Do traffic updates really work for Garmin GPS?

Think what you wish, Inrex provides the cell phone data world wide from multiple sources. Google signed a long term contract for that data.

Yes Inrex is much better than the traffic supplied via FM to any garmin or RM gps... totally different system...

both co pliot and google maps use Inrex, they are very similar, and much better than the FM based traffic.

 

Garmin, INRIX to provide faster traffic updates


Inrix IS the provider for Garmin and for Google as well but the traffic overlay on Google Maps Traffic app will show a traffic slow-down within 2-3 minutes of occurrence, where Inrix will take perhaps 30 minutes to glean this information and push it through the FM network. (if at all) My point is Goggle blends their own proprietary cellular user speed monitoring system with Inrix or other providers. Where Garmin and RM and stuck with only Inrix which sucks all too often.

The Inrix system works ok in/around larger cities and on high-volume stretches of interstate where the traffic sensors are located, but where you lose the traffic sensors, it falls flat on it's face, and Google traffic keeps on reporting meaningful data (to it's app users).

 

and that app was written by INREX, read the license agreement. The slow down for garmin is the FM network, and the limiting factors imposed by that media.

 

Well, you're not hearing me. I'm not talking about a speed/update frequency performance issue with GPS device's built-in traffic features, I'm talking about a lack of accurate (current) functionality performance issue. But FWIW, the upgrade to "HD traffic" (digital) over the stock cord boosted updates speed and frequency considerably, but it's still often the same outdated data (when compared to looking directly at Goggle's live traffic feed on their app)

BTW. I highly recommend the digital traffic upgrade power cord to any Garmin owners but it's still not the best option if up-to-the-minute traffic (and traffic in more remote areas) is important to you.

 

Appreciate all the input. I am an electronics dunce, and I am learning a lot here. I used the Google Maps/Traffic on my smartphone on my last trip. I think it works great and it is exactly what I was looking for. Picking up the phone all the time is a little bit awkward. So here is what I want to do.

My phone provider is MetroPCS. They will provide me a WIFi hot spot to power other devices for just $5 a month.

What I am picturing in my mind is to buy a 7 in Android Tablet downloaded with Google Maps, and mount it in the truck. I will power it with the HotSpot provided by my cell phone company.

Amazingly, you can get a 7 in tablet for less than $100.

Big Question. Will the tablet need a GPS chip or no?

 

They have a built-in GPS radio. But using the tablet to run a map during all times of driving (effectively as a GPS routing device) is going to eat a lot of data as it keeps the map data current all the time (downloading map/traffic data which can be costly in terms of data consumption. There are mapping options available to run off of installed map data but these may not incorporate traffic overlay the way Google Maps app does and you'd need to choose a traffic/software routing option like is discussed earlier in this thread.

There are various options but you will have to do some costs Vs feature needed/desired analysis to get to the right combination for you.

 

Yes it does, and a lot of those cheap tablets don't have a GPS chip in them. Costs have to be cut somewhere...

 

copilot traffic is a joke. Its always late. Not only that. Last time I was using it in Chicago during rush hour. That stupid thing had bright full screen windows pop ups telling me that my chosen route is still the best. You have to touch ok, to get rid of that pop up. Boy, was that pissing me off. I just turned off the traffic completely.
When I am in cities, I just use Google maps on my 5 inch smartphone

 

copilot isn't a joke, and it's never been late for me. but yes, it does get annoying in big cities with millions of people.

but here's something none of you thought of.

2 months ago, when the 15 freeway washed out in northern nevada and the detour went around arizona. copilot alerted to the stand still in the town where everyone has to turn. panaca nevada. traffic was backed up a few miles. as it took roughly 6 hours to make that turn. i thought copilot was smoking crack as there's no traffic monitoring system and internet was very weak. now that you all mention the cell phone thing, that makes sense as to how copilot works becuase it does it alot in rural towns too. based on traffic lights. you'll get a yellow line on your path.

as for panaca and the 10 mile backup. internet was very weak. if you got a signal. no internet, no google. google was M.I.A.

so, for those of you who want to swear by google and say they'll never use copilot. well, copilot has the upper hand when it comes to cell signal. it don't require as much data feed as google does. since it uses the same method google uses. it'll work in those remote areas where your internet doesn't.

 

That was probably data that was provided via the state highway department that's been in effect since the wash-out, and I suspect any provider would have passed that info along. This data was most likely picked up as you drove through Vegas. But I'm done arguing about it. I'm more concerned with accidents that occur in current real time and being able to see those within minutes. (as long as there is sufficient traffic with cell phones in the area)