BIOS: Technology Means Business

Thanks to an integrated live traffic update system, Evesham and Destinator deliver one of the cleverest satellite navigation system around.

The Bluemedia BM6300-TMC (£399) is apparently a new kind of satellite navigation system. While satellite navigation systems are great for taking you from A to B with the minimum of fuss, what about when you hit unexpected traffic, there’s an incident or a flurry of snow?

Now there’s a satellite navigation system that is not only highly featured and ensures you take the quickest route to your destination, but will also alert you of any traffic incidents and automatically help you find the quickest route around them.

Hardware company Evesham Technology and Destinator Technologies, supplier of the most accurate and sophisticated Sat-Nav software available, have once again teamed up to deliver a breakthrough in satellite navigation.

And this time not only does the BM6300-TMC feature all you’d expect from a high-end GPS system, including ultra accurate maps and a 3.5-inch LCD screen, it also has a secret weapon in Traffic Message Channel (TMC) compatibility.

Using the software already integrated into the system and an FM receiver, TMC delivers the latest traffic information to the driver enabling you to avoid hold ups and hazards such as Accidents, Weather, Traffic jams and Construction/Roadworks. Should you be approaching an area where there is a hazard the Destinator software not only informs you of the jam but also automatically navigates a new route for you if you require.

Also unlike some TMC-enabled satellite navigation systems, subscription to TMC is free to the user for the life of the unit. The easy to install device also features mounts for cars and can even be used by pedestrians.

TMC (Traffic Message Channel) uses the FM Radio Data System (RDS) to broadcast real-time traffic information. Data messages are received and decoded by the ‘in line FM receiver.’ Using this data the BM6300-TMC is able to automatically adjust your route to avoid traffic congestion.

TMC data in the UK is only available commercially, the BM6300-TMC therefore includes a lifetime licence for the Trafficmaster RDS service. There are five types of traffic alert that can be selected for avoidance. The BM6300-TMC can either automatically recalculate your route based on the alerts received or if you prefer it can prompt you each time there is an alert for you to decide whether to re-route or not.

In addition to a screen that displays the excellent Destinator ND 5.5 software, the BM6300-TMC also includes visual and audible speed camera alerts, which are free for 6 months and can be updated every month provided the user has a PC and an internet connection. It comes loaded with Navteq Q3 2005 maps for the UK and Ireland, though European countries can also be added.

Easy to read and accurate 2D and 3D maps, clearly audible voice instructions, speed camera alerts and full UK 7-digit postcode search are just a few of the features.

The BM6300 is also available without TMC functionality, retailing at £299 (includes full 7-digit postcode search, speed camera alerts and Destinator 5.5 software as standard).

[Best Sat-Nav Pricing UK]
[Best Sat-Nav Pricing US]

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