UPDATE: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 755T review for my impressions of the ad supported traffic feature. I’ve also posted a hands on Garmin nuvi 265WT review which discusses this feature.
What Garmin didn’t tell us when they announced the nuvi 7×5 series and the latest nuvi 2×5 models, is that the lifetime traffic feature would be ad-supported. PC Magazine got hold of a nuvi 755T to review and had this to say:
"One gripe: The nüvi 755T comes with advertisements. My evaluation unit arrived with three preloaded vendors (BP, Walgreens, and Wells Fargo). When you access the traffic menu, one of these advertiser’s names always appears at the bottom of the screen. Also, from time to time, one of these ads will pop up on the map view screen (they won’t appear when you are in motion). A single tap of the advertisers’ name will perform a POI search for nearby retail locations. Unfortunately, you can’t disable these ads, but it’s likely that they help Garmin offset the cost of the live traffic information that it offers free."
I should note that, in spite of this, they were quite impressed with the unit and gave it their Editor’s Choice award.
Thanks to Sarit for the tip.
About Rich Owings
I am looking at buying the 255w. I don’t need the live traffic, will I still be subject to the ads or can I turn them off and not use that feature?
The 255W doesn’t include lifetime traffic, nor does it have the ads. It’s a great unit, BTW.
Traffic can be turned on or off at any time. If off no ads, if on you will get ads. This is for the nuvi 1350T
I have a Garmin 765T with Lifetime Traffic Reports. While I’ve not seemed to be bothered with pop up ads (maybe I haven’t noticed) I would say this–If you get it free that’s fine; however I wouldn’t bother to pay anything for it.
I have found the traffic indications to be totally meaningless.
Yep, “live” traffic ain’t ready for prime time.