26. Traffic

The nuvi 760 shares the same 12/24-Volt adapter with integrated traffic receiver as the nuvi 660. Both units ship with Garmin's GTM 20 (integrated receiver, antenna and cigarette lighter adapter). European models use a different antenna that's not integrated into the 12v adapter.

Figure 104: GTM 20 integrated receiver, antenna and 12/24v adapter

The nuvi 760 comes with everything you need to receive real-time traffic updates.

Using the included integrated traffic receiver / 12v adapter, the nuvi 760 is able to receive traffic information broadcast over the RDS system (FM Radio Data System -- this is the same system that displays the song you're listening to on some FM radio stations). When a traffic message is received, the nuvi 760 displays the incident on the map, and can change your route to avoid the accident/traffic.

Figure 105: Garmin Traffic Icons

Figure 106: Traffic Event Notification

If there is a traffic event received that impacts your current route, the nuvi 760 displays the corresponding icon in the lower-right hand corner of the map display, as shown above in figure 106. Tapping the alert displays additional information about the traffic event, shown below.

Figure 107: Traffic Event Overview Page

This screen displays an overview of the traffic problem, and highlights the problem area in red and marks the problem with the appropriate traffic icon.

Tap the traffic notification bar at the top of this screen (the yellow bar that reads: "14min delay"), and you can view the details of the traffic issue, or tap "Avoid" and get routed around the problem.

Figure 108: Traffic Details Page

The traffic details page can display additional information about the delay, including the type of problem, and estimated delay. For example, figure 108 shows a traffic issue with a description of "Accumulating Traffic", which in all likelihood means the problem is going to get worse not better, so we should expect that 14 minute delay to increase. That's useful information when deciding whether or not to route around a traffic issue.

Even if you don't manually view the traffic event, if the nuvi 760 detects a traffic event and can find a better alternate route, it will prompt you saying a better route is available, and ask if you would like it to automatically re-route around the traffic.

Garmin has implemented its real-time traffic feature in a very intuitive way; you don't need to read the instructions to use it, and, when set to do so, the nuvi automatically routes around received traffic problems.

The nuvi 760 uses Clear Channel's traffic data (provided by Inrix), which currently has spotty coverage. Most larger urban areas seem to be covered, but you'll want to check if your particular area is covered using Garmin's traffic coverage website. You can also purchase an optional MSD Direct receiver for the nuvi 760, and use MSN Direct's traffic information instead. MSN Direct receives traffic information from traffic.com instead of Clear Channel. In my testing I found Clear Channel had better coverage and was faster to receive traffic data than MSN Direct (although MSN Direct receives additional information beyond traffic, such as weather, movie listings, and local gas prices).

The nuvi 760 comes with a complimentary 3-month traffic subscription. After that, It'll cost you $60/year for service in the United States. On a recent drive from New York City to Connecticut, the nuvi 760's traffic feature saved me hours of sitting in rush hour traffic by taking a alternate, albeit longer distance, route. If the traffic service avoids even one major traffic jam, the $60 a year is money well spent.

27. Currency Converter

Figure 109: Converting Currency

The Currency Converter is accessed via the Tools menu, and allows you to convert from virtually any currency to any currency.

I could see this being a handy feature when traveling abroad, although it's probably of limited value for every day use here in North America.

Figure 110: Choosing the Currencies for Conversion

Tapping on the currency buttons allows you to set the source and target currency for conversion. The list of currencies is extensive.

Figure 111: Updating the Conversion Rate

The nuvi ships with currency conversion rates pre-programmed, but if you're actually using the converter you'll want to update the conversion rate. Doing so is easy: tap on the Update button and enter the new conversion rate.

Figure 112: Viewing the Conversion Rate

Once you've input the updated conversion rate, tap Save.

28. Unit Converter

Figure 113: Unit Conversion

The nuvi 760 also includes a metrics conversion tool called Unit Converter, accessed via the Tools menu.

Figure 114: Convert Settings Screen

The Unit Converter can be used to convert area, distance, speed, temperature, or volume.

29. Language Guide

Figure 115: Language Guide

The Language Guide translates words and phrases in text and audible speech. The nuvi 760 ships with a trial version of the Language Guide that allows you to translate a few words and see what the guide offers, but to access to the entire guide you'll have to spend an additional $75 and buy the guide from Garmin's website.

The Language Guide is located in the Tools menu.

Supported languages are English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, and the nuvi can provide text-to-speech between any two languages.

Figure 116: Garmin Language Guide

You can choose to either lookup a word or phrase, or translate a word from one language to another.

Figure 117: Using the Language Guide

The optional Language Guide provides translation of individual words, or pre-defined key travel phrases (i.e. "how much does that cost", etc.).

Figure 118: Choosing the Translation Language

The Travel Guide supports bi-directional language translation.

Figure 119: Listening to a Word

The nuvi can perform text-to-speech audio translation so you can hear how to correctly pronounce a word.