposed to show you parking fees on the GPS unit, but I can only see them on the app. Anyone have any idea how to fix this?
2. Does it default to smartphone link traffic when I have both that and the FM receiver plugged in? If it's all the same, I think it would make more sense to use the FM Traffic receiver since that wouldn't use up my battery on my phone (I have unlimited data and use about 2GB/mo so I'm not worried about data overages).
3. I can't seem to get smartphone alerts working consistently. Not sure if it has to do with the fact that DND while Driving is also enabled?

Thanks for any insights guys!

1. I haven't seen any fees on mine. Fees are too variable.

2. Yes it defaults to the Smartlink Traffic. It covers all the US as long as you have cell service. Much more accurate, more timely, and alerts 50-60 miles in advance. No, it won't run your battery down. I leave it running all the time and it has a minimal battery and data draw.

3. What alerts are you not seeing?

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Frank DriveSmart55 37.322760, -79.511267

traffic

I've run both separately, the Smartphone link is much more accurate and up to date than the cable with traffic.

My 2689 used to drop the smartphone link alot but with my DriveSmart 61 it works very well.

Neither are perfect but my choice is the link.

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. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

Smartphone link

is that an app or how do I find it to use?

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johnm405 660 & MSS&T

Google or Apple store

johnm405 wrote:

is that an app or how do I find it to use?

In the phone, just go to the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store and search for Garmin Smartphone Link.

dobs108 smile

Far superior

SmartLink is far superior to FM traffic. It uses minimal data and battery drain is close to nil. SmartLink should automatically connect to your GPS. The only recommendation that I would make is to open the app before powering up the GPS in your vehicle and make sure that “Handsfree” is unchecked on the GPS under the phone tab. Sometimes, if you leave “Handsfree” checked, it will interfere with the GPS connecting to the SmartLink app.

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With God, all things are possible. ——State motto of the Great State of Ohio

Smartphone Link.

johnm405 wrote:

is that an app or how do I find it to use?

If you are asking that question in regard to your nuvi 660, it would not be compatible with Smartphone Link. If I remember correctly, Smartphone Link was introduced in 2012 for the nuvi 34xx/35xx series.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Yep ...

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Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

Hands Free

Also, when Hands Free is checked, the GPS will answer your Smart Phone automatically (and take outgoing calls automatically as well). Not a good thing if you're rockin to a favorite tune. Plus, the GPS speaker is not that good and you have to talk LOUD to be heard on the other end.

Newer vehicles, like my GMC pickup, equipped with Bluetooth can answer the phone when you want and will "Mute" the radio for you. Much better quality sound incoming and outgoing.

As mentioned in another thread, you may have to turn Hands Free off (uncheck) a few times, as the GPS seems to want turn it back on for some reason.

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Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA

Smartphone link

alandb wrote:
johnm405 wrote:

is that an app or how do I find it to use?

If you are asking that question in regard to your nuvi 660, it would not be compatible with Smartphone Link. If I remember correctly, Smartphone Link was introduced in 2012 for the nuvi 34xx/35xx series.

I was wondering about using it as a stand a lone. or is it for indash gps as well I don't have one so wont need it. thanks

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johnm405 660 & MSS&T

Smartphone Link

johnm405 wrote:

I was wondering about using it as a stand a lone. or is it for indash gps as well I don't have one so wont need it. thanks

Since the app is free, there is certainly no harm in downloading it to try in standalone mode. I am not sure if you will be able to get it to activate without a connection to a device. But if you can, you should be able to get a list of nearby traffic incidents and show them on a map. But since it has no access to your destination, it cannot look ahead on your route to alert you to traffic situations. You also may be able to look up some FourSquare POI's, but again, without being able to send it to a Garmin Device, it would not be that useful IMO.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

SmartLink

You can use it as a stand-alone app but it is not very efficient. It will display traffic incidents for approximately a 30 or so mile radius, but since this information is not being sent to a GPS unit it is not very effective. I suppose if you know the route that you’re taking, you could conceivably search the route and see if there are any problems on the route. You can also use FourSquare to look up a business. However, it will not give you directions to the business. It will only give you the address and the coordinates. So, to make a long story short, SmartLink is only effective if it’s linked to a Garmin GPS.

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With God, all things are possible. ——State motto of the Great State of Ohio

Smartphone link

Thanks everyone for the info

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johnm405 660 & MSS&T

inrix

If you are looking for a decent app to run on your smart phone for traffic information, try INRIX.It doesn't report back to Google like Waze.

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Illiterate? Write for free help.

you can

alandb wrote:
johnm405 wrote:

I was wondering about using it as a stand a lone. or is it for indash gps as well I don't have one so wont need it. thanks

Since the app is free, there is certainly no harm in downloading it to try in standalone mode. I am not sure if you will be able to get it to activate without a connection to a device. But if you can, you should be able to get a list of nearby traffic incidents and show them on a map. But since it has no access to your destination, it cannot look ahead on your route to alert you to traffic situations. You also may be able to look up some FourSquare POI's, but again, without being able to send it to a Garmin Device, it would not be that useful IMO.

When I open the app with my GPS off I get the following message, I can then hit "OK" and see the area traffic, which I can move around and zoom in-out of.

"Garmin navigator

Cannot establish a two-way connection with your Garmin navigator. You cannot send routing instructions to the Garmin navigator or purchase live services."

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. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

Is this app...

Box Car wrote:

If you are looking for a decent app to run on your smart phone for traffic information, try INRIX.It doesn't report back to Google like Waze.

....compatible with Apple CarePlay?

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With God, all things are possible. ——State motto of the Great State of Ohio

Not sure I have an answer yet

Not sure I have an answer yet