54b Traffic Information
Live Traffic
Live Traffic is a free feature that is available on the XT and XT2 as well as on the earlier Zumos like the 590 and 595. But having a Zumo is only a part of the story. In order to display the information, the Zumos requires up to date information - data - and that comes from a smartphone, using the smartphones 3G, 4G or 5G data signals. This is processed by an App on the smartphone - Smartphone Link for the Zumo 590/595, Garmin Drive for the XT, and Garmin Tread for the Zumo XT2. These apps are free to download and use and talk to the Zumo using bluetooth.
How you set this up will be described later. The next few pages are to do with what the Live Traffic information looke like on the Zumo screen. I've used screenshots from the XT for the illustrations.
How you set this up will be described later. The next few pages are to do with what the Live Traffic information looke like on the Zumo screen. I've used screenshots from the XT for the illustrations.
The images on the right shows a sequence of three views of the Zumo screen.
From the main screen, (Pic 1), click Settings.
Pic 2 shows part of the menu that is offered. Scroll down to find 'Traffic'
Pic 3 shows two sections of the same menu.
Traffic has to be ticked at the top of the menu.
Just below the bottom the screen is the 5th row of the menu - you have the option of the level of traffic alerts: Off / Some / Most
Most - Minor and Severe Traffic Alerts
Some - Severe Traffic Alerts only
Off - No Traffic Alerts
From the main screen, (Pic 1), click Settings.
Pic 2 shows part of the menu that is offered. Scroll down to find 'Traffic'
Pic 3 shows two sections of the same menu.
Traffic has to be ticked at the top of the menu.
Just below the bottom the screen is the 5th row of the menu - you have the option of the level of traffic alerts:
Most - Minor and Severe Traffic Alerts
Some - Severe Traffic Alerts only
Off - No Traffic Alerts
Pic 3 - What the difference is between not having Traffic selected at the top of this menu, and having it turned off in the Traffic Alerts option - I can only guess.
I am thinking that not ticking the box at the top breaks the connection between the Zumo and the Drive App. Re-establishing a connection can take some time.
Turning the option off in The Traffic Alerts menu - well, it may keep the connection open, but choose not to act on any alerts the it receives.
But I haven't investigated this - and it is only a guess - what I would hope for. So its probably wrong !
I am thinking that not ticking the box at the top breaks the connection between the Zumo and the Drive App. Re-establishing a connection can take some time.
Turning the option off in The Traffic Alerts menu - well, it may keep the connection open, but choose not to act on any alerts the it receives.
But I haven't investigated this - and it is only a guess - what I would hope for. So its probably wrong !
The information on these pages has been acquired from personal experience of using and testing the behaviour of Basecamp and my Zumo XT. I have no links with Garmin, and these pages should not be regarded as instructions. They are presented for interest only. The contents of these pages must not be shared, copied, transmitted, redistributed or re-published in any form without my permission. (C) JHeath 2021.