Do I need the traffic feature on my GPS?

[harleyquinn]

Buying a GPS for the first time...

Is the free traffic updates for life worth $30 extra? DH says if we hit traffic we can just use the alternate route feature instead.

Help a newbie out.

 

[Shutterbug]

What brand were you gonna get?

I have a Garmin. It came with a free traffic receiver. It uses the Navteq traffic network which I have heard is not the greatest and I am not impressed by it as well.

The couple times I have used the traffic detour part, the route it took me wasnt the greatest. Another time it showed me my route was clear but it was backed up and moving slowly.

Here is the coverage map for the Navteq traffic:

http://www.navteq.com/rdstraffic/

Now I know with Garmin you can buy Clear Channels traffic subscription which I have heard is more accurate

 

[camlace]

I have the lifetime traffic subscription for my GPS. I LOVE having the traffic feature. You've got to consider how long you are going keep the GPS. The subscription is not transferable, so if you get a new GPS in 6 mos you will need a new subscription. So you need to figure out the break even point for yearly subscription vs lifetime and see which is the better deal.

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks!

I'm looking at a Garmin. There is no way we'd be replacing it within 6 months--or even 3+ years. I'm sure the lifetime is the better deal, but is it something we'll actually need? Or more accurately, is it worth $30 more?

 

[golfgal]

How often do you drive in heavy traffic? That would answer the question for me. I rarely drive in rush hour or heavy traffic so if that was the only feature that was different, I wouldn't buy it. Most systems have a setting where you can "avoid current road" and route you around traffic anyway but if you are constantly driving in heavy traffic then I would be well worth the extra money to avoid the traffic to start with.

 

[gonzo76]

Buying a GPS for the first time...

Is the free traffic updates for life worth $30 extra? DH says if we hit traffic we can just use the alternate route feature instead.

Help a newbie out.

Dh owns a car audio shop. In his opinion , you should if you frequent a major metro area. If you live rural he said don't bother. The only time the traffic feature will work is if you are in NYC, Philly, Atlanta, Chicago...etc. You will only be getting updates from major cities. Hope this helps.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Got DH a Garmin for Father's Day two years ago. Last year he added the lifetime updates, and 6 weeks ago added the lifetime traffic feature (it was a 30 day trial on our original one). Adding lifetime was $50, so it sounds like you'd save $$ to do it now.

We're in Chicagoland and there's ALWAYS traffic somewhere, so it's already helped us. It also tells us where the traffic is coming up on our route, and ways to avoid.