Traffic and TMC - subscription or free?
Discussion
Can someone please explain the following to me?
Why is it that travel announcement services based on TMC are free of charge whilst others you have to pay for?
The Saab 9-3 I sold recently had built in Sat Nav with TMC and it was free from subscriptions. Some of the Navman units are sold as having free traffic updates. However, I have been reading up about the Garmin Nuvi 660 due out next month, and it states '3 month traffic updates subscription included' suggesting that it has to be paid for after the trial period.
I am not 100% convinced that these traffic annoucement services even work based on my experience with the Saab. Yes, it gives you a long list of problems around the country. But then from time to time it would slap a huge hazard sign on top of part of a route I would use every day when there was not so much as traffic waiting at the traffic lights!
So, is it worth having or not. And if you don't get it for free, would you bother paying for it and what would you get for the money?
Why is it that travel announcement services based on TMC are free of charge whilst others you have to pay for?
The Saab 9-3 I sold recently had built in Sat Nav with TMC and it was free from subscriptions. Some of the Navman units are sold as having free traffic updates. However, I have been reading up about the Garmin Nuvi 660 due out next month, and it states '3 month traffic updates subscription included' suggesting that it has to be paid for after the trial period.
I am not 100% convinced that these traffic annoucement services even work based on my experience with the Saab. Yes, it gives you a long list of problems around the country. But then from time to time it would slap a huge hazard sign on top of part of a route I would use every day when there was not so much as traffic waiting at the traffic lights!
So, is it worth having or not. And if you don't get it for free, would you bother paying for it and what would you get for the money?
I have TMC on my portable unit and its pretty good. It doesnt flash up messages from all around the country and only gives stuff relevant to the current route. A couple of times it has saved my life, and a couple of times I have ignored it. Its one of those things that you really do need to know where you are going and on which roads.
The big problem for mine is that it comes up with a message like "A419, delay of 20 minutes at B1412". Which is great if I am on the A419, but where the hell is the B1412? Pretty meaningless in all honesty. However, if used with a bit of thought and preparation its pretty good.
Traffic (from TomTom) is pretty much the same data but you have to subscribe to it. TMC is pretty much free (included in the purchase of the "option" of the add-on for life so its a better deal overal. Not brilliant and could be better, but better than nothing.
The big problem for mine is that it comes up with a message like "A419, delay of 20 minutes at B1412". Which is great if I am on the A419, but where the hell is the B1412? Pretty meaningless in all honesty. However, if used with a bit of thought and preparation its pretty good.
Traffic (from TomTom) is pretty much the same data but you have to subscribe to it. TMC is pretty much free (included in the purchase of the "option" of the add-on for life so its a better deal overal. Not brilliant and could be better, but better than nothing.
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