Home > Consumer Reviews > RDS TMC Receiver V2

This is the latest attempt by TomTom (released Nov 07) to make an aerial that picks up the traffic signal......and it works better than the previous version which I also tried. I use it with my 910. The MOST important thing is to ensure that the aerial wire is VERTICAL and straight. In the installation instructions they say to run this vertically along the edge of the windscreen but this means the signal is blocked by the metal door pillar!! After much experimentation I found the best place on my car (and most cars I'd suggest) is from the rear view mirror vertically straight down the centre of the screen - attach using small suckers provided at top and bottom. It's not pretty but is the only place it's not obstructed by the metal frame of the car and it does not obscure visibility. This then picks up a signal about 80% of the time - usually on the Classic FM frequency. The accuracy of the traffic info varies of course - subject to the accuracy of the data transmitted on TMC.....but it's usually not bad - and will report anything major.

I bought this item with some trepidation after reading some pretty negative reviews. However, I found it easy to set up and reception (in the NE of England at least) seems to be better than most reported. My aerial runs from from the centre of the dashboard along the bottom of the windscreen and then up the drivers side windscreen, tucked into the trim to hide it and make it look better. On the subject of automatic re-routing, this function can be disabled so re-routing is only done when the user wants it.

One issue I've not seen reported elsewhere is that when incidents are reported the system seems to build in delays automatically. For example, when travelling from York to Manchester Airport via the M1/M62 over the Easter weekend incidents of snow on the road and high winds were showing along approximately 16-20 miles of the M62. The Tom Tom added nearly 2 hous of delay onto the estimated time of arrival. Having checked the Highways Agency website before we left I was pretty confident that there were minimal delays, this was backed up by an encouraging lack of warnings from the Matrix signs. In the event there was no delay at all and we made the journey in about 1 hour 45 minutes (somewhat less than the 4 hours plus estimated by the Tom Tom at the start! So just a word of warning really, be aware that incidents reported by the TMS system do not always mean delays, but the Tom Tom seems to think it does, so use other means (traffic info on the radio or matrix signs to check if you can).

Anyway, I'm content with my purchase and will continue to use it as an 'aid' to navigation, which is what sat navs are for afterall!!

I bought one of these arials for my TomTom GO 700 and the reception went from dodgy in many places to full bars almost everywhere, and quicker startup, even in central London and traveling around mountain areas in Wales. I've recently got a TomTom GO 910 as my wife and I got to the stage when we both wanted the satnav on the same day. With our car, the TomTom GO 910 has poor reception everywhere, although in several other cars we've tried it in, the reception is perfect, so I'm buying the arial for the 910 now and am assuming it'll do the same good job. It's good the TomTom Go comes with a microphone as standard, as that's making a big difference for phone calls - I don't take calls when I'm driving, but having hands free is better for calls than using the mobile phone set - especially on a long call. The bluetooth for the TomTom GO 910 is also good as directions (and mp3 files output, and text messages being read out) are now coming out of the car hi-fi as luckily the car hi-fi has got bluetooth input. It's 4 stars as it works fine - I just wish it came with the 910 as standard for the price you pay

After reading many comments on the rds-tmc l thought l would add my own. Having installed unit which was bought from amazon 2 weeks ago l have found the following.
1/ During journeys(far travelled) l have signal lock approx.80% of the time(green circle)
2/ Traffic information should only be used as an indication of road conditions and not used as real time.
3/ Sometimes when starting a journey signal lock is not found and investigating further l find that frequencies are not being scanned. removing rds-tmc jack and plugging in again always starts scanning and signal lock.
4/ In my car location of aerial does not seem to make a huge difference in performance although l have settled for a vertical position tight against the drivers side windscreen pillar, with most or the aerial behind the pillar trim.
5/ Selection of country(UK)/strongest frequency gave same results with signal lock and l've found operation to be reliable and stable.
In my experience I've found the Tmc to be a handy but not essential addition to my TomTom 910 with the added traffic display giving added insight to the traffic conditions. Just remember point 2.
6/ Further update. Travelled up west coast to Oban and found coverage poor. Signal lock only for about 30% of journey. Radio signal also lost during large parts of trip.

My mate got me this for my tomtom, and it is amazing! I live in london and so tall buildings tend to mean weak receptiona and the tomtom go 910 i have takes a while to get a signal (without the antenna). So my mate got me one and it gives such better reception!

I get a signal much more quickly, the tomtom can see more satellites and never seems to lose the signal! Its definatly essential for city driving, as there have been a few times i've driven about in central london and my tomtom has thought im on a parallel road to where i am. But that just doesnt happen anymore.

This product is cheap and improves signal immensly. The wire is a bit long, but thats better than being too short!