TomTom Traffic versus Trafficmaster query.

[Faust]

Can anyone assist me with some genuine unbiased info? I have the TomTom GO300 with the latest software version. I have also used for many years now the little TrafficMaster Freeway traffic report unit - always worked well without any problems. What I would like to know is this - I have considered subscribing to the TomTom plus service TomTom Traffic. Has anyone used it, is it reliable, and can the GO300 be set so that if it receives a traffic hold up report it then automatically re-routes you round the jams. If I'm in an unfamiliar area I don't want to be faffing about trying to find an alternative route that TomTom suggests, I want TomTom to actually re-route me via the unit. Hope this is as clear as mud and someone has actually used this service.

[Faust]

No one any info for me on this topic?

[WWA]

[chookman]

Faust,

Only just got back on line after a computer re-build!

I too have a Trafficmaster Freeway unit. I use a TT Go 500 with a subscription to TT Traffic. In myexperience the Traficmaster provides by far the more reliable information - probably due to the shorter information update path (roadside camera to TM Central: calculate delay: transmit to appropriate relay transmitter). But: the TT Go cannot use the Trafficmaster information, so if I want to act on the information I have to force a route recalculation, using the 'Avoid' menu.

However, the upside of the TT Traffic service is that it will provide a (more or less!) instant recalulation of the route when the Traffic information indicates that this will reduce journey times.

A good example of this was in early January. I was near Watford and about to depart for Wigan. The 'obvious' route seemed to be go via the M1 / M6 / M6 Toll / M6. The route chosen by TomTom was vis country lanes to St Albans, onto the M1, then M6 etc. So far so good. Just before the M1 / M6 junction the route was recalculated to continue up the M1. I ignaored the recalc. and joined the M6. TomTom queried the use of the M6 Toll, which I accepted. Then, just before J2 on the M6, TomTom recalculated the route and offered M69 / A50 / M6. I accepted this and eventually arrived in Wigan 5 hours after starting the journey.

I learned later that there had been a cumulative delay of nearly 6 hours on the M6 alone - this would have given me a total journey time of around 8.5 hours.

On balance I think I would use both Trafficmaster and TT Traffic. If Trafficmaster indicates a delay of more than about 20 mins, divert and force a recalulation; otherwise trust TomTom. With either service you are going to get caught out sometimes but that's all part of life's rich tapestry :D
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Colin

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