TMC unit for PDA and Destinator PN

jimbo_hippo · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 444

I use a Holux cr-100 cradle (not TMC). See my sig for full kit list. I have 2 reasons for changing.
1. I am thinking of going to the Orange SPV M5000 (various names MDO Pro etc on other networks). This means my CR 100 won't be useable.
2. Our pool car and also some hire cars I use have treated winscreens. CR 100 struggles a little.

So I'm toying with the idea of a bluetooth GPS and would also like to incorporate TMC into the equation.

So I fire up the google-mobile and go a-searchin' only to find that, unless you're using a Garmin device there really isn't that much choice. Please feel free to embarrass me by stating otherwise.

So, in short, what are the options for me?

Can I buy a TMC unit seperate to the receiver that isn't Garmin-only?

BTW Destinator PN supports TMC.

Any pointers appreciated.
_________________
Tom Tom GO 720
Orange M3100, Orange SPV M5000
TomTom Navigator 6, Destinator 6
Holux GPSslim

jimbo_hippo · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 444

Did manage to find this http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=124826 so I am in the process of answering my own question :-)
_________________
Tom Tom GO 720
Orange M3100, Orange SPV M5000
TomTom Navigator 6, Destinator 6
Holux GPSslim

dio · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 10, 2004 Posts: 41

You could also pick up a Navigon V4 Bluetooth and TMC receiver, seen a few knocking around on ebay in the last 6 months (mainly on sale in Germany but shipping to the UK). Not sure what compatibility is like with other software though, maybe someone else can post an idea if they have tried it with something else.

jimbo_hippo · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 444

Well it looks like the GNS or Royaltek ones are around a lot. But there is certainly more choice from European sites.

However, I would expect a whole heap of companies suddenly introducing them since Tom Tom have just announced TMC integration. Nobody seems that sure yet how this works with TT but the software will filter down to PDA for sure and then lots of folk will want TMC enabled devices of some sort. More to be announced at CBit.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=36319
_________________
Tom Tom GO 720
Orange M3100, Orange SPV M5000
TomTom Navigator 6, Destinator 6
Holux GPSslim

Darren · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:41 pm Post subject:

Don't forget you need a TMC enabled and licenced app to make use of TMC data.
_________________
Darren Griffin

jimbo_hippo · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 444

Thanks for the 'heads up' Darren but as you'll see in my sig and first part of post I use Destinator PN.
_________________
Tom Tom GO 720
Orange M3100, Orange SPV M5000
TomTom Navigator 6, Destinator 6
Holux GPSslim

Darren · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:49 pm Post subject:

Oops! Sorry about that!
_________________
Darren Griffin

jimbo_hippo · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 444

Hi Darren. Are you blonde? (snigger)

Makes a change. These forums are full of me naking gaffs. Good to know I'm not alone.

In your defence it is an important point to make. The Destinator forum is full of people asking why TMC doesn't work (buy a TMC module) and the Tom Tom forum is full of people saying TMC doesn't work with their TMC receiver ( buy a TMC licenced app ).
_________________
Tom Tom GO 720
Orange M3100, Orange SPV M5000
TomTom Navigator 6, Destinator 6
Holux GPSslim

Darren · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 4:14 pm Post subject:

Greyfox · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:16 pm Post subject:

jimbo_hippo · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 444

Well one thing I've been trying to find out is whether all these Navigon devices are locked to Navigon. Searching brings up a whole selection of hardware but 80% of it is for Navigon. Is it locked to them?
_________________
Tom Tom GO 720
Orange M3100, Orange SPV M5000
TomTom Navigator 6, Destinator 6
Holux GPSslim

huey · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 12:20 pm Post subject:

Hi, I use the Navigon supplied unit that was shipped with the version 4 software complete with TMC. I am happy to confirm that it does with Destinator 5 including picking up the TMC messages. Cannot say whether it will with others though although I expect it probably would.

dio · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 10, 2004 Posts: 41

Huey

Would you mind telling me a bit more about the performance of Destinator with the Navigon TMC unit ?

Can you tell the TMC part of the software to lock onto a particular frequency or station ? Does it work ? Does Destinator reroute if required ?

I use Navigon 4.2 and the TMC is very annoying, it tunes to Classic FM (in the UK) and even if I ask it to stick to Classic it will still go off and look for a TMC signal when Classic has a break in transmission. If it finds another station transmitting TMC (like another GWR Group member - eg Century or Wyvern) that Navigon can't decipher it still sits on that frequency.

I've been emailing Navigon support for 6 months to ask them to patch V4.2 TMC so that it acts like a normal FM radio, ie pick a Station and stick to it, regardless of whether it is transmitting TMC constantly or not. This would fix the problem in the UK as Navigon only reads messages from Classic.

If Destinator does it better then I will try that instead.

swing · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:42 am Post subject:

dio · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 10, 2004 Posts: 41

Thanks Swing, something to look forward to then ! I like the TMC I get now, when it works consistently. I've no experience of the Trafficmaster services, are they pretty much the same ? I wonder whether it will be worth justifying an upgrade, if they offer one....

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