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Product Details

• Brand: Garmin
• Model: GDB-55
• Dimensions: .83" h x 3.15" w x 2.13" l, .99 pounds

Features

• Allows reception of MSN Direct to select Garmin nüvi navigators. Includes 12 months of MSN Direct service.
• Get traffic updates, area weather, local gas prices, movie times, local events listings, news and stock price info, and more
• Includes 12-volt power adapter
• Compatible with all Garmin Nuvi 2x5 series products and also Nuvi 500 and Nuvi 550.

Amazon.com Product Description
Notice: MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012. Activate a subscription between November 19, 2009, and March 31, 2010, and receive 9 months of MSN Direct service for free.

The MSN Direct Receiver/GDB 55 turns your compatible Garmin into a dynamic on-the-go information source. With the purchase of this receiver, you'll get 12 months of MSN Direct services, including traffic updates, gas prices, weather forecasts, and so much more.

Travel Smart
The GDB 55 delivers the content you need for life on the go:

• Traffic updates
• Weather forecasts
• Fuel prices
• News stories
• Movie listings and reviews
• Stock info
• Local events, concerts, festivals and more

The GDB 55 sends information to your compatible Garmin navigator so you can avoid traffic, save money at the pump, check the forecast, and find your theatre--while staying on top of news and stocks. The Send-to-GPS feature lets you plan your trip on your PC, then wirelessly send it to your navigator.

Activate and Navigate
The MSN Direct receiver is plug-and-play portable, making it easy to connect to your unit when on the go. No professional installation required. Simply activate your receiver following the instructions in the manual. After activation, plug the receiver into your compatible Garmin device, connect to your vehicle's power outlet, and you're ready to receive data.

Subscription Information
MSN Direct is available only in select cities where coverage exists. Visit MSN Direct to extend your current service, purchase a service plan for an additional area or view coverage information.

Compatibility
nüvi 1200, nüvi 1250, nüvi 1260T, nüvi 1300, nüvi 1350, nüvi 1350T, nüvi 1370T, nüvi 1390T, nüvi 1390T, nüvi 1450, nüvi 1490T, nüvi 205, nüvi 205W, nüvi 255, nüvi 255W, nüvi 265T, nüvi 265WT, nüvi 275T, nüvi 500, nüvi 550

What's in the Box
MSN Direct receiver and owner's manual

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Customer Reviews

I came within a duck's breath of returning it
Here's the conundrum...

I have a Garmin nuvi 255. On the POSITIVE side, with the GDB 55, the 255 IS capable of plotting and changing your route on the fly automatically according to the traffic data it receives. The DOWNSIDE is that the traffic data it has received so far has been next to useless.

For example, last Friday we traveled from Massachusetts to Maryland. Coming down the Jersey Turnpike the unit showed a small (1 or 3 min delay) and kept us on the pike. Just before we reached exit 7, we decided we'd had enough, pressed Detour, and ended up doing something involving route 295. When we reached our destination, we learned from those who arrived hours later that the pike had turned into a virtual parking lot and we'd have lost hours if we'd believed the Garmin regarding traffic.

I'd return the GDB 55 except that the traffic data really can get the 255 to change its recommendations. So, fool that I may be, I'm going to keep working with it on the hope that the traffic data service will improve. I figure (a) it's part of the price of getting in when a service is relatively new and (b)I can always hit Detour manually as we did last weekend should we start getting anxious again.

Unless you *have* to have it, however, I recommend against buying this unit until early adopters report that its performance has improved to being minimally acceptable. At the moment, it isn't!

I actually got the right item.
I have a Garmin 265 WT and I ordered the Garmin GDB 55 MSN Direct back on December 23, 2008 and I actually got the right item. I did read that several people got the Garmin Travel pack instead of the MSN receiver but mine actually came the first time I ordered it. I ordered it from Amazon too. I did order a Case Logic GPS Case with it too so maybe Amazon saw they I didn't need the two cases so they sent me the right product.

On to my review of the receiver. I have been using it for about a month now and I have to say I like the features on it. It's nice to look up movie times, weather, gas prices, and news at the click of my finger. I would have to agree with another reviewer about the traffic data. It is not that quite accurate. It only tells you traffic on the freeways and not on surface streets. I do allot of city driving on surface streets and it would be nice if it would direct me around accidents or heavy traffic on surface streets. Maybe with an update soon from Garmin and it will be able to do that. I also have the FM traffic receiver that came with my Garmin and so I will test that out to see if only gives me traffic tie-ups on freeways.

It does take about 30 minutes to get all the MSN data to update when you first get it. You also have to use it at least two times a week to keep the information updated or you will have to wait a couple of minutes to find all the current weather, movies, gas,etc.

The gas price feature is awesome. It keeps most of the gases prices that you are searching for very current and it great when you are looking for right price for gas in the area you driving. It does have a stock quotes option on it too but I don't use it very often. The headline news option is great when you are stopped at stop light and you want to catch up with with news of the world. I am a huge sports fan and it even tells me whats going on in the sports world.

Overall I love the MSN Direct receiver I just wish it would have a little bit better traffic information.

Not a good Traffic Report Solution
I purchased the Garmin GDB 55 mainly so I could have traffic reports as I try to make my way to and from work every day. The service is S L O W (anywhere from 10 - 25 minutes for traffic to start registering) and spotty (entire sections of freeways are contantly missing). I used to have traffic through XM Satellite and it was MUCH quicker and complete. I do not recommend MSN for this service. All other services seem OK, but that's not why I purchased the equipment.