Nuvi: Free traffic vs. Paid traffic
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 16 years
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I just completed a 2,000 mile road trip on the east coast running a 760 (paid traffic) and a new 265WT (free traffic). I'll tell ya, the reporting from these two units, side by side, is vastly different to the point that it's disconcerting and even confusing. The 760 tends to over-report, I think the 265WT is very conservative when it comes to reporting delays. This was a nightmare around Wash DC. It was impossible, based upon the info provided by the two units, to select the best possible route.
These two units are at the opposite end of the spectrum and I'm not quite sure I could say one is superior. They're both sorely lacking, IMO, at least in the areas we traveled (MA to NC and back).
I'd have no reporting in many areas with the 265WT once we left major urban centers. The 760 has far more coverage in "rural" areas.
I really like the 265WT apart from the traffic reporting performance. The screen is excellent in the bright sun. The speaker must be larger and is somewhat louder and clearer. I REALLY like the arrow w/distance to next turn...very well done! I love having the speed displayed in the main view. The unit always boots up without any delay, unlike the 760. I don't like the mount and I don't like the fact the power cord isn't connected to the mount - - that's a really poor design. For some reason, the 265WT takes a really LONG time to calculate the route. I find that odd. Apart from these minor complaints, the 265WT looks like an extreme value - - with or without its traffic reporting facility 
In NYC, even the signs on
In NYC, even the signs on the highway can't reliably tell traffic 5 miles down the road.
I have both a paid Clear
I have both a paid Clear Channel and free Navteq sub. My experience here in Tampa Bay, FL is the OPPOSITE.
The paid (Clear Channel) traffic under reports. Most of the traffic I get from them is for areas 30-40 miles away.
The Navteq (free) traffic on the other hand over-reports a bit. When my 265 switches over to it, my display fills with reports <10 miles away. Some are for minor issues, but at least they are reported.
It's so bad that I wish I could remove my paid subscription from the unit, even if that means loosing the $60.
Plan B:
It's so bad that I wish I could remove my paid subscription from the unit, even if that means loosing the $60.
You could probably just buy another power cord for it that doesn't have the traffic receiver, right? Or run it on the battery and avoid all traffic notifications ...
(2) Nuvi 1450LMT + 3597LMTHD + 2557LMT + DS61LMT-S Boston MA
.
It's so bad that I wish I could remove my paid subscription from the unit, even if that means loosing the $60.
You could probably just buy another power cord for it that doesn't have the traffic receiver, right? Or run it on the battery and avoid all traffic notifications ...
The main reason I bought this unit was for traffic.
A new traffic cable runs $85, making this whole experiment almost $150. That means throwing MORE money at the situation -- I'd rather buy a different unit.... Well no, I'd rather be able to delete the paid subscription and keep the free one - it can't be THAT hard.
Navt
Just drove from Houston to Austin. The free traffic Navteq showed red and yellow between Bastrop and Austin airport. There was none. Go figure.
traffic
does not seem ready for prime time. I think it would be great if it worked. But, it needs to be more reliable / consistent and it needs to include enough coverage secondary roads to make it usable.
___________________ Garmin 2455, 855, Oregon 550t
Agreed.
There is room for major improvement.
At this point in time, I'm not certain I can say that the existing systems are better than nothing at all...
(2) Nuvi 1450LMT + 3597LMTHD + 2557LMT + DS61LMT-S Boston MA
Side by side comparisons?
I would be very interested in seeing side by side comparisons including live Google traffic data via the Android application. If Google is effectively using cell information for tracking traffic volume, I would expect good performance and accuracy.
I am glad to have let my subscription expire
I had MSN and rejoiced when the subscription ended...no more irrelevent reroutings, notices of traffic long cleared (if it ever existed), no more non-existant notices of extreme traffic I was sitting in.
Not ready for prime-time is a very good way to think of these services.
Navt
Just drove from Houston to Austin. The free traffic Navteq showed red and yellow between Bastrop and Austin airport. There was none. Go figure.
It may have picked up the planes that was waiting to take off on the runway.
3790LMT; 2595LMT; 3590LMT, 60LMTHD