The best motorhome sat nav?

[DSMARTIN01]

We have a Benimar Tessoro and the sat nav is not very good so we are looking to replace it.
Does anyone have any recommendations please?

 

[Jewellbags]

Is there a different version for trucks as I cannot see that option

I’m also using IOS

 

[MichaelT]

Tell me about it!
Using our 760 it was furiously telling me to turn off the main road I knew was the correct road to go but I know best! Until we reached the tailback after a road accident!

Same forum going down to Spain. After Bordeaux I knew motorway went direct to Spain but Tom Tom Camper sat nag kept telling us to take exit. Ignored then spent 2 hours stationary while the fire brigade put out a truck fire

 

[Janine]

Same forum going down to Spain. After Bordeaux I knew motorway went direct to Spain but Tom Tom Camper sat nag kept telling us to take exit. Ignored then spent 2 hours stationary while the fire brigade put out a truck fire

Perhaps we should have crystal balls on the dashboard instead of satnavs

 

[St3v3]

Yes but you have to be looking at the satnav at the precise moment it changes the route and then touch the screen to reject it.

I usually get a vocal announcement that it has found a better route and then the option to dismiss (I think... It might have been to accept, I can't remember.)

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[Swamp]

I’m also using IOS

I’ve just looked at the Magic Earth website and the features that include Truck options seem to be part of a new rollout for Android.
It does say that a new rollout for IOS is being worked on so maybe us iPhone users will get the functionality when that is launched

 

[cyberyacht]

Perhaps we should have crystal balls on the dashboard instead of satnavs

That would make you drive cautiously.

 

[Gellyneck]

Perhaps we should have crystal balls on the dashboard instead of satnavs

I'm gonna get into trouble here!

Is that as opposed to hairy ones?

That would make you drive cautiously.

Even more so if the above is correct!

 

[Gellyneck]

When folks have problems with sat navs it’s often the user, and not the device, that’s the issue.

Ian

How dare you insinuate I'm an idiot even though you are 100% correct!

 

[Pausim]

You shouldn’t drive with your feet on the dash, let alone other parts of your anatomy. How is this possible whilst wearing a seat belt?

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[bigtwin]

How dare you insinuate I'm an idiot even though you are 100% correct!

Ian

 

[Gellyneck]

....................... How is this possible whilst wearing a seat belt?

Gave you a "heart hug" however it's all your own fault!

You should have got a C class rather than an A class!

 

[Old Gibber]

As SpitTM says the Xzent is actually a good sat nav. There are usually two problems with it. Firstly it tends to be a bit flaky, and that can be cured with a software update. Secondly if it keeps losing position on the road, then move the GPS aerial and put it above the dash, or you have some electronic device close by, move that. First check in the menu system to see how many satellites it is receiving. If its less than 8 then moving any electronics or the aerial itself will make a difference. On the Tessoro just lift the panel behind the sat nav, it is only held in with clips, and find the black GPS aerial box. Watch the change in number of satellites as you try different positions on the dash.

 

[nicholsong]

I have not read the last few posts but surely what the truck drivers use should be good enough for even the biggest MH.

I do not know what they use, but maybe some ex- HGV drivers can help.

 

[Stoosal]

Another vote for copilot. Far far better than Xzent, which does work but is very clunky and not very user friendly.

copilot let’s you set up dimensions and prioritise which road types you want to use. Best I’ve used so far.

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[DSMARTIN01]

Thanks for all your thoughts everyone. I think I may have touched a nerve or two. Our sat nav is connected to the controls on the steering wheel and apart from being unreliable with the route it suddenly turns on the reversing camera! which is annoying. Also the radio is pretty useless on DAB or FM and looses the station regularly on a trip.
You would think that a sat nav, radio, hands free mobile, etc unit fitted to a motorhome by the manufacturer, especially the sat nav element, would be fit for purpose. Obviously I am a bit naive. Luckily I still haven't been sent down a narrow road so I still have my door mirrors and awning.

 

[Pausim]

If you are planning on changing the radio you could buy one with AppleCarplay/Android Auto and then use a phone to provide free sat nav such as Google Maps, Waze etc. It is what I have and it is great.

 

[Old Gibber]

Thanks for all your thoughts everyone. I think I may have touched a nerve or two. Our sat nav is connected to the controls on the steering wheel and apart from being unreliable with the route it suddenly turns on the reversing camera! which is annoying. Also the radio is pretty useless on DAB or FM and looses the station regularly on a trip.
You would think that a sat nav, radio, hands free mobile, etc unit fitted to a motorhome by the manufacturer, especially the sat nav element, would be fit for purpose. Obviously I am a bit naive. Luckily I still haven't been sent down a narrow road so I still have my door mirrors and awning.

Definitely needs the software updates doing. It also sounds like there may be a loose connection or two somewhere.

 

[Jewellbags]

I’ve just looked at the Magic Earth website and the features that include Truck options seem to be part of a new rollout for Android.
It does say that a new rollout for IOS is being worked on so maybe us iPhone users will get the functionality when that is launched

Thats ok I’ll load in on my Samsung

 

[Cobnarowl]

Can anyone help please.My old Garmin used to give me a choice of routes.The newish Avtex tourer 3 appears to give me just the one.The only setting option I can find is the one just described,(I assume it's the fastest one) OR a straight line one ,(as the crow flies) which I cant ever see the point

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[MichaelT]

Can anyone help please.My old Garmin used to give me a choice of routes.The newish Avtex tourer 3 appears to give me just the one.The only setting option I can find is the one just described,(I assume it's the fastest one) OR a straight line one ,(as the crow flies) which I cant ever see the point

On our Tom Tom camper you have to go to current route then there is option to show alternatives.

 

[andysam]

Not a recommendation for it, in fact the opposite - for my short & narrow (6mx2.14m) van the Co-Pilot caravan/motorhome app is far too cautious routing us around easily navigable roads that at least a 7.5/8m wide van would cope with. I believe adding the dimensions to the app is only to offer user confidence and is not bespoke. I suspect that it either routes as a car or as a lorry depending what dimensions you put in. In France it routed me away from a "normal" road entirely around a village (about 1.5mls) to bring me back to the other end of the road 300m away that had clear line of sight through it. My suspicions were recently confirmed on the NC500- if you ignored what it told you routing would be "ok" but you HAD to ignore it.

 

[ctc]

What did you do before satnavs? I travelled all over the UK and parts of Europe for work, I looked at a map then signposts, it worked most of the time, cost very little and didn't need endless fiddling.

 

[cyberyacht]

It's surprising how dependant we have become on sat-navy. I used to make a crib list with road numbers and main towns and that sufficed for driving up and down France for years. Half the time I didn't even need to look at the list. Sat-navs are very handy when you are off the beaten track or looking for a specific road in a strange town though.