Home PageFacebookRSS News Feed
PocketGPS
Web
SatNav,GPS,Navigation
Pocket GPS World - SatNavs | GPS | Speed Cameras: Forums

Pocket GPS World :: View topic - Garmin C510 and Traffic master??
 Forum FAQForum FAQ   SearchSearch   UsergroupsUsergroups   ProfileProfile   Log in for private messagesLog in for private messages   Log inLog in 

Garmin C510 and Traffic master??
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> Garmin Portable Navigation Devices
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
jlo
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Mar 18, 2006
Posts: 44

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:29 pm    Post subject: Garmin C510 and Traffic master?? Reply with quote

Hi,

Bought my Dad a C510 for Christmas to which he is really pleased. He has registered it but told me today that as well as the TMC which come free life time subscription he has also paid for a subcription for Traffic master alerts as well? I thought the 2 were combined!! I just want to make sure he has not paid for somthing that he does not need or is included.

Thanks

Jlo
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jlo
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Mar 18, 2006
Posts: 44

PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just an update. Yes the Traffic master and TMC is all the same thing and units in UK have this included. My Dad rung the freephone customer line and they were happy to refund his subicription as he bought something he already had.

Best wishes

Jlo
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RoyalGiz1871a
Lifetime Member


Joined: Nov 07, 2006
Posts: 20

PostPosted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Has your dad tried the TMC on his 510 yet and does it work?

I too got one for Christmas and am extremely disappointed as I can't pick up any traffic information/signal at all (M25, M4, M40, A40). This despite the fact that my old TrafficMaster Freeway unit is sitting on the same dashboard in the same car and easily picking up the signal, despite not having any external antenna.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jlo
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Mar 18, 2006
Posts: 44

PostPosted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Funny enough we visited him today and had a demo of the unit.

Very nice but I did not see the TMC working. It was greyed out and the light on the lead was green and yellow which I think means it was searching.

Dad has had it work once when he was parked and was playing with the unit. The TMC icon lit up and when he clicked on it he saw all the alerts in the UK so he has witnessed it working once.

I will be interested to see how well this feature works. Reading on the foum I understand the tmc broadcasts are weak and it does not always pick up?

Cheers

Jlo
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RoyalGiz1871a
Lifetime Member


Joined: Nov 07, 2006
Posts: 20

PostPosted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would suggest that your dad gives the traffic receiving part a good test as soon as possible. It is not a cheap optional extra so your dad is entitled to expect one that works properly! The very least you should expect is a very good continuous signal whenever you are on a major A route or motorway.

As you say, there are lots of reports, here and in other places on the internet, about the unreliability of the GTM21 and/or its ability to receive any sort of decent traffic information signal.

I have just spoken to Garmin technical support who have asked me to the return my GTM21 to them as I can't receive a signal at all on any of the motorways I have used it on.

To save you looking it up, Garmin technical support number is: 0808 238 0000.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
philpugh
Lifetime Member


Joined: Dec 28, 2005
Posts: 2003
Location: Antrobus, Cheshire

PostPosted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RoyalGiz1871a wrote:

I too got one for Christmas and am extremely disappointed as I can't pick up any traffic information/signal at all (M25, M4, M40, A40). This despite the fact that my old TrafficMaster Freeway unit is sitting on the same dashboard in the same car and easily picking up the signal, despite not having any external antenna.

Different systems. The Freeway uses technology similar to SMS, which is sent from the sensors at the side of the road - this was always the one down side of the Freeway (I have one but no longer use it) which only works on roads that are covered by the network - but when it works it's very good. The TMC uses the same basic information but is transmitted (at low power levels) on commercial FM stations using the RDS technology. You need to ensure a good signal reception by connecting to an external aerial if at all posible. Otherwise try different positions for the aerial wire.
_________________
Phil
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jlo
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Mar 18, 2006
Posts: 44

PostPosted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RoyalGiz1871a wrote:
I would suggest that your dad gives the traffic receiving part a good test as soon as possible. It is not a cheap optional extra so your dad is entitled to expect one that works properly! The very least you should expect is a very good continuous signal whenever you are on a major A route or motorway.

As you say, there are lots of reports, here and in other places on the internet, about the unreliability of the GTM21 and/or its ability to receive any sort of decent traffic information signal.

I have just spoken to Garmin technical support who have asked me to the return my GTM21 to them as I can't receive a signal at all on any of the motorways I have used it on.

To save you looking it up, Garmin technical support number is: 0808 238 0000.


Just to update My Dad has seen quite a few traffic reports and alert on his unit so the TMC seems to be working OK.

Cheers

Jlo
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RoyalGiz1871a
Lifetime Member


Joined: Nov 07, 2006
Posts: 20

PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jlo wrote:
RoyalGiz1871a wrote:
I would suggest that your dad gives the traffic receiving part a good test as soon as possible. It is not a cheap optional extra so your dad is entitled to expect one that works properly! The very least you should expect is a very good continuous signal whenever you are on a major A route or motorway.

As you say, there are lots of reports, here and in other places on the internet, about the unreliability of the GTM21 and/or its ability to receive any sort of decent traffic information signal.

I have just spoken to Garmin technical support who have asked me to the return my GTM21 to them as I can't receive a signal at all on any of the motorways I have used it on.

To save you looking it up, Garmin technical support number is: 0808 238 0000.


Just to update My Dad has seen quite a few traffic reports and alert on his unit so the TMC seems to be working OK.

Cheers

Jlo


Pleased to here it.What car and where/how has he positioned the aerial?

I can only get a signal if I poke the useless aerial supplied by Garmin through the window and stick it to the roof! TMC signal is definitely there but in many cases the badly designed receiver/aerial supplied by Garmin seems incapable of receiving it where you want it i.e. in a car!!

Why don't they just come clean - admit they've messed up and then design/supply a decent aeriel/amplifier/external aerial with connection or some other fix to all those poor folks who have shelled out for their product, only to find it doesn't work?!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jlo
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Mar 18, 2006
Posts: 44

PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well my parents are still on holiday in Torqay but he drives a Volvo S60. Think he has the ariel just along the bottom of the screen but not sure.

Cheers

Jlo
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RoyalGiz1871a
Lifetime Member


Joined: Nov 07, 2006
Posts: 20

PostPosted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jlo wrote:
Well my parents are still on holiday in Torqay but he drives a Volvo S60. Think he has the ariel just along the bottom of the screen but not sure.

Cheers

Jlo


So signal received out in the comparative sticks but extremely unreliable (in my experience) on some of Europe' busiest motorways!

Will test mine on my wife's Octavia tomorrow but it certainly doesn't like my Zafira GSi! (I've tried aerial along bottom of windscreen but still no good, although did momentarily get some info when hung out of the window and stuck on the roof!)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jlo
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Mar 18, 2006
Posts: 44

PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would suggest ringing Garmin Support. I have just bough a ViaMichelin satnav and I live in Worcester. TMC was working most of the time I was on the Motorway to Coventry and back. did go red a couple of times.

May be Garmin can offer an updated ariel. Also may be worth running the Garmin Updater on the web as it updated my Dads Garmin software and TMC firmware.

Best wishes

jlo
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RoyalGiz1871a
Lifetime Member


Joined: Nov 07, 2006
Posts: 20

PostPosted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the suggestions but I have done both. Garmin Technical Support have confirmed I have latest sofware and firmware installed. They also sent me a replacement unit, which is marginally better (in that it very occasionally receives some traffic info if the aerial is outside). However, they do not appear to have or even be working on (which they and the other manufacturers whose units experience these problems damn well should be) an upgraded aerial.

As far as I'm concerned, the old, tried, tested and extremely reliable technology of the TrafficMaster Freeway is far better (I only really need traffic info on motorways and major roads anyway).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
swing
Pocket GPS Verifier
Pocket GPS Verifier


Joined: Nov 04, 2003
Posts: 2225
Location: Bedfordshire, UK

PostPosted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jlo wrote:
Yes the Traffic master and TMC is all the same thing and units in UK have this included.
Just a small minor point - there are two TMC providers in the UK, Trafficmaster and iTIS Holdings. TomTom uses iTIS, not Trafficmaster (who are used by Garmin).
_________________
Please don't be offended if I do not reply to a PM - please ask questions via the forums.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
swing
Pocket GPS Verifier
Pocket GPS Verifier


Joined: Nov 04, 2003
Posts: 2225
Location: Bedfordshire, UK

PostPosted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

RoyalGiz1871a wrote:
Will test mine on my wife's Octavia tomorrow but it certainly doesn't like my Zafira GSi!
It should have worked better in the Octavia - I think the Zafira has an athermic windscreen, which will unfortunately block more of the FM signal, causing reception problems.
_________________
Please don't be offended if I do not reply to a PM - please ask questions via the forums.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
RoyalGiz1871a
Lifetime Member


Joined: Nov 07, 2006
Posts: 20

PostPosted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

swing wrote:
RoyalGiz1871a wrote:
Will test mine on my wife's Octavia tomorrow but it certainly doesn't like my Zafira GSi!
It should have worked better in the Octavia - I think the Zafira has an athermic windscreen, which will unfortunately block more of the FM signal, causing reception problems.


Your prediction was right. It did work a bit better in the Octavia.

Funny thing is, Garmin Technical Support asked what car I was using it in and said nothing when I told them it was a Zafira.

My understanding is that athermic windscreens also adversely affect GPS signals. However, I have never had any problem getting a good GPS signal, initially with my old Gizmondo (running CoPilot) and now with the Garmin C510. That would suggest that there is still a fundamental issue with the GTM21 module/aerial and also possibly the strength of TrafficMaster TMC signals, although Garmin's own website suggests full signal coverage in the areas of the country where I have been using it.

If there is a problem with athermic windscreens then, given that at least 27 models of cars including top sellers like the Mondeo, Galaxy and Zafira have this type of windscreen, Garmin and the other sellers of TMC equipment really ought to be coming up with a solution.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message







Posted: Today    Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising

Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> Garmin Portable Navigation Devices All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Make a Donation



CamerAlert Database

Click here for the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database

Download Speed Camera Database
22.034 (27 Mar 24)



WORLDWIDE SPEED CAMERA SPOTTERS WANTED!

Click here to submit camera positions to the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database


12mth Subscriber memberships awarded every week for verified new camera reports!

Submit Speed Camera Locations Now


CamerAlert Apps



iOS QR Code






Android QR Code







© Terms & Privacy


GPS Shopping