Poor T1 Reception

Brian_Jones_499 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 11, 2006 Posts: 15

I have had a T1 for nearly 3 weeks and I am on the verge of returning it. On various journeys along the M42 and M5 down to Bristol, I only get TMS downloads about 10 miles north of Bristol. Since the weekend, when I do get TMS reception I have only downloaded one event. Today I went from Swindon west along the M4 to Bristol. Again I only received TMS reception around the Bristol area. This is wholly unacceptable as I spent 2 hours 'parked' on the M4 this morning waiting for an accident to be cleared away. My journeys have been in different cars, none of which have had heated windscreen.

Are other T1 users getting such poor coverage? I would be grateful for any views whether my T1 is unique with its poor performance.

Thanks

Brian

TerryWalsh · Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:48 am Post subject:

Hi Brian

This is a very common (universal?) problem. See the thread in this section regarding Navman 530 TMC aerial for a possible fix.

Terry Walsh

kcw · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 13, 2006 Posts: 9

Hi Brian,

I dont know if this helps or not but are you getting confused between a heated windscreen ( gets rid of ice ) and an athermic - I think thats the right name - windscreen. They are not the same.
Ther have been a few threads that discuss ways of getting a signal on the T1. I dont have one myself but just thought i would point this out.
Hope you get it sorted.

mikealder · Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject:

Brian, there are a number of threads with information on the Navman TMC reception, most users (that have tried) noticed a decent performance increase when coupled to an external aerial, I have posted a few short cuts below, have a read and see what you think, the standard aerial as supplied will work when in optimum conditions and proximity to a transmitter, the only way to counter low signal strength is via an external feed to the device.
1/ HERE Most cost effective, if you cut the Navman aerial off though you could have a waranty issue!
2/ HERE which is probably the cheapest solution that we know to work.
3/ HERE which is probably the most costly option, but does give a significant reception improvement, the downside means drill holes in the car! and it isn't cheap! - Mike

Brian_Jones_499 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 11, 2006 Posts: 15

Dear Mike

Thank you for your very useful summary. I managed to get through to Navman technical support this morning and have returned my T1 to Navman to be checked. I cannot believe that the aerial can be classed as working when I only get 'TMC Receiving' for a 5 - 10 mile radius around Bristol from as far a field as Swindon and Birmingham.

I mentioned this excellent forum to Navman and suggested many more people would be interested in buying a T1 unit if reception was improved though the provision of a decent active aerial. Sadly I did not detect any interest in my suggestion from Navman. A real shame because I am delighted with my iCN530.

Regards

Brian

mostdom · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 11:47 am Post subject:

Brian I am very interested in navmans responce. Can you let us know what navman finds, and if your T1 is improved after they check it.

I think a few people may send theirs to navman if there is a chance of an improvment.
_________________
Dom

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

Brian_Jones_499 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 11, 2006 Posts: 15

Hi Dom

I am not holding my breath. If it comes back as it was I am very tempted to return the T1 as being unfit for purpose because it simply does not work on 80% of the routes I use and in 5 different cars.

I cannot believe NAVMAN do not improve the antenna or at least offer a powered active aerial as an optional extra.

Regards

Brian

anesbitt · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 07, 2006 Posts: 29

Brian_Jones_499 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 11, 2006 Posts: 15

Hi Alan,

I am normally an optimist, but I guess Navman is going to test me! Even if they were not seriously interested in customer satisfaction, they should consider the financial aspects of offering an active internal aerial as an option - they would sell like hot cakes (provided it worked). Certainly from what I read in this forum and others, Navman cannot not win many T1 TMC customers by word of mouth.

The T1 reminds me of having a new TV which only receives programmes for 10% of the time unless you get a 100ft mounted aerial. Navman should make it clear that an additional aerial is required to get the best reception.

Regards

Brian

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