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If you buy something else with TMC then make sure it uses the TrafficMaster system. ITIS run the other one and it really only works on Motorways and even then it's slow to react - it gathers data from transmitters on trucks, coaches and AA vans, rather than relying on the traffic flow sensors that TrafficMaster use.
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Vodafone plan to launch a product with TomTom that collects anonymous Vf subscriber speed/location data, collates it, and presents it as real-time traffic info on a TT satnav display. Due to launch first half 08.
Press release: tinyurl.com/2eepxz
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I used to have a YQ until someone decided to 'relieve' me of it when parked at the station 5 years ago.
I now have a Pioneer AVICS sat-nav that has TMC, and gives you more information, and can cover the whole country which, as the OP points out is the great benefit of the YQ over Smart-nav. I guess for Smart-nav to warn you of delays, you have to have logged a route with Traficmaster HQ. TMC works whenever you get the radio signal, which is better because you don't have to plot routes to get the info. When you know, you won't plot it (if you see what I mean!).
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I will be looking at satnav units and eyeing something that will take over from my YQ2 unit.
Which satnav do you think is best? It would need to be able to check over the whole country for jams before I set out, so use the TM info.
My YQ2 unit costs around £110 per year to keep it running with a data key. Do the current satnavs that use the TM data also need that subscription?
I've been looking at the market but getting confused with the choice of units available!
Mike
Edited by truckle on 25/10/2007 at 02:42
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The Pioneer doesn't need subscription to TMC, but then they are a fair bit pricier to start with! But it is a superb unit.
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I've got a Trafficmaster Freeway box, and CoPilot for satelite navigation, which has traffic news from ITIS from a T-Mobile server. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. The Trafficmaster data gives you a time for the expected delay, which helps if the road normally has a delay. However, it only works when the Trafficmaster cameras are installed. These are missing for significant chunks (eg for ~20 miles of the A11 past Cambridge).
You can't rely on exactly where the ITIS data will cover. If there is an accident and it turns out that there aren't any vehicles with the transponders fitted, then they won't record the delay. They have details of planned roadworks, and when there is a problem, you get the location and a brief description. It doesn't give an indication about the delay. Sometimes it could just be that the hard shoulder on a motorway has been closed.
When there is a problem, then traffic news on an RDS radio and Traffic News from the BBC WWW site (from a bookmark on the phone/PDA that I use for the SatNav) are worth a look for more detail.
Some people on the TMC forum at www.pocketgpsworld.com have had problems with poor reception of the signal by radio. If you have a phone contract with cheap internet data (eg T-Mobile Web 'n' Walk), then programs that have the information from a server are good.
Personally, anything that means that I can avoid using an RDS radio with intrusions from the sad little lives of the radio local traffic news presenters.
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I'm currently trying to live without my Trafficmaster Freeway box, I'm still trying to convince myself that TomTom Traffic is the way to go, but after a couple of months I'm not so sure.
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Looks like i'd better buy another yq to keep one spare as i don't particularly want sat nav, and i like the stand alone system....thanks for the suggestions so far chaps.
If anyone comes up with a simple replacement for these superb units i'd be very glad to hear.
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Just seen this string of posts - I am in the same situation as gb, ie YQ2 user for last 9 years, have had about 3 screen raplcemnts. Last one was a new unit supplied in Oct last year. Sadly, this is now failing in the usual way - dead pixels.
Got onto TM yesterday - they say send it in and they will see if they can fix it. I am going to do this, so will post outcome.
I totally agree with gb, in that being able to scan whole country, plus move unit between 3 of my vehicles, beats whatever Tm replaced it with. So much for progress. (I believe you have to phone them up before setting off - what an inconvenience!).
As a person who tries to repair rather than replace, i am going to look into the availablity of alternative LCD display panels.
But more pertinent: Has an alternative, stand-alone product been found?
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I have had SmartNav for a number of years, before other Satnav devices were common. The later versions come with a screen but mine doesn't - and I couldn't upgrade it if I wanted. Likewise, my V1 Smartnav doesn't work abroad newer hardware does, but at a premium.
You only get to hear about traffic problems if you are on a route - it will warn of delays xx miles ahead and offer to re-route you if it has a quicker route - but you have no idea of where either your original route or your new one will take you.
The traffic info has been very reliable, but although I've loved it, the time is coming for me to ditch SmartNav. I pay £18 a month for the service (including speed camera warning) but use it very rarely - mainly due to change in motoring habits. Having also had a Tomtom since their early days I will move entirely to that. Reviews about the TomTomRDS traffic module (currently only £19.99 in Amazon so I hear!!) are very mixed, but it will do the trick for me.
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If you were used to paying £18/month for Trafficmaster then consider TomTom traffic via GPRS. I have never tried the RDS traffic but used GPRS traffic since 2005. Data costs over GPRS (pay as you go phone for me) is cheap and traffic not too expensive. But the new HD Traffic is out later this year which has a phone in the charger lead... interesting to see what it costs per annum including data.
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A couple of weeks ago I travelled from N Yorks to Portsmouth using an old Tomtom Navigator 5 PDA with the free month trial of Tomtom Traffic enabled. I set it to update every 20 minutes and the GPRS data cost under £3 on Virgin PAYG. HTH.
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Setting it to update every 20 minutes is a quite expensive way of doing it if you know where the traffic is likely to be. A common route for us is Cambridge to Preston, and using Tom Tom traffic, with Virgin PAYG it's nearer a few pence a time, as we just use it once when setting out, once at the A14, and once as we decide on M6/M1. One call is about 3p from memory.
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if you know where the traffic is likely to be.
I think you've reached the nub of the problem there. I didn't. It was a route I hadn't travelled since 2001. £3 worth every blessed penny with a ferry to catch IMO. With Mrs H riding shotgun fast asleep and youngest tussling with a Rubik's cube, I would have needed electronic help if there had been a problem.
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Ah, yes I wasn't criticising your method, just saying that you can run the thing cheaper in the kind of journey I outlined, because it may be that someone else thinking about the system will be reading and it's always good to see alternatives.
I've long since learned it's not a good idea to criticise much in a forum, nor to respond too much!
And that's not a criticism of your response because..oh blimey, I'll belt up now.
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Snooper do a fantastic little bundle with TMC included.
Tried & tested very happy with it.
It also has their Enigma speed camera datbase included within the SatNav software and is a Bluetooth compatible hands free device too. No false alerts with this database - deadly accurate it be!
You can even put MP3 files on board - if that sort of thing flicks your switch...
tinyurl.com/5vbv4k
The TMC info is piggy backed to the Classic FM radio frequency and like the YQ it allows you to scan, plan and avoid a route with delays.
It also keeps you updated about events happening ahead in real time allowing you to use the touch screen to divert around the delay in a matter of seconds.
For multidrop drivers it also allows you to enter several destinations all at once combining your route in to one easy day :)
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Tron,
All, thanks very much for posting this info, and to Tron for info on Syrius S2000 - looks like it could suit my application.
I checked out what Trafficmaster currently had to offer that is "stand alone". The only device is that called "Traffic TV" which is a software downloaded to your up to date mobile phone. Cost of the package is £40, and £40 annually thereafter. With my Vodafone package, it would cost extra £5 per month to Vodafone for unlimited packets of GPRS data. typically 50 kB. As the YQ2 refreshes every 3 mins, using your mobile phone for this would use up 1 MB per hour of journey.
On the face of it , Tm's "Traffic TV" looks similar in cost to the £110 per year on YQ2.
However, I am doubtful as to the actual ergonomics and legality of using a mobile for this purpose. Frequent touching of the phone to refresh the data may actually be illegal while driving. (Not sure if it is fixed, you can still touch it?).
So considering the Syrius S2000. This does not use Trafficmaster sensed traffic data, but uses info from ITIS which apparently uses 1000's of sensors in moving vehicles (presumably mobile phone location transmissions?). But I wonder if it can tell you if a road is closed (like the whole M11) when no traffic is on it. YQ2 can!
Can anyone advise me of annual costs of running the S2000 once purchased? Presumably you have to pay for the Traffic information?
Also, how big and obtrusive is the FM aerial (needed to receive the TMC data?)
In 10 years of using Tm products i have known false information, and steamed into jams not indicated, but should have been. So is ITS better?
Thanks for any info
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Hi 547HEW,
I am not really that clued up on how the TMC 'ITIS' system works - I just know it does and very well. Best to ask Snooper on 0870 787 0700 on anything else you need to know outside of my own user experience.
To increase the reception (as it does sometimes just drop off and with no warning) I ran an earth lead from the vehicle chassis to the unit.
All connected using 2.5mm phono connectors. It is only a mono connection so check for continuity!
On the S2000 the (TMC) antennae is a length of wire (24" long) that plugs in to the unit via a male 2.5mm phono socket - just soldered a second male 2.5mm phono socket on the end, connected to the newly installed earth and I now have very good reception for the TMC ITIS signal.
Traffic (TMC ITIS) info as is the Enigma speed camera database are both included in the purchase price - or was with mine. The only item(s) I have to procure every 12 to 24 months would be the new mapping data. It is very accurate and easy to follow though. You certainly do not get those stupid 'when safe to do so make a U turn etc' instructions with it!
Yes it is touch screen and sensitive (but not over) so it is just a one touch request.
Very, very easy to use once you learn the locations of everything and customer support is just fantastic!
Tron.
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Hi Torn,
thanks very much for the info. I will certainly be following it up with Snooper. Interesting that in this age of digital signal processing / connectivity, there is still a need for some RF engineering!
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I drove to Swindon and back this week (Thur/Fri) and used TomTom traffic.
Total drivng time probably around 7 hours. Total data used around £1 off my payg balance on Vodafone with updates every 5 minutes. If there's not much new then updating more often takes only a little more data.
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REAL TIME OPERATIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE TMC FUNCTION =
Traffic Management Control
This weekends driving has seen a problem develop that until now, I was unaware of:
There are huge 'blind spots' across the whole of the UK with the TMC funtion on the Snooper Syrius Proline S2000.
Once I get as far of the following areas:
Junction 33 of the M6
North or NE of Scotch Corner
SW of Birmingham
SE of Nottinghamshire
South of Junction 16 of the M1
I cannot get a 100% TMC reception on my Snooper Proline.
Be that manually tuning the unit or when it is set to automatically seek the frequency.
The signal is carried with the Classic FM frequency and that is between 99.9FM to 200.1FM. Tuning this manually when driving can be difficult (touch screen area too small) and is at best avoided.
Even with the unit earthed to the chassis of my vehicle the signal is that weak in places you just cannot get the unit to pick it up.
Leaving you blind and unawares of what may lay ahead of you traffic problem wise and seeing you reverting back to the hit & miss traffic reports from your radio!
Edited by Tron on 19/08/2008 at 13:34
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Tron,
Done a bit of research on how the TMC signal reaches your Syrius. RDS has a number of core functions, and receiving the TMC signal is not one of them!
One core function is to retune a car radio to a frequency which is stronger, when driving through that area. The Radio Data Stream is sequential, and some TMC data packages may be quite large, and take a long time to load. So, if the TMC data loading is cut short, the Syrius unit will almost certainly ignore it, as will any unit using RDS to receive TMC under these conditions.
i think one of the previous posts mentioned receiving TomTom Traffic via GPRS packets.
The YQ2 uses the pager network to receive its data, and that is very robust, and seems to be available everywhere. I wonder why that cannot be used? Probably due to be phased out as not many people use pagers anymore.
I have not had the courage yet to send my YQ2 in for repair - still need it for my journey. if I get time this w/e, i will have a go at fixing the screen on my spare one. (I dont hold out much hope though).
So at this stage of my search, i am looking for some sort of stand alone unit, that receives data from Trafficmaster via GPRS. OK Trafficmaster do this for your mobile phone (via "TrafficTv"), but I think it would be illegal to press buttons on it while driving, even when fixed - any knowledge on this point of legality?
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Took my spare YQ2 unit apart this weekend. No success in improving the LCD screen, as expected.
The screen horizontal lines are powered by a foil connection glued into the screen, between glass laminations. There was no way of getting at this, and this is the connection that usually fails.
The vertical lines are fed from top and bottom bars, like I have seen in digital wathes. These are sometimes recoverable by careful application of switch cleaner.
So the search for a replacement continues.
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Interesting thread which I've just come across. A bit like some other users I'd had a Trafficmaster YQ for about 5 years which was totally reliable and very accurate. It would have been difficult (maybe impossibel) to mount when I changed my car so looked into various options before going for a Garmin 760T mainly for the traffic but the Satnav comes in useful. I'd already spoken to Trafficmaster who advised me they supplied the data/info for the unit via the RDS-TMC system - no I don't understand how it all works. To cut the story short the traffic information is almost totally untrustworthy on my daily journey M1-M25-M3 return. It fails to show hold ups and then highlights hold ups that aren't there! Coming from the M3 to M25 it will show a 5 minute delay until you get on the M25 and then jump to 45+ minutes far to late.
E-mails to Garmin and Trafficmaster but got no reply so rang up Garmin who really had no interest. Telephoned Trafficmaster who basically said they provide the info how it is proccessed is not their problem.
I really wish Trafficmaster would bring out a YQ replacement but as somebody said the pager network is probably rarely used these days. There just doesn't seem to be a good replacement.
Ah well rant over!
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Hi Mike,
Just seen your post. I assume you are finding the traffic info you are now getting on the Garmin to be inferior to that on your YQ2?
I am still soldiering on with my rapidly deterirating YQ2, which still has about a month of licence left. To augment this, I have always used a Trafficmaster "Freeway" audio unit. This gives mins of delay, stretching out to "avoid" in a sort of Darlek voice. It is quite quick to respond too, picking up info at each blue pole. Tm stopped supplying them about 2 years ago, cant think why, as they look very cheap to produce (unlike the YQ2). You might be able to get one off e-bay. the licence fee is £30 per annum.
Am about to trial the GPRS fed TrafficTV system that seems to do everything the YQ2 did in colour, only snag is the screen size is that of your mobile phone.
I'll let you know how this compares to YQ2 info.
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I used my TM for 8 years travelling 250miles a day. Brilliant bit of kit. To leave it behind was like chopping off my arm.
I think I still have a TM2 tucked away so if it still works & someone wants it then no probs.
I Doc
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Hi I'm about to list a YQ Traffic 2 on ebay. Its boxed, with leads and a picture of the unit turned on and working. I used it for about a year at least 8-10 years ago but hate to throw things that work away. Any offer considered plus postage. Happy note to pay ebay a commission. The key subscribtion though is of course expired.
Thanks for reading.
Jason
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''Hi I'm about to list a YQ Traffic 2 on ebay.''
Think its a bit late for that Jason, the signal has been turned off...unless someone is going to be the bringer of glad tidings that TM have relented, breath not held.
I run a Garmin sat nav now with free lifetime traffic, its not a patch on the YQ but better than nothing and does have a search facility for traffic in ever widening radius.
Well done TM you had a perfectly good system that people were happy to keep refurbed as needed and happy to pay the yearly subscription for a simple user friendly service.
You like modern car makers had something that wasn't broke and you fixed it, bravo.
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If anyone is looking for a monitor and lead , i have one with nery little use , very cheap plus postage , thanks , alanm.ramsay@virgin.net
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www.compucars.co.uk/car-news/general-motoring/cars...0
Luxury. Have this in my truck and it is still going strong for past 5 years odd, was just about to buy 2 more for other trucks but the link on the TM web site leads nowhere, none to be had on EBAY either.
I think the prevailing opinion is that why have just the traffic monitor when you can have it included in a satnav device. I think TM do a satnav and traffic system combined but haven't read the fine print yet:
www.trafficmaster.co.uk/our_solutions/new-colour-s...p
I, like you chaps know where i'm going with the trusty paper map and MK 1 eyeball and don't like a computer telling me which way to go especially with 44 tonnes and 16ft tall of trailer on the back.
Edited by PatrickO on 29/01/2009 at 17:17
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