Considering a hardware satnav (rather than an app).

[daventess]

CoPilot has finally become more unreliable than reliable. It's taken me some bats**t crazy routes through Europe on this trip, and Google Maps has actually been better at avoiding unsuitable roads (though still bloody awful!)

So I'm considering a hardware satnav (eg tomtom or similar).

Anyone swear by any particular make & model?

Wandering Bird recommends this one : https://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-Campervan-Caravan-profiles-accessories/dp/B0CPLX6YRW?tag=mhf04-21

Any others hardware satnavs you chaps would stand by (having used them)? I'm not looking for another app (I have tried most of them and CoPilot was the best in my opinion).

 

[JockandRita]

I use the Eurowag Jock, I keep upping the weight on the settings due to narrow roads I’m currently 16 tonne

Just go the full hog Paul, and programme it for 44 x Tonnes to see if there is a difference.

I've tried all the apps but not this one. Just tried it, unfortunately it still fails several obvious test roads that I know of. which are 15%, thin single track , blue sign marked no HGV. Is there anything that can reliably do this at a satnav level? I tend now to look ahead on google maps as far as the obvious "end of trunk road" then once its gone small I look on google streetview for the blue signs at each junction. which obviously only works in advance not when driving.

Keeping in mind "Rule No1", I am going to be polite, and suggest that you've not programmed it correctly.

On the occasions I used the EuroWag App in anger whilst driving a 44 x Tonne Artic, not once did it try to give me a bum steer, whereas a similar App tried to take me down 7.5 Tonne weight restrictions.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Revolvor]

I've used the Garmin camper 660 for a few years now, which allows you to input vehicle weight, height length and width. We've had some laughs when using the voice commands trying to get it to understand some place names. I also have a 4" to the mile UK road atlas and always check routes on paper as well.

That must be a very big map! Do you mean 4 miles to the inch?

 

[Paul Wilkins]

Currently using a Garmin 1090.. never caused any headaches.

 

[Rog NotJane]

We will be selling our Garmin 895 later this month (hopefully) as the new van comes with one built in.

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[Scottish Scrutineer]

We will be selling our Garmin 895 later this month (hopefully) as the new van comes with one built in.

I’d keep the Garmin as most built-in units I’ve used over the years are seriously flawed.

 

[ian27]

Just go the full hog Paul, and programme it for 44 x Tonnes to see if there is a difference.


Keeping in mind "Rule No1", I am going to be polite, and suggest that you've not programmed it correctly.

On the occasions I used the EuroWag App in anger whilst driving a 44 x Tonne Artic, not once did it try to give me a bum steer, whereas a similar App tried to take me down 7.5 Tonne weight restrictions.

Cheers,

Jock.

no offence taken but even when set to 44t it allows routes up this road near where I live. It's not legally weight restricted. But definitely blue sign marked No HGV. Very steep very narrow.

 

[Rog NotJane]

I’d keep the Garmin as most built-in units I’ve used over the years are seriously flawed.

It’s a built in Garmin

 

[Whippet93]

That must be a very big map! Do you mean 4 miles to the inch?

yes that's the one!

 

[boaterkeith]

I’ve been pleased with my Aguri over the last 3 years. It obviously pays some attention to dimensions as visiting one site there was a low bridge, just high enough for my to fit through, but it took me on an alternate route. Likewise in Wales I had a destination where there were two approaches, one shorter but narrow road and the other 2 miles longer but adequate road width. It took me the longer way.

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[Patiopat]

CoPilot has finally become more unreliable than reliable. It's taken me some bats**t crazy routes through Europe on this trip, and Google Maps has actually been better at avoiding unsuitable roads (though still bloody awful!)

So I'm considering a hardware satnav (eg tomtom or similar).

Anyone swear by any particular make & model?

Wandering Bird recommends this one : https://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-Campervan-Caravan-profiles-accessories/dp/B0CPLX6YRW?tag=mhf04-21

Any others hardware satnavs you chaps would stand by (having used them)? I'm not looking for another app (I have tried most of them and CoPilot was the best in my opinion).

Hello I have just gave up on copilot has you say its gone bonkers. I have just bought the Garmin 1095 camper so far it's been absolutely bang on. Not used in Europe yet.its got some really good features one i do like is when you get near to your destination it's shows you the area in satellite mode plus the speed for your weight is also spot on. Not cheap though.

 

[ChrisL]

Hello I have just gave up on copilot has you say its gone bonkers. I have just bought the Garmin 1095 camper so far it's been absolutely bang on. Not used in Europe yet.its got some really good features one i do like is when you get near to your destination it's shows you the area in satellite mode plus the speed for your weight is also spot on. Not cheap though.

I really haven't experienced any bad routing issues except where it thought a new road had been completed and it hadn't, I assume you have road preferences correctly set and you are using the correct profile?

 

[Tim P]

I have the Tom Tom Camper edition it comes pre loaded with Camper contact, acsi, CAMC, etc, and you enter your Length, Height,Width and Weight, with real time traffic updates. I have used it for 5 years all over Europe and so far no major F**k ups. However bear in mind, it is only as good as the info uploaded by the countries you visit.

 

[discokid]

CoPilot has finally become more unreliable than reliable. It's taken me some bats**t crazy routes through Europe on this trip, and Google Maps has actually been better at avoiding unsuitable roads (though still bloody awful!)

So I'm considering a hardware satnav (eg tomtom or similar).

Anyone swear by any particular make & model?

Wandering Bird recommends this one : https://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-Campervan-Caravan-profiles-accessories/dp/B0CPLX6YRW?tag=mhf04-21

Any others hardware satnavs you chaps would stand by (having used them)? I'm not looking for another app (I have tried most of them and CoPilot was the best in my opinion).

Have just bought a Garmin 795 . So far I’m very pleased with it. Does the job and the Garmin Drive app on my iPhone is synced to it. So I can plan a route on my mobile and it will transfer it to the 795.

 

[Blisteringblue]

Im a TomTom Camper user but it only really comes out for multi week trips, although only a 6m PVC driver so im starting to not care where google maps takes you

A tip for free TomTom dimension based routing though download the TomTom My Drive app (also PC based). If you plan a route online you can save it in my drive under "My Routes" and then using the TomTom mobile Go App you can then open these routes which are based on your dimensions.

Only downside is obviously you cant deviate because the Go App won't have your dimensions.

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[Allybob]

I’ve used Aguri for the last 5 years with very little trouble. Yes the odd hiccup and some strange routes when you look back but the benefits far outweigh those occasions.

We also have used Aguri for a number of years and are mostly happy with it. It does have some irritations like the time it takes to boot up but we like the huge database of campsites already loaded, and the built in dashcam. We haven't had many issues with the mapping, but use a paper map and common sense if we feel doubtful about a route.

 

[Patiopat]

I really haven't experienced any bad routing issues except where it thought a new road had been completed and it hadn't, I assume you have road preferences correctly set and you are using the correct profile?

Hi yes all profiles set correctly the speed is always wrong for my weight. I have been in contact with CoPilot about this and I provided information about it which they said I was correct and would do update that was 2 years ago and it's still the same. This year it was trying to take me down some stupid roads and the last straw was when I was on a main road and it was telling me me to take the next turn on the left over a single road bridge then back onto main road. So now binned it.

 

[ChrisL]

This year it was trying to take me down some stupid roads and the last straw was when I was on a main road and it was telling me me to take the next turn on the left over a single road bridge then back onto main road.

I have local roads set to strongly avoid and it's never taken me down one unless there is no other option, it's strange, perhaps the issue is to do with incorrect map data? They have recently started doing smaller updates so only the roads that have changed are updated ,perhaps there is some data corruption going on. I also have Sygic caravan but I haven't found it to be as good as co pilot.

 

[Patiopat]

I have local roads set to strongly avoid and it's never taken me down one unless there is no other option, it's strange, perhaps the issue is to do with incorrect map data? They have recently started doing smaller updates so only the roads that have changed are updated ,perhaps there is some data corruption going on. I also have Sygic caravan but I haven't found it to be as good as co pilot.

Hi I have it set to motorway and dual carriage and A roads only and it still sends me to stupid roads.

 

[chris McKenny]

CoPilot has finally become more unreliable than reliable. It's taken me some bats**t crazy routes through Europe on this trip, and Google Maps has actually been better at avoiding unsuitable roads (though still bloody awful!)

So I'm considering a hardware satnav (eg tomtom or similar).

Anyone swear by any particular make & model?

Wandering Bird recommends this one : https://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-Campervan-Caravan-profiles-accessories/dp/B0CPLX6YRW?tag=mhf04-21

Any others hardware satnavs you chaps would stand by (having used them)? I'm not looking for another app (I have tried most of them and CoPilot was the best in my opinion).

Garmin camper ,there are various models with different applications , believe ours is a 780 , like the functions had it for some five plus years now , free upgrades ,cannot complain .

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[1967bowesj]

Just go the full hog Paul, and programme it for 44 x Tonnes to see if there is a difference.


Keeping in mind "Rule No1", I am going to be polite, and suggest that you've not programmed it correctly.

On the occasions I used the EuroWag App in anger whilst driving a 44 x Tonne Artic, not once did it try to give me a bum steer, whereas a similar App tried to take me down 7.5 Tonne weight restrictions.

Cheers,

Jock.

Tongue in check jock but you do know the europeans dont weigh the same as us lol

 

[wilfyboy]

Auto for me have used for a number of years only once taken strange route new build area.

 

[wilfyboy]

Sorry should be aguri dawn autospell

 

[JockandRita]

no offence taken but even when set to 44t it allows routes up this road near where I live. It's not legally weight restricted. But definitely blue sign marked No HGV. Very steep very narrow.



View attachment 1065798

Ian, as an experiment, I've just programmed the Eurowag Navi App for a 44 Tonner, to the top of Church Rd from my place, and it avoided Church Rd completely, taking me in off the A5.

Google Maps which I can't programme for a 44 Tonner, takes me a completely different and possibly an unsuitable way in.

I know which one I'd be using.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[daventess]

There's another aspect to this - offline usage.

I was in Andorra yesterday, and nothing data-wise worked. Oh, sorry, one thing did - giffgaff's ability to charge me a tenner for 23 bytes of data. What didn't work was any of my satnav apps.

Now I know I can download offline maps in some cases, but they don't handle my rather capricious mood swings regarding the next destination, and I think maybe the hardware is less dependent on an active data connection?

I could be wrong of course ...

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[ian27]

Ian, as an experiment, I've just programmed the Eurowag Navi App for a 44 Tonner, to the top of Church Rd from my place, and it avoided Church Rd completely, taking me in off the A5.



Google Maps which I can't programme for a 44 Tonner, takes me a completely different and possibly an unsuitable way in.



I know which one I'd be using.

Cheers,

Jock.

I don't doubt that Eurowag picks the better route in general, trys to stick to major roads, and I can see that it definitely knows about weight restrictions and avoids them... so I will be giving it a try.
However the issue I see is that the nav apps (in general) are not able to say "your destination is blue sign marked No HGV, we cannot give you a valid route for the last mile" or something like that. Eurowag with 44T/17M set will still give me a valid route to a destination of a passing place in the middle of the worst bit on that road, which would be utter madness in an artic.

which is why I've evolved the laborious approach of google streetviewing the approach roads, looking for blue signs at junctions, particularly when I was towing, 14M long all up. I do it a bit less now with a 7M motorhome.

something with a bit of automated last mile streetview searching for restriction signs would be ideal!

 

[JockandRita]

which is why I've evolved the laborious approach of google streetviewing the approach roads, looking for blue signs at junctions, particularly when I was towing, 14M long all up. I do it a bit less now with a 7M motorhome.

You and me both Ian, but for me it's for the final approach to destination.
Sometimes I'll tell Rita to watch out for this or that as we get closer, and she'll reply, "Have you been here before then?"

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Gellyneck]

"Have you been here before then?"

and who with!

 

[Guigsy]

Weight and height restrictions are easy to avoid. They are well signposted. And also pretty rare.

What's far more of a stress is narrow lanes. And none of the size aware apps or dedicated units are particuarly good at dealing with them. The benefit is marginal at best. So why bother when there are free satnav apps that aren't anywhere near as clunky?

 

[Minxy]