Our Competition

Learn about GPS and cell phone traffic applications and the source of traffic information

GPS Navigation Devices

Amazon's reviews of TomTom, Garmin and TrafficGauge customers give a valuable perspective on the value of the TrafficGauge device and explain the numerous weakness of GPS units with traffic information.

TomTom Read Reviews $600 GPS Device + $130 Traffic Reciever	Garmin Read Reviews $600 GPS Device + $130 Traffic Reciever	TrafficGauge Read Reviews $50 All inclusive (Traffic Device + Reciver)

GPS navigation devices are designed for people who do not know where they are going. Most people that buy them know where they are going. This contradiction results in two phenomena: 1) the average user uses the $600+ devices once every two months and 2) return rate of 30% for GPS products (very high). A simple $1.99 map is much more practical and does not require reading a thick manual or getting frustrated as you drive down the road typing an address into a mini touch screen. If you have not tried this yet, it is not fun (or safe).

Most GPS devices do not come with traffic information, however about 10% of the new devices do provide traffic information services. However, those units with a traffic feature do not give you the traffic information without requiring you to first enter in your destination. Then the traffic data is only shown on your route and does not show the alternative routes. Of course, you must also boot up the GPS and wait for the satellites to give a position before anything works which can be frustrating when you need to make a quick driving decision.

GPS manufacturers need to show traffic across the whole nation since they represent a national product. Unfortunately, only a handful of cities actually have solid in-road data available, so the GPS manufacturers use secondary and historical data to fill in the gaps. This gives the illusion of a wider coverage area but really results in poor traffic data. Poor traffic information makes the already frustrated driver even more frustrated.

Our customers report that the best GPS navigation devices with traffic information are those that are built into some late model cars from Acura and Cadillac. The traffic technology used in these cars is quite different than the consumer grade aftermarket navigators.

TrafficGauge is different. We know that you know where you are going, thus we do not attempt to guide you. Our device is about 1/10 the cost of GPS, provides the best traffic data, a superior user interface, and is always on and always up-to-date. Our users do not return the devices (although we gladly back it with a 30-day money back guarantee), and our users refer to the device about 5 times per day because it is so easy to use and is useful. The result is our customers report saving 9 hours per month in drive time and report a significant reduction in stress.

If you are uncertain about our analysis we encourage you to read blog and press reviews on GPS traffic information and you will see that most reviews are negative with regards to traffic information.

 

Cell Phone Applications

Sure you can get traffic information on web enabled cell phones. We even offer the best such service for free. Our proprietary traffic aggregation and algorithmic processing technology is what makes our data stand above the rest. Although cell phones can provide traffic data, the interfaces are terrible for this job. Thus, we find that people who start to like the idea of traffic on cell phones turn to us to buy a TrafficGauge handheld for the ultimate in usability. Would you rather look at your windshield-mounted TrafficGauge and at-a-glance learn the situation of a fast approaching intersection, or fiddle with button and complicated cell phone menus for a few minutes while your highway decision point ends up behind you before you are informed?

We liken the TrafficGauge to the iPod in the sense that the dedicated devices each do one thing well - traffic and music, respectively.

The Source of Traffic Data

TrafficGauge receives DOT and private data feeds which are then aggregated and algorithmically enhanced to greatly improve the relevance to a consumer. The algorithms are important because data collection equipment commonly misreports, provides out-dated information, is out of calibration, is delayed and/or plagued with numerous other problems. Proprietary algorithms are applied to incoming data to greatly improve the feeds. Contact support@trafficgauge for more details on algorithms, which may be provided under a non-disclosure agreement.

TrafficGauge has more experience than any other company in the process of aggregating and delivering traffic information. TrafficGauge is the only company that provides its own aggregation server for its own products. Every other company that has a product buys data from other traffic aggregation companies that simply do not do a good job aggregating the data for a number of reasons. TrafficGauge has excellent technology because it is tested by real consumers and has been in this business longer than any other. The other dot.com companies (which only sell data, not a product) provide traffic data to other devices (primarily certain GPS navigation devices or webpages) and shelter themselves from the consumer users, thus there is no way to give feedback. Therefore, our competition has output terrible traffic data for years.