Good deal. Careful though, this comes with MSN traffic, not the FM transmitter. I think you have to pay for MSN traffic, but I'm not sure.
HomeTheatreMaven
Member
posted: Nov. 27, 2009 @ 2:18a
MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012. This unit uses MSN Direct.
gti
Member
posted: Nov. 27, 2009 @ 2:28a
9 months free MSN direct service included. FYI.
gp3
Member
posted: Nov. 27, 2009 @ 2:47a
yeah, MSN Direct service is a cop-out. They originally were going to have the service till 2014. But, like, HTM stated. They are stopping their service in 2012 for the end of the world..
TheBerserker01 said: Good deal. Careful though, this comes with MSN traffic, not the FM transmitter. I think you have to pay for MSN traffic, but I'm not sure.
Thank you very much. I did not catch this subtle distinction. Sticking with the 255WT bought from WorstBuy with Bing.
gp3 said: yeah, MSN Direct service is a cop-out. They originally were going to have the service till 2014. But, like, HTM stated. They are stopping their service in 2012 for the end of the world..Crap, I did not know that!
I have the 780 with MSN Direct and managed to buy the lifetime service just before they stopped selling it (I guess I will be getting a partial refund). I much prefer it to the free FM traffic. That said, I bought my daughter a 255WT yesterday and will not be ordering a 285WT instead.
On the other hand, if you do not care about traffic and want a Bluetooth capable unit, this is a better deal.
ahmo
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 27, 2009 @ 3:18a
MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012.
PrincipalMember said: TheBerserker01 said: Good deal. Careful though, this comes with MSN traffic, not the FM transmitter. I think you have to pay for MSN traffic, but I'm not sure.
Thank you very much. I did not catch this subtle distinction. Sticking with the 255WT bought from WorstBuy with Bing.
that's what I'm leaning towards as well...but there are so many options, having a tough time pulling the trigger
This is a device in a different class than your typical GPS, as this is an internet connected GPS.
Compare this to tomtom 740 Live - $250 (first 3 months of service free, $10/month after) Garmin 1690 with nülink - $360 (2 years of service included) This sure makes $129.99 look good for the 285W to me.
VIA MSN Direct you can send locations and routes including name, phone, etc.. Directly from your desk to the GPS. No fumbling with onscreen keyboards.
The FatWalleter in you will love the fact that it includes access to daily gas prices at 85K gas stations in the USA. Information is collected from actual credit card transactions on fleet vehicles, not reliant on someone to type them in out of the goodness of their heart. Prices are provided by OPIS—the only comprehensive source of U.S. wholesale and retail petroleum prices, tracking more than 80,000 daily retail gasoline prices. More than 100 billion gallons of fuel are purchased annually based on an OPIS Price Index.
Amazon is offering an additional $20 off lifetime map updates when purchased with the 285W. 285W + Lifetime Maps - $20 combo promo - discover promo = $195.30
BTW, MSN direct service, per the MSNdirect website says 9 months included. The next year of MSN direct is $50 and by then (21 months from now) there will probably be a killer new replacement service for GPS.
Total cost for 21 months, with quarterly map updates, live access to the features described above for less than $250 and will be less than the acquisition cost of either of the competitors above.
If you were wondering why these didn't sell out quick at this price, I think it is mainly due to all the other Garmin deals available online. Also due to the MSN traffic. You only get 9 months free then have to pay and then MSN drops it in a couple of years. Pay a little more and get the 265t or 265wt and get lifetine FM traffic. You can add FM traffic to the 285wt but it costs $120 or so retail. I think MSN is better, but is going away and you have to pay.
The Garmin 2x5 series are all very nice and have the latest UI changes. I personally don't see the need to have a "wide screen" GPS and you have to pay extra to get a w model. The 265t is $10 more than this deal, but has the FM traffic with lifetime service.
They DO sweeten the 285wt deal even more with $20 off the lifetime maps if purchased together. Very tempting, but what good are "lifetime" map upgrades if you have to pay for traffic until they drop you or you have to buy an expensive FM traffic adapter later? If you don't really care about traffic and DO care about BT, then maybe this would be the one for you?
woot4fun said: The next year of MSN direct is $50 and by then (21 months from now) there will probably be a killer new replacement service for GPS. Boy you're awfully optimistic about that, aren't you. I think there's a much better chance that MSN Direct users end up with a receiver with no service provider, and are forced to buy an FM traffic receiver is they want to continue receiving traffic (from an inferior service).
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