Question on traffic updates. I believe you need internet for traffic. Does this provide for traffic or do I need to run my hotspot off my phone.
652597
This provides GPS coordinates only. For traffic, you need internet access. I run mine with an iPad mini WiFi only. The Bad Elf provides the GPS data. I get internet via a pay-as-you-go WiFi hotspot, Internet-To-Go from Walmart. The two work together fine with my iPad mini. It works for Apple maps and Google maps.
652598
Provides only WAAS GPS position, no data. You need a device with wifi or phone data for traffic, weather, etc.
652599
I don't know, I've never used it for traffic information, I used it at at altitudes above FL290 where ther is no net, but I believe u would need the net for traffic information.
517191
Yes - and as an update this is still working great for me. Keep in mind though - the traffic updates are through your power cable supplied by nuvi. Its the cable itself that has the traffic receiver in it. So this will charge it and will position it but if you want traffic updates you have to use the original cable connected to a power source.
377781
No - this will charge the battery, but not provide Traffic Updates. Traffic models are prefaced with either GTM or TA
2010034
No. This particular cable does not provide Traffic connection. Only GPS power.
685432
You just won't get live traffic updates. Everything else works. I use it on my motorcycle.
658141
I guess I've never had the traffic status on. It has diverted me around high traffic areas without telling me that was what it was doing and I have never seen any ads on the GPS. It does show heavy traffic areas in red, medium traffic in yellow and smooth sailing in green.
1933824
No it does not. But you can purchase a map upgrade that you can then use for the life of the unit. It does however come with lifetime traffic updates.
2272326
It does have traffic updates, but in certain cities. Unfortunately traffic does not work in the City I live in. So that feature is useless to me.
1325229
I use the hot spot only. This is the best thing that has happened for internet since companies stopped billing by the minute! Get the hot spot & enjoy internet at home, or on the go!!!!
1028813
thank you! I got this phone for my sons for Christmas. I don't plan on adding a data plan to their account, but there is wifi available everywhere they go: home, school, grandma's, friends', etc. Let me clarify something though: If there is no wifi available, will they still be able to talk and text? (that is all they need it for outside of wifi)
1496698
No, you need to be in an area where traffic updates are offered. And that's only in selected cities. See Garmin's website.
1566304
Well, Boston is like Atlanta (maybe not this bad) so it is impossible to keep up with the traffic updates...it seams to be better than the old method but a lot of the time the traffic clears and you are better off not taking the alternate route cuz everyone else did that and the alternate route becomes the bad way...but I think it helps some of the time.
2268608
Thanks for the help Conrad! I'm curious about that myself. So essentially as of 2012, the 285WT will have absolutely NO traffic updates at all? Even FM Traffic? I'm curious myself because I'm comparing the 285WT and the 255WT. The 255WT has lifetime traffic updates, so if the 285WT is going to lose all it's traffic functionality in 2012, it doesn't seem to make much sense to keep it. Thoughts?
990836
Thanks for the input, I was becoming very frustrated, prehaps I'm just in an area that does not have active traffic available.Chuck
2271260
I have unlimited Data with my Verizon plan, but honestly the greatest amount of Data used by cell-phone maps is the map itself. Since I cannot even get the local map to pull up with GPS signal alone, unless I have my data connection turned on, I assume that my Android-based phone waits and downloads the map information through Google-maps live, on the fly, and only stores a small amount of whatever is near me through the route calculated to my stated destination. I actually think it too bad the user does not have the Option with Android to retain all map data once it is downloaded, perhaps up to a certain volume (200MB maybe?) and allow the live feed to simply 'correct' whatever is newer as it comes in. I would seldom miss the live Traffic info that colors the route green-yellow-red on my google navigation. When in the Cobra-App, it is just like having your Navigator in MAP mode (no routing or navigation shown). The amount of extra data to download the live user-reported risk areas from Cobra would be insignificant next to that. So if you are already using your phone for navigation, you should have 'about' the same level of data usage, regardless. I will say that I have found it particularly useful having a live download of stationary camera locations. Drivers have to be extra-vigilant around red-light intersections and speed-watches, since camera-tickets are notoriously inaccurate and occasionally found programmed to maximize the profit of the company getting a kick-back based on how many tickets are generated, rather than truly penalizing only the reckless drivers. On having a Radar Detector in every car: My state puts up construction signs with radar onboard, which results in an audible and flashing alert to watch carefully that you are at the correct speed for every Construction zone. You REALLY don't want to accidentally be cruising into one of those at 65 mph.
1508248
There's another traffic receiver other than MSN you can get if you want that feature.I bought a 855 and I can always but the traffic receiver later if I want.
2272329
Yes, it does have traffic updates. However it is difficult to determine the accuracy of those traffic reports, because conditions are constantly changing, so by the time you arrive at the area that had an earlier-displayed slowdown, you'll never know if things cleared up or got worse moments before you arrived at the location. After driving ~6000 miles on a northeastern road trip last summer (areas with lots of traffic), my impression is that the traffic updates were largely accurate and helpful.Oh, by the way, we didn't get traffic capabilities that require extra equipment or subscriptions. We just got the basic model. Yes, it does have traffic updates. However it is difficult to determine the accuracy of those traffic reports, because conditions are constantly changing, so by the time you arrive at the area that had an earlier-displayed slowdown, you'll never know if things cleared up or got worse moments before you arrived at the location. After driving ~6000 miles on a northeastern road trip last summer (areas with lots of traffic), my impression is that the traffic updates were largely accurate and helpful.Oh, by the way, we didn't get traffic capabilities that require extra equipment or... » Read More Yes, it does have traffic updates. However it is difficult to determine the accuracy of those traffic reports, because conditions are constantly changing, so by the time you arrive at the area that had an earlier-displayed slowdown, you'll never know if things cleared up or got worse moments before you arrived at the location. After driving ~6000 miles on a northeastern road trip last summer (areas with lots of traffic), my impression is that the traffic updates were largely accurate and helpful.Oh, by the way, we didn't get traffic capabilities that require extra equipment or subscriptions. We just got the basic model. « Show Less