T1 Traffic Pack - help please?

Maryann · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject: T1 Traffic Pack - help please?

Hi everyone
I'm looking for some help as I am struggling to keep up with Sat Nav technology (its my age!).
I purchased a Garmin StreetPilot 2610 a couple of years ago and its fine to use although I still struggle a bit with it. My only complaint is not having a real time Traffic pack with it and the supplier tells me there isn't one for this model - and that they are only available for the 2620 onwards.

I own a motorhome and belong to the Caravan Club who have just advised me of a special offer on the Navman N60i (£239) which has the option of a T1 Traffic Pack. I'm not sure how much extra that would cost to have added but I understand they are between £56 -£65 to buy on their own.

Now, my dilemma is this. Should I buy another Sat Nav just to get the traffic pack and try to sell my Garmin unit - it cost me nearly £600 new, and do you have any opinion about the N60i with the traffic pack.

Any advice would be most welcome, but please be patient as I am really not up at all on how all these gadgets work. I can just about manage a basic sat nav and thats all I need really as long as I can get real time traffic updates to avoid getting stuck in jams.

Many thanks

Maryann

mostdom · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Maryann, Welcome to the forum.

I'm not going to blind you with science, but your honesty about your technical knowlege may prove to be your downfall.

HERE is some reading material for you on the subject.

My honest opinion to you is even though I would give a gps system to somone with little technical knowlage, there are just too many issues with the Traffic Messaging system (TMC) for a person of the same ilk.

If you were to buy the T1 or one of the other manufacturers systems you may find it'll work staight out of the box, it'll be intermittant in its reports, or it won't work at all!

The problem is with the ariel reception. Hence the reason why many other users have replaced the supplied ariel with alternative home made contraptions.

However if you are prepared to learn a little, by reading some of the similar posts on this forum you will find it possable to improve the T1's ability and therefore be a worthwhile purchase.

Consider waiting a little longer as gps and TMC are getting better and more user friendly all the time.
_________________
Dom

HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot

Maryann · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks Dom, they say honesty is the best policy dont they Laughing

I am more confused by techie worded responses than I am by the actual systems which I find I can get to grips with after help from my family/friends.
Daughter is trained in IT and helps me out quite a bit. However, I am not able to make up aerials and other connections etc if that is required, my DIY skills stretch only to putting on plugs and changing fuses Embarassed

I am in process of creating my own basic website to display details of my motorhome which I am selling and despite being told by lots of people how hard it would be I am almost finished and quite pleased with result so maybe I'm not as bad as I think I am.

I was hoping the Navman N60i with the Traffic Pack might be a good reasonable priced option but if it needs a lot of tweeking then I will pass on it.

Thanks for taking time to respond and for the welcome.

Maryann.

mikealder · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject:

Some TMC receivers are equipped with external aerial connection points, suitable aerials and necessary addapters can be bought from Maplins.

As has been said TMC is in its early days, the UK is plagued by areas of poor/ no reception - the only reliable solution is a good amplified external aerial, the key to such a system is the connection for the aerial.

Check if the TMC has the connector, then you will be OK, just remember no external connector leave it alone until the manufacturers overcome the signal strength issues - Mike

DennisN · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:40 pm Post subject:

Being a whitevanman with high annual mileage and not liking traffic jams, I got really excited about Traffic TMC stuff last year when it first came to my attention. Fortunately (and unusually for me) I didn't dash off and buy it. Because all the articles I've read ever since have virtually all condemned it - certainly not up to the trustworthy standard I'd like.

So I stick with Medium Wave 909 and/or 693 for Radio Five - I did have a test of Tom Tom Traffic (done via my bluetoooth phone to my Satnav - to set it up all I had to do was say yes to the questions, easy peasy), but I found it was no more up to date than Radio Five, so I dropped it.

I think I'm about your ability level, minus the website design - I envy you.
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

Maryann · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Dennis
Look if I can create a website - anyone can Laughing

I am lucky to have a great bunch of friends on Motorhomefacts.com who have bullied/guided/advised/ and generally held my hand all the way through from looking for a suitable motorhome to buy 2 years ago up to today to setting up a website. They told me to look at Moonfruit.com which is a free webdesign package and I have really enjoyed the experience - honestly! Downloading photos, piece of cake now Rolling Eyes

They also helped with all sorts of techie/mechanical stuff along the way. I now know a chassis from an axle and a hightop from a coachbuild and don't get me started on monocoque's or I will bore you to tears. Sat Navs, Laptops, Ipods, Leisure batteries, Status aerials, Sat Dishes, Silver screens, tyre pressures, winterisation... all these things and much much more I have been educated in and all for membership with these great group of people.

So get started and have some fun, if you get stuck I will try and help, just let me know, and thanks for your response about Traffic Master as well, much appreciated.

MA.

Maryann · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject:

Hey.... why is my date and time saying Saturday 17 March??????????? 8O

DennisN · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:49 pm Post subject:

mostdom · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:01 pm Post subject:

Hey dennis,

Yesterday you learned how to post pictures on the forum.
Today you could learn how to make a website.
Just think what you could learn tomorrow.

You old tricky dog you! Wink

_________________
Dom

HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot

DennisN · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:28 pm Post subject:

Maryann · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:59 pm Post subject:

:I'm Back: Jumping With Joy

and yes I am very very nice to animals, except local cats who poo in my garden Evil or Very Mad

but think you may have my age group wrong Embarassed

sadly it's more like me that needs help getting across roads (Sigh).

So now you know where I live, I have to let you know we may be moving...nothing personal Dennis, we just want to move somewhere quiet where neighbours kids and cats are not making our lives a misery.

Sad old life sometimes isn't it? Still could be worse, I could be next doors cat and about to lose several of my lives :D

MA.

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