Navigon Traffic Info Not What I Expected

[webdoubt]

The way Navigon Mobile Navigator displays real-time traffic information is almost unusable. I was expecting the typical Green/Yellow/Red zone superimposed on each freeway indicating normal flow, moderate to slow, "stop and go" traffic flow. Instead all I see are these traffic incident icons. The color codes scheme works great at glance (even while driving at freeway speeds) to see what kind of traffic I'm headed into. The icons add zero-value to me while the vehicle is in motion.

I suppose the logic is that the traffic information is being used to do automatic re-routing. But what I really need is a traffic map that scrolls with me down the road that gives congestion information at glance. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't pay the $20 for traffic. Hopefully this helps someone else make a more informed decision.

 

[MBHockey]

The way Navigon Mobile Navigator displays real-time traffic information is almost unusable. I was expecting the typical Green/Yellow/Red zone superimposed on each freeway indicating normal flow, moderate to slow, "stop and go" traffic flow. Instead all I see are these traffic incident icons. The color codes scheme works great at glance (even while driving at freeway speeds) to see what kind of traffic I'm headed into. The icons add zero-value to me while the vehicle is in motion.

I suppose the logic is that the traffic information is being used to do automatic re-routing. But what I really need is a traffic map that scrolls with me down the road that gives congestion information at glance. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't pay the $20 for traffic. Hopefully this helps someone else make a more informed decision.

Could you post a screen shot?

 

[pugnut]

The way Navigon Mobile Navigator displays real-time traffic information is almost unusable. I was expecting the typical Green/Yellow/Red zone superimposed on each freeway indicating normal flow, moderate to slow, "stop and go" traffic flow. Instead all I see are these traffic incident icons. The color codes scheme works great at glance (even while driving at freeway speeds) to see what kind of traffic I'm headed into. The icons add zero-value to me while the vehicle is in motion.

I suppose the logic is that the traffic information is being used to do automatic re-routing. But what I really need is a traffic map that scrolls with me down the road that gives congestion information at glance. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't pay the $20 for traffic. Hopefully this helps someone else make a more informed decision.

I have to agree with you. IMO it is not really usable outside of the planned route. I would like to see alerts and other issues if they are in the general direction that I am heading. Having to select the traffic and not having them intergrated with the maps makes is a waste of $20 for me

 

[WishIWasHere]

Thanks for this post. I've been trying to make a decision on traffic, and this convinces me to hold off on pulling the trigger. I really know I probably don't need it right now anyway, so it likely would have been kind of a money wasted situation.

 

[ElBerserko]

There is color coding.
No color is normal traffic flow. Grey is a little slowdown, then there is yellow and red for moderate and severe. The coloring is displayed on the sides of the road and as a result when in night mode the grey just looks like a road along side the highway.

There are also red arrows on the road indicating the direction of the slowdown.

 

[jmpage2]

There is color coding.
No color is normal traffic flow. Grey is a little slowdown, then there is yellow and red for moderate and severe. The coloring is displayed on the sides of the road and as a result when in night mode the grey just looks like a road along side the highway.

There are also red arrows on the road indicating the direction of the slowdown.

That might be true. However one of navigons key weaknesses continues to be the lack of real route planning which would show route steps, traffic info, etc, all on an integrated display.

Navigon have previously indicaed that inclusion of a route plan feature was a possible future update so hope we will see it and a real traffic map in a later release.

 

[ken987]

Well for me...I actually really like it...

It does exactly what I need....my route is pretty limited as far as options to re route...I have no real way of avoiding the traffic. So for me....it tells me when I am getting to work..and so far it has been on the money with its time estimate.

My office moves in a few weeks so I will get to use the re route feature then and maybe my opinion will change...but for me..I needed to know how much time was added to my commute because of traffic....and Navigon met my needs on this one. And unlike my old GPS that would add 35 miles to my commute to avoid traffic..Navigon openly states...no reroute will help you....You are on your own because it knows that the other route (35 extra miles) has the same amount of traffic on it also.

 

[gloss]

Yeah, it works nicely for me as well. I don't have to see a list of every nearby instance of traffic just so long as the app takes me around it (if that's the most sensible course of action).

 

[rmastbro]

There is color coding.
No color is normal traffic flow. Grey is a little slowdown, then there is yellow and red for moderate and severe. The coloring is displayed on the sides of the road and as a result when in night mode the grey just looks like a road along side the highway.

There are also red arrows on the road indicating the direction of the slowdown.

I would like to see a screen shot of the color coded roads if anyone could provide this.

 

[stockcerts]

It sure would be nice if Navigon provided some documentation on their product. I'm a big fan, but I'm afraid many of us don't fully understand all of the features...especially since the latest upgrade was released.

 

[jmpage2]

It sure would be nice if Navigon provided some documentation on their product. I'm a big fan, but I'm afraid many of us don't fully understand all of the features...especially since the latest upgrade was released.

Documentation is definitely not their strong point. You would think with Apple setting the example and so many other (much lower priced) applications having 2-5 minute tutorial videos that explain how to use the product that Navigon would figure this out already.

They better get their act together. Google are sharpening up their ninja knives Navigon, so you'd better get to it!