Ultimate Caravan Satnav

Hi all, I have just come across this string about satnavs and thought I should share my gripe about the dedicated caravan and motorhome devices.   When the other club had an offer on the new TomTom Caravan & MH model I liked the look of the spec so ordered one while the offer was still on.   That is now well over two years ago.   However, although most of theatures were good and the satnav part worked well, there is a serious flaw in the speed indicator.    This model shows on-screen both the speed you are driving at and the legal speed limit.   This to me is handy because no car or MH gives you the correct speed and as we spend half the year in France and Spain I like to think I have the correct speed and know the limit.   It is unbelievable that TomTom and other satnav developers cannot provide the correct legal speed limit across Europe, even though they are based in Amsterdam and these devices are specially made for caravanning and motorhoming.

This model incorrectly gives the speed limits across Europe for a solo car only.  I.e. In France, my 4,250kg MH has a legal limit of 130k on the autoroute according to TT, where it should show 90k.   Anyway, for the last 6 months I have had a painful dialogue with TT HQ trying to get them to fix this, but they dont understand the problem.    Then, a few weeks ago, after another escalation, I was talking to a developer who said that all speed limits were the same in Holland so that might be the problem.   Then, two weeks ago I received, via a courier, out of the blue, the brand new TT PRO 6250 Trucker device free of charge (Should be £469) for my trouble, but guess what, it still shows all the wrong speed limits for big caravan rigs and larger MHs.

Does anybody have a device the provides the legal speed limit for all types of vehicle and road?   I look forward to hearing from you.

BillC

I have the Avtex CC model and I have found it a decent bit of kit, I have discovered the Garmin Basecamp app and I can set out my route and upload it to the unit. It also gives the speed limit for the outfit or if I have it on car only it gives me the car's speed limit.

I think drivers are depending on technology too much, but when using the satnav it does pay to check with maps and/or Google Maps before setting off.

I have an older TomTom XXL and I cannot update the maps anymore due to its age and memory.

Can anyone tell me what is the main difference between the Garmin 770LMT-D and the Avtex Tourer One that is sold in collaboration with the Caravan and Motorhome Club?

There does not appear to be much difference to me, apart from the price, as the club POIs can be downloaded to the normal Garmin versions anyway.

Also can you add your own POIs from other clubs?

I think drivers are depending on technology too much, but when using the satnav it does pay to check with maps and/or Google Maps before setting off.

 

Ian - that's exactly my point and perhaps, on reflection, I was wrong to describe this as the 'Ultimate Caravan Satnav' when, in fact, it's the "MyDrive' App that's the 'ultimate' bit. My experience with other systems is that even though you think you are following your chosen route, for reasons unknown to me, at some random point it will attempt to deviate from that route and try to send you somewhere daft.  Not a big issue when solo but could be disastrous with a big 'van on the back!

I have used MyDrive a few times now and, as you say, having researched the route on Google Maps etc, I can select a safe route - turn by turn and download it to the satnav with the confidence that it will follow that route exactly.

Although it can take considerable time to set up a new route, it does take all the stress out of driving in an unfamiliar location.

When using the Avtex and I assume all other satnav that monitor roadworks and stoppages, they try to send you on a different route to avoid the problem! I tend to ignore this advice especially with the 'van on the back as the updated route might send me down narrow roads. I just wish that when I say no to this advice it would accept my decision!

We have the Garmin , (same but cheaper from Aldi) and we tend to ignore the "delays" and avoiding routes as normally the problem has been "resolved"when getting to the "problem"

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Has any one any views on the new  Avtex/Garmin plus with the built in camera

I believe that a lot of the satnavs use the same mapping software. I guess the algorithms are similar as well. With my Garmin it will often give two or three routes and you can scroll through but it isn’t that easy to check the exact route. I find that they are most useful around towns and off of the main routes where map reading is more difficult. For the main roads and motorways I always check with the map but downloading a planned route would help.

Of the satnavs that I have used or seen, the best I have experienced is google maps on a smart phone, although personally I prefer a large screen and built in software. 

One feature I find useful with the Garmin (other makes have it) is the speed indicator and speed limit warning which is fantastically accurate all over Europe. With the raised seats on my Peugeot it is difficult to see the speedo which is inaccurate anyway.

I have has a TomTom camper & caravan version for a couple of years or more and it has been brilliant. You put in the van and car details as with others and the routes it produces abide by those. We accept nearly all the diversions and they have saved us hours of queing with never a "dud" route.

My problem is that TomTom no longer sell this model and will not be updating it. I am on the lookout for an alternative which also includes the "re-routing" element but the ads don't seem to specifically mention this. Has anyone out there found a replacement that does all that the Tom Tom one does.