Enhanced MSN Direct v2

Does this mean that I can update my existing msn direct on my 680 to the newer v2? Is it available for update now?

unfortunately I don't think so...

As far as right now the new MSN Direct v2 is only for the newer compatible versions of GPS devices (nuvi 7xx, 8xx, 5xxx, GPS devices by others) that will have the newer software like Web Favorites.

Why it wouldn't be available as a software upgrade I think is totally up to Garmin and historically they typically DON'T provide the software feature upgrade from the 7xx down to the 6xx. There are lots of things (trip logs, QWERTY, etc) that 7xx has that Garmin just isn't allowing to be upgraded to the 6xx line so I see no reason why they would put the new MSN Direct v2 services on the 6xx.

It would make sense however to see it available to existing 7xx owners.

I contacted Garmin tech support regarding the upgradeability of the nuvi 680 to MSN v 2.0. This is their response:

"Dear Jose Melgarejo,

Thank you for contacting Garmin International.

I this point in time, I do not know. Nothing has be communicated that it
will be available so I would guess that it will not.

With Best Regards,

Tim J
Product Support Specialist
Automotive Team
Garmin International"

So the door is not completly closed...

so the 6xx line will not be getting the necessary software apparently as the MSN Direct website has all the info up now and the 6xx line isn't covered under the new features.

Send to GPS feature sounds cool, but you can do same with Mapquest just by plugging the usb cable and this is free.

What I am not sure if Send to GPS feature allows anybody sending wirelessly the POI. If this is the case then Send to GPS feature is really valuable. As far as I understand, you need to log-in with your MSN id to send POIs, so unless you want to share your password with someone else, you have to be at the computer to send POIs. If this is the case this feature is not worth the money

Without the options for adding MSN Direct v2, I am probably going to let my MSN expire for my 680 at the end of my one year. Not enough features available to renew. I got the same answer from Garmin. No plans to add it for the 680.

If you are happy with version 1, then you may renew. If not, then I would let it expire. I have the 760 and was lucky to be able to upgrade to v2. Honestly, the only thing v2 has over v1 is the web favorites. The other 3 (News, Stocks, Local Events) aren't that great. Now that Google allows you to send to your GPS, you don't need v2.

I still like v1.

I just returned my street pilot c580 because the msn feature was not available except near a few large cities (and neither was the movies and gas price feature ) and even when the traffic feature kicked in, it alerted me to traffic problems BEHIND me on my side of the interstate, or, worse, on the OTHER side of the interstate. There didn't seem to be any link between traffic info and my location or destination. It just advised of all traffic delays within a certain radius.
I now have a new nuvi 760 and hope FM traffic is better.

I understand from looking at the coverage map that I would not get a signal from MSN except in specific cities. My question is whether the gas prices are downloaded for everywhere in the US or are the gas prices also limited to only in specific cities?

If it downloaded gas prices for everywhere, then you could drive along the highway between big cities and see gas prices that were downloaded when you were in a big city 100 miles ago or 2 hours ago.

If it only supplies gas prices for locations that have MSN radio coverage, then it would be more limiting and I'd have to think harder before selecting a GPS with MSN.