new Sat-Nav - Best TMC reception yet

Shinymera · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 30, 2006 Posts: 82

Well I'm on my forth make of Sat-Nav and have found the best TMC Reception so far in and around central Scotland (furthest north being Perthshire).

My first Sat-Nav was a TT One v2 so doesn't count.

My second Sat-Nav was a Via-Mitchelin 970T. As has been describe in another thread. This unit used ITIS as a provider and came with a small plastic (lolly pop stick) type antenna. This gave fairly good reception, was a neater than the more common wire antenna. The problem was the info was poor and the unit itself was not the greatest Sat-Nav although they have just released new V7 software and so it might be better now.

My Third make was Garmin. I had a nuvi 610T this came with the GTM21 receiver. Now my GTM was for france and so this may be unfair, but this wire antenna was the worst by far. I could get a signal at my house, but after going north for a mile the signal dropped and never came back. Others with the GTM21 intended for the UK report similar.
The Garmin in all other respects was a fantastic Sat-Nav.

Now my forth Sat-Nav is a Magellan Maestro 4050 + Traffic. This is the best so far at reception. It uses TrafficMaster just like the Garmin and the info I get is very good. From my house to my work it only drops the signal occasionally and always where expected for instance drive through a wooded area or in a deep valley.
When it does drop, it is quick to pick it up again. The antenna is also the neatest solution as it is built into the cradle, with nothing else to attach. It has the appearance of a older Motorola mobile phone or modern walkie talkie antenna. When yo add this to the fact the the Sat-Nav is very good also Magellan have put together a very nice package.

With regards to the Sat-Nav choice of routes I'd order them one to four, with one being the best;

1. Garmin nuvi
2. Magellan Maestro
3. TomTom One v2
4. ViaMichelin

With regards to routing, not much to separate Garmin and Magellan. Like wise TomTom and ViaMichelin were on a par. However the difference between the top two and botton two was quite significant.

GJF · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 894

Interesting.....

We could do with some more details such as this from multiple Sat Nav users.

With my Garmin Nuvi TMC aerial i have considered so many different options to improve it, i'm now totally confused.

I have even booked my car into a Sat Nav specialist, to have my aerial adapted so as to be powered, but then reading a post here from someone who had tried it and it didn't work, subsequently cancelled my appointment.

I can't use a splitter as my radio aerial is in the rear screen.

The latest "thought" is to purchase the ViaMitchelin aerial and see as to how it would react connected to the Nuvi, although i still need guidance as to whether this has any chance of making a difference.

One thing is for sure string aerials are total rubbish, it needs to be a dedicated (possibly powered) aerial.

If the Magellan Maestro 4050 + Traffic uses TrafficMaster as does Garmin than surely everything lies with the aerial.

The question is - Which one works best and why, also is it possible to use different make aerials and Sat Nav together?
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TomTom Go 60
Garmin Nüvi 660, Firmware v4.90
Drive-Smart GPS with Loader v1.4.16
HTC Advantage X7500 MS 6.1 Tchart Speed Sentry
Satmap Active 10, Software v1.16
Fuzion 32 HUD Bluetooth GPS receiver

swing · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject:

portman · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject:

My recommendation is still the GTM 10, here for £69. Unfortunately not compatible with the NUVI 660!!

http://www.cel-direct.com/p/Kenwood-KENWOOD-GTM10/Kenwood-KENWOOD-GTM10.asp

The signal you get all depends on what car you have, I'm convinced of it.
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Samsung Mega
Tomtom 500

GJF · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 894

philpugh · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject:

en1gma · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 10, 2004 Posts: 7

I briefly tried a Magellan 4050 and agree the TMC was good - I had a lock all theway from Peterborough to London on the A1, with only the occasional loss of signal. Also totally agree about it being the neatest solution as there are no wires to play around with (esp. if you regualrly use more than one car, like I do).

I sent it back because i did not get on with the rest of it (purely personal taste, it just didn't do it for me). Sad

I've now got a Navman s90i - great piece of kit, but back to the TMC wire Rolling Eyes

Only just go it, so no views on if the TMC on it is any good, as yet...

Berisford · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 13, 2004 Posts: 97

Shinymera · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 30, 2006 Posts: 82

en1gma · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 10, 2004 Posts: 7

swing · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject:

philpugh · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:18 pm Post subject:

merlot158 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 05, 2007 Posts: 6

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