Garmin GTM-12 FM Traffic Receiver for Traffic-Enabled GPS Navigators

With the Garmin GTM-12 FM Traffic Receiver for Traffic-Enabled GPS Navigators, you save drive time, gas, and your sanity by adding traffic services to your compatible Garmin. The GTM 12 is an FM TMC (Traffic Message Channel) traffic receiver and antenna. It receives digital information (where available) on traffic and road construction tie-ups that your compatible Garmin unit uses to offer an alternate route. The GTM 12 features a new compact design and includes an antenna suction cup mount, making it easy to install.

The Garmin GTM-12 help you avoid traffic tie-ups. TMC data is available in a fast-growing number of cities throughout North America and Europe, and gives prompt, accurate notification of accidents, road construction, police, or emergency action, etc. In most areas, depending on the service provider, TMC traffic broadcasts are continuous. There's no waiting for scheduled traffic news updates or random alerts. With the GTM 12, you see traffic developments in real-time, as they happen, so you can make the right decision sooner. The system also alerts you when a traffic problem is on your route and proposes an alternate route to avoid the incident. Because traffic broadcasts are received via a "silent" FM data channel, you can still listen to music or news programming on your car radio without interference from incoming FM traffic data transmissions. The GTM 12 is a plug-and-play FM RDS-TMC receiver that does not require professional installation.

Note: Traffic services are available only in select cities where coverage exists. A subscription may be required to enable traffic capability. The purchase the GTM 12 includes a 15-month subscription to Clear Channel TMC in the Americas.

What's in the Box
GTM 12 FM TMC traffic receiver, and owner's manual.
Customer Review: Amazing at first, but needs updating, and not worth the price
I got this when I moved to LA, where the traffic is flat out horrible. I first tried it with a free subscription, and it got me back to my house within 10 minutes when It would normally take me through this massive highway corridor downtown (the I110-I10-101-I5 merger) and saved me 20-30 minutes of waiting in traffic. I thought it was amazing, however since then, it often takes me on side routes where the traffic is far worse than what is happening on the highway, and that's because it doesn't understand or know if, when, or where traffic is taking place outside of the highway. The GPS always has a number of how many minutes you can expect to be delayed, but it's almost never accurate unless the number goes above 30-40 minutes and at that point you don't need to know specifics to wanna try and avoid that kind of traffic. If they could just either refine the estimated delay time (as it's NEVER accurate even closely) or add side street traffic, at least on major city streets like Sunset, Santa Monica, Hollywood, I would gladly pay through the nose for this thing, I can definitely say that until these updates are implemented, my subscription will not be renewed. While it is very nice to be able to see traffic ahead of you and know how traffic is all over the place, with a smart phone or iPhone, all you need to do is look at maps and get the same exact information for free, especially with the new iPhone 3GS being so reliable as a GPS unit and map updater.
Customer Review: A Technology waiting for Clear Channel TMC (in DC) and Garmin to Catch Up
I've had the GTM-12 attached to my Garmin Nuvi 360 for about three weeks in the greater Washington, DC area. I can only express my significant dissapointment in the execution of this product in conjunction with my Garmin. I would give this product one star, except it technically works to show traffic problems on an occasional basis. For most intents and purposes, it is completely worthless. Let me explain. The primary reason to buy this device is to have the Garmin alert you to traffic problems and reroute you if severe, or at least suggest a reroute. First problem: Coverage. Clear Channel TMC apparently does not cover critical major highways in the DC area, such as 295 through DC. This isn't a minor oversight, it's irresponsible. Second problem: My Garmin doesn't perform any kind of traffic alerts even when facing severe congestion. For example, I travel westbound Rt 66 in the morning, a notorious A.M. bottleneck from DC to the split with the 267 tollroad (this road has traffic coverage). In my routing, I have a choice to avoid 66 if the traffic is bad enough. Even when the traffic map shows congestion and where I have an uncongested alternative (which is also has traffic coverage), the Garmin does not suggest the alternative. Third problem: the Traffic map itself doesn't adjust for your new position automatically. One has to keep selecting "Map" then "back" in order to refresh the traffic map. Annoying and dangerous. To summarize, the combination of the GTM-12 and my traffic-enabled Garmin Nuvi 360 sufferes from 1) poor Garmin programming that does not properly suggest reroutes or gives you proper traffic alerts and 2) poor traffic coverage from Clear Channel. Disappointing. HOWEVER, with some new programming from Garmin and better traffic coverage from Clear Channel TMC, this would be a tremendous winner. That makes the current situation even more disappointing. Note, too, that you must have the unit plugged into power to receive traffic. Don't forget your charger. BTW, I do not know if the newer Garmin Nuvi "T" units (with integrated traffic receivers) suffer from these problems.


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