Mercedes Command

[taz2009]

Hi having bought a 2004 C270 with built in Sat Nav (command APS) I am struggling to get TMC reception.the sat nac system works fine but reading through the manual i am told how to activate TMC but whils doing that the Command system displays no TMC reception available. i have been to my local mercedes garage and have been told that the car needs an aerila to pick up TMC as well as a software update. Can anyone suggest if that is the case or MB trying to pull a fast one. My radio is always working fine and picking up all stations.

 

[Stratman]

Get ready for this..............

TMC data is only broadcast on Classic FM. Try tuning to it and TMC should work.

 

[LTD]

TMC is also provided by Radio Clyde in the West of Scotland- I'm sure there might be other local stations providing the service too.

Check that the options are ticked in the settings.

 

[taz2009]

thanks guys have tried to get signal from various radio stations and even classic FM and I am still not having any joy. Could it be that the command unit needs 2 aerials??

 

[amwebby]

If your disc doesn't have TMC, then it will not be available from COMAND.

 

[joe]

If the disk was TMC it would automatically tune to a radio station when you had selected the option.


Joe

 

[taz2009]

command

hi how would i know if the disk had TMC?? I can give you the version number if that helps.

 

[joe]

Taz does the comand work ok .....apart from not getting TMC info?
When setting the Route is the TMC option greyed out?

 

[taz2009]

yes command works fine on its own. I have driven from Yorkshire to the Midlands with no problems with Navigation. When selecting Tmc IT IS GREYED OUT. hAVING LOOKED AT THE DISCK i HAVE A VERSION 2.0 SO COULD IT BE THE DISK? JUST SUPRISED WHY mb SAID i NEEDED A NEW AERIAL?

 

[crockers]

Version 2 is a very old version -- I don't think it supports TMC

 

[joe]

How it Works

Teleatlas, Ebay or Comand online are a Good source for a replacement Disk.
BTW...Do not always believe everything the MB Dealer tells you....although they are the experts it pays to double check


Joe

 

[taz2009]

Thanks joe for all the info and nudging me in the right direction.

Cheers

 

[vibesg]

No way should you be tempted to buy a new aerial. Mercedes Service departments up to their tricks again. I know someone who in the last 8 months had problems navigating with their Comand. They ordered a new aerial but the problem persisted. He was advised to purchase a new Comand unit. He spun on his wheels and drove out of the dealership in annoyance. A few yards down the road...Comand started working again. Not much wrong in the first place. He saved himself £000s.

 

[verytalldave]

Version 2 DOESNT have TMC..........
TMC capabilities started at version 6.1.

And if you want, I have a version 6.3 for sale right now - see the "For Sale" section in the forum for details...............

See here............ http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-sale/72602-comand-satnav-v6-3-sale.html

I can be emailed direct on........

verytalldave (at) hotmail.com (replace the (at) with the normal @ symbol)

 

[taz2009]

Version 2 DOESNT have TMC..........
TMC capabilities started at version 6.1.

And if you want, I have a version 6.3 for sale right now - see the "For Sale" section in the forum for details...............

See here............ http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-sale/72602-comand-satnav-v6-3-sale.html

I can be emailed direct on........

verytalldave (at) hotmail.com (replace the (at) with the normal @ symbol)

hi Dave ,

Cheers can you tell me whether the version you are selling has full post code search. Also is the version 10 any good and how much did you get that for as MB are asking me for around £250 with no reduction for a trade in?

 

[Rory]

None of them have full post-code look up.

My car came with V2.0 - there were some issues with it which I can't even remember now (I think the screen was freezing now and again) so MB said they would upgrade it. They did - to V2.2!!

I bought V6.3 to get TMC - there were earlier versions of V6.x but they had issues and were withdrawn. V6.3 is 2-3 yrs old but still seems perfectly adequate to me. The only issue I regularly have is that the database of roads seems to have a lot missing - but yet they're there on the map so you really need to find the place you're going to in the map, store it, then switch to nav and call up the last stored location.

(This is all for the DVD based COMAND APS by way).

 

[taz2009]

Cheers Rory. do ou know if the latest version is any good?

 

[Rory]

Cheers Rory. do ou know if the latest version is any good?

Have a look at verytalldave's comments here: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/72853-comand-nav-dvd-update.html

 

[verytalldave]

hi Dave ,

Cheers can you tell me whether the version you are selling has full post code search. Also is the version 10 any good and how much did you get that for as MB are asking me for around £250 with no reduction for a trade in?

Lots of points there........
I will take them one at a time.........

1. No. As others have said FULL, postcode search is not available - although I believe full 6 digit postcode search is available on the next generation of COMAND units. I think this is all down to the fact that postcodes in Germany are restricted to 4 or 5 digits maximum and MB never planned for a 6 digit code as in the UK.
2. Version 10 is obviously better than V6.3 for example, but only where new roads have been opened in the last 2-3 years (UK mapping only). Abroad may very well be vastly improved, but seeing as I am unlikely to drive abroad in my car, that aspect in immaterial.
The new layouts between junctions 2 and 3 on the M25 are now shown. That is the only difference I have personally found so far.
3. Version 10 should now be heavily discounted as V11 is recently available in the last few weeks. Don't believe everything that some MB dealers tell you. They aren't always in possession of all the facts - some of the time. Some may even be economical with the truth. V11 is available if you know where to look (Comand (Europe) Ltd - Great Deals on Mercedes Comand & Retrofitting Installations). These people live, think and breathe COMAND and what they don't know isn't worth knowing.
V10 disks are available from some web auction sites for circa £80-100 currently.
I suspect the very latest V11 disks will probably retail by MB at somewhere above £250 at a guess. COMAND sell them for considerably less (look at their on-line shop).
MB certainly wouldn't be up for any kind of "trade-in" on a V2 disk. Or probably ANY version disk come to that. Its an outright purchase item ONLY.
My advice is.................
Either buy my V6.3 disk.........OR buy a V11 disk from COMAND.
Depends if you want or can make do with a disk that is now 2-3 years out of date or whether you want one with maps that are brand spanking new.
Your choice.................