Garmin nuvi 310D GTM12 TMC problems

lola · Lifetime Member Joined: Aug 31, 2006 Posts: 146

Phoned Garmin 2day - spoke to "Ed" - acknowledged problem with GTM 12 and that it was referred to Garmin US. Suggested I wait a few weeks before purchasing 310D. Out of stock of the suppression kit. Suggested I buy the GTM10 (not very portable!).

Phoned Garmin again - didnt get name - second bloke said problem was with heated windscreen and had been fixed for a few weeks. Denied ongoing problems with GTM 12.

Decided not to buy 310D. TT is too big, RA has a poor map and too slow to operate.

parbrook · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 08, 2006 Posts: 42

I'm finding it hard to believe that the "problem" is noise/interference and fixed by a supressor.

In the car, using the auxiliary position on the ignition (no engine or ignition components running), the GTM12 does not function (no traffic signal detected).

This evening, I have tried three different chargers.
Previously, it has worked with one of these chargers, so the problem is not consistent.

If I initially power the nuvi with GTM12 from my PC, everything works, with TMC messages appearing in a few seconds.

Transferring the nuvi & GTM12 to the car before it has time to switch-off, then connecting it to any of the three chargers, and it continues to receive traffic messages.

The problem seems to be that the GTM12 does not start when powered in the car (most of the time), but once it has started (using the PC) it then continues to operate correctly from any of the three car chargers.

I don't beleive that this is behaviour can be explained by a noise or interference problem as claimed by Garmin.

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

Given that Garmin don't appear to have any real idea, or certainly haven't announced, what the problem or solution is with the GTM12 neither it nor the 310D can really be recommended as a viable purchase at present. I would advise anyone currently considering buying one to wait until the issue is finally and totally sorted.

Also, if I hadn't already done so I'd be seeking a refund as it's clearly apparent that the TMC receiver is not 'fit for purpose' and would have effectively paid for something that doesn't work.
Then if I could afford to be without a GPS for a few months I'd be waiting to see what price the new Nuvi 600 widescreen series sells for and more importantly seeing how it performs as from initial reports it looks as if it will have a TMC receiver built in.

partnervanman · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 21, 2006 Posts: 14

Why would mine have worked consistantly for 5 weeks then all of a sudden stop, have others had this?

I drove to stockton on tees today from sheffield, as i got onto the A19 i got a signal and had it all the time as i turned engine off, on left off for 5 hrs then got back in van and still had signal until i drove back off the A19.

I have fitted a Ferite on the charger and on the antenna and i thought it had fixed it.

When i went back to Halfords with it they phoned Garmin who said that the newer models and chargers were more reliable and i was told to return next week for a swap.

I think i will be returning it tomorrow for a full refund.

lola · Lifetime Member Joined: Aug 31, 2006 Posts: 146

Interesting - Halfords said they had no problems with the 310D and GTM12 though if I bought it and it didnt work I could get a full refund.

Like Ed @ Garmin advised - wait for Garmin to fix it until considering buying.

swing · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject:

swing · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:30 pm Post subject:

swing · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: Nuvi 310D and TMC

lola · Lifetime Member Joined: Aug 31, 2006 Posts: 146

The 310D from Cotswold BMW comes with the GTM 21 receiver (21 not 12)!

Do BMW get something special or is the Halfords version (GTM 12) better?

hawk74 · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 6:50 pm Post subject:

I have been up to Noth Yorkshire this weekend.

Got TMC from just north of Harrogate (Ral FM 106.4 FM) all through the weekend. Then lost it again just north of Harrogate. I think it was trying to lock onto to Galaxy. There seemed to be enough signal (similar to Real FM) but didn't lock.

May be the interference is an issue dependant on the frequency it is trying to lock onto.

(NB I don't have any ferrites on my unit at present)

banjo12 · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:50 pm Post subject:

Has this device ever worked as it should and actually routed someone around a traffic problem ?

ColinG · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 8:35 pm Post subject: nUVI 360/gtm12

Hi Banjo12,

Yes it routed me off M1 North around a serious pile up between J27 & J28. It took me off at J26 and sent me along roads I'd not thought of using and put me back on at J28.
I used my phone to also check how long delay was likely to be and it said "20 minutes" so initially I was in two minds to stay on M1, but as I'd got some spare time and was eager to see if GTM12 worked I went for it. I pressed the "Avoid" button and it started the rerouting process.
I was travelling to Leeds where I work and having rejoined the M1 which took about 20 mins to divert round, I thought I hadn't saved any time at all, but regular radio traffic updates up to Leeds advised that all three Northbound lanes on the M1 were closed for over 2 hours whilst debris etc was cleared away.
So yes it does work.

I will advise though that I enter a black spot for picking up signals regularly between M1 J28/J29 and J38. I can even predict within a few feet now that signal starts and stops within the confines of the Tibshelf Service Station access Roads situate between J28/J29
_________________
TomTom 740 Go Live

banjo12 · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 8:49 pm Post subject:

Thank you for that ColinG, anyone else had a positive outcome with the traffic system ?

partnervanman · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 21, 2006 Posts: 14

Mine worked consistantly for around 6 weeks. Iv travelled between Plymouth, Kent and Inverness and it has re-routed me on several occasion and on at least two very severe ones. then all of a sudden stopped working.

I returned mine to Halfords today for a full refund but i have to say i am dissapointed because when it did work it was extremely useful and if Garmin sort it then i will definatley buy another one.

In the meantime im going to sit on my money till they do sort it or until some other unit features it, apart from the sony Confused

!

partnervanman · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 21, 2006 Posts: 14

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