GPS map updates

[TomT]

No, all of the traffic systems have to have some form of connectivity to download the traffic data, be it SiriusXM Satellite, commercial FM broadcast, or cell connectivity... The Leaf is XM.

The LEAF GPS doesn't do traffic that I'm aware of, the traffic is a Sirius service right. and is integrated into the Nav system.

[JPWhite]

No, all of the traffic systems have to have some form of connectivity to download the traffic data, be it SiriusXM Satellite, commercial FM broadcast, or cell connectivity... The Leaf is XM.

The LEAF GPS doesn't do traffic that I'm aware of, the traffic is a Sirius service right. and is integrated into the Nav system.

I think my point is to get traffic you have to pay Sirius for the data feed (and traffic is only available on their premium plans). It's not Navteq the makers of the map or navhead.

[gossett]

The LEAF GPS doesn't do traffic that I'm aware of, the traffic is a Sirius service right. and is integrated into the Nav system.

I can live without the live traffic data, but I do find it helpful at times to see the current location's speed limit displayed on on the Garmin GPS.

[TomT]

Yes, it is the same (either Sirius or XM) with all the auto manufacturers other than Tesla as far as I know...

I think my point is to get traffic you have to pay Sirius for the data feed (and traffic is only available on their premium plans). It's not Navteq the makers of the map or navhead.

[TimeHorse]

I think my point is to get traffic you have to pay Sirius for the data feed (and traffic is only available on their premium plans). It's not Navteq the makers of the map or navhead.

If you dig around, you can reduce the cost for traffic substantially: http://www.siriusxm.com/servlet/Satellite?c=SXM_PageDetail_C&childpagename=SXM/SXM_PageDetail_C/OpenContent&cid=1282009830228&pagename=SXM/Wrapper

[braineo]

Cheaper to buy a dedicated GPS unit with lifetime maps and trafffic. Got a 5" one last Christmas for $69 and no monthly payments.

Anfd for the amount of long distance traveling we will be doing on a Leaf, better to have a unit you can put on another car!

[JPWhite]

I think my point is to get traffic you have to pay Sirius for the data feed (and traffic is only available on their premium plans). It's not Navteq the makers of the map or navhead.

If you dig around, you can reduce the cost for traffic substantially: http://www.siriusxm.com/servlet/Satellite?c=SXM_PageDetail_C&childpagename=SXM/SXM_PageDetail_C/OpenContent&cid=1282009830228&pagename=SXM/Wrapper

I have since moved over to Waze for all my navigation needs; since it routes dynamically based on live traffic and lets me know the mileage for each route chosen. Came a different way home this evening due to heavy traffic in the city where I live. Waze also warns you of red light cameras, speed traps and so on.

[cwerdna]

I only recently have tried out Waze and I have mixed feelings (aside from using my iPhone 5 being way less convenient than the nav system being built into my Prius).

Some of the routes that it suggested were way whacky and not a good idea. It had nothing to do w/traffic and would've taken my thru some residential areas (w/lower speed limits and a roundabout route) instead of a road that runs adjacent to the residential areas.

I do like how it warns of upcoming stopped cars on the shoulder.

[TomT]

The problem with Waze is that it is crowd sourced and thus the quality and quantity of data can vary widely... I've actually found that Google Traffic generally does a better job in the areas where I typically drive...

I have since moved over to Waze for all my navigation needs; since it routes dynamically based on live traffic and lets me know the mileage for each route chosen. Came a different way home this evening due to heavy traffic in the city where I live. Waze also warns you of red light cameras, speed traps and so on.

[JPWhite]

The problem with Warz is that it is crowd sourced and thus the quality and quantity of data can vary widely... I've actually found that Google Traffic generally does a better job in the areas where I typically drive...

The crowd sourced data is a double edged sword, it both its greatest strength and greatest weakness. Abused waze will be as worthless as CB Radio, respected it will be as powerful and as up to date/accepted as Wikipedia.

The traffic data that Google has is crowd sourced as well BTW. Both systems use their own users to feed the beast. The biggest difference comes in that Waze allows its users to modify the maps to reflect road changes etc. A bad editor can 'break' a map in a locale resulting in the 'wacky' routes you refer to. If I see something I odd I simply fix it.

Using Google maps I determined my best route home after taking a new job. pretty proud of the route I developed over several weeks of trial and error, avoiding traffic 80% of the way. Averaged 1 hr in each direction. With Waze even though I dislike the routes it chooses, (taking me directly through notorious and congestion sections of interstate in the Nashville Downtown loop) the results speak for themselves, I average 45 minutes in each direction. I select shortest route in the morning when traffic is light to save electric, and choose fastest route home in the evening. Interestingly fuel economy is only marginally worse despite a much higher % time spent on the interstate.

The Navteq system built into the LEAF has superior turn directions, its a polished product, however lack of traffic data for ALL roads, not just the highways is its Achilles heel for the commuter.