Looking for a TomTom with traffic info

[Simpo Two]

Currently I have a TomTom One Classic and it's done sterling service for several years. It can take a few minutes to find satellites but otherwise, excellent.

I'd like to upgrade to a version which does live route updates in response to traffic/jams/accidents, but as ever the range is confusing. Screen size isn't important and I only drive in the UK. Someone said there was one which has two year's free traffic info. Which one is best for me please?

[mmm-five]

There was a range/offer last year where they offered a 2 year Live services or 2 year map update service in the price, but I've not seen that offer recently.

You could buy a fully-guaranteed Go 550 from TomTom and use the saving to pay for a 2nd year's Live services.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks for the idea.

Just as I was thinking 'Traffic' was an add-on service that worked with most of the models, it seems there is also 'IQ Routes Technology'. Are they the same or different and which model does each apply to? And why don't TomTom make it easier to understand? I now have no idea what I want...

[mmm-five]

IQ routes seems to be on all models, and just weights different routes based on historical info, so for example it knows that a route through Central London won't be as quick at peak times as it would on a bank holiday at midnight.

The HD Traffic (on Live models) uses information gathered from all other HD Traffic users on the road, and builds up a live picture of traffic conditions.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks for explaining that. I thought 'Traffic' used the blue jobbies and measured the speed of all cars? (= much more data)

Whilst I don't go to Europe I presume a European one has the UK as well so how about this? It seems to have have 'Live' but not in HD. Is 'Live' the same as 'HD Traffic' but in lower res? Damn this is complicated:

http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/tomtom-outlet...

[mmm-five]

The only difference between the two is the 550 has extra features (hands-free calling, voice control, fuel prices, SD slot for extra maps or MP3s, higher res screen, eco routes) - although the map only covers the UK.

The XL Live IQ one should do fine, if you don't need any of those extra 'features'.

The 'Live' services bundle includes HD Traffic (for the countries that support it - the UK being one of them). It has a built-in SIM that downloads the data as you're travelling.

[stemll]

Yes the Europe ones include the UK Map

The old "Traffic" used the RDS-TMC service and you needed to plug one of these in.

HD Traffic is part of the LIVE service and the unit connects to the Vodafone network using a built in SIM to get traffic data from TomTom (also get things like Google local search and so on). HD traffic is generally pretty accurate in my experience.

IQ routes, as said earlier, takes the time of travel into account and using data for actual average speeds on a given road may route you differently depending on time.

For what you describe, probably the XL LIVE for £110 including a year of the LIVE service.

TT are looking into offering pay as you go LIVE services where you activate it when you want it and it lasts for 30 days (it was mentioned in a survey I filled in for them recently and they were touting something just under £10 a pop instead of £47.50 for a year).