do you need bluetooth to get traffic up dates?
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.
1496699
I have found that traffic updates are only in larger cites. The Garmin will receive them they are there.
1496700
The Bluetooth is for your phone etc. The power adapter contains some of the necessary hardware for traffic reception (I think). You need to plug this in to receive traffic updates. I've not had a lot of success with it so far.
1418470
Along with bluetooth (as D. Leach mentioned), the 285 comes with MSN traffic (a subscription service, where the first 9 months is free), and the 255 comes with NAVTEQ traffic (a free, but ad supported service). MSN will be discontinued in January of 2012 and if you want traffic, you'll then have to purchase a different traffic receiver. NAVTEQ traffic is hit and miss (they all can be), although I've heard fairly good things about Clear Channel traffic (another paid subscription traffic service).
669924
Yes. You have to download the TomTom app and have it on and TomTom communicates with the app via bluetooth.
801920
Yes...if you have the t version and need traffic info you may want to consider getting the adapter with the traffic module...more costly...discontinued
1444795
No. No subscription unless you want traffic updates. But for route guidance and to get from point A to B, nothing additional is needed. Just plug in and go!
2283782
No, it needs both GPS and cell signal to work. I park in a garage downtown that is three levels underneath a skyscraper and sometimes I can track it, but 90% of the time, I will have the last refresh from driving about a block or two away from work, set at the highest refresh rate. For $145 including a year of service I'd say its totally worth it! With geofences set, you'll know very soon by text AND email if it is moved.
2272330
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.
1920561
Sorry, is this a question or just a statement of your misunderstanding? ;-)Not all applications will require WiFi or Bluetooth. For those that do, there are add-in cards available.
2060986
It isn't needed. Open windows icon on bar. Search for services. And turn on Bluetooth services in the list. The software they provide is a trial and is too expensive to buy. It works wonderful with windows but you have to enable it to work with the os.
669923
Yes the GO uses my existing smartphone to gather traffic data to let me know where the traffic jams are and route me around them. Previously I had to pay for a second data service to get real time traffic... and it cost quite a bit of money! I already pay for a data plan on my phone so this makes perfect sense to me. Also the traffic quality of a real time data version is much better than the traffic over the radio type (the old way). I thought it would use a lot of data too but looking at my phone it looks like 4 MB was used last month which is really low (lower than I expected)
1508249
Then nuvi 855 is not for you. Take a look at the nuvi 885T - it has bluetooth and MSN traffic. Bear in mind MSN traffic is free only for 3 months. Then you can pay for a lifetime subscription which I think is about $120.
931452
maybe you need traffic receiver. i do not have it and no more information, sorry.
1347498
Not sure about Bluetooth, as I've never tried to use it on mine, but for sure no GPS. You can't use it to get turn-by-turn directions. I do know that while using the Wifi File Explorer app to snoop around in the Android laptop's inner workings, I did see some files related to Bluetooth. Contact Avatar support at support@avatar-usa.com for more info. They've been very helpful anytime I've had questions.
72232
I think you have to have an antenna for traffic reception. I'm looking for one now. If you can get the traffic report it will then. a Garmin will reroute you if you take a different course. the big ones are actually made for trucks, but to us that means they won't tell you to U turn 486 times because a truck can't. 1 advantage.
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
1195975
I'm not sure what the traffic option is. If that is something that you need to subscribe to a service for, then I don't have that. I really like this GPS and what it does. I'm just not sure what the option is that you're asking about. Sorry.
1534992
This doesn't work with the bluetooth version. The bluetooth version works with iphone app to give up to date information