GPS navigators routing around traffic has been a common sight in Europe and North America for a while now. And, come the end of July, it's going to hit the big time in Australia too.
Traffic messaging + high oil prices = hopefully less of this
Yesterday's TomTom product launch revealed not just a new range of portable GPS devices but, also, the launch of Suna's traffic messaging network in Sydney and Brisbane in the "fourth week of July". Traffic messaging has been available in Melbourne since late last year.
Sensor pads and signalling information supplied by road authorities, such as VicRoads and NSW RTA, are modelled and collated with other sources of traffic information by Suna, who then broadcasts incidents and delays in digital "messages" via FM radio. Drivers with a GPS device equipped with a TMC (traffic message channel) antenna and an appropriate subscription will be alerted to traffic incidents along their chosen route. If the user so desires, an alternative route can be taken around the delay.
From late July TomTom will market an AU$150 traffic antenna for its TMC-ready devices, such as the new fourth-generation One, second-gen XL, Go 720 and Go 930 lines. While AU$150 for an antenna may seem a bit stiff that price includes a lifetime Suna subscription. Prospective XL and Go 720 buyers can get the antenna and Suna subscription bundled with those devices for just AU$100 extra.
Mio currently offers an AU$149 TMC antenna, with subscription, for its C320 and C520 units. Users of the C720t, which has a traffic antenna built-in, need to purchase the AU$129 lifetime Suna subscription directly from Mio Australia.
Are you a Melburnian with a TMC-enabled GPS? Does it work? Does it suck? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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baobab68
26/06/2008 08:50 PM
So, once everyone is routing around traffic jams using the same data and the same algorithms, won't it just move the jam somewhere else?
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hrc1079
26/06/2008 11:02 PM
Be warned - If your device says it has TMC integrated into it doesn't mean it's going to work. I have just had a $2,500 system installed in my car to discover this service doesn't work for my device in Melbourne. I apparently need to get the TMC Antenna which isn't available until next year and may not even be released here. Keep in mind that this system comes with the TMC antenna in the box in the UK. Sounds like a good idea but if the limitation of particular branded GPS units keeps up then take up will be small. This has been running in the UK for years so I can't see how it only works on limited brands.
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James
26/06/2008 11:18 PM
I have a MIO with the Suna service in Melb. Beware it sucks and isnt worth the extra $129 I paid. Would not recommend unless Suna get their act together.
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