RDS-TMC - to buy or not to buy

richard345 · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject:

I recently bought the previous 014 version from eBay and in the couple of days i have had it I have found that it picks up a signal in less than 30 seconds, even with the cable hanging loose down the dashboard to the footwell area.

I have not seen any traffic hold ups displayed, however where I am and at the time of day I tried it, there were none showing on HD Traffic or the Highways Agency web site, nor were any given out on the iTIS application I have on my phone.

All in all, at the moment, I am quite happy but will reserve judgement until I have driven a longer distance, hopefully at the weekend.
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Ric - TomTom 520 DEAD - Passed to the great traffic jam in the sky. Now using Maps & Waze on Samsung Galaxy S4 + CamerAlert of course!

JimmyTheHand · Frequent Visitor Joined: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 386

zYx

martin_b · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 36

Mine arrived from Amazon today..

As usual it cant get a signal at home (I live in the sticks), At least i hope thats the only problem, it just "disconnects" after about 30sec.

Will test tomorrow on the M25 and M4

Andy_P · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 7:22 pm Post subject:

mikealder · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 8:35 pm Post subject:

Indeed the RDS-TMC device picks up signals from Classic FM and quite a number of additional local radio stations such as Real FM (in the North West this was formally known as Century FM the frequency has remained the same 105,4 but the station has a new name) - in Liverpool you will get good reception from the Winter Hill based transmitter.

For other UK locations I would need to know the basic location town/ city to comment on the actual local frequency, but if anyone wants the POI file which gives you frequency information relative to your current location let me know (use the e-mail button below this post) and I will send a copy over - Mike

MrT · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

My 530 running 8.35 took around an hour to get a TMC signal yesterday, upstairs in the bedroom where I get the strongest signals. Once it found a signal, it kept updating all evening.
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Drivelux

Gee-Pee · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 12:03 pm Post subject:

navver · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 10:35 pm Post subject:

Anyone using it with an athermic windscreen. Does it work OK.

I have a 406 with one but it has a clear spot about 4inch x 2inch each side of the mirror. I've wanted one for ages but put it off because of the windscreen.

mikealder · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 8:03 am Post subject:

If you have Athermic glass then don't expect the RDS device to work in the car at all, the coating on the windscreen kills the FM signal. You could connect the RDS device to the cars FM aerial which will work and is a better solution to reception issues with or without Athermic glass - I wrote up a guide with a pictures covering how to connect the device to the car in This Thread - Mike

jonial · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 9:14 am Post subject:

I bought a mini usb TomTom receiver from Amazon and am well pleased so far.

It installed easily with my Go720 and the Icon indicating a signal turned solid green after some ten minutes.

My car is a Seat Altea and does not have an Athermic Glass windscreen.

Hope this helps

To mikealder - I did e-mail you re the POI for the frequencies but not had any response yet.
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gareth71 · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 07, 2004 Posts: 146

Don't know whether it's of interest to anyone, but according to http://www.hotukdeals.com/ PC World are doing the older (non-USB) version of the receiver for £9.97 at the moment (if you can find a store with stock!).

I'm led to believe these old ones aren't as good as the USB versions, but for a tenner it might be worth a punt,perhaps?

mikealder · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject:

mikealder · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject:

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