Trafficmaster gadgets - do you use them?
Discussion
Having endured massive delays on the M4 last week because a lorry parked across the central reservation, I am very tempted to get myself a Trafficmaster unit. So yesterday I went to 2 Halford shops to take a look...the first didn't stock them and the second couldn't demo them...(what's the point of selling something if they can't demo it? - a simple selling technique lost at Halfords).
Do they only show a map of the motorways and main roads? - so if you come off a motorway do you then dig out a map to work out the alternative route? Can you zoom in to an area for more detail?
Any other feedback would be appreciated from those of you that use them.
Do they only show a map of the motorways and main roads? - so if you come off a motorway do you then dig out a map to work out the alternative route? Can you zoom in to an area for more detail?
Any other feedback would be appreciated from those of you that use them.
SGee - I bought one of the REALLY cheap ones from the RAC about three years ago (£15 if my memory serves me right) It works with a series of LED's to tell you whats up ahead and on other approaching roads.
It is of limited use, but doing a high milage and knowing my way arround realy well I can normally wrangle my may out of most BIG jams with its help, just having some pre-warning is a help.
You do tend to ignor it in the rush hour when heading into London as ALL the routes have some traffic on them, but when out & about during the day or heading up north it is great ...... paid for itself over & over again.
Paul.
PS, it chews through batteries like they've gone out of fashion but it carries no subscrption !!!
It is of limited use, but doing a high milage and knowing my way arround realy well I can normally wrangle my may out of most BIG jams with its help, just having some pre-warning is a help.
You do tend to ignor it in the rush hour when heading into London as ALL the routes have some traffic on them, but when out & about during the day or heading up north it is great ...... paid for itself over & over again.
Paul.
PS, it chews through batteries like they've gone out of fashion but it carries no subscrption !!!
quote:
Do they only show a map of the motorways and main roads? - so if you come off a motorway do you then dig out a map to work out the alternative route? Can you zoom in to an area for more detail?
The cheap 15 pound Trafficmaster just shows you when there's traffic around by means of a system of lights. I've never found it all that helpful because the traffic situation tends to change from minute to minute and you've got no way of accessing any details or maps or anything.
So I gave it away and bought the bigger Trafficmaster unit. It shows maps, where traffic delays are and how severe they are. You can also get a weather forecast, the day's news and sports news and stuff. Very useful!!
This is much better than the small unit - and I bought it in Halfords - you're right, no demo! You can zoom up to a point, but it's still motorways and A-roads only (you can zoom more closely into Central London, but as I never drive there I couldn't tell you how detailed those maps are coz I never use them).
The advantage is that it can show you where traffic is gathering - it indicates how slowly the traffic is moving if it's slower than 25 mph. Again, though, it updates once every few minutes, but it's not too bad on the accuracy front. You get a 1-month key with it, then you have to buy a new key each year, if I remember rightly.
That said, if you have a Cellnet connection on your mobile you can just dial 1210 and it automatically detects your position and can tell you of any delays, and you can query the status on individual motorways too. All very well, except I only ever remember to use it once I've already ended up in heavy traffic.
The other problem is it's quite expensive to use - can't remember how much exactly, but I suppose it's cheaper than forking out for a unit and key.
Suffice it to say - I like my Trafficmaster, especially since you can't go anywhere up motorways these days without hitting delays of some sort. Hope this info helps!
SGirl
I've had one of these since they first started the service, about 8 years ago. Wouldn't drive anywhere near a motorway without it. I used to commute 70 miles each way around the M25 and this bit of kit has saved days of my life in jams! It gives you plenty of warning of approaching hold ups but you do need to know alternative ways to hop from one junction to another as it doesn't provide any level of alternative routes.
Now if you can combine a Trafficmaster and a sat nav system......
I'm in B/stk if you'd like a demo
mick
Now if you can combine a Trafficmaster and a sat nav system......
I'm in B/stk if you'd like a demo
mick
quote:
SGirl - What do they charge for the singing & dancing units now, and how much is the 'key' ??
Ultimapaul - I think I paid about £200 for the top spec unit, and if I remember rightly the key was about £160 for 12 months?? I could be wrong about that though, I just closed my eyes and flashed the plastic.
Might've been £60 - I'll check it out and let you know. SGirl
What you need to the new Smartnav, try www.smartnav.com .
Haven't seen it in action but it is supposed to combine a gps unit with trafficmaster, I believe the cost is about £500.
Ray
Haven't seen it in action but it is supposed to combine a gps unit with trafficmaster, I believe the cost is about £500.
Ray
I have the AA branded unit that I got cheap at a motor show. I would say that it isnt perfect - like friday nights on the M25 - everything is solid.
But that said it is pretty good. You do get a fair amount of warning of areas that you wouldnt expect to have a jam (like anywhere except the M25). Even to the point to actually slowing down when the alert goes off so you dont have to brake hard when it does grind to a halt... done this a couple of times.
Well worth the £20 that I paid and would recommend it. Dont know about the LCD screen one, or the SmartNav product. Might be worth a look though.
Cheers,
Paul
But that said it is pretty good. You do get a fair amount of warning of areas that you wouldnt expect to have a jam (like anywhere except the M25). Even to the point to actually slowing down when the alert goes off so you dont have to brake hard when it does grind to a halt... done this a couple of times.
Well worth the £20 that I paid and would recommend it. Dont know about the LCD screen one, or the SmartNav product. Might be worth a look though.
Cheers,
Paul
I use 2222 on my Vodafone mobile. Tells me what's going on with most roads. I'm not sure who provides the info (might tell me if I listen carefully instead of punching in road numbers), or if the info is as up-to-date as the Trafficmaster/AA things. CellNet do something similar too.
Trefor/.
Trefor/.
quote:
Yes you are right. Mines a company phone so 'cleverly' they have probably disabled that service or something. I mean it's not like all the company car users are going to find that little service useful! :jeez:
Look on the bright side - if you end up wasting paid-for company time sitting in traffic, it's their problem.
You can read a good book, listen to loud music, learn to knit (ok, maybe not the last one...) and all on company time! Sounds good to me... >> Edited by SGirl on Monday 8th July 17:49
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