digital traffic

[gazza70]

Hi
I'm looking at buying one of the new Garmin digital traffic range satnavs , does anybody know what the Garmin digital traffic is like compared to tomtom live ,
would be interested to hear as my work is nights and wk ends , I never had a problem with tomtom for traffic info .
thanks

[sussamb]

Some info here http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=92842&highlight=

(oops ... see you've read that already as you posted in it )

[Kremmen]

Here is a pic of my SmartLink Traffic:



This represents a set route of about 20 miles.

After a short while whist driving the road display will remain and the text will change to the distance of the first hold up.
_________________
Satnav:
Garmin 2599 LMT-D (Indoor test rig)
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3
Car Average MPG :

[Allan_whoops]

The problem, as I found out when trying to get to Heathrow from East Sussex, is that it depends on the DAB coverage. If it doesn't get a DAB signal it merrily tells you that there is no traffic on the route. So it was going from no traffic to 75 minutes delay and back again.

However it gets better than that! Having re-routed you due to traffic, when the DAB signal is lost it then promptly routes you back onto the route with traffic. I had a long period of idle time to work out what was going on.

Having said all that, I got fed up with TomTom trying to get a mobile signal, usually when sitting in traffic!

Hope this helps.

Allan

[Kremmen]

DAB ?

The Smartlink data comes straight from your mobile phone data plan via an app and not from any radio stations ala RDS TMC and the like.
_________________
Satnav:
Garmin 2599 LMT-D (Indoor test rig)
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3
Car Average MPG :

[Allan_whoops]

As far as I understand, the digital traffic uses DAB hence the aerial in the power cable. If you don't use the Smartlink side of things, you still get traffic.

Smartlink also suffers from issues with data if you in the country.

[Kremmen]

That side, yes, but my supplied cable is still in the box as I have used a third party power cable that avoids the unsightly ciggy socket plug.

If you have a iOS or Android phone on a data plan then on average they reckon you need to set aside 7Mb a month for SmartLink.

I've never been convinced by the supplied aerial power cables as they reside lower in the vehicle and can be shielded by the car electrics. I'm not surprised these can be temperamental.
_________________
Satnav:
Garmin 2599 LMT-D (Indoor test rig)
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3
Car Average MPG :

[sussamb]

I run my 'traffic/power' cable over the top of my dash then down to the centre console, with my satnav mounted in the lower right hand corner. Never had an issue with either my 1490 or 2508 that way.

The 2508 has the traffic receiver in the satnav itself and uses what appears to be a standard cable, but with an antenna inside, and nothing like the bulky cable that came with my 1490, where the receiver was also in a small box in the cable itself.

I think as long as the cable isn't hidden behind all the electrics, eg installed permanently behind the dashboard, then all should be well.

[Kremmen]

That was my dilemma.

I hate too much cable showing so I got the third party one. I now only have about 4" of cable showing from the unit to the corner of the dash by the door closing. After that it's well hidden.

This my old Nuvi 50 but the fiting is the same :


_________________
Satnav:
Garmin 2599 LMT-D (Indoor test rig)
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3
Car Average MPG :

[BigJohnD]

Here's a picture of three USB cables.

White = standard USB/iPod link
Middle = Garmin data/power USB PC to Garmin mini USB
Lower = Garmin Right-angled mini USB to 12V power with built-in aerial



As you can see, the in-car power-aerial cable is much thicker.
_________________
Garmin Nuvi 2548LMT-D
Mio C320 Western Europe

[sussamb]

I have an iPod cable thicker than yours so I guess it depends. I agree the cable isn't as thin as a standard iPod cable, but it's certainly thinner than previous Garmin traffic cables.

I think we just have to remember it carries power to the unit and acts as an antenna.

[BigJohnD]

[sussamb]

Called out last night with Sussex Search and Rescue and was amazed as I drove away from home to get a traffic alert telling me part of the A27 around Worthing was closed, and it was too with a temporary overnight closure.

Well impressed with digital traffic

[BigJohnD]

I've been using it for about 6 weeks now on my nüvi 2548.

So far it's been very accurate in terms of location and not far out in terms of length of delay though it seems to be generous over the length of the delay.

Today an alternative route popped up to save 5 mins on an estimated delay of 12 minutes on the M56, but some ten minutes/ten miles later the delay was down to five minutes, which turned out to be about right.

The horizon for the data must be around 50 miles. The first notice of the delay near J10 on the M56 (Stretton, south of Warrington) popped up when we on the M62 near Huddersfield, about 50 miles away.
_________________
Garmin Nuvi 2548LMT-D
Mio C320 Western Europe

[keenrw]

One thing that bugs me is the colours , I prefer the UK map theme but as some if the roads are coloured yellow and red it makes it hard to see were the trouble spots are , so I tend to use the a Garmin map theme ... Would be good if you could edit the colours some how .
I have a 2598 and use both the digital traffic and smart phone link ( not at the same time of course) , I find that the smartphone app displays more delays on local roads then the digital traffic , I live in Plymouth..plus I find there is a little delay displaying hold ups on the satnav when comparing it to the traffic map on the App .

Rich

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