XM NavTraffic subscription - is it incuded?

[ramdulari]

Hi folks,

The custom build brochure or other tidbits on the Toyota site do not mention any limited time complimentary subscription to XM NavTraffic (for the Navigation system). So I assume there is none, right?

Thanks,
Mihir

[Paradox]

You get 3 free months of XM and 3 free months of the nav traffic. After that it is up to you to subscribe.

[Bobsprius]

Paradox is 100% Correct!


and $3.99 a month after the 3 Months Free

[bighouse]

What, exactly, is XM traffic? Is that the traffic alerts that I hear when I punch in a destination that tell me of accidents or road slowdowns onroute? Or is there an actual XM Sat station one tunes in to? If it's the Nav Lady I hear who tells me, when I'm stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway "Slow traffic"...I'd miss her. She's like a constant companion in my commute. Whenever she says "slow traffic" I always say "Yeah, you noticed huh? Its' barely moving- you always did have a knack for stating the obvious".

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by bighouse

What, exactly, is XM traffic? Is that the traffic alerts that I hear when I punch in a destination that tell me of accidents or road slowdowns onroute? Or is there an actual XM Sat station one tunes in to? If it's the Nav Lady I hear who tells me, when I'm stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway "Slow traffic"...I'd miss her. She's like a constant companion in my commute. Whenever she says "slow traffic" I always say "Yeah, you noticed huh? Its' barely moving- you always did have a knack for stating the obvious".

XM traffic makes roads appear 3 colors depending upon traffic conditions on the nav screen. It will also make you aware or divert you around traffic slowdowns, construction etc.

Here, read all about it: http://www.xmradio.com/navtraffic/index.xmc

[asj2009]

Originally Posted by ramdulari

Hi folks,

The custom build brochure or other tidbits on the Toyota site do not mention any limited time complimentary subscription to XM NavTraffic (for the Navigation system). So I assume there is none, right?

Thanks,
Mihir

nav traffic, i typically check out traffic before i leave by simply using google maps on my blackberry.

[ramdulari]

I think I might use my Navigon PND afterward, which came with lifetime FM traffic subscription

Originally Posted by Bobsprius

Paradox is 100% Correct!


and $3.99 a month after the 3 Months Free

[benh57]

IMO the traffic is not that useful. I usualy will decide my route home on the PC before i go out to the car. It's too difficult to navigate around the nav screen to get an overview of a 20 mile commute. And the colors blend in too much with the rest of the display. (should have an "only traffic" mode which makes them stand out more)

[Indyking]

Originally Posted by Bobsprius

Paradox is 100% Correct!


and $3.99 a month after the 3 Months Free

$3.99 a month is just the fee you pay for NavTraffic in addition to satellite radio. I'm not sure if you can have just NavTraffic without the satellite radio, but I strongly suspect it is not possible.

The best value of the satellite radio alone (no NavTraffic) is the 3-year subscription, which costs 9.69 a month. The 1 year subscription for XM + NavTraffic costs $18.91 a month.

My advice for people who have never had satellite radio and NavTraffic is: If you really enjoy music and have an eclectic taste for it, the satellite radio is somewhat expensive but worth it. The quality is not comparable to a CD but the content covers all major music styles, plus comedy, news, sports. If you are the kind of person that like music but usually listen to CDs or your favorite radio station in your commute, then the satellite may not a good value for you.

As far as NavTraffic, it is mostly useless in my opinion. I don't have it in my Prius but have rented 2-3 cars with it before and it did not help me on anything. Actually I found times where ignoring it was more helpful. What I do for traffic is: I check my iPhone app called TRAFFIC by Inrix (very good) before leaving and while stopped in certain strategic places during my travels for planning purposes. I found it to be much more accurate and helpful than NavTraffic, no monthly payments, and they forecast traffic too!

[eglmainz]

Originally Posted by Indyking

$3.99 a month is just the fee you pay for NavTraffic in addition to satellite radio. I'm not sure if you can have just NavTraffic without the satellite radio, but I strongly suspect it is not possible.

The best value of the satellite radio alone (no NavTraffic) is the 3-year subscription, which costs 9.69 a month. The 1 year subscription for XM + NavTraffic costs $18.91 a month.

I would disagree with your assesment of the 'best value'. I bought the lifetime subscription which makes it dirt cheap. For $499.99, you will get the XM Lifetime plan, with the best of Sirius. If you keep that car for 5 years, your cost is only $8.33 per month. 7 years, you would pay only $5.95 per month. If you add the NAV Traffic, there is an extra $3.99 per month, every month, but still much cheaper than a simple monthly plan.

As for getting NAV Traffic alone, yes it can be done. The cost becomes 9.95 for it by itself per month. (XM Satellite Radio - America's #1 Satellite Radio Service). To me, this seems a bit outrageous, but after having it, I would likely pay it if they raised my price, as I find it very valuable to help me determine my way home.

Contrary to others, I have become very adept at using the screen to zoom out to a wide overview, just be sure to click of your current view first by touching anywhere on the map. Then, resize and zoom as needed. Once done, just hit the MAP button to return to your 'normal' view - Painless.