Time for a new Satnav for the road, Garmin or TomTom?
andygbsmith
I have had a Garmin 660 and now have a TomTom Rider 450.
I found the 660 easier to plan routes on the device, also more intuitive in general, also would revise the route if you decided to do a detour or start mid way on a saved route. 660 can play music which is nice on motorway.
The TomTom does not like you varying from a plotted route, it ends up sending you on a crazy detour to try get back on track, did it to me twice in Scotland. The TomTom PC based planning tool is good, can be used when the device is not connected, then synched later. The TomTom winding routes function is interseting but sends you into every long layby and through the centre of villages instead of sensible route around, means that the distance to turn is not accurate if you are say staying on the A82 then turning onto the A86 after approx 50 miles, it says 2 miles to turn (which is a layby) then 3 miles to turn (another layby)... I find Copilot on my phone when set to avoid motorways, avoid major routes, favour minor routes gives same routing without laybys and does not do the wild goose chase if I try to rejoin the route part way through. Trouble is my phone will not respond to gloved hands......
I found the 660 easier to plan routes on the device, also more intuitive in general, also would revise the route if you decided to do a detour or start mid way on a saved route. 660 can play music which is nice on motorway.
The TomTom does not like you varying from a plotted route, it ends up sending you on a crazy detour to try get back on track, did it to me twice in Scotland. The TomTom PC based planning tool is good, can be used when the device is not connected, then synched later. The TomTom winding routes function is interseting but sends you into every long layby and through the centre of villages instead of sensible route around, means that the distance to turn is not accurate if you are say staying on the A82 then turning onto the A86 after approx 50 miles, it says 2 miles to turn (which is a layby) then 3 miles to turn (another layby)... I find Copilot on my phone when set to avoid motorways, avoid major routes, favour minor routes gives same routing without laybys and does not do the wild goose chase if I try to rejoin the route part way through. Trouble is my phone will not respond to gloved hands......
I use my phone in the car and have just bought a phone mount for the bike. I've got a proper Garmin bike sat Nav but it's a bit shit to be honest. Also I've got view ranger on the phone for the green lanes and it's very good.
I think a dedicated satnav device is a bit dated now. I read the other day there is a new GPS chip coming out for phones that brings accuracy from 10 meters down to 300 milimeters
I think a dedicated satnav device is a bit dated now. I read the other day there is a new GPS chip coming out for phones that brings accuracy from 10 meters down to 300 milimeters
I thought about using a tablet or something similar. I see that a lot of satnavs don’t cover Eastern Europe without buying upgrades either.
Perhaps I should look into what’s the best gps software and then see what device to use.
Perhaps I should look into what’s the best gps software and then see what device to use.
My 950 came with the bmw3 system fitted. Is great, real buttons and touchscreen, it's just a bit big and clunky.
New ones are smaller but no buttons
New ones are smaller but no buttons
Garmin Montana - large enough screen and it is transflective so it's actually easier to see on a bright day, especially in direct sunlight, than with the back light. Most of time backlight is turned off or low. Waterproof & has a powered quick release mount option. Menus suck a little but it gets the job done.
OsmAnd on my Android phone, open streets mapping (which is free) and it accepts GPX files drawn on your PC, you can follow the track line as an overlay on the screen or tell OsmAnd to adopt your track and make it into a route with full guidance prompts. I use this most of the time as my phone is my sat nav of convenience. The garmin is mainly for when touring.
OsmAnd on my Android phone, open streets mapping (which is free) and it accepts GPX files drawn on your PC, you can follow the track line as an overlay on the screen or tell OsmAnd to adopt your track and make it into a route with full guidance prompts. I use this most of the time as my phone is my sat nav of convenience. The garmin is mainly for when touring.
I don't have a sat nav, people always say "go get lost". How they know I'm a "twat" as well I'll never know.
It's great fun, try it.
I've seen some mega dead ends, cul de sacs and goat tracks.
Finding a fuel station on fumes in the sweltering heat is what trips are all about.
It's great fun, try it.
I've seen some mega dead ends, cul de sacs and goat tracks.
Finding a fuel station on fumes in the sweltering heat is what trips are all about.
The main reason for a satnav is in Europe, I use it mainly just to find the Hotel or camp site.
Last thing I want at the end of a long day is riding around lost. It’s also saved me a couple of times finding the closest fuel station.
I have a Montana that I use for dirt ridding, I will have a look at the app you suggested.
Last thing I want at the end of a long day is riding around lost. It’s also saved me a couple of times finding the closest fuel station.
I have a Montana that I use for dirt ridding, I will have a look at the app you suggested.
I have a Garmin Zumo something, it’s great, it has a speed camera upload. Very handy. Big screen, works with gloves, tells you where to go, that’s it really.
There website updates, downloads etc can be annoying though.
There website updates, downloads etc can be annoying though.
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