Zumo 590 and European Traffic Reception

[PanEuropean]

Hello Folks:

I am considering getting a 590 to replace the 660 on the moto I keep in Europe. But, because I live in North America, I can't get my hands on a European (what Garmin calls 'Atlantic') spec 590 to look at it carefully.

I have used a Garmin FM traffic receiver (the GTM series) on all my past GPSs. The North American Zumo 590 is advertised as not supporting a FM traffic receiver, instead, traffic comes via the cell phone network when the user pairs a cellphone with the Zumo (using Bluetooth).

Traffic via cellphone is not an acceptable solution for me in Europe because the cell phone roaming charges would add up very quickly.

Does anyone know if the European Zumo 590s (or, for that matter, the BMW Nav 5) support traffic reports via an attached Garmin GTM series FM traffic receiver?

Michael

 

[cafemaestro]

I haven't any experience of the FM receiver for the 590 but if it's no go, you could just buy a local cheap sim on your arrival in Europe with sufficient data allowance and pop that in your phone. Will be cheaper than the roaming charges

 

[PanEuropean]

I could do that, I guess, but the problem is that I normally visit between 3 and 6 countries in the course of a 6 to 8 week ride. I don't think there are SIM cards available on a prepay basis that provide data coverage in multiple countries.

Michael

 

[Fenlander Strasse]

http://www.three.co.uk/Store/SIM/Pay_As_You_Go

Three advertise no roaming charges, a friend of mine travels a lot and uses them.