I’m organising a weekend trip to Wales in June and have been busy planning all the routes using Google Maps etc. I would really like to be able to load them into my sat nav so that I don’t have to constantly look at the route book. I currently have a Tom Tom One which is pretty basic so I’m looking to upgrade. However, I want to make sure I can set up the routes I want to take (usually very indirect and not using motorways!) and upload them to the sat nav. So, what does anyone else use, how good is it, how easy is it to generate and upload routes (kml files?) and importantly, how much does the sat nav cost? On the last point, I don’t really want to spend more than £150, £200 tops. I’m also not wedded to Tom Tom although I have found them very easy to use in Europe and the US. All help and suggestions welcome. Thanks.
Buy a phone cradle and a charger unit to go in your lighter socket and use your phone? A 3G enabled tablet would work too. Data usage is minimal, but your phone battery will work hard as the screen is on all the time.
This is what I use. Direct Google maps.
You can output the Googlemaps route, then convert it to a TomTom format.
Something like this - http://www.routeconverter.de/gps-converter/en
Personally I use SYGIC GPS App (approx £18) on my Android phone (5inch screen) and it works great.
I’d be very interested in this. Would also like to know if it’s possible to do on the factory Alpine AVN2 unit
I’ve yet to find a really good sat nav and have used plenty over the years. I currently use a TomTom Start which is fairly basic but is good for finding a local Morrisons so we can make use of their excellent toilet facilities.
I have gone back to using good old fashioned maps on journeys away form home. They don’t lead you up the garden path!
Gra
In my opinion Gamins the way to go I’ve been using one for over 10 years now (not the same model obviously) on both bikes and cars. Using either BaseCamp s/w (free with the Garmin Sat Nav) or maybe the equivalent Mapsource s/w from the motorbike Garmin Zumo range of Sat Navs you can plot an exact route using a point and click method on the electronic maps displayed on your PC or plot via Way Points on your PC. You can set he actual device to avoid boring Toll roads and motorways and even tell it that you like B windy roads best.
We tour Europe extensively and one of our highlights prior to each trip is planning the exact routes on the computer before downloading them onto the Sat Nav. The Garmin s/w also has an extensive library of other points of interest along your route including restaurants and hotels.
Another interesting tool is viewing the planned routes on the PC in both the Garmin s/w and using Google Earth. Each have their own advantages the main one with Google Earth is to view the routes profile showing the ups and downs of the mountain passes as well as viewing the route in real time along the actual roads with the associated scenery.
Hope this helps.
Thanks all. Very helpful.
Graham, I have been looking at a Garmin Numi 65LM which I assume will come with the BaseCamp software you mentioned. It sounds like Garmin is the way to go but I may just try a quick experiment with my existing TomTom just in case I can get it to work. Probably not though as it is pretty much the most basic model. Looks like I may be making a purchase this weekend…
Decided to go for the Garmin Nuvi 65LM and very pleased with it. Got the BaseCamp software too and already worked up several routes for my trip. Very easy to do. Did a test route locally and it worked really well. Can’t believe I hadn’t switched to Garmin before. Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated.
If you run an iphone then consider the Tom Tom app!?
The Western Europe app is just under £40.
I have used the UK and Ireland one for three years and never let me down.
Its so simple
Pete, Pleased you liked the Garmin. Happy route planning!
Graham, I’m really impressed with it. I put it to a full test on our Easter run last Saturday. Although I had worked up all the directions and printed out route sheets I led the convoy using just the sat nav and it was absolutely spot on all the way. It gives me confidence that I can use it for planning much more complex routes in future. Indeed, I’ve been using it to plan our SC Area weekend away in Wales in June. Thanks again for your help and advice!