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

Pocket GPS World :: View topic - 720t Problems again
 Forum FAQForum FAQ   SearchSearch   UsergroupsUsergroups   ProfileProfile   Log in for private messagesLog in for private messages   Log inLog in 

720t Problems again
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> TomTom Portable Navigation Devices
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
volkswarren
Lifetime Member


Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Posts: 28

PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:43 pm    Post subject: 720t Problems again Reply with quote

My 720t is giving me grief again, does anyone have problems with the traffic system between M5 junc 4 and M5 junc 15

My Tomtom will pick up traffic just about outside my house but by the time i have done 7 miles to get to junc 4 on the m5 my traffic signal has gone off and it doesn't come back on until bristol.

It seems to make no difference if the tmc wire is accross the bottom of the screen or up the side and over the top.

I have ver 13 and ver 14(usb) leads and to be honest the ver 13 gets the best signal.

It's really at the stage now where I need to upgrade to hd traffic as the tmc leads are no good for me.

We have 5 tomtom x20's in my immediate family and I have used other units in my 2 cars and both leads in my A6 and My Golf no really any joy with either. yet when I swap leads with my brother or sister my leads work with there tomtoms, though they don't drive on the m5.

As I am travelling to Yeovilton I need something to work on the m5. Is any one else having problems in this area?

Or anyone having no problems in this area?

Tomtom have given me an rma number to return my unit and tmc but as they work elsewhere I'm not sure they are at fault.

It worked perfectly last year when I 1st had the unit. Sad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
DennisN
Tired Old Man
Tired Old Man


Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 14888
Location: Keynsham

PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are you up against the athermic windscreen problem? Although that doesn't seem likely if you had it working at some time in the past.

I get no problem on M5 (other than that I don't trust Traffic implicitly) and journeys up to Birmingham get satisfactory signal coverage.

Are you running the antenna too close to the metalwork? This old photo layout was successful for me - TT in front of the steering wheel, antenna running across to centre then vertically up the centre of the windscreen. But I've changed it now to TT in centre of screen, antenna running across the bottom to bottom left, then vertically up to top of screen, a good three inches away from the screen frame. In both positions, I have had no vision problems, the antenna being thin enough to be almost invisible when I'm (or passenger is) looking ahead. (The aerial works with any of all three devices by the way).


_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
volkswarren
Lifetime Member


Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Posts: 28

PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cables are about 10-15 cm away from the metal though they were closer, I will try up the centre as your figure Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Routing the aerial wire in the way Dennis has shown tends to offer the best results from what I have tried, I also knott the aerial wire around the rear view mirror support arm as this secures it preventing it from falling off the little glass suckers - Mike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
AndyVaughan
Lifetime Member


Joined: Apr 13, 2006
Posts: 1500
Location: Rossendale

PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have spent the last couple of days in the Bristol area - I had no problems at all with RDS-TMC. Had a signal all the time, in fact I had a signal all the way from Rossendale to Bristol, there and back.

BUT - mine is wired to the cars amplified antenna. I am using the USB version on a 920.

Andy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
volkswarren
Lifetime Member


Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Posts: 28

PostPosted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

is there a guide on connecting it to the ariel?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
AndyVaughan
Lifetime Member


Joined: Apr 13, 2006
Posts: 1500
Location: Rossendale

PostPosted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was a year or two ago on here - not difficult to do if you are handy with a solderng iron but you need to ensure that your car aerial feed does not have any DC voltage on it or you will fry the TMC receiver, and possibly damage the TT as well. If in doubt, try a second aerial just for the TMC.

Andy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
volkswarren
Lifetime Member


Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Posts: 28

PostPosted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have an unused car phone aerial would that be any good?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The phone aerial is desinged to work in a different frequency band to the RDS receiver, the best approach is to connect the receivers aerial wire directly to the car aerial.
Just in case the car aerial is amplified and fed with 5 or 12 volts from the car deck fit a small value ceremic capacitor in series between the receiver and the car aerial cable, this blocks the DC voltage from damaging the receiver, but allows the FM signal through.
If you know the car aerial isn't amplified or fed by a voltage from the deck a simple Y piece splitter cable is all that is needed - Mike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
volkswarren
Lifetime Member


Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Posts: 28

PostPosted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok It's an Audi I know it's amplified so I'll get the bits from maplins to do it, glad it's a bank holiday Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
AndyVaughan
Lifetime Member


Joined: Apr 13, 2006
Posts: 1500
Location: Rossendale

PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Watch out for earth loops as well - might be worthwhile trying not connecting the screen on the coax of the aerial cable to the earth on the TMC receiver. If it doesn't get a decent signal then solder it and see if it improves.

Andy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
volkswarren
Lifetime Member


Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Posts: 28

PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll have a better look this weekend, I changed to the up middle of the screen position and I had signal down to jnc 7 then nothing until junc 13, which was loads better than it's been recently but still poo.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
DennisN
Tired Old Man
Tired Old Man


Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 14888
Location: Keynsham

PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

With my present layout, still L shape, but bottom centre to bottom left, then up to top left, 2 to 4 inches from frame, I went today from Bristol up to M42, M6, M1, Northampton, back via Leamington Spa, Fosseway and Cirencester and never lost signal all the way. I can't remember the last time I lost signal and I travel wherever they send me.
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I will be kitting out a different vehicle with this modification as well as a few other little alterations I am making to it this weekend, so I should have a guide complete with pictures available by Saturday night if thats any help. It will use Maplins components as they are the very close to my home location, so links to the various components used will be included - Mike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
AndyVaughan
Lifetime Member


Joined: Apr 13, 2006
Posts: 1500
Location: Rossendale

PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

New car or a new sideline in TMC installations? Laughing

Andy
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 -> TomTom 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