First Big Trip

[Dave Ford]

On 4th September I set off on my first big trip, just my 550 and me, >4,000 miles taking in France, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, France. I realise this is nothing particularly special for many people on here, but I've set myself quite a demanding schedule and don't really have time to waste. I certainly can't afford to spend half a day or more getting lost. I'm therefore going to be relying heavily on the Zumo. While I feel quite comfortable using it, I've never used it on a trip of this magnitude before. Any tips - no matter how basic?

Thanks

 

[bob the grizz]

Trip

Take a map

 

[Mr K]

Take a map

Take several maps.

Romania's sat-nav mapping wasn't the best when I was there and I'm fairly sure the minor and interesting routes will be better done by map.

That said, I'm a satnav man meself and withe the exceptions of Bulgaria and Croatia satnav should be fine.

 

[Rushy]

As the fellas say take maps.

DO NOT plan the whole bloody route in your sat nav . It removes the ability to be flexible and will almost certainly cause you problems along the way.

Each day plan your route as you go (maybe the night before) using the map to decide which roads look the best then , if you must, spend a few minutes dropping some waypoints into the sat nav for that mornings travelling to ensure you dont get off track. Do the same again at lunchtime.

Please feel free to ignore this advice, just my 2pence.

Cheers,

Ian R

 

[earthmover]

I use my Zumo, in conjunction with a map. A sat-nav on it's own is a recipie for disaster, just ask all the Polish truckers who have ended up trying to get a 40ft rig down a single track road, 'cos their sat-nav told them it was the "best" route.
Mark

 

[thauma]

SatNav vis a tool like any other, and as fallible as the person using it. Just like a map! Always be wary of following the satnav blindly.... signs are now apearing in Hampshire (and probably other places) warnining you NOT to follow your SatNav down certain lanes.

I usually plan my routes on the map, with a couple of options so that I can pick and choose.

Once I know what the basic plan is I plot the routes (including options) into the SatNav. Note don't use one big route for the entire trip, break it into sections. I usually use days, but you could use half days.

I also save the waypoints of specific things that may be of interest (time permitting) but aren't in the normal satnav list.

Using this approach I usually have scenic routes, fast routes for when the weather is poor or I'm running out of time, and also options for detours if there's time.

Yes it takes time and planning - BUT that's part of the pleasure for me - in the weeks/days before a trip working out where and what I can do. SatNav should be able to do the boring motorway stuff for you, for everyting else then plan the route, and let the satnav do the navigation.

Enjoy (and post a write up of your experiences)

Cheers

Dave#...

 

[AndrewD]

DO use a map to pick points of interest.
DO Load your music in folders with no more than 20 tracks
Do take the 'passes' across the alps not the tunnels

Don't use motorways, you might as well not go anywhere.
Don't avoid major roads just Auto-routes or you'll spend all day going 10 miles
Don't rely on Garmin's petrol stations, some don't exist anymore!

Just my 2p, as we're off on the 13th of September

 

[Banjaxed]

And if all else fails...

From time to time, use 'shortest route', not 'fastest route'.

You're guaranteed to come across something interesting bypassed by all the numpty's haring past on the motorway/main road...

 

[Backroader]

Like Thauma I too spend hours/days plotting routes on Mapsource. Every time I go around Europe I do not use autoroutes and as little main roads as I can. I can do say 5k miles in total and all on backroads, maximum 450 miles on a long day, and much less on others.

I'm off to Imola and Magny Cours for World Superbikes in September and it has taken me absolutely ages to plot my routes. Mapsource is not very good in my humble opinion especially as I have to have it set on the highest details setting and go down to 1 mile range to see the small roads.

This will be my first time abroad with satnav and I am not sure if it's classed as cheating. I like maps but I used to get lost so many times so hopefully that will not happen now.