MSN direct VS. fm traffic updates

The MSN traffic receiver come with Nuvi 885T.
The 765T come with FM traffic receiver and free for lifetime.

The 785T comes with a 3 month trial of the MSN Traffic, but not the FM cord, although it has the ability to receive the FM if you purchase the cord.

Most GPS systems use the TMC traffic system that is fed over the FM air waves by Clear Channel Communications fed by Inrix.

MSN Direct uses Traffic.com's data (being acquired by NAVTEQ), which relies on road sensors for the most part to gather information about traffic flow and incidents. They are not ONLY relying on road sensors, as they too are getting into using fleet vehicles and anonymous cell phone monitoring.

So, while Inrix talks about more coverage, Traffic.com talks about quality of data feeds.

interesting

I have had both services here in SF area. The service goes with the receiver cable, not the Nuvi, so it is possible to compare things rather easily. There are far fewer stations for MSN, but the overall coverage area is not all that different, and extends all the way to Nevada and a good bit of the way down I5 towards LA.

I eventually decided on the TTN service with my GTM20 because:
1) It is cheaper ($60 for lifetime service vs $129)
2) It did a better job of calculating delays, because the TTN data employs speed sensor data for traffic flow, whereas MSN with the GDB50 receiver does not.
3) The startup time for the systems to acquire useful traffic data was about the same if both are used everyday. But the data refill time for MSN is quite slow, so if it has been a week since you last used it (it will continue acquiring data for 3 days before its battery wears out provided its antenna wire is left outside a shielded area--i.e., not placed inside a metal glove box or trunk), it will take up to a hour to fill up with all the auxiliary data. For my usage pattern, the TTN always got going in 5 minutes or less, even from a week long lapse. The MSN would often times take 20-30 minutes in that case. Since I didn't want to leave the charger in view in the car and since the car's DC power outlet wasn't to be left on when leaving the car, I had to purchase an AC-to-12V DC adapter that I kept in the office in order to keep the GDB50 battery charged all the time when it was not in the car. A royal pain.
4) Everytime the GDB50 got a firmware update, I had to reestablish the MSN service account--somewhat of a pain.
5) The GTM20 also works in Europe with their various free and paid services. MSN and the GDB50 do not.

Having gas prices with the MSN Direct was useful--and done via a clever technique; namely, using credit card receipts of the last 2-3 days to calculate price/gallon.

But I have been quite happy here with the TTN service (and in Phoenix and LA areas). It has saved me a hour commuting 3-4 times so far this spring by avoiding jammed freeways--due to accidents and onlookers. And due to the square grid-like nature of major Phoenix streets, this traffic service is extremely useful there, for given advance warnings, you can easily avoid and get around the slow or stopped traffic on the freeways.

At the moment, it is estimated that only 5% of GPS car navigation systems employ traffic receivers. That gives you a real leg up!

Good comparison. I think I will go with the FM and not the MSN Direct

You didn't miss much. when you get the iphone, you get all of those for free..

Probably will be true for most smart phones soon enough.

I've been using the MSN DIRECT for well over a year in the Baltimore market. I've learned to only pay attention to "major" delays or accidents since so many times the traffic was only a little heavy but was not delayed at all. I would have gone very much astray if I had detoured. I am also able to ignore the ones that mention construction issues for the most part.......

Can someone provide comments on whether the paid traffic service is better or not compared to the free traffic service that is ad based?

If you're talking about the same provider, I think the only difference is the ads. I have the fee based one only. Maybe someone will answer who has both units and can give a definite answer on this.

Yes, it is transferreable. I have replaced two Nuv 765T units and never had to call MSN direct to transfer subscription to new replaced unit. Your subscription is based on your GMD50 unit and not on Garmin device.

I hope this clears any doubts.

Regarding transferability... I have a Nuvi 680 and a 765. The MSN plug broke on my unit and I needed to replace it. I had a lifetime subscription that cost $130 two years ago. I called MSN and they said since I needed to replace the unit, they would simply refund my money... they credited my credit card with the $130. I found out that Garmin now sells the parts to repair the tip of the power adapter (I think it is $8-$10). So I was able to repair the power adapter. As it turns out, MSN reduced their lifetime subscription to $99 last month, so I repurchased it. There was some confusion on their part, and I needed to set up a new account with new ID, since they were unable to set me up with my old account information... I am now up and running, saved $30 and simply repaired the MSN receiver plug. The MSN cable is about $82 on Amazon, and lists for $130 from Garmin if you need one.

QUOTE:" As it turns out, MSN reduced their lifetime subscription to $99 last month, so I repurchased it. I am now up and running, saved $30 and simply repaired the MSN receiver plug. The MSN cable is about $82 on Amazon, and lists for $130 from Garmin if you need one.": UNQUOTE

I didn't know they reduced the Lifetime MSN to $99.

It figures... Since I have purchased 3 lifetime cards within the last 4 months.

I wanted to have BOTH the MSN receiver and the regular FM traffic for all my units.

I use the gas buddy app on my iphone for fuel, and the iphone for weather, fandango for movies and have lifetime traffic on my 755t. I had msn direct on my 750 which my daughter has now and it was good. Both will be ok for most needs.

Cool!
Thanks.

The ad-based service is from Navteq. It is also possible to purchase the identical Navteq service (without having ads). The coverage and service is identical (except no ads are present).

You could also purchase an alternative service (also without ads), the Clear Channel-based Total Traffic Network (TTN) which provides pretty much the same data, using a different set of FM stations. In many locales, the TTN coverage is superior to the Navteq service. In addition, this service seems to provide more detailed info regarding traffic obstructions (at least in the NYC area).

Most users do not seem to be bothered by the ads, although I and some others prefer the TTN service due to having more participating FM stations.

I am not sure this has been posted or not but I found out last night after helping a friend setup her new Garmin and activate her MSN that the usual fee for lifetime MSN support was $129.99 and now it has been reduced to $99.99, a savings of $30.00 for those who feel it is a value to them.

I have both FM Traffic and MSN Traffic. From time to time both services may not be active. MSN Traffic provides a green road color in addition to yellow and red to indicate when monitoring is active on the road you are on. FM traffic only provides yellow and red for traffic conditions. You can never be sure if FM Traffic is actively monitoring the road you are on.

MSN weather radar doesn't get updated as often as it should to be useful. Severe weather alerts seem to be updated very fast, however.

IMHO, MSN is far superior to FM traffic.

I have not experienced that in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It always seems to take at least 20 minutes between updates. It displays updates 10 minutes apart.

anyone knows where physically I can buy the MSN Receiver - Garmin GDB50 physically in the GTA, Ontario? So far all of the sites that I researched that sell them are internet-based companies.

There are a couple of MSN receivers depending on the particular GPS model. The best price by far seems to be Amazon, but that is, of course, an internet site.

The GDB-50 fits the Nuvi 680 and 765T (I have these models) and a number of others (7x0, 7x5, 8x0, 8x5, and 5000). It is $81 including a year of service. There is another receiver (GDB-55) that fits several other models (2x5, 500, and 550) and is $90 with a year of service.

Don't know if Best Buy carries any accessories like this. They have a limited selection of accessories in the stores in the US.

Nope, BestBuy don't have it..

I have the MSN lifetime service. One issue that I have when traveling (especially in the western states) is that there is very little coverage between major cities on the interstates. If I am looking for fuel prices, if it will display them at all, they are often 100 or more miles behind me from the last city that I passed. It gets frustrating to have the service but not be able to select a gas station by price while on the road.

In a similar manner, the MSN radar weather coverage is generally a small patch around a given city. When traveling in tornado and other severe weather prone areas, often there is no weather map... and it is annoying as you see bad weather all around but essentially watch the screen as you are driving off the radar map!

Too bad MSN does not allow an option to download gas and weather info along your projected route, so that even if it is a bit stale, it is at least something.

Do any of the other services do a better job here?

If you are having iPhone, or it's something that could be looked at. there are many free apps that can do both traffic and gas pricing..

Just a thought

I may be driving into Canada a few times this Winter from NY and I would like to know if MSN Direct works in Canada. I have some doubt that it would since it relies on FM Radio frequencies which are licensed seperately by the US & Canada. So has anyone used MSN Direct up there.

I cannot speak for MSN. But, yesterday was the first real day that I have encountered a red traffic alert using the free FM alert on my 765t. It said 23 minutes delay. It was right on! Kinda slow in the yellow region, and almost a dead stop on the red reagion. I love it so far! I know that one example is no indication of overall accuracy. But, to me, a fairly ok alarm is better than no alarm. The alarm yesterday allowed me to stop at a rest stop before getting stuck in traffic.

Last June I was in Ontario and Quebec (crossed over from NY at Niagara Falls and returned to Maine south of Quebec City). MSN worked in the metro areas, and if I remember correctly, it displayed fuel prices, as well. It alerted me to 'severe traffic' in Montreal as I was leaving at rush hour heading east. I followed it's suggested route, which was also very slow, so I do not know if I would have been better off heading into the red zones on the highway or not.

I did have a problem switching the 765 from US to metric for speed and fuel... it took the setting and ignored it. The next day it did work.

Bottom line is that there was service in Montreal.

I use MSN Direct V2 in the Toronto, and the traffic is reasonably accurate. The gas prices and local events are US only, so you will see Buffalo/Niaga Falls NY data for these.

I had a Garmin system with MSN Direct and I read in the manual that as long as there is enough of a charge in the battery and a signal is present it will continue to receive and update data even though there is no display on the unit. This is convenient as it takes some time for all of the data to be updated. If your car is sitting in a parking lot all day while you work the charge may not last the whole day. I don't know if it is important for the GPS signal to be received but if you plug in your GPS overnight you might want to make to position it such that it can receive both GPS and MSN Direct so that it keeps up to date on gas prices and traffic data when you start out on your commute the next day.

MSN Direct data is received over an FM signal and when I had my unit I was in North NJ Early 2009 and the signal was proved to be spotty even in the commercial areas. I understand that Ford is currently using MSN Direct in some of their new cars so perhaps this coverage has improved. I currently have a DNX8120 with a GXM30 which receives it's signal from geosynchronous satellites over the equator which provides full coverage over the lower United State if the signal is not blocked by trees, overpasses, buildings, etc. so it will usually work in the mountains where there is no FM signal coverage but of course there is no applicable traffic data there but the weather works along with XM radio.

I am about one month into my trial on MSN. I have found it to be interesting but limited.

Yesterday was a good example. Microsoft had a huge (20,000+ people) meeting in Safeco Field (south Seattle). The meeting ended at 4pm making local traffic around my worksite just a massive mess. I actually could not work my way to my usual route and was forced up to I-5. Now I-5 on a typical day at 4pm is a mess and MSN knew that....but it kept trying to force me off I-5 into downtown Seattle...which would have been a massive mistake. Every exit I crept by it wanted me off I-5. I of course ignored it, but found this aspect completely revealing of the capabilities of these traffic warning systems.

Since only the big roads are covered local actual data is needed to evaluate the rerouting suggestions.

I seriously doubt I will pay to extend MSN service. They just cannot cover enough and local radio seems to do a much better job of covering both the major and minor roads. The other MSN stuff is interesting at best....but certainly not necessary for me.

I use a nuvi 265WT. It came with "Lifetime FM Traffic," but that service is restricted to the area surrounding certain major metro areas. Since I don't live in any of those areas I don't often benefit from the service.

As a matter of fact, last August, while passing through Denver on our way home from California, the traffic service kicked in and the nuvi directed us to turn off southbound I-25 and into southbound E-470, a toll road.

Of course I ignored that advice and ended up stuck in a lengthy traffic jam caused by an accident. Fortunately, we escaped to a Wendy's and waited it out there. I figure we lost an hour or more.

The bottom line is, pay attention to what the lady says or the service is worthless.

Bill

Just to throw another one into the mix, has anyone had any experience with XM traffic and weather updating their GPS? I've just added this to mine but have not had a chance to evaluate it very much.

I drive into Los Angeles sometimes and the traffic is a nightmare. I think I will also go with the clear channel. I like the lifetime price. The MSN gas prices feature is nice but for me I only purchase gas from a few different stations anyway and their prices are usually within a few cents of each other.

I Would do the Same Too ..

Yes.. I subscribed to XM Nav-Traffic for over a year and did some travel up and down the East coast with it.

To me... it was totally worthless. In the year I had it, it only gave me ONE alert and it was wrong !

It's very expensive... especially compared to the FREE FM Traffoc offered on todays newer GPS units.

Your experience may be different, but my experience with XM Traffic was dismal.

My 855T comes with the MSN Direct receiver. One just need to pay the lifetime subscription. Works on mine very well.

p.s. anyone knows about the new "nulink" on the 1690 unit? looks like it has a two-way link as it can search google. any thoughts?

I just today received an email announcing that Microsoft is cancelling its MSN Direct service. I rely on the traffic information to help me get to the day care center on time to pick up my little one. Is FM traffic the best alternative now?

Ray,

My advice to you is go with the FM subscription. I suspect after January 2012 you will not be very happy with a choice of MSN.

https://www.msndirect.com/MSNDirectServiceAnnouncement.aspx

MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012.

My wife and I travel in our Motorhome along the east coast this past summer and I had one garmin with MSNDirect and another garmin with FM traffic and the unit with MSN Direct outperformed the FM traffic during the entire trip. Too bad that Microsoft is cancelling the MSN service in 2012.

MSN Direct logo

* Home
* Services
* Devices
* Pricing
* Coverage
* Support
* My Account

MSN® Direct Service Announcement

MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012.

Customers can continue to enjoy the full benefits of MSN Direct, along with service and support, up until that date. Pro-rated refunds for unused portions of existing One-Time Payment and other subscription plans will be automatically credited after January 1, 2012. Customers may cancel service at any point prior to that date and receive a pro-rated refund for any unused portion of their subscription. Microsoft customer support is available to answer any questions about existing subscriptions or refund eligibility at 1-866-658-7032.
Service Announcement FAQ

* 1. I paid for a subscription to MSN Direct. Will I get my money back?

Current customers do not need to do anything in order to continue to receive MSN Direct service. MSN Direct annual subscribers will continue to get service through the remainder of their subscription. One-Time Payment customers will continue to get service until 01/01/2012. One–Time Payment customers on the service less than 3 years as of 01/01/2012 will automatically receive a prorated refund for any unused service. Customers wishing to cancel their service can contact customer service at 1-866-658-7032 for details and refund eligibility.
* 2. How are you issuing refunds?

Refunds will be issued to the credit card on file that was used for billing your subscription. Please visit https://billing.microsoft.com to update your billing information. Eligible customers purchasing subscription cards from retailers, not directly from Microsoft, may receive a refund by check.
* 3. I just bought an MSN Direct enabled navigation device, what do I do?

MSN Direct service will continue to be available until 01/01/2012. New 12 Month subscriptions will continue to be offered through December 2010. If service beyond 01/01/2012 is a concern, please see your retailer for information on device returns.
* 4. Can I still sign-up for MSN Direct service? How long do I have to activate my device?

Yes. New 12 Month subscriptions will continue to be available. New devices, including trial subscriptions, can continue to be activated until 01/01/2012. Service will, however, no longer be available after 01/01/2012.
* 5. How long will I continue to get support for MSN Direct services?

Support for MSN Direct services will continue until the service end-date of 01/01/2012.
* 6. How long will products continue to be on the market that support MSN Direct?

Customers will still be able to enjoy all the benefits of MSN Direct service until 01/01/2012. Products on the market supporting MSN Direct will continue to be available for some time.
* 7. Will my product still work?

Yes, until 01/01/2012. There are no planned changes to the service until 01/01/2012. After 01/01/2012, navigation devices supporting MSN Direct will continue to be operational as navigation devices but will no longer receive MSN Direct services such as traffic, weather, fuel prices, etc.

Other devices, such as Weather Stations and Smart Watches will no longer receive the MSN Direct information after 01/01/2012 and offer limited alternative functionality.
* 8. Why is Microsoft ending MSN Direct services on 01/01/2012?

The delivery of location-based services in the U.S. and Canada has evolved since Microsoft began offering MSN Direct in early 2004. Leveraging unused FM radio spectrum to broadcast data represented a step forward in 2004, however, many choices today including WiFi, Cellular, FM RDS and other digital networks are now readily available and are continuing to grow in popularity. Despite good initial MSN Direct adoption, these alternatives have significantly reduced demand for MSN Direct service. As such, Microsoft has made the decision to focus future U.S. and Canada investments on these existing network connections and discontinue the MSN Direct services business. Microsoft will continue to explore new ways to leverage the efficiencies of FM digital broadcast in other applications and markets going forward.
* 9. Why haven’t I been notified by Microsoft about this change?

12 Month subscription customers will continue to receive their service through the end of their current subscription. One-Time Payment customer notification is beginning 10/27/2009 via email and is expected to be completed within two weeks.
* 10. What happens to my personal information provided to Microsoft?

Microsoft is committed to protecting your privacy. To learn more, please read the MSN Direct Privacy Statement.

For those considering a unit with MSN Direct...

My bet - pay $60 for Clear Channel. Best service I've had to date. Note: the free, ad-based traffic is from Navteq, and is not even close to the quality of info with Clear Channel. (IMHO!)

the fm works fine for me

Yep, Google Navigation on an Android phone killed it!

Garmin's stock also hit the skids.

It was Garmin's decision to roll out NuLink or whatever they call the cellular system.

My experience is that the FM receiver works well enough if that is all you are looking for, the MSN has much more detailed traffic info, like traffic speed, movie, weather, gas prices, ect. I would go with the msn if the price is close.

Since MSN will no longer be available in a couple years, I would go with something else.

All those other things like weather movies and gas prices have nothing to do with traffic. I guess if you're far from home on a trip however, they would be useful.

Trouble is the places I travel to don't have MSN service and now....never will!