XM renewal costs

[JDC]

My XM trial ended today and I called them to check renewal pricing. Initially, as would be expected, I was offered: the standard $212 (XM Everything plus NAV Traffic) pricing, a 'life-time' subscription at $575, and so on.

Finally transferring and offered the price of $88 plus $47 for NAV = $135.00.

Seems a reasonable price with the amount of time the family and I spend in the damn car.

 

[dataguy]

It's fairly easy to get the 1-yr $77 + $11 music royalty fee + NavTraffic fee + taxes. They even have a 5 months for $20 + $11 + etc. retention deal.

The key for XM in general is to call back and threaten to cancel before your contract expires or else you'll automatically be charged the prevailing yearly rate.

http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=5215

 

[ASHDUMP]

I can not live without my SiriusXM.... Road trips are the best with it... Plus Sirius Patriot 144/166 is AWESOME!

 

[Stoofpilot]

What is the value of the Nav Traffic? I live in Wilmington, NC and we dont have that much traffic? Is it hooked in the the Nav system? I just bought a 4.6 with tech and have not taken delivery yet.

 

[dataguy]

What is the value of the Nav Traffic? I live in Wilmington, NC and we dont have that much traffic? Is it hooked in the the Nav system? I just bought a 4.6 with tech and have not taken delivery yet.

Marginally useful in metropolitan areas to mentally plan your route on major freeways. Speed ("flow") data is usually stale and only available in major markets and typically only on major highways. Nav system doesn't use the data for route planning or ETA, so it's really only good to see something similar to red/yellow/green traffic maps on major arteries. You also get traffic incident thumbtacks on the maps with simple descriptions.

Here's a list of markets where NavTraffic works: http://www.xmradio.com/navtraffic/market_coverage.xmc

Personally, I didn't find it useful enough to pay for it, and I'm in one of the traffic capitals of the world.

 

[JDC]

Marginally useful in metropolitan areas to mentally plan your route on major freeways. Speed ("flow") data is usually stale and only available in major markets and typically only on major highways. Nav system doesn't use the data for route planning or ETA, so it's really only good to see something similar to red/yellow/green traffic maps on major arteries. You also get traffic incident thumbtacks on the maps with simple descriptions.

Here's a list of markets where NavTraffic works: http://www.xmradio.com/navtraffic/market_coverage.xmc

Personally, I didn't find it useful enough to pay for it, and I'm in one of the traffic capitals of the world.

With Nav traffic you can navigate around congestion. We have done that a few times, Seattle and LA as example.

 

[dataguy]

With Nav traffic you can navigate around congestion. We have done that a few times, Seattle and LA as example.

I agree, but during the 1-year trial, I found many cases where "green" freeways were stopped or vice versa. My favorite was the announcements of "traffic congestion ahead" while creeping down the freeway at 10mph. Potentially good if you don't have access to a computer or own smartphone to see basically the same thing online (e.g. Google Maps, traffic.com (owned by NAVTEQ, who provides the traffic info to XM), Bing Maps, etc.)

I just couldn't justify paying about half as much as the music subscription for a service that had such situational usefulness. It was nice to show off to new passengers though

EDIT: And by "navigate around congestion," again, that means human calculation since the nav doesn't take traffic conditions into account. XM will eventually have to figure a way to integrate the traffic info into the GPS systems since smartphones and standalone GPS units with traffic capability can do that automatically.

 

[JDC]

I agree, but during the 1-year trial, I found many cases where "green" freeways were stopped or vice versa. My favorite was the announcements of "traffic congestion ahead" while creeping down the freeway at 10mph. Potentially good if you don't have access to a computer or own smartphone to see basically the same thing online (e.g. Google Maps, traffic.com (owned by NAVTEQ, who provides the traffic info to XM), Bing Maps, etc.)

I just couldn't justify paying about half as much as the music subscription for a service that had such situational usefulness. It was nice to show off to new passengers though

EDIT: And by "navigate around congestion," again, that means human calculation since the nav doesn't take traffic conditions into account. XM will eventually have to figure a way to integrate the traffic info into the GPS systems since smartphones and standalone GPS units with traffic capability can do that automatically.

No, you can choose to route off highway, fastest route, etc.. and as I believe my system has responded, it calculates based upon the chosen factors. It has worked for me in the several situations detailed. With regard to the general accuracy of the traffic information, that normally has been pretty accurate as well.... and when the system showed the streets clearing ahead, say in 3 miles or ?, indeed, just about there the traffic speed normalized. (Seattle and Portland and LA basin).

You can debate all you wish, as can I, but for me the system has worked well, overall. It is not very expensive.

Clearly, for you, it has little to no apparent value. Each to their own.

 

[MADDMOE]

I found the nav traffic was a total waste as i would already be in traffic before it even warned me, what good would that do me as i couldnt back up off the highway and find another route as it would be to late !!!!

 

[dataguy]

No, you can choose to route off highway, fastest route, etc.. and as I believe my system has responded, it calculates based upon the chosen factors. It has worked for me in the several situations detailed. With regard to the general accuracy of the traffic information, that normally has been pretty accurate as well.... and when the system showed the streets clearing ahead, say in 3 miles or ?, indeed, just about there the traffic speed normalized. (Seattle and Portland and LA basin).

You can debate all you wish, as can I, but for me the system has worked well, overall. It is not very expensive.

Clearly, for you, it has little to no apparent value. Each to their own.

Sure. No need to get defensive. If it has value to you, that's great . The question was asked whether it was worth it, and we both gave our two cents. I don't question the usefulness of the feature, just that XM's implementation limits its value to me. That's why the trial period is good (just wish that they kept the 12-month trial instead of going 3-months across the board).

The routing calculation of the GPS in the Technology Package doesn't use the XM traffic conditions. The MPH/KPH speeds for highway and city streets are in the nav settings, and that's what it uses to calculate fastest route and ETA.

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[garddog32]

I agree that the traffic data isn't used in planning a route. I've seen many instances where the traffic data knew a highway was completely congested and it still planned using that highway. However, I don't believe this is an XM issue. My friend has a new Buick with XM nav, and it does use the data to plan routes around congestion. I'm hoping that the August map updates we keep hearing about may also include a software update to better utilize the traffic data. I'm not holding my breath though.

 

[dond13]

I agree that the traffic data isn't used in planning a route. I've seen many instances where the traffic data knew a highway was completely congested and it still planned using that highway. However, I don't believe this is an XM issue. My friend has a new Buick with XM nav, and it does use the data to plan routes around congestion. I'm hoping that the August map updates we keep hearing about may also include a software update to better utilize the traffic data. I'm not holding my breath though.

Dreamer! How many times have we heard that the new update is just around the corner. I know I first heard it about 14 months ago.

 

[dg_moore]

I wonder how long my "trial" subscription will remain active. I took delivery in February and now in July it's still working. I know this because I pushed the XM button by accident this morning and heard audio. This makes the second time I've activated XM since I had the car - obviously i won't be renewing if/when the free trial ends...