Best GPS Navigation Systems.

[The Welsh Wizard]

I have no doubt that this topic has had much debate in the past but I have been unable to find any advise.
I currently use a Garmin Nuvi which is the most sadistic pieces of tech that I've ever bought. It takes great delight in sending me any route than the one I want . If I put in economy setting it seems to think that my HM can swim. I've come across more rivers than anything else. Now admittedly it is a few years old and probably somewhat out of date (that's the Garmin not the wife -she just goes to sleep and snores) so whilst at the NEC show the other week I sought out the many suppliers. Call me cynical but they all tell me their systems are the best and that I can pre load my vehicle technical specs into settings to avoid any potential problems. Anyone out there who can genuinely confirm that they have a model that really does work?

 

[LesW]

It takes great delight in sending me any route than the one I want.

There's your first problem, expecting a satnav to go the way you want to go.. create your own route and transfer it to your unit, Garmin have excellent stand alone mapping programs Mapsource and Basecamp.

Secondly, there is no 'Best' satnav, it depends entirely on how well you get on with various systems.

 

[The Wino]

When I looked at similar electronic products alot of the small suppliers seem to sell the cheap cinese stuff rebadged at a much higher price!!!!. I think separate sat nav systems are on the way out to phone apps

 

[hilldweller]

I think separate sat nav systems are on the way out to phone apps

And why not, a modern phone is a better computer than most satnavs.

Only downside is not having the satnav permanently mounted.

MH is currently sporting a cheap tablet running copilot live. No it's far from perfect** in routing but does what I want.

** Perfect routing. I have never yet had a satnav I could not beat where I know the route. But of course we use them when we don't know the route.

 

[Guigsy]

Google Maps generally has the best mapping and extremely good real time traffic information. The issue is it has no idea about width and height restrictions.

So it's a trade-off. You either use free maps on the phone you normally already have. Or you get an out of date and expensive dedicated device that might know about low bridges.

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[Guigsy]

** Perfect routing. I have never yet had a satnav I could not beat where I know the route. But of course we use them when we don't know the route.

Even if I know where I'm going, I'll have Google running on silent. It shows congestion ahead, gives me reassurance about arrival time. Most importantly, it's on hand if I get diverted or, even better, knows about a diversion way down the road.

 

[Neilfg]

Copilot, been using for awhile on a cheap phone and a tablet, does the job very nicely. Not perfect, but we have learnt to check the route through towns to see if simpler routing available.

 

[pandas]

For those with iPhones look at ‘carplay’ which mirrors the iPhone apps including google maps onto a compatible double din radio.

 

[Guigsy]

For those with iPhones look at ‘carplay’ which mirrors the iPhone apps including google maps onto a compatible double din radio.

Head units with Android Auto is the green team's equivalent to Carplay.

 

[funflair]

CoPilot camper for me on iPhone you pay a bit more for the software but can put in your details height weight width etc and it does make a difference as I have tested it with a couple of different profiles.

The advantage of having it on your phone or tablet is that you can check or set up a route anytime you fancy, in fact I am now going to do that very thing without moving from where I am sat very comfortably.

Martin

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[Trikeman]

Hi,
Over the years I have had several ‘big make’ satnav both fitted and ‘fit in’ and to be honest I still have seen nothing to beat the 7 inch xgody truck satnav - especially now they have a more English sounding voice over. Simple, been very accurate, never been where I shouldn’t have been and as cheap as chips. About £43 on fleabay and I store loads of music on it too.
Simple, cheap and efficient, great screen - updates easy and now no “loundabout ahead” or “you are exceeding the speed rimit” or even “you have allived at you destination” as the first ones were.

Just my 2 pence worth.

Trikeman.

 

[Mother Ship]

Only downside is not having the satnav permanently mounted.

I now have magnetic phone mounts permanently on vents in car and Motorhome so phone now gps becomes easily readable mounted. Amazed at how secure it is. Magnetic Car Phone Holder,Gritin [2-Pack] Air Vent Magnetic Car Mount Phone Holder Stand Cradle for iPhone X / 8 / 8 Plus, iPhone 7 / 7 Plus / 6s / Samsung Galaxy S8 / S7 / S6 and more Amazon product ASIN B078XDX54H

 

[Wagoneer]

Copilot, been using for awhile on a cheap phone and a tablet, does the job very nicely. Not perfect, but we have learnt to check the route through towns to see if simpler routing available.

Another + for Copilot. I also always check the route first. It's easy to modify the route by clicking on a road and selecting "route through here".

It also has a walking mode, using footpaths where available. Handy for navigating to the nearest town/village.

It has it's little foibles like any satnav, you just learn to recognise these. We have the display set to 2D/split screen which helps, especially at roundabouts with multiple exits.

 

[hilldweller]

CoPilot camper for me
The advantage of having it on your phone or tablet
Martin

Copilot live does not object to being on two devices for one payment. I have it on a tablet in MH and a Chinese android satnav on my bike. The two are never in use at once so I'm not being naughty.

 

[h1ghway1]

Hi,
Over the years I have had several ‘big make’ satnav both fitted and ‘fit in’ and to be honest I still have seen nothing to beat the 7 inch xgody truck satnav - especially now they have a more English sounding voice over. Simple, been very accurate, never been where I shouldn’t have been and as cheap as chips. About £43 on fleabay and I store loads of music on it too.
Simple, cheap and efficient, great screen - updates easy and now no “loundabout ahead” or “you are exceeding the speed rimit” or even “you have allived at you destination” as the first ones were.

Just my 2 pence worth.

Trikeman.

Could you g

Hi,
Over the years I have had several ‘big make’ satnav both fitted and ‘fit in’ and to be honest I still have seen nothing to beat the 7 inch xgody truck satnav - especially now they have a more English sounding voice over. Simple, been very accurate, never been where I shouldn’t have been and as cheap as chips. About £43 on fleabay and I store loads of music on it too.
Simple, cheap and efficient, great screen - updates easy and now no “loundabout ahead” or “you are exceeding the speed rimit” or even “you have allived at you destination” as the first ones were.

Just my 2 pence worth.

Trikeman.

There are a lot of Xgody satnavs on Ebay.. could you give me a pointer to the model number or seller please...

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[h1ghway1]

Whoops !
Thats a G&T related double post which I blame on being at the Pantomime earlier -))

 

[Trikeman]

Hi @h1ghway1

Trikeman.

 

[Deleted member 57092]

We had a range rover where the satnav was of the opinion that the ‘normal’ route from Tenby in Pembrokeshire to London was via Birmingham
‘Normal’ possibly in that order to travel that far it often needed some mechanical fettling on the way !

 

[h1ghway1]

Hi Trikeman

 

[h1ghway1]

hi @Trikeman

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[two]

Sadly I consider all SatNav systems to be lacking functionality, and the data they rely on is hopelessly innaccurate.

I could give a long list of what NOT to get, having experienced serious failures in all of them, and have still not found something I think is ‘good’, let alone ‘best’. I have been paying £200 a time for new maps, in the belief that you won’t get what you don’t pay for, but I’m no longer convinced. Now trying Google maps with Android Auto, having discarded Apple Maps, but it’s too early to say how good it is. The one thing in its favour is that it comes ‘free’ *.


* I say ‘free’ because there is no charge, but be aware that Google is likely to scrape every ounce of value it can from all your movements.

 

[Guigsy]

* I say ‘free’ because there is no charge, but be aware that Google is likely to scrape every ounce of value it can from all your movements.

Including using you to verify the maps are correct and to collect real time traffic data.

I had a hire car with Android Auto while I was on holiday recently. I didn't think it would offer that much above just using my Samsung S8+ on a mount like I do in the van. Turns out it made using the satnav far nicer. Voice works much better and the screen is obviously much bigger. I'm now considering getting an Android Auto head unit for the van.

 

[tacr2man]

I run Garmin dezl 7" with free lifetime map updates , and that has worked well in Trucks and my RV and has not embarrassed me with ignoring parameters , both for UK and Europe . so far . It also does real time traffic warnings . I have used Garmin for years both on road and aviation , and find it intuitive to use . I have occasionally used in car systems and a couple of other makes but have found happiest with Garmin JMHE .
also echo @LesW re Basecamp for exact routing ability .

 

[scotzsue]

We went on some very interesting routes when one of the 'convoy' used their phone and google maps, but the Tom takes us some odd places too especially when fat fingers do the co ordinates.

 

[LesW]

Sadly I consider all SatNav systems to be lacking functionality, and the data they rely on is hopelessly innaccurate.

Then you are using the wrong satnav or using it incorrectly.

I have never had any accuracy problems with the Garmin units I have owned.

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[Jands]

Had various satnavs and used phones.
Phones I find the screen is a bit small, ok in an emergency.
Had an old tomtom was the wifes then got a motorcycle rider tomtom, costly and basic but easy to see and follow, also easy to set up, would put a 10 day bike trip in it using the roads I wanted to use, both didn't have free maps though so went out of date.
Got a car Garmin from Aldi, free maps etc but chooses some strange routes, colours for routes can get confusing but wanted to try garmin as looking for a camper satnav.
I went with a Tomtom camper £300 at NEC show.
Used a few times couple of trips, one a 10 day break in france and still learning.
Easy to follow, free maps and current road condition updates, also suggest avoidance routes to avoid problems.
Very happy with the Tomtom so far, does what its supposed to.
It's all down to choice, there are devoted followers of all systems either phones, tablets or satnavs, also the different software and unit manufacturers so you won't ever get a balanced view on them.
Go with what you like and hope it gets you there ok

 

[two]

Then you are using the wrong satnav or using it incorrectly.
I have never had any accuracy problems with the Garmin units I have owned.

I agree. As it happens, I've not used a Garmin SatNav but I am on my fourth Garmin GPS for walking and I've found them considerably better than any phone in terms of operation and robustness.
The inaccuracies I referred to have been regarding low bridges, one way streets, weight and width restrictions. Parameters that would not be relevant in a GPS device for walkers, so I cannot be sure how Garmin SatNavs for vehicles would compare.
Most SatNavs seem to use HERE data and I have found that to be seriously unreliable. Keeping data up to date is unlikely to be cheap, so I wouldn't expect anything you don't make a regular contribution towards to be much good.

Choosing a SatNav is a personal thing and something you may not find the answer to until after you've parted with money. I look at practical things like the user interface, operation of touch-sensitive screens, audibility and unambiguity of verbal instructions given, visibility of the screen in sunlight, speed of operation and ability to work without seizure (and there's probably more). I have high expectations because the marketing world has persuaded me that it's achievable. Of course I should know better, but I continue to live in hope...

 

[Robert Clark]

I have no doubt that this topic has had much debate in the past but I have been unable to find any advise.
I currently use a Garmin Nuvi which is the most sadistic pieces of tech that I've ever bought. It takes great delight in sending me any route than the one I want . If I put in economy setting it seems to think that my HM can swim. I've come across more rivers than anything else. Now admittedly it is a few years old and probably somewhat out of date (that's the Garmin not the wife -she just goes to sleep and snores) so whilst at the NEC show the other week I sought out the many suppliers. Call me cynical but they all tell me their systems are the best and that I can pre load my vehicle technical specs into settings to avoid any potential problems. Anyone out there who can genuinely confirm that they have a model that really does work?

That’s a shame
We’ve got a Garmin Nuvi too
Has been a great piece of kit and has safely guided us from Norway to Greece and everywhere in between for the past 3 years
Never needed to use a map
Love the live traffic updates

 

[two]

There are many things about SatNavs that are difficult to assess and re-routing to avoid a hold-up is one. You will rarely know if you saved time by making a detour or not, although it may be worth it just to remove the boredom of staring at the backside of the vehicle in front.
I agreed to a detour from the motorway, once. We left the carriageway to rejoin on the other side of a roundabout. On that occasion, we did move up a few vehicle-lengths but not much to hail in the way of successes.
On our most recent occasion, we added 24 miles and over half an hour to the journey, with no idea what would've happened if we'd stayed.

 

[Littlewheels]

Had various satnavs and used phones.
Phones I find the screen is a bit small, ok in an emergency.
Had an old tomtom was the wifes then got a motorcycle rider tomtom, costly and basic but easy to see and follow, also easy to set up, would put a 10 day bike trip in it using the roads I wanted to use, both didn't have free maps though so went out of date.
Got a car Garmin from Aldi, free maps etc but chooses some strange routes, colours for routes can get confusing but wanted to try garmin as looking for a camper satnav.
I went with a Tomtom camper £300 at NEC show.
Used a few times couple of trips, one a 10 day break in france and still learning.
Easy to follow, free maps and current road condition updates, also suggest avoidance routes to avoid problems.
Very happy with the Tomtom so far, does what its supposed to.
It's all down to choice, there are devoted followers of all systems either phones, tablets or satnavs, also the different software and unit manufacturers so you won't ever get a balanced view on them.
Go with what you like and hope it gets you there ok

Been there and done the same only, started with Tom Tom and eventually came back to it (Truck) my new 2018 MHs in built satnav cannot be compared with it, however, you mention personal choice and though I understand from a budget viewpoint the reason many peoples choice comes down to price in the end you only get what you pay for.Tom Tom is the way to go.

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