HD traffic

It does update more often, so when a traffic problem is reported, you may get it a few minutes sooner. Although the information is "more detailed", you still receive the same basic information that the older, slower traffic receivers get.

The problem lies in the system that sends the traffic information out. It is often out of date or the problem is too new for them to have reported it yet. Until they report it it doesn't help you at all, no matter if you have HD or not.

I have HD traffic on both my 2495 and 3597. HD is a confusing term. It has nothindeg to do with the resolution of the displays as in HD TV.

See Garmin's own description of the types of traffic they offer:

https://www8.garmin.com/traffic/

In the SF Bay area, my receivers pick up and locked on to the HD stations without difficulty. Some (many) people from other locales do report having difficulties with HD traffic reception.

I found that the HD traffic is pretty accurate on the freeways, especially during commute hours, better than Garmin Traffic (RDS). The reported congestion area is typically within a mile or so from the actual congestion. With RDS, I found it could be quite a few miles off.

HD also has much more coverage of traffic conditions on local streets. I found the information mostly inaccurate, however.

I have had very mixed results with the HD traffic. It is generally fast to update, but the estimates have been off in both directions.

In the case of accidents, etc, a radio station telling you which lane is the problem is the best bet for me getting past the traffic.

Is "HD" referring to HD radio stations? If so, why is that better?

We have a number of HD radio stations here is SW Ohio and they are supposed to have clearer signals. I don't own an HD radio, but from what I understand they are supposed to mimic a satellite station, i.e.; XM or Sirius. The only thing I have noticed from HD traffic is that it seems to be faster. Other than that, I haven't really noticed a difference.

As others have stated, it's a mixed bag but generally better than the older RDS version. I've got both and the HD version generally has better, but more limited coverage. HD broadcasts also cover more of the area surrounding their transmitter sites by including arterials and major streets which are often not included in RDS broadcasts.

The traffic broadcasts come from the digital HD radio stations rather than the more traditional analog FM stations. You also need to know that all traffic information is carried on what is classified as a subcarrier which is limited by regulation to about 10% of the power authorized the primary station.

As to the sound from HD stations, it's digital which gives music about the same clarity as a CD and has automatic correction built in so noise is not a problem - but the signal doesn't just fade out. it drops suddenly when the level reaches a point where the error correction no longer works.

My reception of traffic on my Nuvi is always spotty. And more times than not I'll be sitting still in traffic and it says all is good.

I think I will wait awhile before investing in a new unit. Traffic is not as important to me as up to date maps.

Current maps are key ... Not to mention that Google Maps on my Android seems to have better traffic info anyway.

2nd that.