A question about data usage!

You shouldn't use any data from an internet plan, especially if the Bluetooth is disabled. The 2689 uses the Global Positioning System of orbiting satellites. The phone is not necessary for its operation. You could in theory leave the phone at home and the nuvi will work perfectly.

He's asking about weather and traffic information. You don't get that from gps satellites. It comes from mobile data.

I can't comment on how much as it's been a while since I did a road trip with the gps linked to phone. I vaguely recall less than 200MB for a nearly 1000 mi trip in 2022.

These days im part of a cricket (att towers) group plan with unlimited data. Most months I use < a few hundred meg. I believe they still offer this plan $100/4 lines.

We have 2x 2689’s with LMT. One for each car.
it gets traffic info from FM radio receiver in the charger, the FM Antenna is the cable to GPS. and other that map updates via computer. No data from phone is used that I’m aware of.
You Can link an app on phone to GPS, but I believe that is just for transferring routes to GPS if needed via Bluetooth. Data useage only what app does on phone.
Certain FM stations transmits traffic info as data on their subchannels. That’s how traffic info is received, via FM Radio.

Where I live (southeastern Tennessee) I rarely get any traffic notifications directly through my GPSr, says it's unavailable. The traffic and weather do work well though as long as I have Bluetooth turned on, it would sure be nice on this long trip. Thanks to everyone who responded. At least now I have a general idea how much data I will use.

@JanJ

Tell me about transferring routes via BT to the gps? I have a driveluxe 50. Wonder if it supports this feature.

If you are worried about data usage, perhaps check out your local library. They may have a mobile hotspot you can check out for your trip. Turn it on and then you can connect your phone/GPS to the wifi hotspot device and won't use any of your cell phones data.

Does anyone know if the Garmin-GTM60-3D-HD-Digital-Traffic-Receiver still functions with an appropriate device, like the 2689LMT? There is conflicting info at various sources saying Garmin discontinued (https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=XBRfGol7Fg7fKkYMNTezHA) the accessory power cable a few years back, and then likely due to the proliferation of smartphones that could acquire the data and then transfer it to the device. There are plenty of this type cable on eBay and it remains listed on the Garmin site although under a slightly different name and P/N. GTM 60™ HD Digital Traffic Receiver P/N 010-01031-00.

I checked mine once and I figure that I only used about 1 or 2 MB/hour.

At the time, my plan only had a 2 GB, so 1-2 MB, is a very tiny drop in the bucket. At the time, I never ever ran past my 2 GB. I now have 20 GB, so I have no worries of using the weather & traffic that I get via Bluetooth and my mobile phone.

The traffic info that I get from Garmin Drive is far superior and faster than used to get from the FM Traffic.

I have trip planned in a couple of weeks, that will be about 3-4 hours duration. I'll try to remember to check my data usage when I leave home & when I arrive at my destination and get back to you with my results.

The operative words are "try to remember". I'm 78 and I might forget. LOL

I was concerned about data use (or running the battery down on my phone) while using the Garmin Drive app. I find it uses so little it's hard to measure. Definitely worth using, gives much improved traffic, road conditions, weather alerts.

Thanks, I guess I don't need to worry about data! I agree, the app works so well, I just haven't had much need to use it locally. But on this 3,500 mile trip, both the traffic alerts and weather will prove to be a nice addition.

Via the Garmin smart link app
I have used it a couple times when 4Square couldn’t find the location I wanted.

As promised, I tracked my data usage on a recent 3-3 1/2 hour drive.
Total usage: 13 MB.
Hourly: 3.7-4.3 mb/hour
I had used Garmin Drive, but I did receive a few Facebook notifications, but did not open any apps. Most data likely Garmin Drive. I consider this to be miniscule.
Hope this helps.

It sure does help, thanks!

I have used SmartLink in the past and it uses very little data. So little that it is hard to measure.