Just got the TMC disk

[glojo]

Comand has a second tuner that surfs the FM band for channels, that's it! If you want to use TMC the main tuner has to be tuned to Classic. That has to be one of the stupidest features I've ever seen and it's probably the most disappointing thing about comand, why limit it so much when it's already got two tuners, the second tuner could surf AND pick up TMC data at the same time!

PLEASE don't tell me that all COMAND's will work in a similar manner?? The dedicated tuner in the Pioneer system will keep scanning for a TMC signal, it is just my personal believe that Classic FM is the only station that broadcasts the signal. The main radio tuner works completely seperate from this and behaves just like any modern car radio. Classic FM for eight or nine hours will be mind numbing.

TMC is very useful, on our last trip to Lincolnshire it warned of hold-ups 90 miles ahead of us, but on the predicted route. As we got closer the hold-up must have cleared (The system will normally adjust the route to avoid the delay) so we carried on keeping to the original route. For businesses that are transport orientated these systems must surely very quickly pay for themselves? Time held up in traffic delays must cost, likewise routing, that must be so important?

John

 

[Shude]

PLEASE don't tell me that all COMAND's will work in a similar manner?? The dedicated tuner in the Pioneer system will keep scanning for a TMC signal, it is just my personal believe that Classic FM is the only station that broadcasts the signal. The main radio tuner works completely seperate from this and behaves just like any modern car radio. Classic FM for eight or nine hours will be mind numbing.

The 2003+ comand units will probably work differently, but the 2.0/2.5 units work as I described.

I presently have no cd-changer installed so I am forced to listen to Classic FM while using TMC. This was horrifying at first but then they played the John Dunbar Theme from Dances With Wolves followed by some other orchestral movie soundtracks and I was actually pretty happy with it!

I am in the process of adding extra functionality to my comand unit via the TV feature to enable digital or other radio while keeping the standard tuner set to Classic FM. Sadly this means I will probably also have DVD capability. Shame!

 

[garystu1965]

Classic FM for eight or nine hours will be mind numbing.
John

You can just switch over for a few minutes and then switch back to another station. Once it picks up the latest info it caches it in memory. When you think you need the latest traffic info again just switch over to classic FM for a couple of minutes !

 

[BarryS]

I've just had a CD COMAND 2.0 retro fitted and the most annoying thing for me is that I have to keep the navigation CD in the slot which means I can not listed to music CD's whilst using navigation )I Don't have a CD changer).

Strange since single DIN sized units with a CD slot from Becker can allow the driver to pull out the navigation CD and as long as the driver does not deviate from the planned route then music CD's can be played

Barry

 

[fuzzer]

Another thing I've noticed is it doesn't always tell you which side of the motorway the traffic problem exists. This is fairly useless ?????

My bmw shows you which side of the motorway it is .. by little arrows if you zoom in enough.

 

[Alfie]

I've just had a CD COMAND 2.0 retro fitted and the most annoying thing for me is that I have to keep the navigation CD in the slot which means I can not listed to music CD's whilst using navigation )I Don't have a CD changer).

Strange since single DIN sized units with a CD slot from Becker can allow the driver to pull out the navigation CD and as long as the driver does not deviate from the planned route then music CD's can be played

Barry

CD Changers can be installed for around £350. I agree its annoying not being able to remove the disk but in some ways thats a good thing as the more you remove and insert disks, the higher the possibility of the CD unit failing which isnt unheard of on COMAND units!

 

[Real_Hunter]

I have been using TMC enabled disk for some time. I do find it very useful, however when in traffic the systems says calculationg alternative route, but does not appear to take me on to a different route. If I want to avoid traffic jam I have to look at alternative route on the screen and drive towards it. The systems asks me to do U turns few time it finally gives up and calcluletes a new route.
HAs anyone found a better way for the system to automatically calculate new route and plan an alternative route avoiding traffic jams that it knows are present.

 

[Shude]

My bmw shows you which side of the motorway it is .. by little arrows if you zoom in enough.

I thought it was repeating itself but in fact TMC via comand lists the direction of the trouble spots too, the repeats were for the other direction (subtle difference in description . One side of the motorway was red/white striped, the other was fine today

 

[saorbust]

Comand has a second tuner that surfs the FM band for channels, that's it! If you want to use TMC the main tuner has to be tuned to Classic. That has to be one of the stupidest features I've ever seen and it's probably the most disappointing thing about comand, why limit it so much when it's already got two tuners, the second tuner could surf AND pick up TMC data at the same time!

No it can't. It only has ONE TMC reciever, not two.

Basic case of design over functionality.

Remember in Germany most stations broadcast the TMC signal as well - and lets not forget who makes these cars....

 

[saorbust]

I have been using TMC enabled disk for some time. I do find it very useful, however when in traffic the systems says calculationg alternative route, but does not appear to take me on to a different route. If I want to avoid traffic jam I have to look at alternative route on the screen and drive towards it. The systems asks me to do U turns few time it finally gives up and calcluletes a new route.
HAs anyone found a better way for the system to automatically calculate new route and plan an alternative route avoiding traffic jams that it knows are present.

The CD based system does not view anything other than a total blockage (ie, road closed - look for the stop sign) as a reason to dynamically route.

 

[VBD]

No it can't. It only has ONE TMC reciever, not two.

Basic case of design over functionality.

Remember in Germany most stations broadcast the TMC signal as well - and lets not forget who makes these cars....

Partly true it actually does have a diversity double tuner it is just that the second tuner actively searches for a stronger alternitve signal for the same station you are listening to rather than TMC data.

As for the Rerouting it will do so if the speed is significantly slow and alternaitve routes are available. In most instances it appears to be true only when the road is completely blocked, but there has been many a time that it has rerouted me when the traffic was stop and go.

 

[Trevor_Tyrrell]

Just returned from a week in Germany driving new C220 with COMAND and v4 SatNav DVD. TMC obviously works in Germany, even when listening to BFBS (the english language radio station for British Forces overseas).

TMC is fantastic - we went to the Hanover Fair showgrounds on three consecutive days, and we never travelled the same route either going to or returning from the show and we never stopped for more than a few seconds on one occasion. Many other roads were shown with yellow or red cars (slow / stationary traffic) and the route we took were certainly not main show entry routes!

It appears that there is no TMC enabled DVD option for a new C class with COMAND??? Teleatlas don't appear to make one?

T

 

[lil.smartie]

The DVD's for the C class are TMC enabled in Europe as our system in the Forfour spramg into life when we took the car to the Geneva motorshow in March!

Kate

 

[glojo]

I was wondering if it would work in Jersey or Guernsey, but I don't suppose there is a need for it?

Mercedes-Benz vehicles that are capable of receiving the TMC signal will no doubt receive it in any country that has allowed MB to receive it??

We E-class owners are just blinking waiting for someone to pull their blooming finger out

John