France/Spain Sat Nav

[But5y]

Hi, I have Adria Supersonic Motorhome, looking for advice on Sat Nav, the Mercedes built in unit is not the best in UK and I have no confidence using abroad, 1st time France/Spain in May. What would you guys recommend as a stand alone unit? (would prefer something I can add vehicle dimensions to) thx

Tomtom 7" Exclusive is by far
the best we have tried over the years. Certainly in UK, France and Spain.
It does sometimes try to send you down roads to cut corners but it is quite obvious and just ignored. Dimension are set and all seems to work well.

 

[Laughing Gravy]

I suppose much is personal preference but our TomTom Camper Sat Nav served us really well in France and Spain for 3 months last year

 

[Fidge]

Hi, I have Adria Supersonic Motorhome, looking for advice on Sat Nav, the Mercedes built in unit is not the best in UK and I have no confidence using abroad, 1st time France/Spain in May. What would you guys recommend as a stand alone unit? (would prefer something I can add vehicle dimensions to) thx

Tomtom

 

[Fidge]

Tomtom Go Camper Max did a good job for us last year in France and Spain. You can also use MyDrive on you computer/ tablet which allows you yo fine tune routes and then send it to your tomtom.

 

[pat100]

I like to use a satnav on my phone. It means I can easily copy and paste-in precise coordinates from websites and mapping apps.
Regular updates and downloading offline maps are easy to do. You can position it where you want, using a phone holder.
(Tip: buy a self-adhesive shiny disc for the dash)
I rarely need to look at the screen. If a mobile signal is available, it can use this to improve the GPS accuracy.
It is convenient to have my phone always on and in eyesight and I can pocket it when I park up.
I can use my phone’s range of voices and don’t have to learn to use a new device.
I’ve been using the HERE wego app for years. I believe it’s similar to Waze. But it doesn’t do dimensions.
Since it is free, you don’t lose anything by trying it out.

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[pat100]

… Sometimes you have to apply a bit of thought to to the instructions being given.

Well said! On several occasions I’ve said “Nope, not going down there” - continued on and been rerouted down a better road.
When planning, I often use Google Street View to get advance warning.

 

[John The Foot]

SYGIC app on my Ipad with motorhome & truck extras bought whilst on offer, used in France last September and found it very good. Put in all dimensions and weight, found it did send us in the correct way several times when I had the google maps on iPhone as well which would of got us into some severe reversing moves which would of been a real pain as we were towing with A frame & C1.

 

[pat100]

SYGIC app on my Ipad with motorhome & truck extras bought whilst on offer, used in France last September and found it very good. Put in all dimensions and weight, found it did send us in the correct way several times when I had the google maps on iPhone as well which would of got us into some severe reversing moves which would of been a real pain as we were towing with A frame & C1.

Not doubting your experience but I did have a look on the AppStore and the most recent reviews are negative.

 

[bigtwin]

If it still takes you down occasionally unsuitable routes, what's the advantage over Google Maps?

The advantage is that it does so less frequently than Google Maps does.

Ian

 

[Barriesimpson]

The advantage is that it does so less frequently than Google Maps does.

Ian

Correct.

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[TDub49]

Hi, I have Adria Supersonic Motorhome, looking for advice on Sat Nav, the Mercedes built in unit is not the best in UK and I have no confidence using abroad, 1st time France/Spain in May. What would you guys recommend as a stand alone unit? (would prefer something I can add vehicle dimensions to) thx

Garmin Camper 770.

 

[Guigsy]

The advantage is that it does so less frequently than Google Maps does.

Ian

Having used TomTom and Sygic, I'm not convinced. With Google Maps, if I come to a decision point, it has that convenient marker directly on the map telling you the time of the alternatives. Often it just a 'Similar ETA' marker, or a couple of minutes, so you can weigh up your choices in an informed manner. With Sygic and TomTom, you've just got to trust that they know what they're doing, even if the site road looks decidedly narrow. And in my experience, they aren't much more clued up that Google. They give you false faith.

 

[BYTESIZE]

Hi, I have Adria Supersonic Motorhome, looking for advice on Sat Nav, the Mercedes built in unit is not the best in UK and I have no confidence using abroad, 1st time France/Spain in May. What would you guys recommend as a stand alone unit? (would prefer something I can add vehicle dimensions to) thx

Hi, I have Adria Supersonic Motorhome, looking for advice on Sat Nav, the Mercedes built in unit is not the best in UK and I have no confidence using abroad, 1st time France/Spain in May. What would you guys recommend as a stand alone unit? (would prefer something I can add vehicle dimensions to) thx

Sygic camper, on smart phone or as we do on 10 inch tablet with fixed mounting (fits in the ducato centre holder) 4 map updates a year, fully customisable with vehicle specs.

 

[Barriesimpson]

I use Tom Tom go truck version on the mobile. I then connect the mobile to the van using Android Auto and have the sat nav on the van screen and using the speakers. €90 a year with full updates. Works perfectly for me and SO much better than Google maps. Always get 3 or 4 different route options depending on if you want tolls or no tolls, motorway or not, and the van size and weight are input to the programme, so it doesn't send me down unsuitable routes.

 

[JockandRita]

Time and time again, the Xgody X9 with the latest Truck Map updates does the job for us in the UK, and across Europe.....................and at a fraction of the cost of TomTom, Garmin, and Snooper units.

Just saying like.

Jock.

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[Brains]

Garmin Camper 770.

As an FYI for anyone looking for a SatNav

• The Avetex Tourer Three plus
• The Garmin 795+
• The Camper 795+
• the Garmin RV+

Are all the same make and model

The 'plus' refers to the dashcam,
so if the name does not include 'plus' or '+' it cheaper and does not have the dash cam, but is the same otherwise.

All the models have a Garmin base map.
All the models have height/width/weight entry
All come with a 'lifetime' (read that as max 7 years) map updates.

The main difference between the Avetax version and the others is it includes a database of all C&MHC Campsites and CL's (Which is a surprisingly useful feature)

 

[JockandRita]

The main difference between the Avetax version and the others is it includes a database of all C&MHC Campsites and CL's (Which is a surprisingly useful feature)

My Xgody X9 also includes that database, as well as that of Archers Campsites, C&CC sites and CS's, cemeteries (for water), MH parking, supermarkets in UK and EU, filling stations, Autogas outlets, ACSI sites, Aires, Stellplatz, Sostas, Camper Stops, Wetherspoons, etc, etc.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Barriesimpson]

My Xgody X9 also includes that database, as well as that of Archers Campsites, C&CC sites and CS's, cemeteries (for water), MH parking, supermarkets in UK and EU, filling stations, Autogas outlets, ACSI sites, Aires, Stellplatz, Sostas, Camper Stops, Wetherspoons, etc, etc.

Cheers,

Jock.

Yes, all very good, but these are stand alone solutions it seems. I don't want more screens that I need, so using the multimedia screen that is already in the van is a much better solution. I also have the reverse camara on the same screen.

 

[JockandRita]

Yes, all very good, but these are stand alone solutions it seems. I don't want more screens that I need, so using the multimedia screen that is already in the van is a much better solution. I also have the reverse camara on the same screen.

I don't have a multimedia screen in my 2006 MH Barrie, so have no choice but to opt for a standalone unit. If I fit the correct camera lens and wiring, I too can have a reversing camera option to my Xgody X9 Truck Sat Nav.

From what I read, these Zenec Multimedia units appear to be quite unreliable and very unpopular. I have also read of members seeking advice re stand alone Sat Nav units, due to their dismay at the performance of built in units.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Barriesimpson]

I don't have a multimedia screen in my 2006 MH Barrie, so have no choice but to opt for a standalone unit. If I fit the correct camera lens and wiring, I too can have a reversing camera option to my Xgody X9 Truck Sat Nav.

From what I read, these Zenec Multimedia units appear to be quite unreliable and very unpopular. I have also read of members seeking advice re stand alone Sat Nav units, due to their dismay at the performance of built in units.

Cheers,

Jock.

Well of course, if you don't have the screen, you need another solution. As you all know, my van is 2024 so does have the screen (not sure right now of the make, but don't think it's Zenec), it's a 2 din and more than enough to show the sat nav while driving and I get all the instructions (from Marta - she has a lovely voice) through the van's speakers. So far it has been completely reliable.

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[Guigsy]

I don't have a multimedia screen in my 2006 MH Barrie, so have no choice but to opt for a standalone unit. If I fit the correct camera lens and wiring, I too can have a reversing camera option to my Xgody X9 Truck Sat Nav.

From what I read, these Zenec Multimedia units appear to be quite unreliable and very unpopular. I have also read of members seeking advice re stand alone Sat Nav units, due to their dismay at the performance of built in units.

Cheers,

Jock.

The Sony 9" XAV with Android Auto and Apple Carplay only uses a single DIN radio slot. Then just use an app on your phone.

 

[JockandRita]

Well of course, if you don't have the screen, you need another solution. As you all know, my van is 2024 so does have the screen (not sure right now of the make, but don't think it's Zenec), it's a 2 din and more than enough to show the sat nav while driving and I get all the instructions (from Marta - she has a lovely voice) through the van's speakers. So far it has been completely reliable.

I hope Marta continues to serve you well Barrie. Katie keeps me on the right road.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[JockandRita]

The Sony 9" XAV with Android Auto and Apple Carplay only uses a single DIN radio slot. Then just use an app on your phone.

Thanks, but our Din radio is at knee level, so the unit you suggest would be so distracting for me, not being dash mounted at eye level.

Cheers,

Jock.