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Has anyone bought the new Ventura sat nav? Our Tom Tom is quite old and coming to the end of it's days.  I like the idea of the Ventura but the reviews on Amazon are pretty poor.  Would welcome any input.  We're about to go to Kintyre and would like to feel a bit more secure with the route.  Tom Tom has it's moments but mostly I ignore it, if I feel uncomfortable when towing.

Thanks in advance

Alison

Hi Alison

We have both an all-singing, all-dancing TomTom and the Ventura (bought for towing).  In car mode, the TomTom wins hands-down - the display is clearer and it updates quicker, ie adjusting the display when going round corners etc and if you take a wrong turn or there's a diversion and it needs to re-route.  The Ventura seems to take an age to adjust itself.  We have only used the Ventura a couple of times so far for towing.  It seems a little hit and miss when routing for the van.  The majority of the time it takes you away from un-friendly routes and warns you of tight bends etc, but sometimes it seems to miss out warning you about tighter bends than ones it has previously warned you about!  It has lots of campsites preloaded on the unit, and well as warnings for speed cameras. I feel it is over-priced for the quality. 

In general, I would say it's OK, but if TomTom were to bring out a specific caravan model, I would probably cut my losses and buy one of those instead.  I would also still check campsite directions direct with the site and a quick comparison with a map to check the route before relying on the satnav.

Hope this helps!

Thanks everyone....you've help me make my mind up.  I'll limp along with the Tom Tom for a while too and watch what comes up on the market

Thanks again

Alison

I use a "Tom tom work" sat nav both for work (class1 artic) and caravaning and whilst it is by far the best satnav currently available (in my opinion as a professional user) it is still only an aid to navigation and needs to be used in conjunction with a bit of common sense, although it does get the route correct 99% of the time,you can preview the route it has set and if your not happy with it simply press the screen option to calculate another route.A big plus for the TT is you can add your own POI'S (points of interest) inc safety cameras,low bridge heights,camping sites inc CC & CACC etc etc,(google "pocket gps world" for details). You can also customise the vehicle dimensions and it will use roads that are more suitable ie main roads as opposed to back roads,it also warns you in advance of dead ends/unsuitable roads etc for your setup before you turn into them.

Hope this helps

Thanks - it's looking more and more like I shall be sticking with Tom Tom.  I would rather spend the money on that than the Ventura I think.  You've all been very helpful, as always,

Cheers x

what model tom tom have you got.

the reason i ask is some older tom toms that use an sd card can just buy the maps on an sd card for just over £100. then you save loads.

cliffbrown - thanks for that link - i had tried a few weeks ago to search the TT 7000 but did't find that link!

Are there any reviews for this TT model?

bazelk - what model TT do you use?

Last week i updated our TT from their website and its now doesn't work! It starts up but just says 'no maps found'. Hubby is currently trying to find out what he can do to restart it. We would like a 'caravan friendly' sat nav but have too may other expenses at the moment to buy one! So may have to be a xmas pressie (oh no i didn't mention THAT word, did i!)

Keep your thoughts coming pleasae.

Quote: Originally posted by Millsey on 04/7/2011

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Hi Alison

We have both an all-singing, all-dancing TomTom and the Ventura (bought for towing).  In car mode, the TomTom wins hands-down - the display is clearer and it updates quicker, ie adjusting the display when going round corners etc and if you take a wrong turn or there's a diversion and it needs to re-route.  The Ventura seems to take an age to adjust itself.  We have only used the Ventura a couple of times so far for towing.  It seems a little hit and miss when routing for the van.  The majority of the time it takes you away from un-friendly routes and warns you of tight bends etc, but sometimes it seems to miss out warning you about tighter bends than ones it has previously warned you about!  It has lots of campsites preloaded on the unit, and well as warnings for speed cameras. I feel it is over-priced for the quality. 

In general, I would say it's OK, but if TomTom were to bring out a specific caravan model, I would probably cut my losses and buy one of those instead.  I would also still check campsite directions direct with the site and a quick comparison with a map to check the route before relying on the satnav.

Hope this helps!

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TOM TOM do indeed have have a caravan / HGV friendly version,It's their 7000 series

http://www.tomtom-navigation.co.uk/site/TomTom_Go_7000_Caravan.php

Quote: Originally posted by Millsey on 04/7/2011

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Hi Alison

We have both an all-singing, all-dancing TomTom and the Ventura (bought for towing).  In car mode, the TomTom wins hands-down - the display is clearer and it updates quicker, ie adjusting the display when going round corners etc and if you take a wrong turn or there's a diversion and it needs to re-route.  The Ventura seems to take an age to adjust itself.  We have only used the Ventura a couple of times so far for towing.  It seems a little hit and miss when routing for the van.  The majority of the time it takes you away from un-friendly routes and warns you of tight bends etc, but sometimes it seems to miss out warning you about tighter bends than ones it has previously warned you about!  It has lots of campsites preloaded on the unit, and well as warnings for speed cameras. I feel it is over-priced for the quality. 

In general, I would say it's OK, but if TomTom were to bring out a specific caravan model, I would probably cut my losses and buy one of those instead.  I would also still check campsite directions direct with the site and a quick comparison with a map to check the route before relying on the satnav.

Hope this helps!

---

TOM TOM do indeed have have a caravan / HGV friendly version,It's their 7000 series

http://www.tomtom-navigation.co.uk/site/TomTom_Go_7000_Caravan.php

& some reveiws can be found here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-1KE0-057-01-GO-7000-TRUCK/dp/B002QVLNIO

Quote: Originally posted by bazelk on 04/7/2011

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I use a "Tom tom work" sat nav both for work (class1 artic) and caravaning and whilst it is by far the best satnav currently available (in my opinion as a professional user) it is still only an aid to navigation and needs to be used in conjunction with a bit of common sense, although it does get the route correct 99% of the time,you can preview the route it has set and if your not happy with it simply press the screen option to calculate another route.A big plus for the TT is you can add your own POI'S (points of interest) inc safety cameras,low bridge heights,camping sites inc CC & CACC etc etc,(google "pocket gps world" for details). You can also customise the vehicle dimensions and it will use roads that are more suitable ie main roads as opposed to back roads,it also warns you in advance of dead ends/unsuitable roads etc for your setup before you turn into them.

Hope this helps

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