Entered CNET Catalog: 11/10/2005
SKU: CNET_TrafficGaugeSan Francisco
Manufacturer: TrafficGauge, Inc.
Manufacturer description
TrafficGauge is the first and only real-time mobile traffic map of the San Francisco Bay Area. PRODUCT FEATURES: Pinpoint traffic slowdowns; Shows current conditions; Over 900 freeway miles covered; Reliable traffic data; Displays an "at-a-glance" map.Product summary
The good: TrafficGauge shows traffic congestion on local freeways at a glance and won't distract drivers from looking at the road. Its batteries last up to three months.
The bad: Each TrafficGauge device is bound to a specific metropolitan area, and only a few markets are currently available. It also covers only freeway traffic. The form factor is a little bulky, looking ancient next a modern cell phone, and there are no included accessories, such as a vehicle mount.
The bottom line: Within its limits, TrafficGauge works very well and provides useful information for commuters, as long as they live in a market served by the company.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 01/26/2006
LCD traffic display
TrafficGauge is about the size of a PDA--and looks like one too. The face of the device is dominated by the screen, with a static graphic of whichever region the device is designed for. Traffic information is displayed as static or blinking black LCD bars over the freeway graphics. Traffic moving between 20mph and 40mph is indicated by a static bar, and traffic moving at less than 20mph is displayed as a blinking bar. In handing the device to people around the office, we noticed a tendency to try to control the display by tapping; however, it's not a touch screen.
A button on the lower front bezel turns on TrafficGauge's backlight so that it can be used at night. The back of TrafficGauge has a removable panel for its power pack, which includes two AA batteries. The device is thick compared with other handheld devices and is somewhat bulky to carry around.
Simplicity has its limitations
Since its LCD and its radio receiver don't draw much power, TrafficGauge is designed to always be on. There is very little interaction with the device; it simply serves as an information display. But the information it shows can save users time and frustration by letting them plan alternate routes around traffic or delay setting out. We found the information displayed fascinating around rush hour, even while sitting in our office. Icons for local stadiums also light up if an event is scheduled, which could indicate bad traffic.
We reviewed the San Francisco Bay Area version of TrafficGauge; the device is also available for Los Angeles and Seattle, with more markets on the way. But this is the price that TrafficGauge pays for its simplicity--each device is tied to a single region and is useless outside of it. TrafficGauge also covers only freeway traffic, so surface street-route alternatives might be just as congested.
Up-to-the-minute traffic
In our tests, the information displayed by TrafficGauge was accurate, and we found that the device has very good coverage throughout the region. Its information is generated by local road authorities, such as CalTrans for the San Francisco version. It takes no more than a glance to assess upcoming traffic conditions, although we would have liked a vehicle mount; plus, the freeway graphics are a little faint, and it's hard to see where many roads bunch together. The individual bulbs of the backlight are visible when turned on. They do an OK job illuminating the display, but it's not a smooth solution. The two AA batteries last about three months.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1out of 1 user reviews
save time and money by avoiding traffic
Pros: saves time and money, inexpensive, easy to use
Cons: mount (suction cup) sucks, $6.99 monthly fee
What I don't like about the Los Angeles model is that it does not extend far enough to the East (San Bernardino) and South (San Diego). The only major issue is the cheap mount. The unit vibrates and swings in it. I had to put a shim in it to stabilize it. The suction cup also is not strong enough to hold the weight of the unit. Mine already fell off multiple time in the first week. If they would sell it with a better mount or at least offer one as an accessory it would make it perfect.
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