Garmin Traffic ReceiverA Garmin traffic receiver is required for a Garmin Traffic GPS to receive and display traffic information. All of the Garmin traffic GPS fall into the "FM traffic compatible" group. Some GPS actually include the FM traffic receiver and traffic subscription in the box. Garmin calls this group "FM Traffic Included". All the current Garmin GPS can be identified as "FM Traffic Included" if they have the suffix "T" at the end of the unit name. Example: Garmin Nuvi 1390T. To find all the Garmin GPS in the "FM traffic compatible" group, go to Garmin-Traffic-GPS One point to make, the Garmin traffic receiver is not actually in the Garmin GPS. Even the newest Nuvi 1200 and Nuvi 1300 series do not contain built in traffic receivers. Garmin is not really clear about this since it says "integrated FM traffic receiver" which seems like the receiver would be in the GPS. Actually, the traffic receiver is in the power plug that plugs into the cigarette lighter to power and / or charge the GPS. The same electrical cord that powers the GPS also carries the traffic data from the receiver in the power plug to the GPS. See the picture of the Garmin GTM 25 FM traffic receiver below. Specs for the cord for most of the FM receivers are 5.4' (164.6 cm); cigarette lighter adapter 4.5" (11.43 cm); total length 70.3" (178.56 cm). The plug to the GPS will vary by model. See the chart below for details on plug type. Garmin Traffic Receiver Table
If you purchase a Garmin GPS that includes traffic, one of these FM receivers will be in the box with your GPS and you will be ready to go. If you purchased a GPS that is FM traffic compatible without the receiver, you will need to purchase the correct Garmin traffic receiver for your GPS. To find the correct FM traffic receiver, go to the "Traffic Receivers" page on the Garmin website. Each FM receiver lists the compatible GPS units that work with it. I recommend that you do not purchase your receiver on the Garmin site, since you will pay the highest price. Once you find the correct FM receiver for your GPS, go to the table above and click on the link to purchase it on Amazon at a substantial savings. The top left of Traffic Receivers page looks like this. Click on the link for the FM receiver you want to research and a page will be displayed with information about that specific receiver. Click on the "Products" tab and all of the compatible GPS units for this traffic receiver will be displayed. I do not recommend the GTM 10 since it requires professional installation and is not portable. You now should know all you need to purchase the correct Garmin traffic receiver.
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