Is a Clear Channel traffic subscription worth $60?

It boils down to the roads covered by each service. Navteq only covers some of the main roads in an area, so the coverage isn't as complete as you would hope. I assume Clear Channel is the same. As an example, while traveling through Dayton a few weeks ago there was an accident which closed the westbound lanes of I-70. Navteq traffic notified me of the closure and then asked if I wanted to be rerouted. Of course I answered yes and an alternate route was provided which was good until you got near the point it wanted you to rejoin I-70. That route was at a standstill but Navteq reported it open as they didn't cover the street. Fortunately I also carry a smartphone and have another traffic service on it. It showed the blockage and allowed me to find another route which bypassed all the blockages.

None of the radio station provided coverages which includes Navteq and Clear Channel are truly "real-time." They all have delays ranging from a few minutes to a half-hour or more in their reports. I understand HD traffic on some of the newer models doesn't have the same delays and is closer to real-time like my smartphone app from INRIX.

No traffic service is worth a plugged nickel where I live. None of them cover California north of Sacramento.

I had the Navteq service and also added the Clear Channel to one of the units I had and that turned out to be a big mistake. Navteq in my area I found was far more current, comprehensive and accurate than Clear Channel is. My unit then nearly always locked onto Clear Channel. Most of the warnings were mainly for Phoenix area about 100+ miles from me instead of the Tucson area I had gotten with Navteq.

I didn't realize until it was too late that you cannot choose which one you want to use. The unit uses the one that has the quickest signal to lock on to and you cannot even turn off or disable either yourself.

If anyone wants to disable a service from their GTM adapter just send me a PM, I don't think I can post the instructions here.

Keep in mind even with having both subscriptions to Navteq & TTN your Nuvi will pick up the stronger signal of the two within the current area you are in.
As mentioned by rjrsw you cannot select which provider to be active.

Below you will find links to both traffic providers,
click on the link and click on a city and it will display the area of coverage in that city.
I see you are in New Orleans, both providers offer coverage in that area. If you travel a lot, see if both providers cover the area you most frequently visit. If TTN doesn't cover those areas then a 60.00 investment is not a wise decision.

Navteq Coverage Area
http://www.navteq.com/rdstraffic/index.html

Clear Channel (TTN) Coverage Area
http://totaltraffic.com/CoverageAreas/

Traffic is not reliable in either subscription but rather an aid that can sometimes be helpful, other times cause aggravation. I cannot offer any advice on the HD traffic Box Car mentioned since none of my units have it.

My choice would be NOT to get the TTN subscription.
If you intend to upgrade your 765T, the 60.00 would be better spent towards the purchase of units compatible with HD traffic. if traffic is an important feature to you. But do your homework and see what other owners of HD traffic say about its reliability.

Does it cost to have HD Traffic or does it comes free with the GPS.

In my area, ClearChannel is better. This is the New York City and Long Island area, known for its heavy traffic. It not only provides info for Interstates, but also for 4-lane state highways. In every case where a road was closed, I was notified early enough to change my route.

dobs108

I live in the Phoenix area and my view is that none of the traffic programs are worth 10 cents. If it were not free with my unit, I wouldn't pay a nickle for it. They never have road closures, blockades, detours or restricted lanes ,etc. All I ever get is slow traffic in nine miles or rarely, I get accident ahead , which usually is already cleared or there is an accident ahead and no report of it. To me, it's, for the most part, worthless.

I am a college student and for 8 out of the 12 months of the year, I live in Baton Rouge, LA. Navteq does not cover Baton Rouge but Clear Channel does. I often go back and forth from New Orleans and Baton Rouge for a job I have. You say that I can't choose which subscription to use, but let's say I start out in New Orleans, and Navteq has the stronger signal there. When I leave Navteq's coverage area, will the Clear Channel subscription kick in when I'm no longer receiving a traffic signal from Navteq? Would I have to reboot the Garmin while I'm driving or would it automatically switch over to Clear Channel's signal once I'm no longer in the Navteq coverage area? And also, I looked up the Digital 3D traffic (that uses HD radio) coverage and it covers the exact same cities as the free Navteq subscription I have now, meaning it wouldn't be worth the upgrade to another nuvi that's compatible with the Digital 3D traffic. I also compared the Navteq traffic data to the clear channel traffic data online for the New Orleans area and Clear Channel had more than double the incidents reported than Navteq did. Given this info, do you still think it wouldn't be worth it for me to purchase the Clear channel subscription?

rame1012

It will automatically go to the next area and switch to whichever service has the best signal. You do not have to do anything to switch areas.

To answer your questions, as I stated if both subscriptions cover the same area you will hook up with the subscriber that has the stronger FM signal, you cannot choose which subscription you use.

If you enter a area where only the TTN (clear channel) is present you will automatically receive the traffic information from them. There is no user input required.

As far as you mentioning the HD subscriptions covering the same area as you already have or can get with a TTN purchased subscription, there is a difference. The HD claims to be realtime as opposed to relying on local FM stations to update their traffic information.

The final decision is up to you if it's worth the 60.00, I can't tell you how accurate Clear Channel will be in your traveled areas since it's dependent on the local broadcast stations and how frequently they update their traffic service.

I will not purchase a nuvi with Digital HD Radio Traffic because at present ClearChannel is not available for it.

dobs108

Then it's a no-brainer!

dobs108

Ive used the Garmin 3490 LMT with the HD traffic in Phoenix, as well as in a drive from Chicago to Miami and the service is fantastic. The best traffic that Garmin offers. It works on highways as well as in major streets. Great service so far. It has never let me down.

Thanks for advising your experience with the HD Traffic. I'm sure you used the conventional FM receivers and find the HD to be superior in reliability.

I live near Columbia, SC and NavTeq has no signals here. ClearChannel does. So when the free trial traffic on my 760 ran out, I paid the $60 and got a ClearChannel subscription. It gives me signals none of which has been terribly useful so far. I also have NavTeq on my 765t and use it for trips. I get signals there too, none of which has been useful in terms of rerouting. But it has been nice to know of slowdowns coming up. But they were not bad enough that a re-route was better.

I did it and do not regret it. I currently use the ClearChannel on my 885t in my bimmer. The subscriptions are for the power cord/antenna. So the NavTeq that came with my 765t will work with my 760 or 885t. The receiver that came with my 760 will work with my 765t or 885t.

Anyway, traffic is nice to have but only occasionally really useful. If the 3D has less lag, it may be more useful.

Jim

Jim, do you mean HD?

If you meant 3D view on the maps, try 2D. It gives that bird's eye view of what's around you, and uses less CPU power from what I've noticed.

No, just use Google maps on your smart phone for free. I think it has the most accurate traffic info.