TomTom RDS-TMC Traffic In USA
Update: Yes, the traffic service is now available in the USA. You can read about how it works on our GPS Traffic page.
Currently, the only traffic service available for TomTom devices in the USA utilizes a data connection on a mobile phone to retrieve the traffic information. However that service is difficult to use for many people because there are only a handful of compatible phones and compatible phone data plans from carriers here in the USA. However it appears that is soon about to change as it looks like TomTom will soon unveil a RDS-TMC traffic solution in the USA. So what is the advantage of this type of delivery? Instead of relying on a (sometimes costly) data plan from your phone carrier, this service receives information over radio waves through a special antenna.
We’ve heard hints that the RDS-TMC traffic service will come across the pond to the USA for TomTom devices, and those hints are growing stronger. However the strongest evidence now comes directly from TomTom’s website, in reference to the 6.522 application update for the 910, 710, and 510. In the update notes it says this:
Support for the RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver for the USA.
Well that seems pretty straightforward!
We’ve also heard from customers who have spoken with TomTom and have been told a traffic receiver is in the works for the USA.
We don’t know when, or how much the service will cost. In Europe, customers pay roughly $135 for the traffic receiver and that gives you a lifetime use for the service. However over there a portion of the traffic information is available from government organizations; we don’t expect to see it available for free here.
RDS is already available in North America – offered through both NAVTEQ and Clear Channel. It is already available on PNDs already in the market (and has been for some time), through Garmin, Magellan, Alpine, Delphi, etc.
Yes, but not on TomTom devices.
Tomtom devices support the rds/tmc, but they don’t sell the attenna here…yet. Spoke to customer service for tomtom a few days ago and they said July for the rds/tmc.
It couldn’t come sooner. Jezus
I’ve used a number of ~cheap~ hand helds and they all would track [save the route] while the GPS was on.
I needed to look more B 4 I bought the TomTom GO 510.
there is no ~mark~ button or short cut to save the current gps position or route; nor to save or reverse the path taken since leaving last departure point or way-point.
I also mis-read the review in a mag that seemed to indicate that the 510 had text-to-speech for road names. It does not; at least until a firmware upgrade after 6.52.5 ? that and the ~MUST go though the MENU steps~ to cancel current route is a pain in the @zz.
The “Detour” option related for other models sounds very nice.
There is a way to mark your current gps postion. I don’t have a 510 with me right now (I’m on the road) but going from memory it is in the menu, ‘Add Favorite’ then perhaps on the second page of types of items to add it says ‘GPS position’.
I just bought the RDS antenna online, came from the UK in 5 days, about 100.00 us dollars, plugged right into my tomtom xl.
Yet to be in an area with RDS transmission though.
Please get back to us and let us know if that RDS works for your one xl. Where do you live? I live in Chicago and we have the RDS here, however, I don’t have one…yet…
I’d wait until TomTom makes an official announcement for TMC-RDS Traffic in the USA. I believe the receiver itself is a little different in the USA.
Kris- you should download this. http://www.webazar.org/tomtom/tripmaster.php?lang=uk
Every TomTom owner should have this on their devices.
Any update? I’m looking to purchase this antenna if it works…
Hi Glenn, I’ve been testing the RDS-TMC traffic receiver for a few weeks, but I haven’t updated this page yet because I think my receiver is going to go back for repairs.
Once I get an accurate picture of the situation I’ll update this page.
Just curious if anyone in Sacramento, Ca. has tried to use Traffic, I am considering it but have heard less than complimentary feedback.
i am not clear about the RDS-TMC. is the new version available or do you have to do it through your phone? is that another fee, even with the free trial? does the traffic info really work? i live in the Boston area. I am wondering if the 920 T is worth the extra money. Do people really find the traffic feature useful?
The new version (the physical RDS-TMC traffic cable) is available. It costs about $130 and includes a 12 month subscription. After 12 months expect to pay about $60/year for the service. Yes, it does work, but how well it works for you on the roads you drive depends on many factors. People who frequently drive in high traffic areas with delays that don’t drive them enough to predict when they might be busy, or want to avoid unexpected delays on routes they do frequently travel will find it useful.
Tim, where is it available in the US?
Martin, you can see coverage maps here.
ROFL. Tim, where is the traffic antenna available in the US?
(Classic example of ‘ask an ambiguous question, get the answer you didn’t want’) Thanks!
I was under the impression that you paid for the antenna (one time charge) and no more paymets were required. Has that changed?
Any details on how quickly it notifies for accidents or other delays?
How much advance warning does it give for congestion? For example 2 exits prior to tie-up?
Thanks!
Glenn
Glenn, what you are describing is how the system is paid for in Europe, but not in North America. It will notify you of delays as soon as it knows about them, no matter how far ahead on the route they are.
Any updates on the Tomtom RDS-TMC? I just bought a Tomtom and am considering purchasing the receiver. Anyone else have experience with it?
J.D. – Yes, I’ll have updates published soon. Is there anything in particular you are looking to know other than just how well it might work?
Tim – Just looking for general impressions – how well it works, how quickly it recieves traffic updates, how reliable the traffic info is, etc. I commute in the NYC area, so coverage shouldn’t be a problem for me. Thanks. – J.D.
I am looking at purchasing the RDS-TMC for my Tom One 3rd edition. I just got off the phone with them and the man said that no decision has been made about the subscription fee as of yet. They are considering this a trial offer and you get the one year free with purhase. He best guess was that the fee would be under $60 a year. I am going to purchase a unit and will provide feedback.
I got my RDS-TMC from Best Buy yesterday. Hooked it up this morning, and within 15 seconds it had found a station with traffic data (92.5 here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area). I did a random route from Fort Worth to an airport in Dallas, and it showed one accident along the route. I didn’t actually drive with traffic on… this was all sitting still. The antenna is cumbersome but seems to work well.
I will test it out with more live data soon (comparing the data feed with a site like traffic.com).
Martin- Thanks for your post. I wasn’t aware this was finally out so, despite the fact I had to stick pins in my hands to buy anything else from BB (i depise how they abuse innocent customers), the impulse order one (and CCity didn’t have it). Will return and post results for Raleigh
It’s also available at tomtom.com, and other places. I just got it at Best Buy because I had a coupon and I get points.
Wasn’t for me (and still isn’t). Tom Tom site has shown “Temp out of stock” for two months when you actually add one to the cart. Anyway, got the RDS Antenna today. Did ship me the version 9 and the antenna seems to be working fine in Raleigh. Looks like 100.7 and 105.1 are the two freq being picked up with RDS info. Will play around a few days and follow up. How has it been in Dallas? (I’m prev from there). Any dead areas?
I saw the map of where the traffic receiver will provide information. Do you know if there will be more areas added in the not to distant future or will those areas be “it” for a while?
It is being added to on a fairly regular basis.
Will the 720 work in rural areas such as Rogers, Arkansas? Will it show me how to get to Walgreens on Walnut? Does the unit actually show GPS locations, meaning, can I use it while hiking? If not, is there a model which does both?
Finally, with the “Help Me” feature, if you break down or have an accident, are you able to talk live with someone, could a tow or EMS vehicle be called?
Joe, GPS works anywhere in the world. The 720 includes full coverage in North America and Europe. It will show your coordinates, but I wouldn’t take it hiking since it isn’t waterproof and the touch screen is sensitive to impact. The Help Me feature can call someone if the GPS is paired with a compatible Bluetooth phone.
Has anyone definitively tested whether
a) the US RDS-TMC Traffic works in Europe
b) the European RDS-TMC Traffic receiver works in the US (possibly after paying for a subscription)?
I have been looking for the RDS-TMC and I found it at Best Buy on sale right now. My only problem is that it does not say it is compatable with my Tom Tom. I have a Tom TOm One 3rd Edition, does anyone know if it is in fact compatable with this device? Any feedback would be a big help. Thanks
Hudel – I haven’t tested it first hand but I’ve been told by everyone in the know it will not work.
Brandy – Yes.
Does anyone know if the Tom Tom RDS TMC Traffic receiver works with the Tom Tom XL S? Or do I have to have a compatable phone to use the blue tooth? I think it’s only compatable with the Treo 650 and I have a treo 600.
It does work with the XL-S.
Tim, in response to questions/comments regarding the RDS TMC Receiver Ver. 9V00080. Can I assume this is the version required for the XL-S in the US? I just ordered one today, and want to be sure I ordered the “new” version for my XL-S. All my prior research tells me I ordered correctly. Would like to hear any success or failure regarding this version. Michael: Is this the version you have that works in Raleigh?
Jeff, that sounds like the right number but I don’t have mine in front of me. If you ordered it from a USA retailer then I suspect you will have the right version.
Don’t mean to muddy the waters, but TomTom’s numbering system drives me crazy. I have a RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver (US) for the GO and ONE XL. It works with my 510. Okay? Here’s what the box says:
UPC (or some such code) 0 636926 014977
Article number: 9V00.080
Part number: 5V00.081
And on the antenna unit itself and on a sticker on the cable: 4V00.081
Beats me. I think I ordered a 9V00.080 when I bought it.
Thanks for the info Martin and Tim. Yes the numbering system/Ver numbers have been an issue. I believe I ordered correctly. I did order from a US retailer. Will keep you posted on the outcome. Have you tried the RDS TMC with your One XL in an area with service?
Jeff, Yes I have. You can read generally about it on our traffic page.
Tim – Glad to report I received my RDS-TMC receiver and all is well. The reception is better than I thought it would be for my metro area. I also noticed that the traffic bar will not show up unless the incident is located on the programmed route. I later saw this on your traffic page. The 9V00.080 (USA) is the correct receiver for US users. I also learned that the wire position has a great deal to do with signal reception. The farther away from the edge of the windscreen, the better the reception is. This trick actually allowed me to monitor traffic almost 40 miles out from the metro area on some stations. While I believe that TomTom has a long way to go on their documentation and support, and also their website, I still believe they are the best auto/portable GPS systems on the market today.
I have had the RDS-TMC reveiver installed on a TT One Third Addition for about 4 weeks in Atlanta GA. I am yet to receive a traffic warning. It finds a clear channel immediately but has never given any warnings. Anyone have any suggestions?
Rick, many people reporting issues in the past month or so have been in Atlanta, I’m not sure if there is a connection, but if not it is a big coincidence.
Thanks Tim. I was told by TT support that Atl had a problem and to keep trying. Tha’s not too encouraging.
Well, I don’t think this is TomTom’s problem… I think it’s Clear Channel’s. My traffic in the DFW area is GREAT, and I’m using the same TomTom and antenna as the folks in Atlanta. I think I would be hitting Clear Channel Traffic’s customer service number and light the candle at both ends.
Due to this thread, i have discovered that my atenna version is 4V. Can that be the cause of my issues?
I have two RDS-TMC (one on a OneXL, one on a 720) and neither reports traffic info in ATL. TomTom has never acknowledged a problem, so it’s heartening to hear that someone else has finally gotten a different response. Been trying mine since October, so maybe they’ll have a solution before they gather too much dust on the shelf.
I was told by clear channal that they were not having a problem but TT support assured me that the transmission tower had been down for some time and implied that it should be up in 2 to 4 weeks. YEA RIGHT!
TomTom RDS-TMC issues in Atlanta is not a clearchannel problem but an issue which TomTom is aware of. They are suppose to come out with a new update sometime in Mid-March last I spoke to tech support. Make sure you have a non-european reciever which should start with a 4V-XXXXX.
Spoke w/ TomTom tonight.. after 45 minutes on phone, they say that Atlanta hasn’t worked since October (when I bought two units). They’re hoping for a solution, but don’t have an estimated time to complete, guarantee it will work, or knowledge whether this will be a upgrade or “just start working”. Went as far up as a supervisor for the update, after several calls where they denied a problem until I mentioned several forums like this…
I also have the TomTom One 3rd edition with the expensive RDS-TMC antenna that hasn’t received any traffic alerts in Atlanta. I made several calls to tech support and was told that TomTom would have a firmware update mid March. I hope they get this fixed soon.
I’m excited that there may be a solution coming soon.
Does anyone have any information as to how well the RDS-TMC antenna works in Memphis, TN?
Ken, although not precisely what you are looking for, you can check out road coverage maps and signal coverage maps over here if you haven’t already.
Does anyone know how well the receiver works in the Chicagoland area? I have a TomTom One 3rd Ed. I am thinking about getting one, but does it just get major highways, or side streets too? How precise is the data from the radio stations it uses?
Is there currently a subscription fee for the US? I am awaiting the arrival of my new 720 and am considering purchasing the RDS-TMC. There doesn’t seem to be clear information on a subscription fee/cost.
The receiver is MSRP $130, which includes one year of service. After the first year subscriptions are expected to be $60/year or less.
Does any1 know how the well the service works in Ohio(Dayton) the map shows coverage in Columbus(45mins away).
Hi there, I’ve just brought tomtom 920T it’s my 3rd tomtom i started with the 500 the RDS/TMC don’t work i thick that it’s a UK one it has a sticker on the bag 2V00.006 & a label on the cable with 4V00.013. anybody got any ideas??
smudger, my understanding is that if the label on the cable starts with 4v then it is for North America.
well thanks for the reply so quickly but when i plug the RDS/TMC in to the tomtotm i get a message telling me that the RDS/TMC cannot be used in combination with the current map (North America)???
I’m glad to say my RDS-TMC receiver works very well in and around the San Antonio area. On average it has reduced my morning commute from 60 minutes to 45 minutes. I placed my antenna directly down the center of my windshield and I can receive traffic information about 30 miles away from the downtown area. Can’t drive without it!
Still not working in Atlanta!
Has TT given up any new excuses for Atlanta’s black out?
TomTom is doing an RMA for the TT One 3rd & the RDS-TMC receiver. We’ll see if this fixes the traffic not working in Atlanta, GA issues.
UPDATE for response 67.
They are only doing the RMA for the RDS-TMC receiver.
It looks like they are replacing
model# 4v00.081 witch I purchased from BestBuy
with model# 9v00.080
Does anyone know if the Real Time Traffic blue tooth phone link will be availible in USA soon. My Phones links fine with Go 720 TomTom, uploaded phone book from phone, goes online through phone fine to check link up to TomTom. Calls work coming and going no problem through 720 Hands free. Traffic option not availible except for EU and Australia from what Ive seen. My Att internet is only 15 a month for unlimited data connection. Ill be talking to TomTom this week. Got this weekend. I thought this service was already availible in USA. Im pretty impressed with sat reception on this thing and long list of options. It will link sitting in my living room with metal roof. Seems to be very stable software sofar.
James, PLUS traffic via Bluetooth has been available in the USA for a year or two.
I just bought my rds-tmc attenna for the tomtom one xl. I live in chicago and the attenna works. I have to manually enter the stations, but it works and it shows the traffic and has alerts. (I was comment #7 above about a year ago)
#63- that happens when you plug the attenna to the tomtom when its already turned on. The manual says to turn off the tomtom, then plug in the attenna, and then turn it on. see if that helps
Tom #71,
I ended up getting one, and I does not work very well in the area. I found that it only does the major highways. I live out West in Oswego bordering Aurora and I work in Downers Grove. I don’t get a strong signal until I hit almost Lisle. Which by then is usually too late. Most of the time it is just spinning trying to grab a signal. I was wondering what part of the Chicagoland area you were in and if you have had any issues with it.
I live by Ohare. I also drive back and forth between the city. While my tomtom did spin a lot, when i manually entered the stations, it stuck on one. However, it does lose the signal kinda often and yes it only does major highways. I am happy that it works- however, it works to a bare minimum and could be much more effective if they got their stuff together.
Tom,
What radio station do you use? The one that I have been using is 95.5. I agree this could be a lot better if they ever get their stuff together.
Thanks for the info Tim. I called TomTom and you are correct, bluetooth is availible and I signed up for it. Done. There are ares of their website that dont include USA under there discriptions. Matter of fact I was told to buy the EU subscription to get the USA coverage. Makes since huh. I suggested they update their web site but who knows. If it does the job Im happy. I used my unit this morning for an appointment where I had no Idea where to go and this Go 720 does a great job, Cell phone works realy clear through it also. I like the hands free aspect. Thanks again for the imput. Ill post if I have any value to add.
Yes, their website has said that (Europe only) for quite a long time.
But of course as you found out that isn’t the case.
Hello,
I guess im a little confused here. I purchased the new TomTom 930 here at BB this week. I called TomTom to get some information on the traffic receiver and she said that in order to receive the traffic information i must tune my radio in my truck to the channel in order to receive it? That sounds pretty stupid as I have Sat Radio. I thought that it would have it built in?
You purchase the RDS-TMC receiver (basically a small antenna) that attaches to the 930, that device then tunes into the channels to receive the traffic information. It works similar to a car ratio, but it otherwise doesn’t have anything to do with your car radio.
I just purchased the TomTom Go 930. Would like to have Traffic option with RDS-TMC, but can not find out where to get the RDS-TMC. BB said they don’t have it?
If I am not going to use the bluetooth option of the TomTom Go 930, is it worth the $499. or can a cheaper model work and have the same quality of features like maybe the Go X30T?
Mark, several places sell the reciever antenna you need. Go to the TomTom.com site and it should hook you up. I choose the cell phone blue tooth route. Works great. I had the right phone and data service with ATT so it was no big deal for me. Razar V3 Motorola is phone I have. Its perfect for TomTom. Their web site says what phones and Companys work with the blue tooth service. The antenna is a one time cost where I pay for the service yearly with TomTom and my unlimited data service with ATT. You will see on web site its not availble in USA. Wrong, call customer service with TomTom, they will answer questions for you. Traffic is not the whole USA, Major cities and surrounding areas. They can better explain attenna verses data link also. Im very pleased with my Go 720.
JP
Mark, I’ve added some shopping info on this page, below my article and above the comments. The 930 offers a remote, European mapping, and the Enhanced Positioning Technology. You can read about those three features on our 920t review If those three items are not of use to you– go for the 730 instead.
Thanks both James & Tim for the info.
When I was setting up Go 930, I added POI’s. After using it, I found that I want to remove some of them because there are too many icons.
How do I remove POI catagories?
You can remove custom POI categories by going to the menu -> change preferences -> manage pois -> delete poi category. You can’t delete the built-in poi categories.
I have been experiencing the same RDS-TMC traffic issues here in Atlanta that are mentioned above and am fed-up. Just a show of support, would anyone else here be interested in collectively working against TomTom to see that this issue is resolved?? – Particularly, I am seeking that the money that we paid for this device be refunded. Right now, I am just looking at my (our) options with both consumer advocacy groups and government agencies.
I have a tomtom xl s and the RDS-TMc receiver. Inow noticed that the RDS-TMC receiver is model number 9v00.180 which is for the xl s 130. From what i saw in an earleir message the reciver for the XL S should be 9v00.080. Does anyone have information if this makes a difference?
I travel the same route round trip each day. The reciever does pick up a signal when I travel in one direction but not the other. I live in the Boston area any help is appreciated.
Bob, there are now two receivers in the USA, and the newer USB model receiver will work with the XL-S. (There are some models that can use either receiver, such as the XL-S.)
Which road and which direction are you having trouble with? If it just isn’t getting a signal, I’m not sure what you could do to improve reception other than trying different antenna positions.
Hi Tim; I travel 93 and 495 in both directions I get a signal rather quickly when traveling 495 n to 93 n. I do not get any signal in the opposite direction till I almost at the point of origin.
Thank you for the information. Maybe I should exchange the XLS for the new XLS330. Your opnion?
I doubt that exchanging it would do much for your reception. I’d experiment with different antenna positions if you can. I asked which roads because I travel those same roads every few weeks– from central NH down 93 and then over 495 to the Marlborough area or straight down 93 into B-town. Then return. I bet I have reception 80-90% of the time.
Tim thanks for the input. I’ll try relocating the antenna. By any chance do you know which FM frequencies you use? I was about ready to return the antenna or exchange the GPS but now I’ll stay with the XLs and hope I can get the antenna to work.
I don’t know for sure which frequencies… I let it auto-tune. But I know it has used these around the Boston/NH/Springfield area:
94.5
107.9
100.3
101.1
96.1
93.1
97.9
96.1
Do you know how I can remove the europe map from my memory in the Tom go 930? It was loaded by accident when I first was downloading and programing the initial start up.
Mark, you can use TomTom HOME to make a backup of the map and remove it from your device.
I did the back up, but can’t find how to delete or remove a map.
Use Tomtom HOME.
Tom,
I attempted to go thru the Better Business Bureau to receive a refund and it didn’t work. TomTom customer service is horrible. Please keep us posted if you have any success on your end.
TomTom RDS-TMC and Chicago area. A Steve And Tom seemed to be driving in the area regularly with it. I’d like to get it working on my Go 930 but would like to know if it is working reliably?
I hate to spend the money if it isn’t as I get it free from my Motorola Q smartphone both from Garmin and from Microsoft Live Search.
Why not continue using that? When running the Garmin software, it seems to affect the telephone portion. It misses calls. that plus the small screen and having to frquently hold it. The dedicated GPS is much safer, convenient and so forth. Except for some features, like the traffic.
My travels are usually on the Tri-state and points off of there. I know this is asking too much but it’d be nice if it would also show if the express lane is actually moving faster than the regular lanes.
I decided to buy the antenna last night. It picked up a station in the parking lot. The next morning it failed to latch on to a station. I guessed at a station frequency, entered it and it worked. turns out it is not on the list but is a Clear Channel station.
I wish the signal strength bars for the GPS could switch to the FM station to help orient the wires. It sure is a clunky system and the suction cups could be a better quality.
Some years ago there were glass mount capacitive coupled 11 meter radio antennas. They worked through the glass to an outside antenna. This traffic system could really use such a device.
I just thought I’d reiterate a quick tip someone mentioned to me, that I’ve since confirmed through systematic testing. You can dramatically improve reception by unplugging the power cable from the GPS. Of course then you are running on battery power and not charging the battery which is a really bad trade-off…. but it does considerably improve reception.
What is the latest on the RDS-TMS for Atlanta? I just bought a 930T, and like everyone else on this thread I am not getting any traffic updates.
My TT3rd has had traffic in Atl for about 2 months. Works great. Lots of channals to choose from. The bad part is that it tells you what you already know; the traffic in the Atl sucks.
Just a quick note that TomTom released a software update for the traffic receiver recently through TomTom HOME. They listed the following in the notes.
Much like smudger at #63, when i plug the RDS/TMC in to the tomtotm i get a message telling me that the RDS/TMC cannot be used in combination with the current map (North America). TomTom Support had me use my Latest Map upgrade and stated it would correct the issue. It did not work. Any suggestions?
Andre, most of the time I’ve seen that error message the person was incorrectly sold, or incorrectly purchased the European version of the traffic receiver which looks the same but has different internal components.
The update worked for me.
Any updates on Atlanta?
Atl has been up for a while and is working great.
How long ago did it come back up?
It has worked since around April or May
Have a Tom-Tom ONE. New at this. Should I upgrade/install the RDS Tmc? Does it cost extra money? Also should I install/update to the phone? Or do these things just cause problems?
The RDS-TMC does cost extra and only comes with a one year subscription (US only).
European version, North American version, everyone adresses different version but does anyony really know which is which by cable ID tag.