Quick vote on best Sat Navs! (1 Viewer)

[JockandRita]

Dumped my Chinese xcody 708 supposed to be motorhome specific .was rubbish tried to take me down little farm tracks no matter what I programmed into it .and I am no stranger to sat navs having had the use of them for many years so do have a fair idea of what to expect....so its sat in the loft somewhere, when I get around to it it will go to a good cause. lol

It sounds like the maps didn't have the all important ftr files (Truck files), which are quite easy to install.

Mine, programmed with 2014 Q2 iGO Truck maps, took me all the way down to Split (Croatia) and back, as well as all over the UK, without any problems. I now have the 2016 Q2 maps, with Q3 also available should I seek them out.
Now then, when diverting to avoid a traffic jam whilst heading North, the TomTom 720 with Western European Truck Mapping, and programming for a 44 Tonne Artic, tried to take me through a farmer's field near Pontefract, to get back onto the A1.
I already knew my way through the town, and joined the A1 again, after the traffic jam.
It's down to the operator, and how they have adjusted the settings, and providing the correct files have been loaded of course.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[injebreck99]

My snooper S5000 packed up after approx 4 years infrequent use, main circuit board gone, very expensive to repair, so replaced with a cheap Chinese one, not used yet as we prefer maps and common sense.

 

[Langtoftlad]

So that's a clear & definite consensus then .
Bet the OP is really glad they asked !

*I use both the cheapie Noztec Chinese 7" tablet and Waze which a free app on Android using Google mapping .

 

[pollensabob]

Co Pilot on iPhone

 

[stuurman]

Snooper Ventura S8000 with maps.

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[SuperMike]

Used to have a Snooper, but found the software just too quirky and the maps cost to update. So now have a Garmin 760LTM which for two years now has work well here and also in Europe.

 

[Khizzie]

What it really comes down to is personal choice and cost .to be fair Co pilot is ok but I cant get on with it and the Chinese ones cheap and cheerful However I will stick to my Aguri and Snooper for motorhome and use my trusty Garmin in my car ...so there you have it really four main choices that are of good navigation aids

 

[Clive]

Been using the CC Snooper for 5 years, very good but the battery is now playing up. Have now replaced with the Avtex Garmin CC, when linked to their app on my smartphone it's proving to be very good at rerouted get around hold ups. Big up from me

 

[jezport]

Tomtom Go on Android

• Accurate up to date speed camera notifications
• Accurate live traffic notifications and diversions
• Easy to read map and directions (less time with eyes off roads)
• Up to date accurate maps
• Fast, no lag
• Downloaded maps so not reliant on data
• It does what it says on the tin, no messing about looking for missing files
• You can put it on your phone or tablet

 

[Bart]

It sounds like the maps didn't have the all important ftr files (Truck files), which are quite easy to install.

Mine, programmed with 2014 Q2 iGO Truck maps, took me all the way down to Split (Croatia) and back, as well as all over the UK, without any problems. I now have the 2016 Q2 maps, with Q3 also available should I seek them out.
Now then, when diverting to avoid a traffic jam whilst heading North, the TomTom 720 with Western European Truck Mapping, and programming for a 44 Tonne Artic, tried to take me through a farmer's field near Pontefract, to get back onto the A1.
I already knew my way through the town, and joined the A1 again, after the traffic jam.
It's down to the operator, and how they have adjusted the settings, and providing the correct files have been loaded of course.

Cheers,

Jock.

Jock my Chinese sat nav is on its way to me , where can I get the latest maps for it along with the ftr files

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[Kevan]

Aguri plus snooper for backup .

Ditto that

 

[Jaws]

The problem with all the apps on fones is that you require a data allowance on said fone...
We use all of the following ( often at the same time ! ):
a cheapo Chinese one ( Goldbay 7" truck ) that was £33
A Garmin 760 Camper .. Great in a lot of respects but has put us down some roads that a horse and cart would find challenging )
TomTom something or other ( camper type ) that has been very reliable, has never put on on an unsuitable road but has severe issues when it comes to dealing with toll roads ..
Where as the other two will get you off a toll road asap if 'no toll roads' is selected, the TomTom will not.. Should you make a mistake and find your self on a toll road the TT will presume that toll roads are hence forth what you want and make no attempt to get you off them

TT is aware of the issue and has been for several years.. Each firmware update has come with a promise of a cure but so far, even with the latest units, they have not addressed the problem

 

[Gizmouk]

Best Sat-Nav is, so I'm told:
My wife.
She knows every route to every destination. Can calculate time / distance far faster than any of your TomTom / Garmin / Co-Pilot things. She'll know how wide every road on the route is, and whether there are any low bridges to "adjust" on the way.
Also, she'll give instant and constant updates on our speed, my driving style and road / weather conditions. As well as regular chirps of "our we in a hurry ?", and "we need more diesel"
Fortunately, our motorhome has the Ignorethetwat ver2.0 driving upgrade - it came free with the Garmin 760 Camper which I like, and take notice of

 

[sallylillian]

The problem with all the apps on fones is that you require a data allowance on said fone...
We use all of the following ( often at the same time ! ):
a cheapo Chinese one ( Goldbay 7" truck ) that was £33
A Garmin 760 Camper .. Great in a lot of respects but has put us down some roads that a horse and cart would find challenging )
TomTom something or other ( camper type ) that has been very reliable, has never put on on an unsuitable road but has severe issues when it comes to dealing with toll roads ..
Where as the other two will get you off a toll road asap if 'no toll roads' is selected, the TomTom will not.. Should you make a mistake and find your self on a toll road the TT will presume that toll roads are hence forth what you want and make no attempt to get you off them

TT is aware of the issue and has been for several years.. Each firmware update has come with a promise of a cure but so far, even with the latest units, they have not addressed the problem

Incorrect, CoPilot and Sygic Apps for example have downloadable maps for offline use, indeed it is the only way of operation. You only need to download the countries you require. Easily updated too, not fannying around with loader software and the like.

 

[Jaws]

Incorrect, CoPilot and Sygic Apps for example have downloadable maps for offline use, indeed it is the only way of operation. You only need to download the countries you require. Easily updated too, not fannying around with loader software and the like.

Sooooo.. Any idea what size data card I would need to download:
France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Italy and possibly top end of Spain ?
That is the trip currently on the drawing board

What is the cost of the app ?
And What is the cost or are they all free to download once you have paid for the basic app ?

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[Jaws]

Found out the prices.. Works out somewhat more ( as in well over three times more ! ) than the cost of the Goldbay unit
Can be cheaper if you just want to use a non truck / large motorhome base but it still costs more than the Goldbay unit just for the app, Europe and the UK ( which is for some reason sold separately to the Europe map ? )

 

[sallylillian]

Sooooo.. Any idea what size data card I would need to download:
France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Italy and possibly top end of Spain ?
That is the trip currently on the drawing board

What is the cost of the app ?
And What is the cost or are they all free to download once you have paid for the basic app ?

All of western Europe is 2.64gb, France alone 572mb, once app paid for install and reinstall maps at will. Price depends, Truck version 109, not sure but RV version 40 ish, google it, I don't get commission!

 

[jezport]

Incorrect, CoPilot and Sygic Apps for example have downloadable maps for offline use, indeed it is the only way of operation. You only need to download the countries you require. Easily updated too, not fannying around with loader software and the like.

And also tomtom go

 

[Jaws]

All of western Europe is 2.64gb, France alone 572mb, once app paid for install and reinstall maps at will. Price depends, Truck version 109, not sure but RV version 40 ish, google it, I don't get commission!

Thank you for the size info.. And that will do multiple co-ordinate types and post codes ?

re google it ..
I did and came up with similar prices.. hence sticking to the Goldbay !!

 

[MR. FUSION]

Google maps = superb for real time traffic and re routes. Still slapping it on the back for the 2 hour autobahn jam it routed me round. Also good for bus/foot navigation in most but not all european cities. 3 feel at home provided my data.
Garmin Nuvi = fills in the gap on speeds and legal speed limits, second opinion and discreet backup system to google. Ultimately Garmin proved to most accurate about routes avoiding toll roads across Europe, Google told a few porkies.

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[sallylillian]

Thank you for the size info.. And that will do multiple co-ordinate types and post codes ?

re google it ..
I did and came up with similar prices.. hence sticking to the Goldbay !!

By Goldbay do you mean the cheap Chinese things with pirate software, that 50% of people on here complain about?

 

[MR. FUSION]

By Goldbay do you mean the cheap Chinese things with pirate software, that 50% of people on here complain about?

There was also an update issue with some of the Chinese ones ??? Not sure if it was solved ???

 

[Jaws]

By Goldbay do you mean the cheap Chinese things with pirate software, that 50% of people on here complain about?

Yup.. And I have absolutely no problem at all with either of the ones we have..

I suspect a lot of people buy them and never read what to do with them to get the best from them

For anyone who is having a problem with one, the best tip I can give is to plug them in to the computer ( which you would do anyway to do the updates ) and delete/remove and store elsewhere all the maps and languages you are never going to use ..

I will not be using the thing in any of the Americas, Canada, Australia Russia or China so all files appertaining have been removed from the device and stored in a folder on the computer ( JUST in case ! )


I have absolutely no idea nor care one iota if they have pirated the mapping..
I have done two updates on mine without issue

 

[tjay]

Another vote for co pilot, installed on my Ipad (for motorhome) and on phone (for in my car) cant fault it on either !!

 

[The Dotties]

My pad does not have GPS, therefore I need to use the previously mentioned navmii and google maps.
With navmii, once you have downloaded the country/ies you wish to use at home on wifi, that's it. No more data being used as it relies on GPS to carry on working.
I recently went to Cyprus for a holiday and used both systems without any problem whatsoever, both giving directions turn by turn perfectly, with advance warning of turnings and exit points. The navmii gives options for veh. type and dimensions. I accept the size of my phone is a slight negative, but when I upgrade in a couple of months it should be a bit easier, having said that the voice guidance is good.

I also have a TT truck pro which costs oodles and I couldn't even download a Cyprus map for it, and it's an EU country. I tend not to use it as much now.

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[sallylillian]

Yup.. And I have absolutely no problem at all with either of the ones we have..

I suspect a lot of people buy them and never read what to do with them to get the best from them

For anyone who is having a problem with one, the best tip I can give is to plug them in to the computer ( which you would do anyway to do the updates ) and delete/remove and store elsewhere all the maps and languages you are never going to use ..

I will not be using the thing in any of the Americas, Canada, Australia Russia or China so all files appertaining have been removed from the device and stored in a folder on the computer ( JUST in case ! )


I have absolutely no idea nor care one iota if they have pirated the mapping..
I have done two updates on mine without issue

Good to hear you are one of the lucky ones.

 

[SpeedyDux]

My choice was a Garmin 760 Camper mostly because the local Aldi offered one for a mere 149 beer tokens.

Having used it, the other things I like about it include:

1. Loud clear volume
2. Easy to see screen even in strong sunlight
3. Telling me when I am being too Speedy
4. Being directed down farm tracks is all part of the fun
5. Emily's struggle with pronunciation of French street names is hilarious
6. The ACSI campsite POIs

The Speedette cringes at Emily's pronunciation of "Bath Road" but that's a minor quibble

 

[GeriatricWanderer]

Item 4.........and that's first time I've seen that here. It's usually something like "my stupid sat nav sent me......." I like it - and totally agree.

Item 5 - I always like arriving at "Site Europe" and her English pronunciation of something like "Rue de St Phillipe XIV de Novembre 19 1987" is always worth hitting the repeat button.

 

[MR. FUSION]

My choice was a Garmin 760 Camper mostly because the local Aldi offered one for a mere 149 beer tokens.

Having used it, the other things I like about it include:

1. Loud clear volume
2. Easy to see screen even in strong sunlight
3. Telling me when I am being too Speedy
4. Being directed down farm tracks is all part of the fun
5. Emily's struggle with pronunciation of French street names is hilarious
6. The ACSI campsite POIs

The Speedette cringes at Emily's pronunciation of "Bath Road" but that's a minor quibble

Forgot about number 6, did a dump of every known camping POI onto Garmin from somewhere on the net.

 

[Mr Mousy]

Copilot for me.

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