9. MSN Direct

The nüvi 885T uses MSN Direct for real-time traffic alerts, as well as various services based on your current location, including weather, gas prices, movie times, local events, news, stock prices, and more.

Unlike Garmin's 7x5 and 2x5 nüvi models, which include free (albeit ad-sponsored) lifetime traffic via the FM TMC service, the nüvi 885T comes with just three months of MSN Direct service for free, after which you'll have to subscribe for about $50/year if you want to continue using the service. There's also a lifetime subscription option for $130.

Ultimately, you'll have to decide whether the additional services MSN Direct provides are worth $50/year. For some, the ability to find the cheapest gas is worth $50 alone. For others, traffic avoidance is their main goal, and MSN Direct's additional services aren't compelling enough to warrant the additional service fee. Another important factor to consider is coverage: depending where you live or commute, FM traffic (used on the nüvi 2x5 and 7x5 models) may have better coverage. In other areas, MSN Direct is stronger.

Before signing up for service (or buying the nüvi 885T, for that matter), you'll want to make sure there's MSN Direct service in your local area. You can check service coverage using MSN Direct's Coverage website, and viewing the coverage map for your area.

Figure 70: MSN Direct Service Coverage Map for North America

Figure 71: MSN Direct Service Coverage - Hartford, CT

Zooming in on MSN Direct's coverage map allows you to view more detailed coverage information for your local area.

Note that MSN Direct service coverage is NOT the same thing as Traffic Information coverage. Traffic coverage is much more limited than service coverage, and is generally only reported for cities and major highways. In other words, just because you can receive MSN Direct signals doesn't mean you're in an area of traffic coverage. You can check if traffic information is reported in your local area by visiting MSN's Data Availability Chart.

Be sure to check the coverage map before signing up for MSN Direct; coverage in the United States is improving, but it's still wise to check first. Second, if your primarily subscribing for the traffic data, consider that traffic information is generally limited to major highways and cities.

In order to begin the free 3-month MSN Direct trail, you'll need to go online and activate the MSN Direct receiver at Garmin's MSN Direct activation site.

Figure 72: Entering the MSN Direct Product Key

The product key is printed on a yellow sticker attached to the 12v power adapter/MSN Direct receiver. Enter this number to begin the activation process.

You don't need a credit card or have to input any personal information to start the 3-months of service.

Figure 73: Associating MSN Direct with your Windows Live ID

MSN Direct provides the option of associating the device with your Windows Live ID, if you have one. Using Windows Live allows you to send addresses wirelessly to the GPS.

Figure 74: Choosing an MSN Direct Service Plan

Microsoft provides a lifetime activation option, at $130, or yearly service for $50 per year. You can also choose the last option, and just begin the three months of free service. If you decide the MSN Direct features are worth $50/year, you can always renew the service at any time.

Figure 75: MSN Direct Service Activation

Once the activation steps have been completed online, power on the GPS, plug in the MSN Direct adapter, and make sure you're in an area of MSN Direct coverage. The GPS will automatically pickup the activation signal and turn on the MSN Direct features within 20 minutes.

Figure 76: Main Menu

Once activated online, MSN Direct features can be accessed by taping on the Tools icon from the Main Menu. Also, note that the current outdoor temperature is displayed in the top center of the screen when you're traveling within an MSN Direct coverage area.

Also notice that now that MSN Direct is connected and receiving signals, the local outdoor temperature is displayed on the Main Menu.

Figure 77: Accessing MSN Direct

Tap on the MSN butterfly icon to access the MSN Direct features.

Figure 78: MSN Direct Main Menu

The following options are available via the MSN Direct menu, shown above:

• Traffic
• Weather
• Gas Prices
• Movie Times
• News
• Stocks
• Local Events
• Web Favorites

We'll take a look at all the features of MSN Direct, but first let's take a look at the weather report by tapping on Weather.

Figure 79: MSN Direct - Weather Report

Tapping on Weather from the MSN menu displays the weather conditions at your current location. You can also view the 3 day forecast, or tap on Other City to view the weather conditions in an alternate location.

Figure 80: MSN Direct Weather, Forecast

The MSN Weather Forecast displays a 3-day forecast of the weather at your current location. The forecast includes the visibility, high/low temperature, and precipitation.

Figure 81: Doppler Weather Map Screen

Enhanced MSN Direct data includes a Doppler radar weather map of your local area.

Figure 82: MSN Direct - Movie Listings

From the MSN Direct menu, tap on Movie Times to view local movie theater information. You can search for local movie listings either by movie title or by theater.

Select "Searching by Movie Theater" and the nüvi displays a list of nearby movie theaters, ordered by closeness to your current location.

Figure 83: Movies Playing at a Theater

Tapping on a theater then displays the movies playing at that cinema, and the show times.

Figure 84: MSN Direct - Stock Quotes

The Stock Quotes page can be customized to display the stocks of your choosing.

Notice the "Waiting for broadcast" message shown above: it can take a while before MSN Direct data is downloaded and available.

Figure 85: MSN Direct - News

Top news stories can be viewed by tapping the News icon from the MSN Direct menu. Each headline story can be read by tapping on the news item in the list. There's no way to search for a particular news story, or customize the feed, so you're limited to the headline news feed from MSN Direct.

Figure 86: MSN Direct - Gas Prices

Tapping on Gas Prices from the MSN menu displays a list of local gas stations (ordered by closeness) and the price per gallon of gas (regular unleaded) sold at that station. The page also displays the distance and direction to the gas station, as well as the age of the data.

MSN Direct collects this data by observing credit card transactions at gas stations, and recording the price paid per gallon of gas. Using this data, you can choose the gas station that has the most competitive gas price, even if it's not the closest gas station.

Note that only stations with known gas prices are included in this view. In my area, several local gas stations did not show up on the MSN Direct Gas Prices search. So if you want a complete list of gas stations, you'll want to use the POI (Points of Interest) menu and search for gas stations. Presumably the data will get more complete over time, but for now I noticed that not all nearby gas stations were reported by MSN Direct.

Figure 87: Flight Status

MSN Direct's service has been enhanced, and now includes flight status information.

Figure 88: Flight Status List

Check the status of an arriving or departing flight before pulling into the terminal

Figure 89: Flight Status Detail Screen

More detailed flight information can be viewed, and the nüvi 885T can begin navigating to the airport by tapping the green Go! button.