Nav system traffic display

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mwalsh

Well-known member
Leaf Supporting Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
9,781
Location
Garden Grove, CA
Haven't used the navigation system very much in my car - I drive to work...I drive home, and I've been doing that for 11 years now so I pretty much know how to get to and from without help, thank you very much.

However yesterday, since I had to do a side trip via an unfamiliar route, I had the display set to the map most of the day and noticed something fun and interesting - it shows the speed of freeway traffic by laying lines along each side the highway you're driving that are either red, amber, or green, depending on the traffic flow. In addition, I noticed a yellow triangle with a skidded out car motif displayed for the other side of the freeway I was driving and, sure enough, when I came upon that spot there was a major accident there! Pretty cool stuff!
 
I do not think I would want to pay for traffic updates I can get the Google maps on my phone for that and it is free on the iphone.
 
i agree. i have google maps on my Droid and use both when driving. i also have Nav on the Prius and found that using both is CRITICAL at times. both have inaccuracies as far as directions, best routes, etc.

so having two opinions has been a good thing.
 
i think the real problem with real time traffic info is the lack of coverage. you can only get reports if the freeways has the sensors. around here, the coverage is limited and frequently based on eyewitness stuff.

i dont think XM or google uses that. i frequently call 511 and get info that is more up to date despite it usually being a bit lagging in info.

until the network of sensors is more widely deployed, i cant see paying for something so limited
 
DaveinOlyWA said:
i think the real problem with real time traffic info is the lack of coverage. you can only get reports if the freeways has the sensors. around here, the coverage is limited and frequently based on eyewitness stuff.

i dont think XM or google uses that. i frequently call 511 and get info that is more up to date despite it usually being a bit lagging in info.

until the network of sensors is more widely deployed, i cant see paying for something so limited

Here in the Bay Area, it seems to have pretty good coverage. I'm debating it, but I will try to get somekind of "special" from them for a year. I heard $79 for the first year is possible if you talk with their cancelation department after your 3 month trial is over.
 
I see $12.95 per month for XM radio, no traffic
16.94 for radio and traffic
9.95 for traffic only, no radio

If a yearly plan does not say that it includes "traffic", then it most likely does not.
 
The Nav Manual says it is XM Traffic.
"XM NavTraffic information is a subscription service offered by Sirius XM Radio Inc."
 
Based on several calls to XM customer service about extending the subscription, I was told that the traffic information cannot be obtained without adding it on to one or another base XM radio service and that it is a $3.99/month add-on.

We have been quite impressed with the accuracy and detail of the traffic alerts on the Volt's XM trial period, so I had called to extend that subscription and with the arrival of the LEAF, I checked with XM about a "two car discount." Well, after hemming and hawing and considerable dickering, I was able to get them to give me basic XM radio coverage AND the traffic service on both cars for a 3 year extension of the trial for "only" $11.11 per car per month and billing will be 4 times over the 3 years.

Given that my wife will use one or the other car for her commute from W. Sacramento to UC, Davis about 12 miles to the west of our house and that there are a couple of ways to avoid major jams on the core freeway, the traffic alerts could easily save her both time and headache stress, so the subscription seemed easily worth that "discounted monthly" fee.

But my message to others here is that the posted XM monthly fees are "subject to at least some discount" if you call and show some interest but hesitate over the full cost....
 
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