Further testing of Garmin Smartphone Link Live Traffic points to GTM-60 compatibility issue

Early I posted a detailed blog post about my problem with the new Live Traffic subscription feature of Garmin's new Smartphone Link app for Android.  Well, some additional testing narrows down the nature of the problem.

I decided to try using my Nuvi 3490LMT with Garmin Smartphone Link while NOT connected to the GTM-60 HD Traffic receiver.  Low and behold, Live Traffic through Smartphone Link works!  And it worked solidly.  My Nuvi could go to sleep, my smartphone could go to sleep and time and again, upon waking either device up, Live Traffic came back to the unit through the Smartphone Link app.

Here is what the Nuvi shows just after reestablishing a bluetooth connection:

Nuvi 3490LMT connected to Smartphone Link but disconnected from the GTM-60

After a couple minutes of the Nuvi and the smartphone being awake with a bluetooth connection established, the message at the top said "Traffic up to Date" once again. 

Recall from the previous blog post that when the Smartphone Link app is connected to the Nuvi and the GTM-60 is plugged in, the screen looks like this:

Nuvi 3490LMT traffic screen while connected to Smartphone Link and the GTM-60 simultaneously.

If you disconnect the GTM-60 from the Nuvi, restart the Nuvi and connect to Smartphone Link traffic is restored.  Traffic is provided by Smartphone Link Live Traffic.

If you disconnect Smartphone Link, restart the Nuvi and connect the GTM-60 traffic is restored.  Traffic is provided by HD Radio Traffic.

If you connect both Smartphone Link and the GTM-60 to the Nuvi it appears that right now you get no traffic at all based on the problem illustrated in the picture above.  Of course the only way to power the Nuvi 3490LMT out of the box is the GTM-60.  So another method of powering the Nuvi will have to be used if you want to use Smartphone Link until Garmin solves this problem.

I reach the following conclusions with this test:

1. Smartphone Link Live Traffic does indeed work through the Android app.
2. There is a problem with a peaceful co-existence between Smartphone Link Live Traffic and the GTM-60's HD Radio Traffic.
3. From the screen shot above, one of two things appears to be happening:
1. When the Nuvi is plugged into the GTM-60 and Smartphone Link, the Nuvi really isn't getting any traffic content at all, as the screen above is showing you.  This incompatibility needs to be resolved by Garmin. Or....
2. The Nuvi indeed IS getting traffic content through Smartphone Link Live Traffic despite the above screen shot.  This screen, could be showing you only the GTM-60's status and since Smartphone Link Live Traffic seems to trump the GTM-60 Garmin didn't think through the presentation and content of this screen when a user is using Smartphone Link Live Traffic.

So, if you are loving life with the Smartphone Link app and bought the Live Traffic feature, it appears that you need to either run the Nuvi on battery for short trips or run it on a non-traffic receiver power adapter.  Let's hope Garmin gets this straightened out quickly.