TomTom RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver Available In Europe

Allen_EP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 08, 2006 Posts: 41

I think RDS has a point at the end of the day TT have not released it in the UK perhaps because they know there is a problem using it over here. I also find it strange there is only one company bothering to import these units with the demand for this unit is it not strange that no one else has import them ?

Eldar · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:36 pm Post subject:

Allen_EP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 08, 2006 Posts: 41

Yet their own site still does not have it as available in the UK !

Eldar · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:52 pm Post subject:

Allen_EP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 08, 2006 Posts: 41

Does that mean it is available or will be?

RDS · Regular Visitor Joined: Jul 09, 2006 Posts: 242

Firstly, TomTom have not yet officially released the TMC receiver for sale in the UK. It has not been announced through press release, website or any other medium. Nor is it available for general sale anywhere in this country ie Amazon, Halfords, Currys, Argos or any other retailer. The only online retailers who do have it for sale appear to be selling receivers imported from the continent.

Secondly, it is wrong to say an FM receiver either works or it doesn't as there are so many variables which can differ from country ie signal strength, frequencies used, number of transmitters and stations, etc, etc.
Obviously the UK does have FM radio, however is the way TMC information is broadcast here exactly the same as on the continent ie same strength, same number of radio stations etc ?
Garmin have found that the signal strength for the system they use to be much stronger on the contintent than it is over here.Consequently their TMC receivers work fine in Europe but are distinctly iffy in the UK.

Finally, you cannot expect to buy something that is not released by the manufacturer for sale in a particular country and just automatically expect it to work.
Ask yourself a simple question 'Why have TomTom not yet released their TMC receiver in the UK?'
Given that there are probably thousands of TTx10 UK users who are only too desperate to spend their hard earned cash.It can't be for a lack of demand. Nor as it appears to be readily available in Europe can it be for lack of receivers. So could it just be that they're aware of specific UK issues which need to be addressed before it will function as it should and before it can be officially released for sale in the UK?

Eldar · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:34 pm Post subject:

Allen_EP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 08, 2006 Posts: 41

If they can be ordered officially here in the UK and I am not saying you are wrong then why do Argos, Woolworth's etc show them as available soon. Surly they would have them in stock?

Eldar · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:56 pm Post subject:

Allen_EP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 08, 2006 Posts: 41

b) these guys must buying in thousands
And Argos and the like will only buy tens!

RDS · Regular Visitor Joined: Jul 09, 2006 Posts: 242

There may not be different standards for FM broadcast in the UK but the way FM stations broadcast, power, strength, etc can be different than in Europe. A device doesn't have to comply with a standard and it may be that a UK specific receiver will have to be more sensitive than one for sale on the continent because of the differing signal strengths. As said previously Garmins GTM 12 receiver apparently works fine on the continent yet struggles over here.

Given how competitive the GPS market is in the UK and the fact that several other manufacturers already have TMC receivers available I would assume that there would be plenty of marketing hype when TT eventually release theirs.

Finally, as you are evidently a retailer of TT TMC receivers and may have more 'inside knowledge' have you been assured by Tom Tom that the TMC receiver you are buying from them is designed for use in the UK and is identical in specification to the receiver that they intend releasing for the UK ?

LesP2008 · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:29 pm Post subject:

Maybe that is just the point.
If TomTom supplied to Argos Etc tens of thousands of these units and there is an issue with them - allegedly!!, then imagine the nightmare and expense of recall after recall.
By trickle feeding them to smaller outlets they can moniter and adjust their strategy in a much more controlled manner - but are TomTom that professional?. Laughing

Allen_EP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 08, 2006 Posts: 41

You could be right after all Argos have a 16 day money back policy and judging by what has been said about the TMC they would be having a large volume of returns. If this was to happen then they would probably withdraw the item as they have done in the past with items that have been faulty.

Allen_EP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 08, 2006 Posts: 41

but are TomTom that professional?.

Now thats a hard one to answer Laughing Out Loud

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