Can you have a sat nav that is caravan friendly , ive heard of sat navs that send lorries etc down narrow loads , low bridges
Sat Nav
- Thread starter giant
- Start date
Damian
Moderator
Pro Nav do a truck sat nav, as does Garmin, butthey tend to be much more expensive than the "normal" type such as TomTom, and remember they are optimised for trucks.
No Sat Nav is entirely correct evey time, they will all take you down unsuitable routes at times.
There is no substitue for looking where you are going and checking routes with a map or Google Earth
No Sat Nav is entirely correct evey time, they will all take you down unsuitable routes at times.
There is no substitue for looking where you are going and checking routes with a map or Google Earth
I have a Garmin 1490T which you can you Mapsource software (supplied)to develop your own route and then import it into the Garmin. Mapsource has a 'Truck' option so it is possible to develop and check your route before sending it to the satnav. Howver should you get lost, or meet a diversion the Garmin has no 'Truck' option and hence re-routing could lead you down roads that may not be suitable. So you still need a map book handy and someone who can read a map too. But that is no different to doing things without the sat nav. So far I have found the Garmin very good for routing but I always revert to some bullet point notes for the final landing approach!
We all used to mange years before sat navs were around. Very few incidents of over sized vehicles going down small roads, why? - we used to read maps, and more importantly we read and followed the road signage.
Most sat-navs tell you when you turn them on that sat-navs are only advisory and don't over ride road signage and highway rules.
Most sat-navs tell you when you turn them on that sat-navs are only advisory and don't over ride road signage and highway rules.
Sorry John L , have to disagree with you, firstly maps can have wrong data on them ie bridge heights, and weight limits can change.
The only thing that is different is we hear more about it today,but incidents did happen prior to sat navs,involving large vehicles and road suitability. indeed certain places to gain legal access, might well not be what one would deem a appropriate road anyway. and looking at a map, still does not give you an idea of what could lie ahead, or if you have to take a detour because of roadworks or an accident.
Good sat navs are a god send. ps if you have a tom tom 7 or 9 series prior to the new 750 950, you can actually buy a truck SD card about
The only thing that is different is we hear more about it today,but incidents did happen prior to sat navs,involving large vehicles and road suitability. indeed certain places to gain legal access, might well not be what one would deem a appropriate road anyway. and looking at a map, still does not give you an idea of what could lie ahead, or if you have to take a detour because of roadworks or an accident.
Good sat navs are a god send. ps if you have a tom tom 7 or 9 series prior to the new 750 950, you can actually buy a truck SD card about
Hello Me,
I never said that maps were perfect, in fact most maps are out of date as soon as they are published, and the same applies to SAT NAV databases, so there is no difference there. The point is that the local road signage is what must dictate your actions.
Yes I agree that prior to St-Navs there were some incidences of large vehicles trying to negotiate small roads etc but since sat-nav I believe the incidence has increased. I put this down to the number 0of people that put a blind faith in the GPS technology and who do not practice good road craft and reading road signage.
Usually if a size or speed limit is changed there are warning signs strategically placed so that drivers can take appropriate action to avoid problems.
I too find Sat-Navs to be a very effective driving aid, especially when driving solo to previously unvisited destinations, But you still have to watch out for local road signs to alert you to changes in priorities, diversions etc.
Sat-Navs must only be considered as an aid to direction finding, not the ultimate word on the matter.
I never said that maps were perfect, in fact most maps are out of date as soon as they are published, and the same applies to SAT NAV databases, so there is no difference there. The point is that the local road signage is what must dictate your actions.
Yes I agree that prior to St-Navs there were some incidences of large vehicles trying to negotiate small roads etc but since sat-nav I believe the incidence has increased. I put this down to the number 0of people that put a blind faith in the GPS technology and who do not practice good road craft and reading road signage.
Usually if a size or speed limit is changed there are warning signs strategically placed so that drivers can take appropriate action to avoid problems.
I too find Sat-Navs to be a very effective driving aid, especially when driving solo to previously unvisited destinations, But you still have to watch out for local road signs to alert you to changes in priorities, diversions etc.
Sat-Navs must only be considered as an aid to direction finding, not the ultimate word on the matter.
I have to agree with John here on the maps.
People put too much credability in a sat nav and forget the age old technique of map reading. It won't be long before someone call's the AA or RAC to say they can't move because the sat nav is broken.
I have 2 sat navs but still use a map for reference to check that, (A) the sat nav has found the right place, (B) that the route is as practical as possible, (C)use the map as back up when the sat nav fails.
If you set any sat nav to truck on the vehicle options, it will generally take you along main trunk routes and only deviate to narrower roads if there is no option. But, by tracking the route with a conventional paper map you can often save distance by using a B road to interconnect with the trunk roads.
Common sense has to prevail with what ever mapping/guidance system you use. I have twice been advised to navigate a roundabout anti clock wise !!?? by tom tom. Needless to say I looked before trusting the gizmo thta was blatently wrong!!
Sat navs are good tools in general, but they and maps should not be used to replace driver knowledge and common sense.
You wouldn't drive down the slipway to aferry that isn't there, or would you?????
Atb Steve.
People put too much credability in a sat nav and forget the age old technique of map reading. It won't be long before someone call's the AA or RAC to say they can't move because the sat nav is broken.
I have 2 sat navs but still use a map for reference to check that, (A) the sat nav has found the right place, (B) that the route is as practical as possible, (C)use the map as back up when the sat nav fails.
If you set any sat nav to truck on the vehicle options, it will generally take you along main trunk routes and only deviate to narrower roads if there is no option. But, by tracking the route with a conventional paper map you can often save distance by using a B road to interconnect with the trunk roads.
Common sense has to prevail with what ever mapping/guidance system you use. I have twice been advised to navigate a roundabout anti clock wise !!?? by tom tom. Needless to say I looked before trusting the gizmo thta was blatently wrong!!
Sat navs are good tools in general, but they and maps should not be used to replace driver knowledge and common sense.
You wouldn't drive down the slipway to aferry that isn't there, or would you?????
Atb Steve.
Regard the satnav as an aid and not a brain!!!
When towing I now check the route on google with the street scene gadget........ yes the thing which is an invasion of privacy but it really is useful. (It's only and invasion of privacy when it's in my street!)
They don't appear to go into french villages though so I avoid the short cuts which my satnav manages to find. Edit them out before you go is the best policy.
When towing I now check the route on google with the street scene gadget........ yes the thing which is an invasion of privacy but it really is useful. (It's only and invasion of privacy when it's in my street!)
They don't appear to go into french villages though so I avoid the short cuts which my satnav manages to find. Edit them out before you go is the best policy.
Sat Navs are not the be all and end all. Always check your route on a map,. I have an old tomtom navigator on a pda and it shows mes a detailed map of the route to be taken, i can them make alterations to the route.
I have a newer blaupunkt unit that calculates a routes and i dont get map to review.
More recently i got myself a nokie 5800 cell phone( this has a built in GPS rx). I have downloaded a copy( dont ask) of garmin which is very good, however OVI have now provided a free ful voice guidance nagigation software. This enables me to plan a rout on the PC using some very detailed maps then synchronise this to the telephone. If wanted the ovi navigator can be used a s stand alone voice guidance system but does not provide a detailed overview of the route. Best of all its totally free.
Both garmin and ovi have walking modes giving voice giudance when walking.
I also have viewranger downloaded on the phone but this uses downloaded landranger os maps and they are expensive.
Google maps is also a standard application on the phone with rout planning, satellite views, 3d mode etc.
I now leave both my other navigation systems at home and rely on the telephone.
I have a newer blaupunkt unit that calculates a routes and i dont get map to review.
More recently i got myself a nokie 5800 cell phone( this has a built in GPS rx). I have downloaded a copy( dont ask) of garmin which is very good, however OVI have now provided a free ful voice guidance nagigation software. This enables me to plan a rout on the PC using some very detailed maps then synchronise this to the telephone. If wanted the ovi navigator can be used a s stand alone voice guidance system but does not provide a detailed overview of the route. Best of all its totally free.
Both garmin and ovi have walking modes giving voice giudance when walking.
I also have viewranger downloaded on the phone but this uses downloaded landranger os maps and they are expensive.
Google maps is also a standard application on the phone with rout planning, satellite views, 3d mode etc.
I now leave both my other navigation systems at home and rely on the telephone.
i also get traffic updates on the ovi as part of the telephone package. have a pop into your vodafone shop.
Steve. I think I should mention a popular miss conception concerning truck mode on sat navs. A truck mode like what was on the garmin and tom tom , ie choose car truck or pedestrian, does nothing to alter the actual route, merely the time, it does not change the route to avoid side street, they never have.
A proper truck mode, will be one that asks you to put in details of your vehicle ie weight height length, this will indeed give a route that will be based on the info you give to avoid possible problems ahead. so be careful if you think a sat nav which has a truck mode without you having to enter any data will avoid any road pitfalls, as they do not.
And another point that people seem to be missing is that a sat nav, actually is a map a moving map!and can be used as a still map. which you can use just like your out of date paper map to look at the route and plan it, you can also make changes to your route and avoid certain areas roads or streets, tolls motorways ect.
Something you cannot really do with all concious awareness unless you have an excellent memory or keep reading written down notes whilst you drive.
The newer version also have clever routes ability too avoid congestion, and some also have life service functions, like the one I have,and which diverted me off the A438 at stoke Edith near Hereford onto the A4103 because of a serious road crash further up the A438.
No they are not perfect but are of dam more useful than the old paper map, its the user who might be the weakest link not the sat nav.
A proper truck mode, will be one that asks you to put in details of your vehicle ie weight height length, this will indeed give a route that will be based on the info you give to avoid possible problems ahead. so be careful if you think a sat nav which has a truck mode without you having to enter any data will avoid any road pitfalls, as they do not.
And another point that people seem to be missing is that a sat nav, actually is a map a moving map!and can be used as a still map. which you can use just like your out of date paper map to look at the route and plan it, you can also make changes to your route and avoid certain areas roads or streets, tolls motorways ect.
Something you cannot really do with all concious awareness unless you have an excellent memory or keep reading written down notes whilst you drive.
The newer version also have clever routes ability too avoid congestion, and some also have life service functions, like the one I have,and which diverted me off the A438 at stoke Edith near Hereford onto the A4103 because of a serious road crash further up the A438.
No they are not perfect but are of dam more useful than the old paper map, its the user who might be the weakest link not the sat nav.
Your not far wrong there ME.
People put far too much faith in gadgets and gizmo's. Maintaining good sense (as John puts it) and being able to read a map correctly is a good asset to any life skill's.
I did find that both my Tom Tom and Garmin I3 gave differing routes when in truck mode and did tend to prefer main roads.
To be perfectly honest, I can usually navigate myself to within 5-10 miles of anywhere in the UK and then I turn on the sat nav for the fine detail. But that has come from averaging 30+ thousand miles a year over the last 33 years.
Atb Steve L.
People put far too much faith in gadgets and gizmo's. Maintaining good sense (as John puts it) and being able to read a map correctly is a good asset to any life skill's.
I did find that both my Tom Tom and Garmin I3 gave differing routes when in truck mode and did tend to prefer main roads.
To be perfectly honest, I can usually navigate myself to within 5-10 miles of anywhere in the UK and then I turn on the sat nav for the fine detail. But that has come from averaging 30+ thousand miles a year over the last 33 years.
Atb Steve L.
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