Garmin MSN GDB 50 Direct Receiver - 010-00583-00

Works nicely, though due to its size and shape and the location of the 12V outlet in my car being above the cup holders it does obstruct one of the cup holders. Fortunately, I rarely have a need for a cup holder so it's not a significant issue. The traffic info definitely comes in handy at times, but sometimes it's not quite up-to-speed and reports accidents/backups that have already been cleared up. It seems to be well constructed, though it is plastic so any crushing force will do damage...if you take care of it you shouldn't have any problems.
 
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It worked within 20 mins of being plugged in. And you have a 1yr membership with MSN Direct. Love the radar feature. Works with the iPhone perfectly for bluetooth use. And traffic assistance isn't bad. I also use the Gas Prices feature a lot. Not that it makes me travel 20 miles to save a quarter, but if I'm in the area of lower prices, I'll stop. So far, I'm happy with it.
 
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I wrote a review yesterday about the Garmin MSN mount plug because it fell apart but my comments have not been posted - ???? I love my Garmin GPS and other Garmin products I've purchased and I will continue to use Garmin products but this one item was unsatisfactory. With normal use the item should not come apart. Any response to this concern would be appreciated. KW
 
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While this cable is easy to use I am very disappointed with the constuction. My GPS was only 4 months old when the cable end came out of the base and remained attached to the cable. This is a VERY expensive part to have to replace after such a short time.
 
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Worth every dime. I enjoy all the extra info you get with MSN Traffic. Current gas prices I use the most, but if you want to catch a movie all movies, times and nearest theater are your finger tips.
 
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I repeplace this reciever with the free lifetime on my Nuvi 765T because traffice was not in my area and could not offer all the features. The added 1 yr MSN subscription was a bonus. Buy.com shipping was right on time. Great price, fast shipping, great service.
 
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I received the other companies cable/antenna with my Nuvi. I have replaced it with the cable from MSN. I find this one from MSN to be much more helpful in that it gives you gas prices, weather forcasts, news headlines, & for better or worse updates on the volatile stock market.
 
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I replaced a TMC traffic receiver with this unit. I payed $80 with a years with of service, and just traffic from TMC would have been $65. Plus, you get all of the other great services. The gas price service is WAY more useful than I expected, I see actual 20 cent ranges within a mile typically when I search. Ravenwoods comments are NOT true on my Nuvi with latest software, the traffic shows on the maps as you drive, and will announce bad traffic ahead of you, even if you are not on an active route. Cool. Weather is nice, as is the Local Events. A great value
 
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For a little over one hundred bucks, the MSN Direct Receiver does a $250 upgrade to the Garmin Nuvi 660 (thus making it a 680). Initially it seems the price is high for a "power cable" but disguised is the fact that the cable is also the MSN Direct Receiver (very convenient and unobtrusive) and one year of service is included. The cord is a perfect replacement for the original Nuvi 660 cord, taking advantage of Garmin's well-designed mounting bracket. Setup is simple and connection with MSN Direct took very little time in my area (NC). Operationally, MSN Direct service seemlessly moves from one region to another as you travel out of your home region. There are gaps between service areas, but this is to be expected. As you move into a new coverage area, the data comes up automatically. The features of MSN Direct are terrific: present traffic conditions, gas prices and station locations, current weather conditions and forcasts, and movie schedules with theatre locations. Of course it is important to check that MSN Direct service is available in your location before you buy.
 
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I bought the MSN Direct Receiver for my Garmin 750. I am happy with the information that MSN provides, however I had expected the traffic and weather data to be more tightly integrated with the Garmin maps. When navigating or following a route, no traffic data shows on the map. They claim that severe traffic warnings will pop up, but I have yet to see any. You can switch to the traffic screen which gives you an overhead view of the area and where the traffic is, but I had expected it to display on the main garmin maps. (you know, the ones you actually use when you are driving!) We get pretty severe traffic in D.C., and in the past 3-4 weeks I have been using the receiver, I have yet to see any traffic warnings. Weather events sometimes display on the maps. Lately there have been a lot of thunderstorms and severe weather. Whenever there is an official "Thunderstorm Watch" or "Thunderstorm Warning" posted, it will put a small storm icon on the map, which is nice. It would be nice if the traffic worked that way as well, but it does not. Again, the device and service are decent, but having to switch to a different screen to see traffic and weather data are annoying. My Garmin Mobile displays them on the map, and that is what I expected this to do.
 
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This thing seems to work very well. I have not, however, had a lot of time to try it with heavy traffic yet to see how accurate and helpful it is. Sometimes the movie theater info has not been correct. It's difficult to check the accuracy of all the info you receive.
 
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