SatNav Traffic Alert - Volvo - Yes, Aston - No

[SXO]

I'm sure it's been discussed in the past but no joy with search engine..

Can anyone tell me why the AMV8 SatNav doesn't have traffic alerts when the identical system in my wife's XC90 does? Is this a "feature" of the AMV8 or something which can be installed by my dealer? I know we're supposed to simply enjoy the driving experience without worrying abut arrival times and that SatNav is suposedly crucial for re-sale value, but another night of endless commuter jams has started me thinking about purchasing one of those seperate devices (Tom Tom etc) should I chance my arm on a short cut.

[bogie]

mmm..mine does...it you are talking about TMC alerts...which are what most of mainstream cars have...dumbe question, but have you read the manual and made sure its switched on etc? some of the preferences actually can disregard it

[SXO]

Clearly a case of RTFM! Will check tomorrow but haven't touched the settings since delivery so just assumed it would crank out messages about bad congestion per the Volvo.

Thanks

[razbox]

bogie said:

mmm..mine does...it you are talking about TMC alerts...which are what most of mainstream cars have...dumbe question, but have you read the manual and made sure its switched on etc? some of the preferences actually can disregard it

Actually it is not switched on for UK Astons. Bloody stupid...

[bogie]

im gonna check in the morning...im sure Ive seen the TMC symbol on the screen !...if its not switched on it should be a simple software hack - I had my Audi done before by a mate.

[razbox]

bogie said:

im gonna check in the morning...im sure Ive seen the TMC symbol on the screen !...if its not switched on it should be a simple software hack - I had my Audi done before by a mate.

If you manage it please let us know. I contacted AM last year and they said it wouldn't work in the UK. Interestingly when I took the car to Paris a couple of weeks ago it didn't seem to work there either...

[AstonZagato]

I have no idea why on a £110,000 car, Aston refuses to turn on the TMC (they don't in the UK but IIRC they do for other markets). Someone told me the coding to do so is on the disc so might I ask the originator to try his wife's Volvo disc in the Aston? Then we would know if that activates the TMC. TIA

[Murph7355]

I have no idea why on a 110k car they don't fit a decent system full stop! One that allows you to add loads of points of interest, give traffic alerts and all sorts of other lovely stuff that a 200 quid TomTom can do in its sleep.

I've done some searching around for hacks to the Volvo system. A few people would seem to have put speed cameras on, HOWEVER the process is tortuous, doesn't seem to be reliable and you need to be a Unix nerd of the highest order to run through it.

I wish Ford had teamed up with TomTom to be honest. Having used a Garmin recently, the TT line is sooooo much better to use.

[landmark]

In the UK the service is run by commercial operators so it's all about whether the manufacturer has paid for a licence. Aston hasn't so it doesn't work in the UK but may work in countries where it's free. Bizarrely Land Rover fit a much better satnav that the junk in the Aston/Volvo and the TMC works. In fact if they'd gone next door at Gaydon and lifted electronics from the Range Rover Astons would be much better cars.

[razbox]

Murph7355 said:

I have no idea why on a 110k car they don't fit a decent system full stop! One that allows you to add loads of points of interest, give traffic alerts and all sorts of other lovely stuff that a 200 quid TomTom can do in its sleep.

I've done some searching around for hacks to the Volvo system. A few people would seem to have put speed cameras on, HOWEVER the process is tortuous, doesn't seem to be reliable and you need to be a Unix nerd of the highest order to run through it.

I wish Ford had teamed up with TomTom to be honest. Having used a Garmin recently, the TT line is sooooo much better to use.

I could not agree more.

[Venari]

You have to option TMC at the dealer... so if you can't, you don't have a choice. It is a separate module.

I know one or two people who almost certainly will be able to set it up, but an enterprising AML (or perhaps even Volvo) dealer might be able to sort you out.


V.