FM Traffic is it worth it in Atlanta?

I don't know about Atlanta, but it sucks for Washington DC.

I won't be renewing my subscription. The data I get is very poor and seems to only help when using certain roads.

Not worth the $125 IMO.

I have a 2730 and subscribed to the XM NavTraffic.

Thats sucks too ! Unless they make a vast improvement to the serice, I will not be renewing either.

Tim

...from Naveteq, who by the way took over traffic.com and supplies traffic data via MSN Direct on the Nuvi 680...

I subscribed to the traffic here in Chicago. I find problems with it, and with it working with the Nuvi 660. The traffic only seems to be correct half the time. (my guesses seem to be more accurate) Then, the GPS will only reroute me to another highway that may be just as bad as the one it took me off of. When I tell it to avoid that route it just puts me back onto the original one. Since most all of the highways here in Chicago are now under some sort of construction the back streets are the best bet but they don't give ANY traffic data for them. Also I find that with construction when they close ramps for days/weeks/months it does not report that and constantly routes me to those exits.

I think that answers my question that it is not worth the money. Well I just purchased a regular power cord off e-bay. I love this thing.

Squatch

I have the 680 with MSN traffic. It seems to be good. However, the MSN traffic signal in the area is not all that great. Up in the Alpharetta, Cumming area it does not pick up very well.

Last week I was in San Francisco with my 680 and it was great. Reception was good too. I found the traffic was very accurate as it is in Atlanta. I just wish the traffic signal in Atlanta was a little stronger.

Yes, it's not worth the money. Within the Atlanta area the traffic information is limited to the Interstate system and GA400. Needless to say, the traffic patterns are fairly predictable during the work days (jammed everywhere). In addition, the re-route function doesn't really have any intelligence, so we are likely to end up following a re-route which takes longer than a jammed main fareway. I have the traffic service and find it amusingly lame. If I need the same traffi info, I can pull up google maps on my Treo 650 and get the same info for free... just put a shortcut on the main screen to avoid having to type while driving.
Cheers

I bought and have found the service to be decent. Like previous poster stated. Traffic on the highways is predictable. It does give you an idea of traffic delays though and travel time on your route (with an allotment for the traffic delays. I probably will not renew.

It won't help you avoid Atlanta traffic automatically but it may show you the traffic map which could help you decide what to do on your own. I personally would not buy hardware and may not renew my sub. See my other post in this forum and others.

I am in Sacramento. The traffic portion is real cool IF your city is covered. And up until recently, Sacramento was NOT covered. Now it is... Just make sure that your city is included because many, many citys are not covered. But more are being added all the time.... In my opinion, this addition is really worth the money. Especially if you travel alot around the city.... But wait. There is more to this than just "Traffic". You can see an accident for example. OR an object in the road. Many accidets cause back-ups at all times during the day and night...Also, it will show detours and work being done on the road or road side... My advice is to try it and you will see alot of what you didn't before. Plus, you will be able to plan your own detour to avoid long waits... I would at least try it. Take care.

Atlanta is covered but it's not cool. It will show you the map but it won't actually help you avoid traffic. When it says 1 min delay it might really be 45 minute delay and it might take you off the free way for a short delay on the free way when the surface streets time might be an hour instead of a few minutes. So you are still making educated guesses based upon your knowledge of traffic pattens. Seeing the map might help you make a better guess. But it could get into a mess before it shows up too. So if they are giving it to you for then same cost as the GPS it cool but paying $200 plus $50 per year what it is now isn't cool. It Highway robbery via GPS!

to the traffic services. I have the GTM20 and on a recent weekend there was a special event right off of a major highway. The road crews had erected some portable signs that gave notice and directions to the event. My traffic display showed the sign icons and even the text of those signs. "Now that's what I call a sticky situation".

dd

that yet but if you see the real signs then how does that help you?

I can't say about the traffic receiver on the Nuvi, but if it's anything like XM's traffic channels, it will be off quite a bit.

I travel all over the country and have found it to be quite valuable, especially in CA and most of the east coast. It helps to understand that there are delays in the data collection system and that only certain roads are part of that system of data collection. As such, it works best when you use it to trend the progress of traffic along a route. It's most useful to get around LA and San Diego where they have an extensive network of roads on the system, more than anywhere else I've been.

I've not been to Atlanta since getting the service, so I don't know the extent of the network, but therein lies the way to help decide your answer, in my view. Good luck with it.

After knowing what you are experiencing, I gave the idea of buying that.

Thanks,
WindChill

I have a c550 with GTM 20 and live in Metro Atlanta. I am also a computer field technician and spend a lot of time on the road.

For me, the service is a God send. The c550 is good about re-routing me around accidents and slowdowns. The traffic map that shows the entire metro area with zomm in and zoom out capabilities.

I've only had my Garmin for 1 month, but used the same FM / Clear Channel traffic service on my Cobra 4500 for almost a year now, so I do have several hours of use under my belt.

http://realtimetraffic.net/