MSN Direct receiver on Garmin
Published on January 22nd, 2007 in garmin, gps navigation
If you have already purchased a Garmin with MSN Direct (Nuvi 680 or StreetPilot c580) you may have realized that you won’t be getting any MSN Direct data if you haven’t plugged in the power cord. That’s because the MSN Direct receiver is embedded in the power cord, not the Garmin itself. The funny thing is you just have to plug the power the cord into your Garmin, but the other end does not necessarily have to be plugged in to the power source.
Here is what the MSN Direct support page has to say about this:
The MSN Direct receiver is located in the power cord of the device. To get traffic reports, gas prices, movie show times, and weather information, the MSN Direct receiver must be plugged into the navigation device. The cord does not need to be plugged into a power source.
When you design such portable devices that can easily fit in your pocket ( or purse, or whatever) you expect them to function when you get out of the car too. In this case though I guess you have to wrap power cord around your neck if you want your MSN Direct data on foot.
Both MSN Direct Garmins are available on Amazon: Nuvi 680 for $1000 and StreetPilot c580 for $800.
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July 8th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Why doesn’t someone make a portable traffic receiver that plugs in to the unit that does not require a power source. Also has anyone tried to convert the traffic cord to cut the wire off and connect the small plug that goes into the Garmin directly onto the cigarette lighter plug to eliminate the wire?