I had been using the standard traffic FM radio that comes with my GPS and found that it didn't receive any information until I was half way to work, with the MSN service I receive traffic information as soon as I turn it on. The only other feature that I have used so far is the listing of gas prices from where I am at that moment which can come in pretty handy.
A true plug-and-play device. Installation was as simple as replacing the power cord. The information available on MSN Direct is not all that useful. Traffic information is very incomplete. E.G. It reports highway construction that has not been causing too much trouble between Dayton and Cincinnati while ignoring major freeway reconstruction in downtown Dayton that regularly results in miles-long backups. You can send routes and destinations from a computer to your GPS without removing it from the car. That's a modest convenience. The weather forecasts and the radar have been the most useful features.
"Traffic receiver"
2009-08-24
- Reviewed By User: A2OJZON7K2ATOK
This traffic receiver was a great purchase. Not only has it informed me of any traffic delays or problems, it also shows the weather, movie times, and places, nearby events, etc. It is very handy to have. When I was on vacation, it helped us decide on a movie, show wherer it was playing, showing times, and then directions to get to the theater. It was great.
Jenni
MSN Direct traffic via this device to my Garmin NUVI 770 works pretty good, about 50% accurate in predicting the occurrence and importance of traffic delays.
[...]
The receiver powers my GPS from the lighter and updates itself over a couple of days. Gasoline prices and movies seem timely and accurate. Events don't show for my part of VA.
The traffic updates are spotty, but worth the cost. The device and my GPS will reroute me if they decide that traffic ahead will make my current route slower than the alternate. That's good. What's weak is the traffic data itself. I have good coverage of main highways and secondaries, but receive alerts for traffic on empty roads and no alerts for 6 lanes stopped or slow for long periods during rush hour.
I am learning to use secondary tools to verify the MS Direct traffic information when making decisions.
It's just another tool, but it has helped my 40 mile commute.
I bought MSN Direct for a cross country trip thinking that it would be a valuable addition to the Garmin 850 I have. Amazon had a hicup in the delivery and it didn't arrive until two days before my trip. OK, no problem, its here. Following the directions I activated my MSN Direct subscription over the internet. I was told it would take 20 minutes or up to an hour to turn on. Nothing happened. Called MSN Direct and spoke to customer service who pushed some buttons and said it would be activated later that day. Nothing. Called the day before my trip and spent an hour on the phone with another customer service rep. Still nothing. Went on my trip without MSN Direct and didn't feel like I missed anything. Came home and within a day it was working. Go figure.
Once I'm passed the connection problems I've found MSN Direct to be a good tool in my travels. I bought it for the Traffic alerts and it does fine there. I wish it would recommend alternate routes to avoid tie-ups rather than just announcing that there is a traffic jam 10 miles ahead. The stock ticker, gas price finder, news service, weather reports (basic at best. NO Doppler maps, geeze come on) and movie theater information. All of this is nice but only rates a "B-" in content and delivery. Is it something I couldn't live without? The jury is still out after a month. There hasn't been a "it saved my day" moment but it has allowed me to travel a little bit smarter.
"warning: no dopler and flight info for garmin 760 units with GDB50!!"
2009-08-01
- Reviewed By User: A2O5W8EZPUSUCY
bought the GDB50 cord for my nuvi 760 and found out later from msndirect tech support that the dopler radar and flight tracker features were not available for my nuvi even with a garmin online firmware update. the msndirect weather info lacked detailed weather information and was not enough to help me plan road trips without still going online to my home computer and getting detailed information such as radar, hour by hour and severe weather warning reports. I blame garmin for this because they market their gps's so that you the consumer will want to buy a new unit every six months to get the features that you want; crooks! my priority for buying this unit was the dopler feature, weather, traffic and gas price applications. unfortunately, I was disappointed and it is not even worth my effort to mail this back to get a refund. this is another garmin write off!!!
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Expedited Available
"Improved reception"
"Technically Great, Content Lacking"
"warning: no dopler and flight info for garmin 760 units with GDB50!!"