Hi, from others experience, how accurate is the live traffic updates provided by Skoda Connect.  I always wonder how up to date the information is, particularly when navigation amends the route and sends your on a course that greatly deviates from the obvious.  Is it as accurate as say Apple Maps or Google Maps which could also be used via Apple Car Play?

Where do Skoda source their live traffic information from?

 

I don’t know where they source their info from and I suppose the number of users will impact on the accuracy of the information but it doesn’t seem quite up to date on the traffic as google however it does show roadworks better and has warned me audibly and quite correctly many times of traffic queues ahead.

 

I still find the integration of the navigation on the Columbus clunky compared to apple or google maps on my iPhone with the CarPlay and I also then get the option of satellite view with Google which both looks cool and can help me find the places I’m looking for.

I often run Waze alongside the Columbus and even when the Kodiaq has a good 4G signal, Waze is way more accurate when it comes to traffic flow and journey times, and most importantly for me, avoiding standing traffic and rerouting.

 

On the plus side, the Columbus is light years ahead of the system in my Mercedes E-Class!

 

Edited 25 July, 20196 yr by silver1011

Cheers for the responses.  I prefer to use the inbuilt Satnav as this works nicely with virtual cockpit.  However, the most time effective route is what has to take priority.  It recently sent me on a massive detour to avoid traffic on the normal route ahead.   It may have been correct and done me a massive favour.  However, I spent the whole time wondering whether I had been stitched up and would have been better off staying on the usual route.  I guess I will never know 

 

I use the Google Earth overlay, and both my sons have commented “ how does it know where the traffic jams are as it shows the queuing traffic sign on the map almost exactly where the last car is.” I don’t know where it gets the info but always found it very accurate and can see roads around a jam turning red and queuing traffic as people try to avoid the jam in almost real time.

12 minutes ago, Kenny R said:

I use the Google Earth overlay, and both my sons have commented “ how does it know where the traffic jams are as it shows the queuing traffic sign on the map almost exactly where the last car is.” I don’t know where it gets the info but always found it very accurate and can see roads around a jam turning red and queuing traffic as people try to avoid the jam in almost real time.

 

Could you please explain to a techno thickie how you make that work ?

 Press view button that pops up at bottom of screen, choose  Google Earth, simples.

Though I do believe some saying this option isn’t on their latest models.

 

Edited 25 July, 20196 yr by Kenny R

Far out...wish my car did that.

Google Earth was not  an option for the newer Columbus units. Backward step.

 

Skoda still advertising it online

https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/skoda-connect but my car doesn’t do it.

 

On another forum somebody thinks it may be dropped by week 45!

Edited 25 July, 20196 yr by Greenliner1
Added link

5 hours ago, Kenny R said:

I use the Google Earth overlay, and both my sons have commented “ how does it know where the traffic jams are as it shows the queuing traffic sign on the map almost exactly where the last car is.” I don’t know where it gets the info but always found it very accurate and can see roads around a jam turning red and queuing traffic as people try to avoid the jam in almost real time.

 

Thanks Kenny, just been out and tried that but you neglected to mention that I had to be connected to the internet 🙄

1 hour ago, olderman1 said:

 

Thanks Kenny, just been out and tried that but you neglected to mention that I had to be connected to the internet 🙄

How did u think it would work, by magic?...... just like that... 

1 hour ago, AndyMorris said:

How did u think it would work, by magic?...... just like that... 

 

Of course, isn't that how everything works ?

To be honest, I didn't really give it any thought but in the back of my mind I probably assumed it would be a satellite signal like the sat nav.

Comparing the two I've found the Columbus traffic stuff good. Probably not quite as good as Google maps, but having the directions on the digital display makes up for it for me.

 

The other thing is that it knows when I'm towing and warns me about narrow lanes caused by roadworks. 

15 hours ago, AndyMorris said:

How did u think it would work, by magic?...... just like that... 

So, assume that I'm as thick as two short planks, which probably isn't far from the truth when it come to the intricacies of modern technology, and please explain to me how I make the Google overlay work.

Do I have to buy a sim card and put it in the glovebox slot, or subscribe to Skoda Connect or both or what ????

3 hours ago, olderman1 said:

So, assume that I'm as thick as two short planks, which probably isn't far from the truth when it come to the intricacies of modern technology, and please explain to me how I make the Google overlay work.

Do I have to buy a sim card and put it in the glovebox slot, or subscribe to Skoda Connect or both or what ????

 

Can't comment mate as I have the newer unit. 

No need to buy a sim, 3 do a Free 200mb sim. 

Skoda connect is a paid service which basically connects to vehicle to show various bits of information, ie mpg, car locked to name a few. I think it's about £35 annually but it's not needed for what you want to do. 

Edited 26 July, 20196 yr by AndyMorris

51 minutes ago, AndyMorris said:

 

Can't comment mate as I have the newer unit. 

No need to buy a sim, 3 do a Free 200mb sim. 

Skoda connect is a paid service which basically connects to vehicle to show various bits of information, ie mpg, car locked to name a few. I think it's about £35 annually but it's not needed for what you want to do. 

 

Smashing, thanks for that. I'm glad Skoda Connect isn't needed because my first free year is about to end and I have no intention of renewing it.

Further to this, I'm assuming that using the Google Earth overlay would use up a fair amount of data (any idea how much anyone ?) and that this facility will disappear when not in range of a phone mast.

Is this correct ?

18 hours ago, olderman1 said:

Smashing, thanks for that. I'm glad Skoda Connect isn't needed because my first free year is about to end and I have no intention of renewing it.

You can option to just renew the part which includes the real time traffic which is actually beneficial though.

 

37 minutes ago, john999boy said:

You can option to just renew the part which includes the real time traffic which is actually beneficial though.

 

Does that show the Google earth view as shown by KennyR above, or is it just the normal sat nav screen ? I rather like the look of the GE view 😀.

Thankyou by the way 😁

Well, I'm learning. Just been out and tethered my phone to the car (gosh I'm good for an old'un 😁) and got the Google Earth overlay. With regard to traffic hold ups, I got exactly the same results with Columbus and Google Earth, so I don't see the gain by using Google Earth, unless I'm missing something.

With regard to the actual picture viewable on screen, it's nice to see something different but is it beneficial when using the satnav and again, how much data does it use cos I can't see it's worth paying much money for it. 

Now I know I can get GE by tethering my phone, I've answered my own question about losing the function if there's no phone signal. So if it's going to keep dropping off, what's the point of using it ?

So my question now is; is GE just a frippery or am I missing something (apart from a brain that is) ?

2 hours ago, olderman1 said:

Does that show the Google earth view as shown by KennyR above, or is it just the normal sat nav screen ? I rather like the look of the GE view 😀.

I have the ability to use GE on my Columbus but find the maps easier to view without it showing.

The RTTI which I mentioned earlier is able to be overlayed on whichever map view you have. Data usage is minimal as I’ve never been charged above my free Three 200mb/month.

The standard TMC (radio received) view is what you will get when your Connect subscription expires.

 

When you talk about not renewing your subscription, remember you are comparing something akin to Google Maps on your phone to something only showing major problems.

1 hour ago, john999boy said:

I have the ability to use GE on my Columbus but find the maps easier to view without it showing.

The RTTI which I mentioned earlier is able to be overlayed on whichever map view you have. Data usage is minimal as I’ve never been charged above my free Three 200mb/month.

The standard TMC (radio received) view is what you will get when your Connect subscription expires.

 

When you talk about not renewing your subscription, remember you are comparing something akin to Google Maps on your phone to something only showing major problems.

 

Thankyou 😀

On ‎25‎/‎07‎/‎2019 at 15:12, Kenny R said:

 Press view button that pops up at bottom of screen, choose  Google Earth, simples.

Though I do believe some saying this option isn’t on their latest models.

 

 

Does anyone know if this facility on the Columbus is available on the Amundsen as well ??

19 minutes ago, olderman1 said:

 

Does anyone know if this facility on the Columbus is available on the Amundsen as well ??

According to the owners manual, only the Columbus has this function.

Smashing, thanks KennyR.