Sat Navs - Traffic (are these free?)

ShiWarrior · 26 Nov 2009 at 06:01

Hi all

Thinking about buying a new sat nav to replace mine, as the map is well old now

just wondered if these traffic things are free, or do u have to pay?
i was thinking about a tomtom Live, but other makes considered, i.e. Garmin

Thanks

SkeeterUK · 26 Nov 2009 at 06:21

You need a receiver i believe for live traffic info and then there is a subscription to get it as well i think. Best of just listening to radio stations that report about the traffic where your at.

Gittins · 26 Nov 2009 at 06:24

Or get an iPhone! My google map's has traffic info on and flashes where there is build up of traffic, also got tomtom for it! winwin!

chrislusty · 26 Nov 2009 at 06:32

If you get a Navigon sat nav, whch are actually very good, these come with traffic, and are free for life.

shimy182 · 26 Nov 2009 at 10:47

Tomtom has two systems running at the same time, HD Live, and RDS TMC traffic.

HD traffic is taken through the mobile network and so requires a sim card and thus paid subscription, however traffic news is apparently received with accuracy and speed.

RDS is free, just a one of payment for the antenna but information received is timed badly and is not as fresh as what you would get on HD traffic, also depends on coverage but im sure that wont be a problem

Hope this helps

s-man · 26 Nov 2009 at 14:40

As above Tom Tom has at least a pay option not sure on specifics or alternatives but are these things actually worth having? New sat nav and updated maps I can understand but I do wonder as to the real value of these subs services. I guess if you are travelling to different locations all the time then it might be useful to have the traffic facility but if you have an RDS radio already do they offer much value for money?

Janesy B · 26 Nov 2009 at 14:43

Gittins said:
Or get an iPhone! My google map's has traffic info on and flashes where there is build up of traffic, also got tomtom for it! winwin!

It's fail fail.

Gittins · 26 Nov 2009 at 15:14

Janesy B said:
It's fail fail.

Ok get a nokia ;/

Janesy B · 26 Nov 2009 at 15:24

Gittins said:
Ok get a nokia ;/

He wants a SAT NAV, not a PHONE.

The iPhone cannot multi task and switching between applications while driving is not ideal. Then there's the issue of the uber reflective screen directing 100% of the Sun's evil bean directly into your Pupil.

I hate the iPhone can do everything mentality of iDiots. It's a jack of all trades, master of none.

Gittins · 26 Nov 2009 at 15:31

Janesy B said:
He wants a SAT NAV, not a PHONE.

The iPhone cannot multi task and switching between applications while driving is not ideal. Then there's the issue of the uber reflective screen directing 100% of the Sun's evil bean directly into your Pupil.

I hate the iPhone can do everything mentality of iDiots. It's a jack of all trades, master of none.

Ok fair enough, chill :s. The 100% reflected sunlight is a bit far fetched as the iPhone has a good viewing angle and would not have to aim the iPhone directly to the eyes. Obviously an iPhone hater.

Nuff with the hijacking but on topic, the navigon sounds good if it's a one off payment!

Janesy B · 26 Nov 2009 at 15:39

Gittins said:
snip

iPhone Cradle: £100
TomTom for iPhone: £60
iPhone: £35 a month for 24 Months + £87.11 = £927.11

Total Cost: £1087.11

Sounds like a great idea :rolleyes:

Granted you could save £400 and put the phone PayG but that's still expensive and the device still doesn't do what the OP is requesting.

You can get a TomTom XL Live IQ Routes for £200 and the HD Traffic service is £7.99 Per month. Considerably cheaper and does the job better

Rilot · 26 Nov 2009 at 15:54

chrislusty said:
If you get a Navigon sat nav, whch are actually very good, these come with traffic, and are free for life.

Yup.
I have a Navigon nav and it's excellent. I much prefer it to the TomTom I have.

Let's keep on topic and avoid the iPhone discussion. Yes it does navigation and yes it's very good at it. However buying a phone probably isn't the best solution to the OPs problem.

Gittins · 26 Nov 2009 at 15:55

Janesy B said:
iPhone Cradle: £100
TomTom for iPhone: £60
iPhone: £35 a month for 24 Months + £87.11 = £927.11

IPhone cradle: eBay £10
Tomtom for iPhone: jailbreak-free
iPhone: £450

How often is a satnav really used? For £460 there is a lot more than just satnav. Music, videos, Internet forums, sky tv etc etc

maybe the radio is best bet?

Janesy B · 26 Nov 2009 at 16:03

Lots of things are free when you steal/pirate them.

RDS is slow and clunky. As for the iPhone idea, it's a good idea if he actually needs a new phone. If he doesn't it's £250 down the toilet for a list of things he'll never use.

liquidchild76 · 26 Nov 2009 at 16:11

http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=1000&Category=0&Lid=1

Bought one of these, when my original TomTom got nicked by some little git in a multi story in Windsor. The live services are very cool, the antenna is built in which makes the device a little weighty to carry around but TRUST ME you do not wanna leave it in the car. :mad:

When you are en route the TomTom picks up the traffic and advises you of a new route and tells you how much time you can save, if you want to it then re-adjusts the route for you instantly. The safety camera and petrols prices feature is nice too if you are cheap git like me.

russ0r · 26 Nov 2009 at 16:42

Janesy B said:
iPhone Cradle: £100
TomTom for iPhone: £60
iPhone: £35 a month for 24 Months + £87.11 = £927.11

Total Cost: £1087.11

The highest rated iPhone satnav is £25. It's hardly a bank breaker is it.
Also the iPhone can be had for £22/pm over 18 months with F&F discount

You'll probably pay no more than £50 for a cradle and that's at the very top end of the market. Presumably you got quoted £100 because you've specced for a diamond-encrusted carbon fiber kit with neons to match your new fez.

Anyway, didn't we have this thread like, a month ago?

ShiWarrior · 26 Nov 2009 at 16:59

liquidchild76 said:
http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=1000&Category=0&Lid=1

Bought one of these, when my original TomTom got nicked by some little git in a multi story in Windsor. The live services are very cool, the antenna is built in which makes the device a little weighty to carry around but TRUST ME you do not wanna leave it in the car.

When you are en route the TomTom picks up the traffic and advises you of a new route and tells you how much time you can save, if you want to it then re-adjusts the route for you instantly. The safety camera and petrols prices feature is nice too if you are cheap git like me.

and how much do u pay for traffic?

Janesy B · 26 Nov 2009 at 17:12

russ0r said:
The highest rated iPhone satnav is £25. It's hardly a bank breaker is it.
Also the iPhone can be had for £22/pm over 18 months with F&F discount
You'll probably pay no more than £50 for a cradle and that's at the very top end of the market. Presumably you got quoted £100 because you've specced for a diamond-encrusted carbon fiber kit with neons to match your new fez.

Anyway, didn't we have this thread like, a month ago?

He doesn't want a phone, he wants a sat nav with live traffic. Can the iPhone do this whilst being cheaper than a dedicated device? I don't think so.

glitch · 26 Nov 2009 at 18:14

russ0r said:
You'll probably pay no more than £50 for a cradle and that's at the very top end of the market. Presumably you got quoted £100 because you've specced for a diamond-encrusted carbon fiber kit with neons to match your new fez.

You pay £100 for the TomTom cradle because it has its own GPS receiver - essential if you have a 2G iPhone and merely useful if you have a 3G/3GS.

Either way its money that's better spent on alternative software or a dedicated satnav device.

lordrobs · 26 Nov 2009 at 19:41

shimy182 said:
Tomtom has two systems running at the same time, HD Live, and RDS TMC traffic.

HD traffic is taken through the mobile network and so requires a sim card and thus paid subscription, however traffic news is apparently received with accuracy and speed.

RDS is free, just a one of payment for the antenna but information received is timed badly and is not as fresh as what you would get on HD traffic, also depends on coverage but im sure that wont be a problem

Hope this helps

This sums it up nicely.

I only have RDS traffic on my Tom Tom but is has saved me from ending up in a couple of nasty jams. The system works much better than my old Navman with traffic which basically tells you about the jam once you are in it but doesn't tell you how to avoid it.