[klyne]

Eddie, on 30 October 2009 - 11:05 AM, said:

Surely you didn't have to remove them all David? Or do you mean you have only removed Switzerland and Germany's?

Eddie

I just think to remove them all is the least complicated option. I was never very keen on then in the first place! The TomTom still shows my speed alongside the speed limit for the road (can be a problem if they updated maps when road works were in progress!) I am travelling on and as most of my time is spent towing sp speeding is not so likely.

David

[speedbird22]

RogerL, on 29 October 2009 - 09:49 PM, said:

I've long been a sceptic of satnavs for any vehicle - when their route selection is challenged the stock answer from "fans" is to double-check the route with a map - in which case why not just use the map?

Having recently had a few "difficulties" with "safety" cameras I invested in a Snooper satnav. I chose that brand as it has the most up-to-date database of cameras, both fixed and mobile, with updates every day. Just for the record, I do try very hard to comply with all speed limits but like many others, am not perfect. As a camera warning device the Snooper works brilliantly although the possibility of new mobile sites which aren't on the database still has to be considered. As a "where am I now" device it's obviously near perfect but as a route planner......

I found too many times when driving solo that the satnav route had to be ignored and the frequency of ignored instructions when towing was unbelievable. Leaving aside the problems of narrow roads, too often it was picking routes which were longer and slower. As an example, I regularly use the A605, solo and towing, between Peterborough and Thrapston which is 15 miles of single carriageway primary route. Satnav routing whould have me use the A1(M) and A14, a distance of 30 miles, albeit on dual carriageway - even my now ancient MS AutoRoute '97 can avoid howlers like that. Brother-in-law recently towed from the Midlands to CC Wharfedale at Grassington, Yorkshire and was routed by satnav to J47 of the A1(M), then southwest to Otley and on to Skipton to pick up the CC advised routing - my AutoRoute would have sent him up the M6/M65 and avoided the M1/A1(M) altogether, saving 30-40 miles !!

Truck satnavs and the expensive caravan-specific satnavs may do better, I'd hope so given their price, but surely caravanners should be banned from using car-type satnavs?

#




of course sat navs should not be banned.
He must be joking.
In every walk of life the brain between the ears needs to be engaged as well as using the electronics.

[Eddie]

klyne, on 30 October 2009 - 01:54 PM, said:

Eddie

I just think to remove them all is the least complicated option.

David

Yes, you're probably right there David, although with so many cameras sprouting up all around our own wee country, I think I would prefer to hold on to the UK ones.It probably wont be too long now until other countries follow Germany and Switzerland's stance anyway :(

[neil]

speedbird22, on 30 October 2009 - 02:58 PM, said:

#

of course sat navs should not be banned.
He must be joking.
In every walk of life the brain between the ears needs to be engaged as well as using the electronics.

So how about the courts ban anyone driving beyond a relevant restriction (3T/not suitable etc) 'in blind obedience' of
a Satnav to persuade people that the brain should be engaged at all times?

The trouble with GPS (no pun intended ;)) is I can use it for walking/cycling/driving and the legality of following a
given route, is dependant solely on the method of travel chosen. Surely anyone who passes a restriction that does
contradict a GPS/Satnav isn't fit to be on the road (and has proved this beyond doubt) and so best 'off the road'?

(Obviously some bias here as most signs don't restrict cyclists/walkers but they aren't really too dangerous) :)

neil

[Fab]

I am personally not a fan of sat nav's, never had one and not really interested in getting one. However why ban them? That's just daft.

I would probably say these snooper things sound as if they should be banned ... everyone should drive within the law or take the consequences. To be honest though I don't know enough about them to make an meaningful comments ... just sound a bit shonky to me!

[Legsmaniac]

Agree with the majority, there's no need to ban them, least of all "standard car types".
The Snooper or other dedicated caravan/lorry sat-navs are no different to "standard car types" with specific POI's loaded. (Caravan Sites, Low Bridges, etc.) except that they have a rather over inflated price.

As with ANY sat-nav, you still need an element of common sense when using them AND you need to ensure you have them at the correct settings. For example, set to "quickest" and you're likely to be taking more detours and back roads than you'd like. Set to "fastest" and you're more likely to stick to the main roads. But they are not infallible. If I see what looks like a detour down a potential narrow road, I ignore the sat-nav and carry on, allowing the sat-nav to re navigate and recalculate. And as others have said, I always check the final approach roads as listed by the CC (or similar) or by using a map (even AutoRoute or Google Earth).

[RogerL]

Legsmaniac, on 31 October 2009 - 12:23 AM, said:

Agree with the majority, there's no need to ban them, least of all "standard car types".
The Snooper or other dedicated caravan/lorry sat-navs are no different to "standard car types" with specific POI's loaded. (Caravan Sites, Low Bridges, etc.) except that they have a rather over inflated price.

As with ANY sat-nav, you still need an element of common sense when using them AND you need to ensure you have them at the correct settings. For example, set to "quickest" and you're likely to be taking more detours and back roads than you'd like. Set to "fastest" and you're more likely to stick to the main roads. But they are not infallible. If I see what looks like a detour down a potential narrow road, I ignore the sat-nav and carry on, allowing the sat-nav to re navigate and recalculate. And as others have said, I always check the final approach roads as listed by the CC (or similar) or by using a map (even AutoRoute or Google Earth).

What's the difference between "quickest" and "fastest" - do you mean "shortest" vs "fastest/quickest" ?

My main comment wasn't about being directed onto back roads (all route planners will do that if "shortest" is selected) but being directed to use 30 miles of motorway/dual carriageway rather than 16 miles of single carriageway, but still "Primary" road status.

The entry level Snooper satnav isn't expensive - it's free if you pay a once-only £95 for life updates, daily updates for the camera database and annual updates for the mapping.

This post has been edited by RogerL: 31 October 2009 - 07:58 AM

[Steve W77]

RogerL, on 31 October 2009 - 07:55 AM, said:

What's the difference between "quickest" and "fastest" - do you mean "shortest" vs "fastest/quickest" ?

My main comment wasn't about being directed onto back roads (all route planners will do that if "shortest" is selected) but being directed to use 30 miles of motorway/dual carriageway rather than 16 miles of single carriageway, but still "Primary" road status.

The entry level Snooper satnav isn't expensive - it's free if you pay a once-only £95 for life updates, daily updates for the camera database and annual updates for the mapping.

That sounds very cheap, but you have already staded that it is rubbish and takes you miles longer, on routes that are not required. So why would anyone buy one?

Steve W

[Legsmaniac]

RogerL, on 31 October 2009 - 07:55 AM, said:

What's the difference between "quickest" and "fastest" - do you mean "shortest" vs "fastest/quickest" ?

Yep, that's what I meant.

RogerL, on 31 October 2009 - 07:55 AM, said:

but being directed to use 30 miles of motorway/dual carriageway rather than 16 miles of single carriageway, but still "Primary" road status.

Exaggerated example for effect? I can't say my Garmin Nuvi has ever done that although I have often taken a different route to that suggested when using local knowledge but in reality, the Garmin WILL always take you the quickest way even if it isn't the shortest route. However, if driving short distances in unknown territory, (solo) I have found setting to "shortest" often the best option and will avoid busy town centre traffic.

This post has been edited by Legsmaniac: 31 October 2009 - 10:23 AM

[Artleknock]

RogerL, on 31 October 2009 - 07:55 AM, said:

My main comment wasn't about being directed onto back roads (all route planners will do that if "shortest" is selected) but being directed to use 30 miles of motorway/dual carriageway rather than 16 miles of single carriageway, but still "Primary" road status.

As I said before, check your settings. Are you sure there is not a setting to "Prefer Motorways"

[RogerL]

Not exaggerated at all - I was born and bred in that area as well as driving that route several times a year so knew instinctively not to head south down the A1(M) but go west on the A605. It was only at the end of the journey when I re-checked the route selection that I realised the big difference in time and distance.

"Avoid tollway" and Avoid motorway" were both unchecked to allow selection of the quickest route using all available roads.

[Eddie]

If you write a nice letter to Santa, maybe he'll bring you a Tom Tom for Xmas. ;)

[smeesh]

http://www.caravantalk.org.uk/public/style_images/master/snapback.png' alt='View Post' />Eddie, on 31 October 2009 - 03:42 PM, said:

If you write a nice letter to Santa, maybe he'll bring you a Tom Tom for Xmas.

Have a look at the Navigon ones.

[smeesh]

RogerL, on 29 October 2009 - 09:49 PM, said:

Truck satnavs and the expensive caravan-specific satnavs may do better, I'd hope so given their price, but surely caravanners should be banned from using car-type satnavs?

Great piece of Kit ! Especially when Touring down south. Why BAN them ??????

SMEESH.............


Ace Jubilee Statesman Jaguar S Type 2.7d SE.......... ma new Towing BRIEF !!!!

[Legsmaniac]

smeesh, on 01 November 2009 - 10:04 AM, said:

Why BAN them ??????

A question many of us have echoed but let's be clear here - Roger hasn't suggest they (satnavs) be banned.
He asked "Should caravanners be banned from using them?"

I still say no because if used with the aid of maps as well as common sense, they are a great tool, even for caravanners.

[eric]

You could make a case for banning maps, the number of times I see people driving with a map resting on the steering wheel.

[smeesh]

Legsmaniac, on 01 November 2009 - 10:55 AM, said:

A question many of us have echoed but let's be clear here - Roger hasn't suggest they (satnavs) be banned.
He asked "Should caravanners be banned from using them?"

I still say no because if used with the aid of maps as well as common sense, they are a great tool, even for caravanners.

Hhmmm ! I should have said why just Ban caravanners for using them ??? http://www.caravantalk.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif . With Common Sense it is a great piece of kit as stated. Must admit I drive for the Co- Op part time and all the trucks are fitted with Sat Nav but unfortunately don't have height recognition for bridges so must be observant at all times and tend only to use it when close to the Store rather than route finding.

SMEESH...........

Ace Jubilee Statesman, Jaguar S Type 2.7d SE and a wee smelly Dug called Robbie who shall never step a paw into my new Brief !!!

[oldboy]

I am one of the few that don't have a sat nav and up to now have never been sent up the wrong way by still planning my route from maps and put the direction on sticky label which I stuck on the steering wheel.

[Hussar]

Been towing for years, and have allways used a satnav since they first came out, never had a problem, a real godsend.
My good lady and I used to fall out all the time (she is not the best map reader) but since the satnav its been sweetness and light. :D

This post has been edited by Hussar: 01 November 2009 - 06:47 PM