TomTom 510 with RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver

[Vix75]

Hi..

I've just upgraded my sat nav system from Navman ICN 320 to a TomTom 510.. very impressed!!

I bought the unit from PC World and it came with the RDS Traffic Receiver.. just installed it in the car, but not entirely sure how it works with the TomTom?

Does anyone else have this and can give me some hints on how it works?!

[dazzer_man]

The TomTom website gives some info - let us know how you get on with it.

http://www.tomtom.com/page.php?Page=rds-tmc

[mminghella]

I'm in the same boat - I'm impressed with the 510, but I can't get it to tune itself in for the RDS-TMC.

Any help would be appreciated.

[per-Sony-fied]

Apparently it works on the "classic fm" frequency which is not the best of choice for radio data and there's been many a report that it's function does not work to well because of this.

[mminghella]

Originally Posted by per-Sony-fied

Apparently it works on the "classic fm" frequency which is not the best of choice for radio data and there's been many a report that it's function does not work to well because of this.

I know and tried to tune it manually into their frequency, but no joy. The radio was playing classic FM, but the receiver couldn't pick it up.

I tried the receiver on the dash, at a side window and even on the roof! Not a dickie bird. Even at home, in the living room I can get 4 bars for the satellites, but nothing for FM. The bloody stereo is behind me and it can get it.

[mminghella]

I've just done a bit of research on the interweb and found a huge amount of reported problems with this. A loy of people have taken them back with the old "not fit for the purpose for which it was intended" line.

Might end up doing the same myself as I bought the Traffic edition specifically for this.

I'm quite annoyed really as I do like gadgets and I am really impressed with the Go 510 as a bit of kit, but it doesn't "do exactly waht it says on the tin".

[mminghella]

Although it feels like I'm talking to myself at the moment, I'll keep posting here in case anyone else has been thinking of getting the add-on.

I used it today for 2 trips and had a very variable experience. From Prescot to Chester, along the M56, I got no signal pickup at all. However, on the return leg, I got a signal for 2 miles telling me the road was clear - I was stuck in traffic at the time

However, the signal picked up again on the runup to the Runcorn bridge and stayed on all the way to my destination in Netherley (approx 15 mins).

I am going to keep hold of this until after I've driven down to Paris as this should be a good test of how useful and accurate the reciver really is.

If anyone is that interested, I'll post my experiences here.

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by mminghella

Although it feels like I'm talking to myself at the moment, I'll keep posting here in case anyone else has been thinking of getting the add-on.

I'm listening

I used it today for 2 trips and had a very variable experience. From Prescot to Chester, along the M56, I got no signal pickup at all. However, on the return leg, I got a signal for 2 miles telling me the road was clear - I was stuck in traffic at the time

So it's true. Not to surprising that they have been doing deals on these then.

I am going to keep hold of this until after I've driven down to Paris as this should be a good test of how useful and accurate the reciver really is.

You may find the experience is a whole lot better once you go to mainland europe as the data system works in a different way over there. Apparently it was tried and tested in Luxembourg!

[KeithO]

Originally Posted by mminghella

I used it today for 2 trips and had a very variable experience. From Prescot to Chester, along the M56, I got no signal pickup at all. However, on the return leg, I got a signal for 2 miles telling me the road was clear - I was stuck in traffic at the time

No signal at all is probably down to the receiver. Inaccurate data can't be blamed on TomTom, as they don't supply the service.

I've got a Becker built-in unit with TMC, and I've found the quality of data varies enormously from area to area, never mind country to country.

Personally I generally find the TMC data lags behind the event, so that usually there's no jam where you expect one, and there is one where you don't expect one

It'll be interesting to see what your experiences are in Paris.

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by KeithO

No signal at all is probably down to the receiver. Inaccurate data can't be blamed on TomTom, as they don't supply the service.

Nethertheless TomTom could've at least given it a UK test run and checked how the system works here which surely would have ironed out much of it's ill's and woe's.

[SeanT]

Sony managed to get the tmc thing right first time, just a shame they cocked the rest of the sat nav up......

[mminghella]

Originally Posted by per-Sony-fied

I'm listening

Thanks...it gives me a warm and fuzzy glow.

I'm sort of hoping that as time goes by, the service will improve. Its a bit of a bummer though that it works a bit "flaky", for want of a better word.

[KeithO]

Originally Posted by per-Sony-fied

Nethertheless TomTom could've at least given it a UK test run and checked how the system works here which surely would have ironed out much of it's ill's and woe's.

I'm sure they did. As I said, it depends what the issues are. If it's that the TMC module can't get a signal, that's down to TT's receiver, and you shoudl return it to them as not fit for purpose.

If it's getting a signal but the data is not accurate, that's beyond TT's control.

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by KeithO

I'm sure they did. As I said, it depends what the issues are. If it's that the TMC module can't get a signal, that's down to TT's receiver, and you shoudl return it to them as not fit for purpose.

If it's getting a signal but the data is not accurate, that's beyond TT's control.

Correct me if I'm wrong but heard they did ALL their testing in mainland europe.

If the unit can't get a signal it's down to poor thought out data signal searching and/or sensitivity which really shouldn't be a problem given that signal polarisation is now prioritised to give better reception in built up areas, i.e lower to the ground. Given that the OP even hang the unit on the top of the car it seems that sensitivity can be ruled out unless it really is that badly built.

I can imagine a fair margin of inaccuracy on many a country road as data is generally relied upon as word of mouth but there's a whopping load of cameras on major routes. I don't expect it to be on the ball all the time because you could be just minutes away from it.

It's possible that the Op has a faulty unit but this is not the first case, infact 1 of many I've heard where the TMC unit is almost a waste of time. I really suspect that TomTom didn't do enough if any homework over here.

[mminghella]

I've got to agree with per-sony-fied in that it seems like a poorly designed/thought out/built unit in general.

In principle it is a great idea, but if I cannot get a signal in my home when a stereo (iwth no ecternal aerial) can then it doesn't seem that great. Add to it that it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, then that makes it worse. Then add to it that other people on other forums have said the same as me, then it points to it being a farce - someone had 4 different TomTom units in 6 weeks and all had the same TMC issues.

I'm hoping that its a case of early adopters being used as Guinea Pigs, but we'll see.