TomTom Go 720 Traffic Sat Nav system - will not be released

[Polizia Lambo]

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the Tomtom Go 720T (Traffic) sat nav. I have just spoken to Tomtom customer services and they say that this model will not be released in the UK due to too many problems with the traffic (TMC) receiver. This is all very strange as this 720T is being advertised as coming into stock with so many UK retailers. According to this customer service representative, due to the problems with the TMC Receiver on the Go 710 unit, they will not make any receiver for the UK market.
This is not the first time I have spoken to Tomtom about this matter, but it is the first time I have heard this answer. Does anyone out there have any info on this unit's release? The Garmin Nuvi 660 seems to incorporate the traffic device, so why cant Tomtom?
Would it be possible to buy a unit in Europe (where the 720T version is available) and use it as normal in the UK, or would there be associated problems?

Many thanks

[off_again]

Interesting, there were rumours about this but they re-engineered the TMC adaptor and were supposedly getting it fixed. However, it looks like they didn't manage to resolve it and have decided not to do this. Seems strange that the biggest player cannot get it sorted, but they managed to get an awful reputation with the older unit and lost quite a few customers as a result (though their pretty awful customer service department) - lots of refunds and lost good will.

Seems strange when the others can get it to work and work pretty well. Maybe its just a problem they cannot overcome with their existing units. I have an AA Navigator with TMC which worked OK and now have a Sony NAVU which works well. Odd.

[jamsarnie]

The TMC receivers to fit TomToms are available separately for about £60. Definitely fit the One version 3, fairly sure they fit the 520 and 720 too.

[Frederick]

The v2 TMC receiver is available on the continent but not here through problems with iTIS and Trafficmaster network coverage.

You can buy it abroad and it will be functional, but you'll find you don't have a subscription in the UK for traffic messaging retrieval, as it usually is only free (or subscribed) in it's country of origin.

[jamsarnie]

Good to know its not available here. I'll go into work tomorrow and let our merchandiser know he needs to take it off the shelves

ETA Oops, missed the v2 in your post. Wasnt aware there was one available for the v2, all the ones i have seen/sold are V3 only.

Edited by jamsarnie on Wednesday 31st October 20:14

[Frederick]

Sorry, by v2 I mean the 2nd version of the TMC receiver.

The first version of the TMC receiver will still work with the One v3 (the one without the SD card slot but with the tmc hookup connector), the One XL, 510, 710, 910, 520 and 720 units.