TomTom’s HD Traffic service has finally arrived in Australia with the launch of four new ‘Go Live’ in-car GPS devices starting at $299. (Yes, they’ve also updated the TomTom iPhone app). And unlike the Suna traffic service used by Garmin and Navman, TomTom uses a built-in SIM card (not FM) to track and update user data, official incident reports, and real time traffic flows. HD Traffic also works in both metro and regional areas.
The new Go Live range use their non-removable SIM card to access and roam on 2G networks around the country (TomTom didn’t say which). They also update every info every 2 minutes, versus up to 15 minutes for Suna-based devices.
HD Traffic is a first for Australia, and is included for 12 months with the four new Go Live models: The 820 (4.3-inch; $299), 825 (5-inch; $349), 2050 (5-inch; $399), and the 2050 World (5-inch; $499). It’s part of TomTom’s $70 per year Live Services suite, which also includes speed cameras, local Google search, and weather forecast service.
You can also use the HD traffic service for free at TomTom’s website. Complete with route planner! [TomTom]
Adam
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 5:21 PMThen again if you have a iPhone, Tom Tom App, $69.00, free map updates and HD Traffic, $35.00 a year. You just saved yourself $500.00
Ben
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 7:30 PMYes but you need to be driving in an area with coverage. I find the times that I need my GPS the most are when I’m out of mobile range.
BertRitto
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 7:35 PMHow do you save yourself $500 if you have to purchase a $1000 iPhone?
Dave
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 5:36 PMSIM card. Do you have to buy or does it come pre-installed? What mobile network – cos’ if it’s Vodafail that means the data is going to be incomplete in regional Australia (and probably most capital cities!)
Danny Allen
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 7:07 PMIt’s built-in and roams.
Dave
Friday, August 5, 2011 at 8:51 AMWould want to verify that. 3G Kindle has built in SIM, can “see” Telstra and Optus but won’t roam and is stuck to Vodafail. Can you verify from TomTom?
Nathan
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 7:18 PMThe Garmin 1690T released over a year also has similar functionality but it never really took off.
seano2101
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 9:48 PMHD just become an even more pointless buzzword
lewie
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 10:12 PMTomTom are charging $69 for this service after the first year. Plus map upgrades on top so its $120 per year. what a rip. As stand alone gps devices are dying a slow death companies are trying to find ways to make more dough. In this case trafficHD per year fee
Daryl
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 11:08 PMI used my iphone as a GPS using different software and found that leaving the iphone on the dashboard means it shuts down in the heat. The Tomtom GPS doesn’t shut down, probably built to withstand the heat.
So using the iphone as a GPS is not what it’s cracked up to be.
Brandon W
Friday, August 5, 2011 at 9:40 AMI guess Tom Tom will also be tracking and tracing you when you drive around…just like your smartphone; and no doubt selling that data off to whomever wants/needs it at a good price. Oh well, at least you get real-time traffic updates.
steve
Friday, August 5, 2011 at 10:31 AMwe have a hd live in more store at the moment, and in our store we cannot get any mobile network except for telstra and optus (we are underground and under a 8 story building).
the hdlive was able to get mobile reception, AND gps reception.. somehow.
i would say that it would have to be optus or telstra, but it’s only an educated guess
Ian
Friday, September 9, 2011 at 3:56 PMmy 825 will not connect from my current location. My optus phones work 3g and 2g and telstra next g works here as well
vodafone does not.
My guess would be Vodaphone but Telstra 2g is also possible as thats also a bit flaky at times
Karl
Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 8:19 PMMy Go 1050 live is connected to 50503 (which is Optus), but only 2G as it doesn’t get great signal strength at a Optus 3G 2100mhz only site.
Will probably need to go to an Optus Blackspot to see if it roams on Telstra. NextG is out of the question, it doesn’t roam on that. Besides, traffic info isn’t really available for rural areas so I guess 2G is sufficient.
Karl
Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 8:26 PMMy mistake. 50503 is Vodafone, not Optus.
Jamie
Monday, August 22, 2011 at 10:17 PMWhat a rip off, big deal if it updates every 15seconds, it should be free. I’ll stick with my garmin thanks.