Alternatives to RDS-TMC traffic receiver? (or DIY??!!)

bee13 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 03, 2008 Posts: 12

Hi everyone, I'm a total newby to sat navs. I've tried searching for the answer but haven't found it so, if it exists, please point me to the correct link. Thanks.

I would like to use my TomTom 730T to check the traffic before I set out on a journey but the RDS-TMC traffic receiver is now set up in the car with the cable partially concealed so its a hell of a bother to take it out and reinstall it later. It doesn't seem sensible to spend such a large amount of post tax income just for that so ........... is there anything else that can be used as a traffic module or is it possible to make a diy version just for office / home use? Is there a lot of electronics inside the oval thing with the sucker attached or is it just a plug and cable and a couple of resistors?

Thanks

Brian

PaulB2005 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject:

Hi and welcome.

I'm sure I've seen in another thread that there is a circuit board inside the "egg", so it might be a case of shelling out for a second TMC cable.

Edit: i believe this is it

bee13 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 03, 2008 Posts: 12

Shame it isn't like the Navman S90i which I tried for a week - that seems to be just an aerial cable. Even a pair of headphones seems to work as an aerial. I gave it back as I couldn't get it to do itineries and a few other things I wanted but the Traffic aerial was much simpler.

If I knew the circuit, I would try building it but I suppose it might need programming which I couldn't do.

Brian

mikealder · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject:

The PCB contains the RF stage and something to decode the digital data before converting it to what looks like RS232 data, but without the exact protocols employed there is very little that can be done - A DIY build is simply not viable.
The best option if you are suffering from poor reception in the vehicle is to connect the aerial wire to the cars aerial, this has been covered quite a few times in the forum.
Increasing the signal strength this way reduces signal acquisition time but still doesn't ensure the data is upto date, where are you located in the country as this can have a signifficant bearing on reception issues? - Mike

GNR · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 11, 2007 Posts: 42

I am fairly new to the TomTom 930T, I tried the TMC traffic and it was Pathetic with a capital P!! is this still the case or is the service improved now. If so I will get my cables out of mothballs (The Bin) and try again.

Waiting very much for the HQ expected September onwards I believe.

Cheers

Steve

mikealder · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject:

Steve, If you have updated the 930 to run with the latest Navcor 8 software (8,010) then it will work much better than when you first got it, there are still issues with reception depending upon where you are in the country - Mike

GNR · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 11, 2007 Posts: 42

Thanks for the info Mike, will check my version and give it a whirl

Cheers

Steve

gardenshed · Frequent Visitor Joined: Jul 05, 2007 Posts: 466

BEE

look at traffic England which gives detailed information on all major routes, in quite some detail. I have posted this before so use the search button for traffic england or google it, real easy to use and saves un-installing every time you want to check a route Wink

bee13 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 03, 2008 Posts: 12

Gardenshed, yes, I came accross the traffic England site a few days ago and that certainly helps. Not as convenient but a good workaround.

But why on earth didn't TT implement the traffic facility in the way that Navman have - just plug any old lead into the unit which then acts as an aerial. Oh, silly me, yes of course, it's money isn't it? That way they can sell the traffic module separately and rake in more cash.

As far as the TMC info is concerned, it seems OK to me as long as you remember that there is an inevitable time delay between a queue forming or dispersing and the info being displayed on the screen. My main gripe is that the text on the traffic bar is so small - I'm blowed if I can read it (safely) whilst driving and it defeats the object if you have to keep leaving the motorway junctions to stop read about hold-ups! TT should have done better with the text.

Brian

mikealder · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject:

Use the ''Read out traffic on route'' and the device will tell you what delays and where they are, to get to these menu options tap the traffic bar on the right side of the screen when the receiver is connected to the device - Mike

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