With the never ending EU regulations on emissions, we’re constantly being berated that we need to save the planet, why oh why is there not one satnav that will avoid towns or cities? You can avoid motorways, avoid toll roads, set a fast route or a short route, but Apple maps, Google maps, Waze, Garmin or TomTom do not have an avoid town centre option. Why? It would reduce emissions, congestion and stress, but just isn’t an option. I can’t get my head around it. Every time I go on a European road trip, car or bike, which is several times a year, I inevitably end up going through a large town or city. I don’t have the time or inclination to sit plotting a route, so why not have a simple ‘avoid’ button?
In France if you see ‘Toutes Directions’ then follow the signs. You will avoid the centre of the locality. Use the SatNav as an aid but do not ignore signage that will help you.
Yep, I do that regularly, but that still doesn’t answer the question of why it’s not an option on all satnavs!
‘Avoid Tolls’ works for some areas, like Bristol. Assuming you want to avoid Lez charges. Not sure about London though, far as I can tell you have to work it out from a map rather than putting your reg no. In to see if you need to pay.
After installing a 2TB SD card, my sat nav is now on its third day downloading data to support the “Avoid pothole” function…
I understand your point - avoid Towns function on a Sat Nav could be useful. But it could depend on the size of the town - what you mean by going through them and depend on what kind of road you are already on. If you approach on the "N" Road - even avoiding the town center you could still find yourself in busy town traffic within the town itself. To avoid the town completely the Sat Nav might route you onto the Motorway. I find it useful to just prod a few points on the Sat Nav that will make sure that you stay on course and where it cannot "help" by finding a backstreet shortcut for you !
I sadly live somewhere with speed bumps. Low cars are not the problem, muppets in fat SUVs are. They slow down to 10mph in a 30mph zone where the bumps can easily be driven over at the speed limit
I’d also like options for: Scenic routes Twisties Avoiding weight and width restrictions (when I’m in the motorhome)
I believe you can set some parameters on my Sons Zumo mounted to his 125, not sure on the weight/height restrictions.
I thought the first two were fairly common. The last one exists too: https://www.bestproductsreviews.co.uk/motorhome-sat-nav-uk-and-eu
Generally try and avoid towns if I can. Though I do as @chrisw suggests, unless wanting to see the town, stop for coffee/food etc. For towns of any significance I put the next via-point on the route on the road out of town that I want to be on, well outside the built up area. I don't unless necessary put any via-points or way-points in the town itself. That way I can ride around the town as I please or as traffic dictates but always end up on the right road to continue my onward journey.
Oh how I long for the good old days of the waterlogged map and the black waxed pencil line on a plastic sheet. It was such fun trying to refold those maps in the wind. And getting lost at night when you simply couldn't see the damn thing. I miss the frantic searches for petrol stations, and the healthly bike pushing when I didn't find one in time... I'd swop my amazing GPS powered sat nav in a heart beat if only I still had a tankbag half as big as my bike to look down at as I ride...
Sellotaping paper to your tank with very basic place names as waypoints. Technology is draining the fun from life……..
Remember those days well, paper in tank bag transparent pocket with place names and a road numbers, either that or chinagraph pencil to write directly on tank. Occasionally stopping to look at Michelin map to verify route if navigating cross country routes. Yes it was an adventure but it added time and thus reduced distance covered, especially if doing that all day. Far prefer a sat nav TBH and not just entering destination and following blindly. More the cross country routes on D roads but with confidence, especially when leading a group.
You are correct of course, but unfortunately it would seem that some are attached to technology too much. My Son is a case in point, he utterly refuses to go anywhere unless the route is laid out and he knows exactly where he is and where the destination is relative to a moment in time. We no longer ride together as it causes issues as he point blank refuses to follow 'his nose' and trust you can get yourself out of a scrape without all these gadgets, I fear any sense of adventure is a thing of the past.
I think the worst "tech" thing I come across these days are people who are afraid to give their 'phone numbers out incase it somehow endangers them! WTF
