SatNav or Google Maps? (1 Viewer)

[Helgamobil]

Having sold both SatNavs (oops!) and now returning to Motorhoming, just wondering if it is worth purchasing a Motorhome-dedicated SatNav, or just rely on Google Maps and hope for the best?
What do you do or have?
(We have a ton of data available on our phones - so that isn't really an issue with Google Maps)

 

[zac]

Always a dedicated satnav for trucks as we are 8.5m and just a smidge over 3m high, def not google maps as been down some roads in the car with this that were not fit for a dirt bike let alone a car. Some swear by google maps but not for me in both car and motorhome.
No point recommending a certain satnav vendor as there are just too many and its each to their own really, as long as you can enter in dimensions they all share similar mapping.

 

[LesW]

I would find my phone too small to use in the moho as a satnav, but have occasionally used it.

I much prefer both of my Garmin satnavs (Camper 760 and Zumo 660) because of the ability to create complex routes with Mapsource or Basecamp without needing a phone signal.

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[Fidge]

We now have Tom-tom Go camper so can input height, length, weight etc of van. We got caught out a couple of years ago in France using a sat nav which didn't have that facility and had several hairy experiences on roads that really we shouldn't have been on. For me that would be the same worry using Google maps, although they're great when just in the car. Depends on how strong your nerves are

 

[Guigsy]

2.3m wide a class... I still I use Google Maps. I've tried copilot and Tomtom. They gave me questionable routing with poor voice instructions and had worse traffic info. And they both still didn't know about a 6'6" width restriction near the campsite I frequent. I have Sygic Truck running on a tablet as a second opinion when I'm in Cornwall or North Norfolk. But Google normally wins.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Google maps and navigation is 10 years ahead of the dedicated ones.
Street view.
Satellite view.
All Pois.
Customer Rewiews.
Free.
Fast.

I'm amazed anybody pays for a device in 2024

PS the dimensions on other units can't be trusted, they WILL stitch you up sooner or later

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[the1andonly]

I dont use a dedicated twatnav or google maps. I use a bog std car garmin and map book for general route planning. if using a CS i read the instructions in the book (yes book) If I'm lucky and Ive not forgotten to pack it an OS map (the orange ones now also on phone/tablet on newer ones ive bought)or MAPS.ME on my tablet. Maps.me may not be the best available anymore because of restrictions. I also try to use my eyes (and the wifes) and asses the probability of difficulties, especialy when you allready know you are going to the middle of nowhere.

 

[ChrisL]

I use copilot caravan on an Android tablet, if you take the time to set up copilot correctly for your dimensions and road preferences it is very good.

 

[treblid]

We use Google Maps connected through Android Auto to the head unit. So it's a large 10 inch display, works seamlessly with the camping location apps, real time traffic information and journeys can be preplanned from the armchair on any device linked to your Google account.

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[Reallyretired]

I haven't used a dedicated satnav in years. There are excellent apps suitable even for large motorhomes which can be run on a phone, android tablet, or some ipads.
I use Copilot mainly as I have a lifetime licence ( no longer available) Road Lords is available free. There are also some paid ones like Sygic truck.
I run Copilot on a 10" Samsung tablet, updating all Western Europe maps before we go away to avoid using roaming data.

 

[scotjimland]

I sold my Garmin Camper LMT D 760

Now only use Google maps on 8 in Lenovo GPS tablet .. tethered to the phone for data ..

you can download Google maps for the area you are travelling and use without data , but you don't have the excellent live traffic updates and re routing ,so I don't bother.

 

[Bibbers]

We have had a Garmin Camper 770 for over 5 years. We put the height, weight and length etc of the motorhome in and it also links up with our phone to keep the sat nav live.
Used it here in the UK and abroad and has not let us down yet.
It's been worth every penny

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[Tantalus]

I need to replace my very old sat nav. I am the only driver and my hubby is blind. I don't have much data on the mobile so sat nav is my only option. I think I'll look at Garmin camper? My camper is 6.5 metres, cabover just under 3 metres.
I often look at a map and memorise sections but that's not good for congested or complicated bits.
Doing tunnel, through France, then down to Madrid for an event. West to Portugal, then north for tunnel return.

 

[Bibbers]

Ours also has a Points of interest section in which one of the features is 'Camper van fun' this gives you loads of stopovers wether it is proper sites or Aires etc. It has been a lifesaver.
We use the coordinates when we are abroad as it's easier and more accurate we find than putting addresses.

 

[V and B]

Google maps and navigation is 10 years ahead of the dedicated ones.
Street view.
Satellite view.
All Pois.
Customer Rewiews.
Free.
Fast.

I'm amazed anybody pays for a device in 2024

PS the dimensions on other units can't be trusted, they WILL stitch you up sooner or later

Agree. We once had a specialised sat nav, with our Moho dimensions, we missed a turning and it Sent us down a very dodgy lane, to try and get us back on track. Nowadays, as others have
mentioned preplanning using Google earth and street view, along with Google navigation on the day works well. I particularly like the up to date traffic situation, and even better its free.

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[ChrisL]

I don't have much data on the mobile so sat nav is my only option

Copilot and other apps like Tom Tom, Sygic etc. Only use data for live traffic which you can turn off to save data if you wish, the actual maps are stored on your device so use no data in operation.

 

[Jacasino]

Having sold both SatNavs (oops!) and now returning to Motorhoming, just wondering if it is worth purchasing a Motorhome-dedicated SatNav, or just rely on Google Maps and hope for the best?
What do you do or have?
(We have a ton of data available on our phones - so that isn't really an issue with Google Maps)

Waze (part of Google) has by far the best traffic information, it’s free and very easy to use, you cannot input vehicle sizes but when we had a dedicated motorhome satnav it led us up the garden path (pun intended) on numerous occasions anyway.
We work as a team and use the handbooks for ‘last mile’ guidance and spotting low bridge signs etc.

 

[scotjimland]

Waze (part of Google) has by far the best traffic information, it’s free and very easy to use

I tried it but it was too 'whiz bang blingy' for me..

but it has a large user base so must have features others prefer..

an interesting comparison,,

Google Maps vs. Waze: Which navigation app is better?​

Bottom Line​

There’s no denying the fact that Google Maps is the more comprehensive navigation service. Not only does it offer a considerable amount more than Waze, it’s more detailed and has a lot more resources at its disposal. More to the point, it doesn’t matter how you choose to get around, Google Maps has the tools to help you do it.

Waze is very limited by comparison, only offering navigation for motorists. And yet it’s able to offer a service that Google Maps can’t match, which is pretty damn weird considering how long it’s been part of the Google family. Why? It's not entirely clear what Google has to gain from keeping both services alive, and not offering Waze's breakout feature as part of Google Maps. But that is how things are.

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[pat100]

I use my iPhone as a satnav. It has two main advantages for me.
I can copy, and paste-in. decimal coordinates from websites such as park4night and from mapping apps. So, I can find an un-named layby, likely pull-in spot or view point and the satnav will take me there. Also, I get free updates and maps while a lot of dedicated devices are ferociously expensive to update. Usually, voice navigation is enough. Complex interchanges are visually a bit small but manageable. Even though it’s on an iPhone mini. I’ve used “Here We Go” for about 10 years since it was Nokia Maps. It’s also excellent for cycling using an AirPod in my ear and the phone in my pocket. I often plug it because the more people that use it, the better it is for me!

 

[scotjimland]

I can copy, and paste-in. decimal coordinates from websites such as park4night and from mapping apps.

why I prefer one of the supported sat nav apps. Google maps, Apple Maps etc ..

no copy pasting required, you can navigate directly from the camping app

For cycling, planning and routing , I generally use Komoot.. which is a specific cycling app

but as always, we use what we find best for us.. not rules

 

[Guigsy]

I use my iPhone as a satnav. It has two main advantages for me.
I can copy, and paste-in. decimal coordinates from websites such as park4night and from mapping apps. So, I can find an un-named layby, likely pull-in spot or view point and the satnav will take me there. Also, I get free updates and maps while a lot of dedicated devices are ferociously expensive to update. Usually, voice navigation is enough. Complex interchanges are visually a bit small but manageable. Even though it’s on an iPhone mini. I’ve used “Here We Go” for about 10 years since it was Nokia Maps. It’s also excellent for cycling using an AirPod in my ear and the phone in my pocket. I often plug it because the more people that use it, the better it is for me!

If you had a head unit with Apple Carplay, you could have a large display on your dashboard.

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[lebowski]

We used CoPilot on an iPad with a Garmin glo2 on our last trip and it worked perfectly. I backed it up with Waze on my phone but CoPilot was superb. Bit tricky if using it to find things on the fly but we used S4S which linked perfectly.

 

[pat100]

why I prefer one of the supported sat nav apps. Google maps, Apple Maps etc ..

no copy pasting required, you can navigate directly from the camping app

For cycling, planning and routing , I generally use Komoot.. which is a specific cycling app

but as always, we use what we find best for us.. not rules

Just looking for info on satnav-ing direct from apps. How do you get searchforsites directions info like this accurately into your satnav apps?

 

[pat100]

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[pat100]

Just looking for info on satnav-ing direct from apps. How do you get searchforsites directions info like this accurately into your satnav apps?

Replying to myself. It’s probably embarrassingly obvious. Just tap on the G.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Replying to myself. It’s probably embarrassingly obvious. Just tap on the G.

Usually when you touch "Navigate" on an app, your phone will ask which navigation app you want to use if there is more than 1 installed on the phone.

 

[LesW]

Just looking for info on satnav-ing direct from apps. How do you get searchforsites directions info like this accurately into your satnav apps?

It’s possible to download all the places on S4S into your satnav, then use the Satnav Quick Search number to find any site..

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[ericonabike]

It’s possible to download all the places on S4S into your satnav, then use the Satnav Quick Search number to find any site..

Just been looking at this! But as far as I can see, you need something running either MAC or Windows, which I don't possess. Would be delighted if anyone knows a way to transfer S4S onto a Garmin without...

 

[Skez]

Gave up on dedicated satnav with weight and dimension input. With a 4250kg PVC I got fed of always being routed along motorway - whatever the journey.

I now use Waze and Google maps via Android Auto to my head unit, along with a dash of common sense. No problems at all.

 

[ChrisL]

Replying to myself. It’s probably embarrassingly obvious. Just tap on the G.

I tap on navigation options and choose the one I want to use.

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