Garmin Camper 660

Hi
With my motorhome (A/S Bourton) came a Garmin Camper 660.
I find it difficult to use. There are two issues:
1. It gives the instruction to 'take the exit' or "turn left" too soon and sometimes well before the turning and even before another turning!
2. When at a junction it often shows the road to turn onto as a road name rather than a road number and obviously I don't know the names of roads in strange places!
Has anyone else experienced these issues and more importantly has anyone overcome them! I've ploughed through all the settings but no luck as yet.
Thanks for any advice you can give.

Mine also often shows road names instead of numbers but exit wise it works ok.

Thanks Paul - think mines just a bit lazy on the instructions!

Pear Tree wrote:
1. It gives the instruction to 'take the exit' or "turn left" too soon and sometimes well before the turning and even before another turning!

I suspect that this is a characteristic of Garmins that you just get used to (or not, possibly!). On mine, it typically says "In one mile, take the exit to..." and then repeats it again when you are almost on the exit. I've got used to looking at the display on mine at each announcement, because in the top left there is a graphic showing the type of exit, with a distance to the exit in fractions of a mile underneath it. This means that you can distinguish which exit you need if there are several in quick succession.

I ~think~ that the choice of road number or road name is just a function of what's in the mapping data - I've noticed similar things myself, and I've got used to following the directions and ignoring the road name if it's not helpful. Sometimes it's not, but also it can be if the road name plates are clearly visible and not covered in roadside plant growth!

I think Mojo is right - Garmins seem more prone to using street names.

We don't use one now, but when we had one we both nearly wet ourselves in France . . . in fact I think Mrs Gromit did become a bit damp in the nether regions! 

The Garmin said, "Turn left into Rudy Leg Lice"

Much hilarity and knickers wetting later, we realised she was trying to say, "Turn left into Rue de L'Eglise".

Years later if we see a Rue de L'Eglise we always have a giggle.  

After much use, I find that it is important to look at the map on-screen when it instructs you to make a turn etc. You are correct, often too early. The map will show you where to turn and the instruction gives you a prompt to use the map for the actual turn.

It's worse in towns. My co-driver often looks at the map for me - important if it is busy. She can then say "No, not that exit" etc.

Overall I am happy with it, but I sold the 660 Camper and replaced it with the larger 770 Camper. It is much more readable and works with the factory fitted camera and power lead. The 660 would be perfect for a car, but is a bit too far away for glancing at it in the motorhome.

Dennis

You should hear the Welsh street names!!!

Dare-devil-dennis wrote:It's worse in towns. My co-driver often looks at the map for me - important if it is busy. She can then say "No, not that exit" etc.

Hi Dennis

We do the same - it seems only sensible and avoids a lot of bum clenching in heavy traffic situations.

We use the Tom Tom App for the smart phone and Sian has it on her 10" tablet with exactly the same image on her screen. She then has a very clear picture and can say, "Next but one left turn." etc., which is very helpful.

For anyone thinking of trying the App, the tablet is also invaluable if we come across a deviation (or inevitably - if we are in France!!). Sian can then zoom out to get a wider view, and navigate us back on track until the phone "satnav" can take over again. She also likes to keep track of "where we are on the map", and for that it's even better than a paper map.

Paulmold wrote:You should hear the Welsh street names!!!

No problem in our van Paul. 

Today when I plugged mine in to Garmin Express there was a software update for improved pronunciation by the Serena voice (British English).  Were they listening-in?