About FM Traffic Receivers for Motorcycles

[PanEuropean]

Hello All:

There are a variety of 'GTM' FM traffic receivers available now - the GTM 10, 11, 12, 20, and 21, which are all FM traffic receivers, and the GXM 30, which is a satellite traffic receiver for use in the USA only.

For our use as motorcycle riders, the most suitable one to purchase is the GTM 12. This one is quite small and (in my opinion, not Garmin's) it is waterproof.

You can use the earlier versions - the GTM 10 and 11 - without problems on a moto (I am still using a GTM 10), but you have to be careful to keep them dry, and there is more work involved in hooking up the antenna.

Below is a picture of a GTM 12. But - before you buy - go to the FM traffic receiver matrix on the Garmin website (Garmin Traffic Receivers) and double - triple check that you are getting the right device.

Note also that the devices are country-specific, if you are in a country that has pay service (e.g. the UK, France, or USA), as opposed to the rest of the world (Continent) where TMC service is free. So, whatever you do, don't order a USA model over the internet in the hopes of saving a few bucks, it won't have the necessary subscription enabled for the UK.

Michael

GTM 12 Traffic Receiver

 

[WeeWillieWinkie]

I was out and about to-day trying the 2820 with a GTM 12 Traffic receiver attached. The GTM 12 is indeed surprisingly compact and does not require any specific or professional installation - just plug and play. The information received has been good with coverage ranging from local Surrey/Sussex traffic conditions/accidents as well as those further afield e.g. A90 Cove A96 interchange (Scotland) 405 miles away. The UK version comes with a lifetime premium traffic subscription from Trafficmaster for the UK, which activates automatically and is inclusive in the price.

WWW

 

[skellum]

I was out and about to-day trying the 2820 with a GTM 12 Traffic receiver attached. The GTM 12 is indeed surprisingly compact and does not require any specific or professional installation - just plug and play. The information received has been good with coverage ranging from local Surrey/Sussex traffic conditions/accidents as well as those further afield e.g. A90 Cove A96 interchange (Scotland) 405 miles away. The UK version comes with a lifetime premium traffic subscription from Trafficmaster for the UK, which activates automatically and is inclusive in the price.

WWW

WWW - where did you get yours and more importantly "how much"! I have been trying to track one down... Many thanks

 

[mrTickle]

I purchased the GTM11 for my 2820 ( the GTM12 wasn't available in the UK at the time and they may well still be in short supply ). It works very well- just plug into the USB port and away you go - picks up traffic info from a good 200 miles away. It comes with two aerials - one looks like a walkie talkie aerial ( see picture ) and one is a long piece of thin wire ( like in the GTM12 picture above ). Both aerials plug into the square bit in the picture below ( ie where the walkie talkie aerial is plugged in ). It also has a lifetime subscription. In use I've found that the traffic information can sometimes be out of date - obviously nothing to do with Garmin - it's only as good as the trafficmaster data being transmitted to it.

It may also be of interest that the GTM11 is now declared as discontinued by Garmin.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gtm11/

 

[WeeWillieWinkie]

WWW - where did you get yours and more importantly "how much"! I have been trying to track one down... Many thanks

I got it from Global Positioning Systems [http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/] £149.95. It took a week for delivery and arrived about two weeks ago, but I've not been able to use it until today. I expect another retailer may be able to better the price, but at the time it appeared the going rate.

WWW

 

[PanEuropean]

I purchased the GTM11 for my 2820 ... It comes with two aerials - one looks like a walkie talkie aerial ( see picture ) and one is a long piece of thin wire ( like in the GTM12 picture above )...

Ah - that is good news, I did not know that the GTM 11 shipped with an antenna that was a long piece of thin wire - I thought it only shipped with the 'walkie-talkie' type antenna. Thanks for sharing that information.

The GTM 10, 11, and 12 all function identically - it would be wrong to suggest that one is better than the other. However, for moto use, the 12 is the preferred choice because of its small size and 'greater water resistance'.

The GTM 10 (the original product) is intended for fixed, in-line use in an automotive radio system. In other words, if you want to have the thing buried away behind the dash, out of sight, get a GTM 10.

Michael