TMC with TomTom710 in new C200K

[MartinC]

Hi,
I am looking to add TMC to my TomTom710 by purchasing TomTom's RDS-TMC traffic receiver. However, it gets awful reviews, seemingly because it's cable, which acts as the aerial, does not pick up the TMC signal reliably. Does anyone know if there is a "spare" connector on the factory-fitted Audio20 that can somehow be connected to the TomTom ensure a more reliable signal? MB's own SatNav offers TMC so I'm guessing there should be something similar on the Audio50 but maybe not on the Audio20?

A couple of other queries if anyone can help:
1. Can anyone confirm whether the factory-fitted shark's fin aerial serves any purpose? I was initially advised by the dealer that this was "a bluetooth aerial" but on questioning this he now says it is not actually used for anything. I suspect it would have been used for GPRS if I had opted for MB's own SatNav?
2. Is it a) possible and b) would it add anything to get the car's bluetooth communicating with TomTom's Bluetooth e.g. to mute the audio when the TomTom issues an instruction?

TIA MartinC

 

[jberks]

As I understand it, the shark fin ariel is for sat nav and, or at least is on my E, used for the phone.
At least cars equipped with either command or phone pre-wire have the fin. Cars without don't or didn't. I believe they fit it to every car now but without these extras it's purely cosmetic.
There are cars where the TMC signal would be a problem. Fords with heated screens for example. Are you sure it's not those that people are complaining about and the Merc would be ok?

 

[MartinC]

Hi and tks for response,

the only use I can think of for the shark's fin, in conjunction with a mobile phone, would be to assist or take over from the phone's own aerial. Is that what it does?

Re the SatNav issue I read the LordPercy review at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bh4sw
which hopefully would have excluded the possibility of heated screen interference. The user reviews on Amazon are about 2:1 against - I guess it's possible that two thirds of reviewers have Fords though it sounds a little high.

MartinC

 

[jberks]

Hi and tks for response,

the only use I can think of for the shark's fin, in conjunction with a mobile phone, would be to assist or take over from the phone's own aerial. Is that what it does?
MartinC

Yes - the cradles normally have an ariel connection so it gets better reception in the cradle than in your hand and I believe the bluetooth system actually takes over from the phone and does all work itself (hence the ariel).

Having read the reviews I think I'd email Tomtom and ask if they've fixed the flaws yet. There was one note that suggested they were releasing an update Q2 2007 which should be around by now so I wonder whether a new one would be better than those reviewed.

 

[MartinC]

Yes - the cradles normally have an ariel connection so it gets better reception in the cradle than in your hand and I believe the bluetooth system actually takes over from the phone and does all work itself (hence the ariel).

Having read the reviews I think I'd email Tomtom and ask if they've fixed the flaws yet. There was one note that suggested they were releasing an update Q2 2007 which should be around by now so I wonder whether a new one would be better than those reviewed.

OK I understand the cradle comment - tks. Are you saying you think that Bluetooth does the same thing i.e. that when you connect a Bluetooth phone to the car's Bluetooth that the shark's fin aerial could be taking over from the phone's own aerial. If true, this would mean that the aerial has a purpose and is not just cosmetic?

I will email Tomtom re the launch date for the revised TMC receiver. Seen a few annoyed comments that there's been no mention since those early reports of a Q2 launch.

Tx again, MartinC

 

[jberks]

OK I understand the cradle comment - tks. Are you saying you think that Bluetooth does the same thing i.e. that when you connect a Bluetooth phone to the car's Bluetooth that the shark's fin aerial could be taking over from the phone's own aerial. If true, this would mean that the aerial has a purpose and is not just cosmetic?

My understanding is taht the MB bluetooth kit is basically a phone in it's own right. It uses the bluetooth to access the handset's sim card but all radio activity is done from the kit and through the ariel in the fin. So, yes the fin is more than cosmetic. On the pre-faclift Es the fin was only present if you have the phone or satnav. That said, newer models seem to have one irrespective so I suspect it's now cosmetic unless you use it!