I have Garmin. Garmin basecamp is a bitch to get the hang of to plot routes, but once you do it’s pretty good.
Many peps use a program called tyre for map plotting etc, basecamp makes you loose the will to live. Works with tomtom and garmin.
However, Tyre. ITN Converter, MotoGoLoco all use the Google Maps API for map data and routing calculation. Across an obvious route this will probably be the same route as that which is calculated by the GPS. Make things a little more complex with a smattering of road choices and you'll then likely wind up deviating from what was intended. If all you want is to get to your destination or just follow major roads with only a few via points along the way then these online route planning applications will be fine. On the other had if you want to plot your routes in detail and follow the route as designed then Garmin and Basecamp, that uses the same mapping data and routing algorithms as your Garmin GPS, is the way to go. Basecamp takes a little effort in the learning, though not much if you put your mind to it, with greater benefit and control as a result of your efforts. Plenty of detractors but frankly I'm fine with that, freedom of choice an' all.
I have a Garmin, its easy to see in bright sunlight, robust, unaffected by weather, has lifetime maps, simple interface. I'd buy another one.
Check up Ride magazine back to back test of the Tomtom 410 and Garmin 590. This is why I bought the Tomtom, but I am a Luddite. Also check up on what they define as lifetime map updates.
Garmin forbascamp. I find Garmin to be slightly more intuitive to use than TomTom, more attention on the road.
I used this to plot our trip through Spain for next week, and while using, I literally wanted to kill my lass and set my dog on fire Wish I had known about these alternatives back then, would have ditched base camp in a heart beat, but as for Sat Navs, I have owned TomTom and Garmin, and I'll stick with Garmin thanks
If this is your first use of Basecamp then it's regrettable. Unfortunately it's not as intuitive as some of the Google Maps based alternatives. However, once mastered it provides a better route plotting solution. Unlike it's predecessor Mapsource, Basecamp is designed to satisfy users of Garmin products beyond road users. As a result there is some superfluous functionality that thankfully, and IMHO, doesn't get in the way too much. As a long time user of Garmin GPSs (20 odd years), and yes I did try TomTom too, the transition from using Mapsource to Basecamp took me two attempts as the first was too rushed. On the 2nd attempt I put aside an afternoon to learn the basics and haven't looked back since. Having said that I work in IT so maybe I have a head start... I suggest persistence if you want to reap the benefits. Trying to master Basecamp first time out immediately before a big trip is plain asking for trouble. Akin to starting with PowerPoint a couple of days before a presentation... Google Maps does offer some advantages in the planning stages I will admit, though these are, in my case, not to do with routing per-say. StreetView, where it's available is useful as is the extensive POI data that the platform offers. I use ITN Converter as part of my planning arsenal as it allows me to: import and export my routes in a multitude of formats use Michelin mapping data (got to love those green edged roads) easily drop into and out of StreetView etc. Routes always go back into Basecamp though as this provides ultimate control and the GPX files it sends to the GPS have so much more routing data. For custom POIs I do use Google Maps to find the lat/long that I then paste into Basecamp.
Garmin every time, tried a Tom Tom with a hire vehicle, as I'd forgot my Garmin, but just didn't like it. Personal choice of course.
On a trip to france/spain several years ago i was tasked with route plotting. I hate anything to do with IT!! I plotted fantastic route down to spanish Pyrenees. It loaded into the satnav all ok, or so i thought. When we got off the ferry in france i turned the sat nav on, and the bugger said the route was too long and would not start. As lead rider no one else knew what was going on with my sat nav. Luckily i thought lets just head south, can't go to far wrong. Luckily after deleting the first few waypoints over 200 miles the sat nav then worked. I always take maps, this is where we choose which roads to input if they look squiggly and interesting.
Garmin or Garmin. Simple. Tomtom 410 naughtily promoted by biking press as being very good for motorcyclists. It has to be the most awkward operating system on a sat nav I have ever experienced. Twisty roads in Spain simply means lots of dead ends and gravel. Thumbs down from me. Sold mine quickish like to return to Garmin.
Any of you guys using TomTom rider 42? They are on offer in Halfords for £219 a saving of £80. It’s cheap for a waterproof satnav. Think I’ll be popping in tomorrow. Good enough for hotel postcodes . Comes with European maps too..
