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TrafficGauge Mobile Traffic Map of Los Angeles and Orange County | 
 enlarge | Brand: trafficgauge
Category: CE
List Price: $79.95
Buy Used: $34.00
You Save: $45.95 (57%)
Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 11284
Media: Electronics
Batteries Included: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 3.4 x 1 x 4.5
MPN: 530-011
Model: 530-011
UPC: 894195000422
EAN: 0894195000422
ASIN: B000ES4HRA
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Mobile traffic map designed to keep you informed of current driving conditions | | • | Pinpoints traffic slow downs and indicates light, medium, or heavy traffic congestion | | • | Covers 850 freeway miles in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas | | • | Home game symbol lets you plan around traffic before or after sporting event | | • | Runs for 2 months on 2 AA batteries; measures 3.4 x 4.5 inches (W x H); 1-year warranty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
TrafficGauge is the first and only real-time mobile traffic map of the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas.PRODUCT FEATURES:Pinpoint traffic slowdowns;Shows current conditions;Over 850 freeway miles covered;Official government traffic data;Displays an "at-a-glance" map.
Amazon.com Product Description
Have you ever wondered, "Will I hit traffic on this route? Should I go a different way?" With TrafficGauge LA/Orange County Mobile Traffic Map, you'll know the answers instantly and at a glance. With this handy device you can stay on top of driving conditions; you'll know when and where to steer clear of traffic congestion, and you'll be comfortably in control of your daily driving options. Even if you can't change your plans, knowing what you're facing can help you make the most of your time. Turn on your favorite music, schedule or update your appointments, have a snack, whatever you decide, you can at least stop kicking yourself for making bad drive-time decisions. Let TrafficGauge mind the road so you arrive prepared and less stressed. TrafficGauge is like adding a time-saving instrument to your car's dashboard -- and easy-to-read gauge that you can depend on to get you around traffic. Live, real-time information with up-to-the-minute reporting allows you to view road conditions at home, work, or in route to your destination. The device pinpoints traffic slow downs, and indicates light, medium, or heavy traffic to help you plan your departure time or change your route. This shirt-pocket portable unit lets you check traffic conditions anywhere, anytime, and with the backlight button you can even view TrafficGauge in low-light conditions, day or night. Of course, you want to be safe on the road. This device features an at-a-glance design with an easy-to-read map that is specially designed to be viewed quickly to minimize distractions so you can keep your mind on the road. Another handy region feature is the unique "home game" symbol that lets you plan around heavy traffic before or after a sporting event. The TrafficGauge Mobile Traffic Map covers over 850 freeway miles in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County area. All the official traffic data comes directly from Caltrans and Metro, so you receive up-to-the-minute traffic information. It is also important to note that the TrafficGauge map is fixed; the only area shown is what's on the device's screen. There is no scrolling option. This helps to keep the device simple and easy to read at a glance, and it minimizes distractions to make it safer for the on-the-road user. The TrafficGauge display functions wherever a wireless signal can be received, including areas off the map. Stop sitting in traffic, and start outsmarting it with TrafficGauge Mobile Traffic Map. Border Area - North to North Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena
- East to San Dimas, Pomona, and Anaheim
- South to Irvine, Costa Mesa, and the "Orange Crush" intersection of I-5 and I-405
- West to Santa Monica, LAX Airport, and Long Beach
Airport Coverage - Los Angeles International (LAX)
- John Wayne/Orange County
- Burbank/Bob Hope
- Long Beach
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Great device for a specific use July 12, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This unit does EXACTLY what it's supposed to do, and it does it very well. It is NOT intended to be a map of L.A./OC--it shows the traffic levels on major freeways so that you can decide which route is likely to be less congested. The information is presented in a simple view that takes just a second to see--it does not require a lot of attention or button-pressing (two things that ADD to traffic problems).
If you only have ONE possible route to take, or your route involves traveling mostly surface streets, or you travel in an area not covered by this unit, then this is NOT the device for you. Otherwise, this is a VERY good unit, as long as you understand a little bit about how it works and how it should be used (read the FAQs at http://www.trafficgauge.com/support_faq.html, and the product manual at http://www.trafficgauge.com/support_manuals.html). Keep in mind that TrafficGauge gets its traffic data from the Caltrans "in-road" sensors, so if Caltrans doesn't PROVIDE the information, then TrafficGauge can't DISPLAY the information.
And yes, they DO offer a lifetime subscription--I bought 3 units on sale in July, 2007 (1 to use, 2 as spares), then bought the lifetime subscription after the "free month" ended (yes, the subscription IS transferable between units, if one were to fail--it's MY lifetime, not the unit's lifetime).
I use the unit whenever I drive--whether it be in MY car, my girlfriend's car, or my company van. This self-contained unit runs on 2 "AA" batteries, so there are no wires, antennas, downloads, or configurations to worry about.
If you are considering buying this unit, just understand what it DOES, and what it does NOT do before you buy it. If you want a map of L.A./OC, get a Thomas Guide. If you want to get around L.A./OC without encountering ANY traffic, get a helicopter. If you want a real-time, easy-to-read view of L.A./OC traffic congestion, get a TrafficGauge.
Just understand that NO device is perfect in every situation, or for every purpose. There is a difference between "Not right for me" and "Doesn't work."
 Better Options Available (ignores part of LA, distorted distances) June 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This product was a failure when it first came out in 2006 because of the distorted freeway map and the omission of the western part of Los Angeles. Amazing that in 2008 it is still around, when there are so many other better alternatives.
This product ignores the western part of Los Angeles City (western San Fernando Valley) and western LA County (e.g. Malibu), so it is useless for anyone who lives in the western part of Los Angeles or might have to travel in those areas.
A more serious problem is that not only are the graphics awful, they distort actual distances and freeway routes. So if you are trying to decide by eye if this way or that looks faster, you can be deceived by this false information. There are much better GPS units with traffic info with accurate freeway maps that cover not only southern California, but the whole country, and include surface streets.
Finally, you have to pay a monthly subscription fee to get the traffic info. As of this writing there is one line of gps/traffic unit that gives you a lifetime (of the unit) traffic subscription, and there will likely be more.
EDITED TO ADD (AUGUST 2008) If you search Amazon for gps and "free traffic" or "lifetime traffic" you will find several models of gps receivers (at least one <$200) which have very good graphics and nationwide coverage (or more), and allow free lifetime access to the traffic alert system in whatever cities it is available.
Worked great for me... March 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I used this product for most of 2006 and all of 2007 before moving to Phoenix Arizona. It worked perfectly for me. The subscription is a bit high in my opinion, but I definitely expected a service charge. I honestly am surprised to see people complaining that service is extra. The CalTran data must be parsed and transmitted. Who's going to do it for free???
Anyway, the trafficguage came in very handy for me as I commuted from Irvine to Los Angeles (between Santa Monica and downtown) once a week. It's great for a 30+ mile drive. I'd take 55 to the 405 or I'd take the 22 to the 405 if I was heading up to Long Beach. Driving to LA, I'd alternate between the 5 and the 405 sometimes traversing parts of the city with the 22, 91, 105, 710, and 605. The most frequent detour for me was when I'd anticipate traffic at the 405 and 10 (driving North on the 405). I would jump on La Cienega to Stocker to La Brea. It was great!
I think one needs to travel across several freeways to make use of a device like this. You also need to have some foresight. You know... before starting your trip, glance at the screen, then map out your destination in your head. This is especially important during high traffic periods. If you live Los Angeles city limits, you're probably screwed any way you look at it. If you've gotta take the 101 north to the valley from downtown, your only option is to take the 5 to the 134. Both are likely to have traffic though...
Avoiding slow traffic entirely in SoCal is impossible. However, avoiding gridlock is very much doable. I'd say I hit it maybe once every couple months...
The no-frills screen sucks, but I like it. B/c is not full-color LCD display, it's not power hungry. I never turned the device off, and it'd last several months on 2 AAs. It was always updating through RF.
Finally: From my recollection, I believe traffic updates were provided every 5-15 minutes. Late evenings were worse.
Not accurate January 18, 2008
Bought this product to help my husband navigate the LA traffic and it is routinely inaccurate. Useless product.
Traffic Gauge works okay for Los Angeles January 10, 2007
Overall, better to have it than not, but there are a few key spots on the 10 Freeway that are not covered, so that's frustrating.
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