Sat Nav nightmare (Copilot question)

[Tio64]

Hi all,
I have a Tom Tom Camper sat nav, the £370 version.

We're at the start of a 4 week trip in Europe. Tom Tom navigated us down to EuroTunnel. As we entered the terminal it announced it needs to update, but needs to be connected to WiFi.
As we have wifi in the van, on a Smarty Unlimited tariff, I let it go ahead.
It seemed to be taking forever, and indeed even by the time we had done tickets, passports, gas inspection and then got on the train, it had updated by 1% so I stopped it.
This has resulted in the map being wiped from the device. Its 8GB!

We're now in France, but on Smarty we only get 12GB a month so I don't want to lose 2/3rds of that allowance.

So I've downloaded Copilot onto my smartphone with the intention of using the RV/caravan function I've heard about.

Downloaded it, downloaded the maps I need, but nowhere can I find the RV function, nor any invitation to buy/upgrade etc to it.

What the !@#£% am I doing wrong?! Can someone please tell me, possibly give me a screenshot, of how I access the RV/caravan program please? I've gone back into Google Play, I've looked at every setting, I've done all I can think of, I can not find the RV setting please?

And to anyone thinking of buying a Tomtom, just don't! I haven't had mine long but it's been long enough to learn how dreadfully behind smartphone apps these stand alone satnav devices are, and this update situation confirms this.

TIA, yours, desperate in France.

 

[Two on Tour]

Did you actually download the RV/caravan version of the standard car version of Copilot, the two are separate versions.

 

[PP Bear]

Can’t help you I’m afraid, but hope you get some answers asap. Bummer springs to mind.

 

[PaulC70]

Dunno if it's an option but can you find somewhere with free wifi to redownload the tom tom data? It'll be slow but won't use your mobile wifi?

 

[Tio64]

Did you actually download the RV/caravan version of the standard car version of Copilot, the two are separate versions.

I've searched for that, and believe that's what I've downloaded, it says "Sat Nav for Truck, Car, Caravan" but when I open it is for car, bike walking etc only.

Is this an Ios/Android issue?

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[daveclare]

Get a French SIM card to update the TomTom. You'll have no trouble finding one. Every satnav, whether phone or dedicated unit goes wrong. Good luck sorting it out.

 

[Tio64]

Dunno if it's an option but can you find somewhere with free wifi to redownload the tom tom data? It'll be slow but won't use your mobile wifi?

I thought that but it's 8gig, I don't think any free WiFi will cope with that. I don't want to spend an entire day in McDonald's
Plus, I've kind of gone right off the Tomtom, they really are rubbish.
Then again, the problem with smartphone is people call you, messages keep popping up etc. I was sold on a separate satnav until I bought one and found how crap they are.
This morning I was struggling to put in Beaconsfield services, then the EuroTunnel, Tomtom had all the locations in France but not in UK, whereas as soon as you begin to type these locations into a smartphone they auto complete after a few letters. The Tomtom really is dumb in comparison.

 

[Two on Tour]

Have been into the vehicle profile.

I have ours on an Android dash head unit.

Click on the settings icon on the map screen, click on the Vehicle Routing Profiles, Click on the caravan option, and fill in the details of yourvan.

 

[Tio64]

Have been into the vehicle profile.

I have ours on an Android dash head unit.

Click on the settings icon on the map screen, click on the Vehicle Routing Profiles, Click on the caravan option, and fill in the details of yourvan.

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It's just not there my friend, I simply don't have the caravan option and I can't find out how to get it.

 

[Stroppy Bird]

What options are available in the 'store' section? I've only got 'active traffic' but then I already have the caravan option.

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[rod_vw]

If you go to the co-pilot website you will see on the front page there is a navigation tab which brings four options.

1. Car
2. Caravan
3. Truck
4. Compare

If you select 'Compare' you will see the differences and more to the point the pricing. Check which price you paid and you will see which one you have downloaded.

It looks like an easy slip to think they are all from the same download page.

 

[Tio64]

What options are available in the 'store' section? I've only got 'active traffic' but then I already have the caravan option.

Only active traffic and maps of the world.

 

[funflair]

I would persevere with Tom-Tom I think you should be able to just select maps for France to start with rather than the whole of Europe, I have been in your position a few years ago and di dthe download in a French supermarket.

 

[Tio64]

If you go to the co-pilot website you will see on the front page there is a navigation tab which brings four options.

1. Car
2. Caravan
3. Truck
4. Compare

If you select 'Compare' you will see the differences and more to the point the pricing. Check which price you paid and you will see which one you have downloaded.

It looks like an easy slip to think they are all from the same download page.

Sugar! I thought this was the answer. I did as you say, pressed on Caravan option but it then goes to Google Play icon, which simply takes me to the version I already have, which has no caravan option.
I've uninstalled and reinstalled twice now, gobbling data. Each time it restores licences etc - I think I tried copilot many years ago pre motorhoming - and I think this is the issue.
But why can't I upgrade? I can't find anywhere an option to upgrade, I can't find anywhere an option to pay money.
The website tells me it's £26 for Caravan option, (compared to £48 for Sygic) but nowhere can I find a way of paying and upgrading.
It's immensely frustrating.

 

[Stroppy Bird]

Only active traffic and maps of the world.

In theory the option to purchase other licences should appear there, but again on mine i don't have that option. I think mine is probably a legacy version as I purchased it years ago when it was a separate app but then they merged all the options into one (which is when I stopped using it really), but based on that there should be the option to purchase the different licences.

Only thing I can think of is to send them a support ticket.

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[Tio64]

I would persevere with Tom-Tom I think you should be able to just select maps for France to start with rather than the whole of Europe, I have been in your position a few years ago and di dthe download in a French supermarket.

I'm not sure I can do that, but anyway we're on a 4 week trip encompassing Benelux and Germany, only in France for the tunnel. We're in Gravelines tonight, we'll be straight out of France in the morning.
I'm at the start of a 4 week trip, and without any effort I've lost the maps on my Tomtom and can't download the required version of Copilot.

 

[Two on Tour]

Why don't you just use Google Maps and use your judgement if any roads look a bit dodgy for your van.

 

[Tio64]

In theory the option to purchase other licences should appear there, but again on mine i don't have that option. I think mine is probably a legacy version as I purchased it years ago when it was a separate app but then they merged all the options into one (which is when I stopped using it really), but based on that there should be the option to purchase the different licences.

Only thing I can think of is to send them a support ticket.

Thanks I agree and have done so.

Looks like I'm on good old Google maps for the trip.

 

[DBK]

This morning I was struggling to put in Beaconsfield services, then the EuroTunnel, Tomtom had all the locations in France but not in UK, whereas as soon as you begin to type these locations into a smartphone they auto complete after a few letters. The Tomtom really is dumb in comparison.

That's because the TomTom doesn't need a WiFi or broadband connection to work. All the data it needs is on the SD card. For the specific problem you mention you probably will have needed to tell it which country you are in and have the maps downloaded of course. That's how my Garmin worked anyway but I use Google Maps these days which is fine for a PVC but probably more challenging for a larger MH.

The suggestion to buy a local SIM seems best, otherwise join CCP and park on one of their sites with wifi overnight and update the TomTom. I'm sure the TomTom will be fine but there will be a learning curve you need to overcome.

 

[Tio64]

That's because the TomTom doesn't need a WiFi or broadband connection to work. All the data it needs is on the SD card. For the specific problem you mention you probably will have needed to tell it which country you are in and have the maps downloaded of course. That's how my Garmin worked anyway but I use Google Maps these days which is fine for a PVC but probably more challenging for a larger MH.

The suggestion to buy a local SIM seems best, otherwise join CCP and park on one of their sites with wifi overnight and update the TomTom. I'm sure the TomTom will be fine but there will be a learning curve you need to overcome.

Thanks for that. I'm used to Tomtom, I was using it back in the days of PDAs and slot-in GPS receivers, was a big fan of Tomtom for years, but for the past few years have used Waze and Google maps. I think I was just a bit shocked at how far behind they've lagged. The Tomtom is paired to my phone and can connect to the van wifi, but still struggles with locations visited by thousands daily. And then the faff with updating is unbelievable.

They cost £100s, yet are massively inferior to free apps. Shame I can't download the app that allows me to input vehicle dimensions.

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[Reallyretired]

I can only suggest you get a ticket for copilot service. I installed mine years ago and it works fine in spite of being updated several times. Currently the version you download seems quite different to mine.

 

[berni109]

I use osmand+ on phone tablet and head unit. It's a wee bit quirky to get started with but u soon get the hang of it. Taken me where I want to go over western Europe.
Uses a fair bit of data to download all the maps def wifi needed initially then just GPS.
I have a PVC so dont know how well the size weight work.

 

[Vintage_Potter]

So glad I clicked on this thread. I've been considering buying a Garmin Camper or Avtex Tourer (same thing?) but hesitating due to the cost and using Google maps in the meantime as I always use that in the car and find it mostly excellent. I'd never heard of Co-Pilot but just downloaded the caravan version, set up a profile and planned next week's trip to Southport which falls within the 14 day trial period. Result .

To TIO64: Do you have an alternative email address that you could use to download a new copy of Co-Pilot Caravan? It might get you around the problem of allocating previous car version licence.

Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[Tio64]

So glad I clicked on this thread. I've been considering buying a Garmin Camper or Avtex Tourer (same thing?) but hesitating due to the cost and using Google maps in the meantime as I always use that in the car and find it mostly excellent. I'd never heard of Co-Pilot but just downloaded the caravan version, set up a profile and planned next week's trip to Southport which falls within the 14 day trial period. Result .

To TIO64: Do you have an alternative email address that you could use to download a new copy of Co-Pilot Caravan? It might get you around the problem of allocating previous car version licence.

Good luck and have a great trip.

Thanks for that, you're spot on, I've heard back from Copilot and that's what they're saying I should do.
I don't think I'm interested in creating another Google account just for this though, I think I'll stick with Google Maps and some common sense.
Major failing by Copilot though, I've wasted an evening just trying to use an app as I wish.
Here's the reply they sent:
Hi User,

Thank you for contacting Trimble MAPS Support.

To switch to the Caravan version, you will have to register a second installation of CoPilot under an email address different to the one currently in use with the car version.

In order to do so, please follow these steps:

1. Go to MyCoPilot > My Account and select Log Out;
2. Confirm the log out;
3. When prompted, choose "Create personal account";
4. Register CoPilot - Type an email address different to the one in use for your first license; (email address never used before to activate CoPilot)
5. Select the Caravan profile you wish to use;
6. Proceed with the installation or download of the maps, if needed.
7. Note: you can use the Log out feature to switch back to your first account
8. Start enjoying the 14 day trial period for RV

 

[zac]

I am not sure this is going to help but the tomtom on the Android play store now allows for truck routing. Currently on offer at 49.99 with 7 day trial. But you still need to download the maps so not really gaining anything. I only know as I've been testing it myself on a spare Android phone I have (I use an iPhone for my main phone ). The interface on tomtom is a lot better than copilot.

Just seen the reply above about 2nd account in copilot. You don't need another play store account it's just the account linked to copilot. Logout of this and register a new account on copilot only. That should work

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[Vintage_Potter]

I wouldn't worry about having more than one email address, I have several for just this kind of thing. I only use one of them and any emails to the others are automatically redirected to that one. Just set up a yahoo account, for example, and you'll be sorted.

 

[Tio64]

Morning all,
Had another reply from Copilot, its good that they reply so quickly.

"
Hi Michael,

Thank you for the reply

All we are saying is that to switch to the Caravan version, you will have to register a second installation of CoPilot under an email address different to the one currently in use with the car version. We strongly recommend users to use or create a different email address for each app versions. The reason is that it is easier to troubleshoot each app independently just in case. More than one CoPilot app version cannot be registered on one email address (CoPilotID)

Thank you again for your understanding.

Regards,
Michel
Trimble Maps Support

I've long resisted having multiple email addresses, it's something I've never wanted to do. We've got a days driving to do today so I'll have a think about it.

Thanks to the guy with the TomTom Truck comment, I had noticed that, yeah £50 a year, I'll have to think about that too.

Many thanks all for your responses, hope this thread gives some clarification to using Copilot too.