‘Sensible’ SatNav routing

[johnandi]

Help! Our TomTom Camper version SatNav (and Google maps of course) insist on trying to route us down roads which are sometimes not much more than country lanes (mainly talking UK routes). It’s so annoying that we now always have a road map handy to ensure we don’t take the suggested ‘shortcut’!
Is there a SatNav out there that only gives routes on A and B roads only and ignores anything smaller/narrower?? Maybe a HGV type SATNAV?

 

[Cush]

This may help you make a decision. Unfortunately none are less fallible than your road map

Which is the best SatNav?

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

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Richard n Ann]

Help! Our TomTom Camper version SatNav (and Google maps of course) insist on trying to route us down roads which are sometimes not much more than country lanes (mainly talking UK routes). It’s so annoying that we now always have a road map handy to ensure we don’t take the suggested ‘shortcut’!
Is there a SatNav out there that only gives routes on A and B roads only and ignores anything smaller/narrower?? Maybe a HGV type SATNAV?

Use Google maps to see exactly where you are and a paper map to plan your route. Never fails.

 

[irnbru]

I don't recommend Garmin its very unreliable but very reliable for those that only use it from A to B in the UK

 

[Orion]

Try the free app ‘Magic Earth’. It has a ‘Truck’ setting into which you can input vehicle dimensions, overall and axle weight, plus maximum speed.

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[bigtwin]

What have you set as your route planning default options?

If you don’t set them up to match your own preferences then you will get some strange routes.

Also, have you set up your vehicle profile and have you selected it. If not, it will be using a car profile.

Finally, have you selected the Camper Map or are you using the default map?

Ian

 

[scotzsue]

I don't recommend Garmin its very unreliable but very reliable for those that only use it from A to B in the UK

Not even good for that can't get us out the storage are without trying to take us into someone's garden or a livery stable, now we know they are wrong, but if it was Johnny foreigner they might well get a bit miffed.
It is however excellent for giving digital MPH/KPH

 

[TDub49]

I love these satnav threads and the window they give into the world where there is no such thing as "operator error" and anything that goes wrong is the fault of the technology. If only . . . . .

 

[Miggs]

It seems sat nav threads are like buses....

 

[cyberyacht]

I've got a TomTom Camper and have "fastest route" selected. It will make a beeline for motorways most of the time which, if you are in the wilds, may take you down some 'interesting' roads to get to it. I don't always want to take motorways and often select interim destinations so that it will route me via the roads that I wish to use. Best 'rule of thumb' is ignore anything that has grass growing down the middle. That and get yourself a 'slimline' motorhome.

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[LesW]

I don't recommend Garmin its very unreliable but very reliable for those that only use it from A to B in the UK

All three of my Garmin units are reliable enough for me, just need to check the route before pressing 'Go' to double check.

 

[Gellyneck]

All three of my Garmin units are reliable enough for me, just need to check the route before pressing 'Go' to double check.

I use Garmin BaseCamp in line with our Camper sat navs and you can set various pre-installed Avoidances,

and User defined Avoidances.

You can also set road type speed settings so if you stick to 55mph on motorways you set it to that to give closer route point / destination arrival times.

As you say, we still double check the routing results.

 

[JockandRita]

Better than the Magic Earth App, is the Road Lords App, especially if driving anything larger than a LWB panel van.

Google maps are great for route planning, etc, but not as a Sat Nav for larger vehicles.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[johnandi]

Try the free app ‘Magic Earth’. It has a ‘Truck’ setting into which you can input vehicle dimensions, overall and axle weight, plus maximum speed.

Thanks Orion, that sounds promising

 

[johnandi]

What have you set as your route planning default options?

If you don’t set them up to match your own preferences then you will get some strange routes.

Also, have you set up your vehicle profile and have you selected it. If not, it will be using a car profile.

Finally, have you selected the Camper Map or are you using the default map?

Ian

Hi Bigtwin, yes I’ve done all those things. I’ve played around with ‘quickest’ and ‘shortest’ routing but obviously these still try and send you down country lanes. I’ll double check the other options though.

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[johnandi]

I love these satnav threads and the window they give into the world where there is no such thing as "operator error" and anything that goes wrong is the fault of the technology. If only . . . . .

So you’re saying it’s me??

 

[johnandi]

I've got a TomTom Camper and have "fastest route" selected. It will make a beeline for motorways most of the time which, if you are in the wilds, may take you down some 'interesting' roads to get to it. I don't always want to take motorways and often select interim destinations so that it will route me via the roads that I wish to use. Best 'rule of thumb' is ignore anything that has grass growing down the middle. That and get yourself a 'slimline' motorhome.

Thanks, good advice

 

[johnandi]

I use Garmin BaseCamp in line with our Camper sat navs and you can set various pre-installed Avoidances,
View attachment 935089
and User defined Avoidances.

You can also set road type speed settings so if you stick to 55mph on motorways you set it to that to give closer route point / destination arrival times.
View attachment 935094

As you say, we still double check the routing results.

The road type avoidance is a handy parameter

 

[johnandi]

Better than the Magic Earth App, is the Road Lords App, especially if driving anything larger than a LWB panel van.

Google maps are great for route planning, etc, but not as a Sat Nav for larger vehicles.

Cheers,

Jock.

Thanks Jock

 

[Brains]

I don't recommend Garmin its very unreliable but very reliable for those that only use it from A to B in the UK

Having said which, our straw poll on the other thread, the Garmin won the 'Cornish Pub Crawl' route.
Google failed miserably

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[Nanniemate]

Help! Our TomTom Camper version SatNav (and Google maps of course) insist on trying to route us down roads which are sometimes not much more than country lanes (mainly talking UK routes). It’s so annoying that we now always have a road map handy to ensure we don’t take the suggested ‘shortcut’!
Is there a SatNav out there that only gives routes on A and B roads only and ignores anything smaller/narrower?? Maybe a HGV type SATNAV?

Road Lords is popular amongst some hgv drivers free and paid versions

 

[Dorwyn]

All sat navs need is a "use major roads" preference. Most sat navs I have used, including camper types, happily send you onto minor roads unnecessarily as you get closer to the target. Or send you off a major road, and later put you back on the original major road. This is where a traditional paper map helps.

 

[MikenPauline]

We’ve tried several sat nags but have come to the conclusion that we still need to work out a route ourselves and write it down then if sat nag tries to take us down lanes we ignore it (her).

 

[Burge]

Try the free app ‘Magic Earth’. It has a ‘Truck’ setting into which you can input vehicle dimensions, overall and axle weight, plus maximum speed.

Downloaded Magic Earth App don't see Truck settings on it ??

 

[Brains]

The "Cornish pub crawl SatNav test route":
I use it to test SatNav's. I know the route well as my mother lived at one end and my sister at the other, with my niece in the middle.

The St Tudy Inn, St Tudy, PL30 3NN
The White Hart Inn, St Teath, PL30 3JX
The Port William Inn, Tregardock, PL34 0HB

The correct answer is:

The route given by Google and others is not realistically drivable in a motorhome as it involves several miles of single track with high hedges (so you will scratch you van,) a 300 degree hairpin bend, and as a minimum any driver must have the ability to reverse half a mile back up a single track with 3" of space on either side up a steep hill and around blind corners.

Google also correctly says the speed limit on the single track is 60mph.
The reality is 15-20mph

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[Reallyretired]

The famous Chinese cheapy sat navs have an 'Easy ' routing option which uses mainly major roads and minimises change of road. Its my preferred one.

 

[MikenPauline]

Downloaded Magic Earth App don't see Truck settings on it ??

You have to go a bit deeper into the app

I think these photos might help

 

[bigtwin]

The road type avoidance is a handy parameter

That’s available on the TT Camper too.

Most sat navs I have used, including camper types, happily send you onto minor roads unnecessarily as you get closer to the target.

That hasn’t been my experience with the TT Camper.

Ian

 

[Burge]

You have to go a bit deeper into the app

I think these photos might help View attachment 935331View attachment 935332View attachment 935332

There seems to b a few versions of this App download one it does have Truck Dimensions on so will give it a go don't know if it's the same version you have. Thanks for info. Chris.

 

[Barriesimpson]

Help! Our TomTom Camper version SatNav (and Google maps of course) insist on trying to route us down roads which are sometimes not much more than country lanes (mainly talking UK routes). It’s so annoying that we now always have a road map handy to ensure we don’t take the suggested ‘shortcut’!
Is there a SatNav out there that only gives routes on A and B roads only and ignores anything smaller/narrower?? Maybe a HGV type SATNAV?

I use Tom Tom go commercial version and you can add your vehicle dimensions - height, width and weight. However, I cannot guarantee it will take notice of this but it is certainly much better than google maps.