GPS Use and Traffic in Pittsburgh (Lancaster, Indiana: live, vehicles, roach)

[WILWRadio]

During my trip from Connecticut back to Indy I went through Pittsburgh to test the traffic reporting on my Garmin GPS. This one has HD Traffic, not the 3D or other sub standard service.

I found that it did not hold the signal very well and would drop out frequently. I have the antenna/cord mounted well and that is not the issue. I get solid coverage of at least a 30 mile radius from Indianapolis and noted similar coverage in Dayton and Columbus, OH. Cincinnati is worse than Pittsburgh and it will not even hold onto the traffic signal for more than a couple of minutes before dropping out.

Seems evident the terrain is to blame for this. Does anyone else own a Garmin GPS that uses HD Traffic or possibly a Tom Tom with Live Services with Traffic? The regular Tom Tom traffic works fine regardless at least in terms of holding onto the signal for a decent radius from the city but of course the traffic reporting on that is not quite as good as HD Traffic with the Garmin and likely not as good as the Live Services Traffic premium service that Tom Tom offers.

I'd like to get the opinions of others that have had experience using traffic reporting on a GPS in Pittsburgh.

Thanks!

[Pitt Chick]

I have a Garmin Oregon, but I only use it for geocaching.
I use the iPhone for traffic reports/maps.

[TheYO]

I love using the Waze app as a GPS and for realtime traffic updates. It's all crowdsourced and traffic updates are based on the speed of others using the app. Plus, users can report police, accidents, disabled vehicles, red light cameras, etc. and the app will alert you when you are approaching them. I've found it to be a great, free GPS because it reroutes you instantly based on traffic.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by TheYO

I love using the Waze app as a GPS and for realtime traffic updates. It's all crowdsourced and traffic updates are based on the speed of others using the app. Plus, users can report police, accidents, disabled vehicles, red light cameras, etc. and the app will alert you when you are approaching them. I've found it to be a great, free GPS because it reroutes you instantly based on traffic.

My partner's friend used the Waze app on our trek to and from Lancaster County over the recent holiday weekend. It was amazingly accurate!

[BarqCider]

Personally i've always used my galaxy s3 gps with att&t and never lost signalto pgh from va and back.granted its told me to take other exits to get to my place like taking the Edgewood exit aka route 8 but ivelearned to take Oakland exit. Hasn't failed me till then. Heck I use it to other places still lol

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by TheYO

I love using the Waze app as a GPS and for realtime traffic updates. It's all crowdsourced and traffic updates are based on the speed of others using the app. Plus, users can report police, accidents, disabled vehicles, red light cameras, etc. and the app will alert you when you are approaching them. I've found it to be a great, free GPS because it reroutes you instantly based on traffic.

A friend recommended Waze to me, but I couldn't figure out how to use it safely while I was driving, and it sucked up so much battery power that I uninstalled it.

[I_Like_Spam]

As a man, I already know what way to go to get where I'm going. GPS really wouldn't serve any use to me, it would be like my mum in the backseat trying to give me directions.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

A friend recommended Waze to me, but I couldn't figure out how to use it safely while I was driving, and it sucked up so much battery power that I uninstalled it.

Waze can follow voice and hand commands, but that is difficult for me when I drive.
We use it when DH drives and I am the navigator (LOL!).

And yes, it is a power drain, so we always have it tethered/charging.

[WILWRadio]

If they are using an HD FM signal to piggyback their HD Traffic service then that might explain the spotty reception in the hilly terrain.

[WPANative]

We use Google Maps navigation on our Android phones. We took a 2 week honeymoon trip through New England with them and it was all the GPS we needed. The only issue I have with GPS (I rarely use it to begin with) in Pittsburgh is downtown.