Which is the best SatNav? (2 Viewers)

[Neilfg]

Long term tablet CoPliot user, not going to says its the best as not tried all the others but it works for us, it does do the odd stupid shortcut, but setting your road preferences makes a big difference. We like it as the controls for moving the map around to check route and adjust are very easy, multiple profiles takes care of the tolls or not. Integrates well with P4N, Search4Sites and iOverlander and can install on multiple devices (phones and old tablet) which is very handy

We have leant to use in conjunction with Google Maps mainly for the satelitte view to check small/local roads and routes through towns, mid journey

If you are over 3.5t and over 3m high then a sat nav that routes with dimensions is very handy, we've never had an issue with height or weight, width length however is not on all maps so thats why we often check. If we were 3.5 and under 2.8m then could probably get away with Google maps.

Changing van and that will have Garmin Tread ?? built in so that may test our CoPliot usage

 

[Brains]

This is what Google gave me.
View attachment 934695

This is what Garmin gave me with motorhome settings (taking in the three pubs you mention - down and up the A39 to get to The White Hart Inn).
View attachment 934696

The Google route is not realistic in a motorhome.
I'd suggest for a non-local or not confident driver in a large car that route would give many nightmares.

The Garmin route is the correct one.
It's perfectly drivable in a motorhome.
And in a car would be considerably faster than the Google route most of the time.

 

[TheAleMan]

Worst sat nav i have ever used, it can't even get us from storage to the main road, so no way I can trust it abroad we have 2 old tom toms, rider and no idea which the other is. John tends to use waze in the car. But not compatible with my system.

Have had my Garmin Camper for around 6 years now and it’s never let us down tbh. Can enter size of vehicle to avoid the smaller roads which is great to have. Nothing not to like.

 

[CazPaul]

Google maps is ok for main roads and motorways etc if say you want to get to Bristol from York, trying to get to a camping area of business premises it’s totally useless, down unclassified roads, roads/lanes that aren’t even in use anymore.
It’s dreadfully atrocious, takes you off the main road where you are going straight to the place, through little lanes, housing estates. It’s the worst navigation system for a Motorhome I’ve ever come across.
It’s not an occasional error it’s virtually every trip, sorry it was every trip until I deleted it.

 

[TheAleMan]

Google maps once said to me..”go straight over” at a T junction, I replied..what into that field. I kid you not.

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[bobnick]

I can't get to the village co-op with a bloody Sat Nag.
Too reliant on the bloody thing.

 

[Gellyneck]

Google maps once said to me..”go straight over” at a T junction, I replied..what into that field. I kid you not.

Hope you closed the gate behind you!

 

[Guigsy]

Google maps is ok for main roads and motorways etc if say you want to get to Bristol from York, trying to get to a camping area of business premises it’s totally useless, down unclassified roads, roads/lanes that aren’t even in use anymore.
It’s dreadfully atrocious, takes you off the main road where you are going straight to the place, through little lanes, housing estates. It’s the worst navigation system for a Motorhome I’ve ever come across.
It’s not an occasional error it’s virtually every trip, sorry it was every trip until I deleted it.

Really? Because I use it literally every trip. Through the depths of Birmingham. Norfolk, Cornwall, all through Ireland and 6 months in Europe where we moved about an hour every day. I think the routing for cars is probably the best. And it's very rare (especially in Europe) that is have an issue. Just about the only thing you've got to be aware of is if it cuts the corner around a rural town down a lane. So it'll be telling you to make a turn off the main road. And as you approach, you can see it's a bit narrow. But right there on the screen, it says it's a minute longer to carry straight on. No fuss. I find this less of a hassle than following Sygic Truck because it has dubious routing far more frequently and still sends me down the occasional lane.

 

[robnchris]

We have used Garmin whilst sailing for years with no problems so went with the Garmin Camper in the motorhome but with one proviso we always check route against a good old paper map.

 

[Gellyneck]

We have used Garmin whilst sailing for years with no problems so went with the Garmin Camper in the motorhome but with one proviso we always check route against a good old paper map.

OK before the Continental motorhome owners jump in given you've got an AT like us should you not be using a laminated chart instead of a paper map?

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[Skez]

Google maps is ok for main roads and motorways etc if say you want to get to Bristol from York, trying to get to a camping area of business premises it’s totally useless, down unclassified roads, roads/lanes that aren’t even in use anymore.
It’s dreadfully atrocious, takes you off the main road where you are going straight to the place, through little lanes, housing estates. It’s the worst navigation system for a Motorhome I’ve ever come across.
It’s not an occasional error it’s virtually every trip, sorry it was every trip until I deleted it.

Not my experience at all! Used Google maps via Android Auto virtually all the time and over the past 4 years and 40k miles its been great. That's throughout Europe, into the Balkans, to the far end of Türkiye and a bit of the UK.
One thing to be aware of is that it will cut corners to shorten the distance even if only by 100m, but a glance at the map and this is obvious and therefore avoidable.
A couple of times it's route has been through a low bridge, or weight restrictions, but these are signed, so avoidable with a bit of common sense.
I couldn't tolerate the option to input height and weight as for us in a 6.4m PVC, and 3m tall with a roof box, and 4250kg, our Avtex Tourer (Garmin) pretty much only routed us along major roads or motorways unless I set it to 'car'.
It boils down to what you are comfortable with, and for me Google, Waze and Magic Earth are far superior to the standalones in terms of routing and in particular in terms of traffic and hazard avoidance.

 

[Baggydave]

Hi.
" X Gody 9" truck sat nav." .... Only had Tom tom when they first came out...did OK. But being unable to ..Down load updates/program etc Bought a Chinese one off e-bay,that did OK had two of those to get updated maps then bought our first X Gody loved it. This one i have had now for a couple of years " Truck 9" model,came with that years update installed. It will tell you that there are hazards ahead,re weight limits etc,but press the button and it takes you through these on the ordinar y roads ( Words to the effect come up on the screen. At your own peril ( Naughty !! )) ,
Upside. It does everything i need it to do, the Graphics are magic,came through nearly the centre of Paris one night,could not have gone mutch faster ( Checked tolls in that area timed at 02.30hrs.) and it dawned on me, as i was in the company of lorries at that time......... It was doing its job flawlessly,as it has done from the day we got it.
DOWNSIDE......... Despite me putting in the dimensions..Height/weight/width/length....... IT/....SHE ? will keep saying i am....Speeding?( Now and again.......................... 'ish.
Jennifer shouts at me...... I shout back....Point to the 130km an hour speed sign and say " It ( the X.Gody ) thinks its in a Mega truck....Calma...calma.
I am sure there would be a way to stop this Voice activating..... But......... At least we are still...................... Speaking to each other when this happens...
Get one bought.......
Tea Bag

Couldn’t agree more. We have had same xgoody type unit for sometime. Don’t bother putting in dimensions of van though. Tried it once & it almost doubled the journey.
We also have & use paper maps for general guidance & rough direction.
Generally speaking it’s been excellent & uses Tom Tom maps I believe?
Cheaper to buy a new sat nav than map updates. So we normally get another every 5 years or so. Think the last one was £40 or so.

 

[Howard B]

Had a Garmin Camper a few years ago, git rid as it took me on some strange routes adding miles to what should have been easy routes. I found it was over cautious with the routing. I tend to use Waze on my phone now. If i want a specific route ill program it on my Garmin motorcycle sat nav.

 

[Guigsy]

We have used Garmin whilst sailing for years with no problems so went with the Garmin Camper in the motorhome but with one proviso we always check route against a good old paper map.

Garmin is about 15 different departments that don't talk to each other at all. They have competing products against themselves. Very similar products with completely different software and hardware. They are a bonkers company. I use Garmin for my sports tracking watch (fine, because it's so basic) and on my bicycle (effective, but a user interface nightmare). If I want to plan a bike route, it's pretty poor. I use Komoot (which is OpenStreetMap mapping) and export to the bike computer. Just because Garmin are good in one market, it doesn't make them good elsewhere.

 

[Mohawk Mo]

Tea Bag, benellioldman1 xgody 9" ordered and on its way, has 2024 maps for £64.00 thanks for your help, I'll let you know how I get on

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[Gellyneck]

Not my experience at all! Used Google maps via Android Auto virtually all the time and over the past 4 years and 40k miles its been great. That's throughout Europe, into the Balkans, to the far end of Türkiye and a bit of the UK.
One thing to be aware of is that it will cut corners to shorten the distance even if only by 100m, but a glance at the map and this is obvious and therefore avoidable.
A couple of times it's route has been through a low bridge, or weight restrictions, but these are signed, so avoidable with a bit of common sense.
I couldn't tolerate the option to input height and weight as for us in a 6.4m PVC, and 3m tall with a roof box, and 4250kg, our Avtex Tourer (Garmin) pretty much only routed us along major roads or motorways unless I set it to 'car'.
It boils down to what you are comfortable with, and for me Google, Waze and Magic Earth are far superior to the standalones in terms of routing and in particular in terms of traffic and hazard avoidance.

All depends how you set up a Garmin. It will cover all the points you raise above without recourse to a map.
You can even tell it to avoid motorways if you want.

 

[robnchris]

OK before the Continental motorhome owners jump in given you've got an AT like us should you not be using a laminated chart instead of a paper map?

Admiralty Charts are like a good book loads of information on them, Imray charts are pretty good too.

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi Mohawk Mo.
Have you got it yet ?
and or... Are you....LOST ?......
Tea Bag

 

[LostinWales]

Hi Tea Bag and benellioldman1 is this the model you are referring to please?

XGODY 9'' Truck HG LGV Lorry Sat Nav Mortorhome GPS Navigation UK & EU Maps 2024 | eBay

[We will send you the latest version of the map. ]. For example: petrol station, res taurant, etc. After the download is complete, you will get a RAR file. No matter where you go as long as you bring i t, don't worry that you could be lost without WLAN.

www.ebay.co.uk

I also have the X4. It is a bit quirky, but I know how it works now. There is a Facebook Group for updating maps (a pretty good global coverage) and tech advice, but they are a bit snarky if you havent followed the obvious instructions in the files section. Excellent value, battery is extremely limited, goes off fairly swiftly after 12v feed is switched off. Alo, the audio player is carp. You can also remove the speed camera file for France in 2 minutes from a PC or Lappie. It is cheaper now than when I bought mine for£69.99 over 2 years ago.

 

[Freo]

Is there any way to update the maps other than by Facebook? (Not a member of Facebook, and don’t fancy becoming one.)
Cheers.

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[Spriddler]

Were any of the 80 replies helpful, colyboy ?

 

[Tea Bag]

I also have the X4. It is a bit quirky, but I know how it works now. There is a Facebook Group for updating maps (a pretty good global coverage) and tech advice, but they are a bit snarky if you havent followed the obvious instructions in the files section. Excellent value, battery is extremely limited, goes off fairly swiftly after 12v feed is switched off. Alo, the audio player is carp. You can also remove the speed camera file for France in 2 minutes from a PC or Lappie. It is cheaper now than when I bought mine for£69.99 over 2 years ago.

Hi Lostin Wales.
" I know LESS now,than when Jennifer stole me from Mummy ..... DOH.... " Thanks though for your input, the G/son is in the UK... But his Mum.. ( Jennifer and my daughter ) is nearby. She is my " Go to "......... even when the TV/Big sat TV dish goes on the blink...( AND... What slot the softner and Soap liquid goes in the washing machine.... SSshhhhhh. let it be OUR secret.. ) and SHE will do it for me if and when she comes around to check we haven't.......................................... Been NAUGHTY... ( I WISH...)... " X4 ROOOOOLS KO !! "
Tea Bag.
PS. Silly me.... I have to charge ours for a few minutes before we set off,but it holds while stopped overnight..... but.... ( If jennifer falls asleep.......during the evening...... while the wheels are in motion.........it MAKES me keep going........... )

 

[Northernraider]

Another vote for the cheap Chinese xgody, I think mine is about 4/5 years old now . Got updated maps last year from JockandRita you can use it in truck mode for putting in dimensions etc but I generally just use car profile as the truck one takes you on lots of detours . But I've used it throughout Europe and in Turkey at the start of the year .. its as good and as bad as any other satnav I've used. Let's face it they can all have their moments.

 

[JockandRita]

Another vote for the cheap Chinese xgody, I think mine is about 4/5 years old now . Got updated maps last year from JockandRita you can use it in truck mode for putting in dimensions etc but I generally just use car profile as the truck one takes you on lots of detours . But I've used it throughout Europe and in Turkey at the start of the year .. its as good and as bad as any other satnav I've used. Let's face it they can all have their moments.

That's because of 3.5t commercial weight limits Tam, most of which don't apply to MHs/camping cars.

I have 2 x profiles, ie, Truck Motorhome set at 6850Kgs, and Car Motorhome set at 3490Kgs but with all other dimensions the same as the Truck. The latter allows me to use routes which in some countries are banned to trucks, hence the detours, (eg, France, Austria, and Switzerland).

I came out of Spain and into France once, still in Truck mode, and the Sat Nav kept trying to send me off the main route. This was due to the approaching town having a 3.5t weight limit................but for commercial goods vehicles only. I reverted to Car mode for the remainder of my time in France, then back to Truck mode for the UK.

HTH,

Jock.

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

Were any of the 80 replies helpful, colyboy ?

…you may never know.

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[Northernraider]

That's because of 3.5t commercial weight limits Tam, most of which don't apply to MHs/camping cars.

I have 2 x profiles, ie, Truck Motorhome set at 6850Kgs, and Car Motorhome set at 3490Kgs but with all other dimensions the same as the Truck. The latter allows me to use routes which in some countries are banned to trucks, hence the detours, (eg, France, Austria, and Switzerland).

I came out of Spain and into France once, still in Truck mode, and the Sat Nav kept trying to send me off the main route. This was due to the approaching town having a 3.5t weight limit................but for commercial goods vehicles only. I reverted to Car mode for the remainder of my time in France, then back to Truck mode for the UK.

HTH,

Jock.

Yes Italy and Greece had a lot of places where trucks were banned without a permit .. on one occasion I was 2.5 hours detour that I only realised after I'd done it. Haven't been on truck profile since lol . But I'll have to have a play about with it

 

[bigtwin]

Were any of the 80 replies helpful, colyboy ?

You will never know; the boy has form on that front.

…you WILL never know.

Fixed that for you.

Ian

 

[MitchandJenny]

About to buy a new Sat Nav, which one would you recommend. Mainly used more abroad Europe. I await you guidance and suggestions.

We use an I pad set up on the dash, using TomTom.
Mitch

 

[Spriddler]

…you may never know.

You will never know; the boy has form on that front.

Just talk among yourselves, guys,...............................


(Oh, you already are).

 

[Freo]

Another vote for the cheap Chinese xgody, I think mine is about 4/5 years old now . Got updated maps last year from JockandRita you can use it in truck mode for putting in dimensions etc but I generally just use car profile as the truck one takes you on lots of detours . But I've used it throughout Europe and in Turkey at the start of the year .. its as good and as bad as any other satnav I've used. Let's face it they can all have their moments.

I think I remember reading that you’re not on Facebook, Tam.
If that’s correct, how did you update the Xgody maps, please?

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