Accessories

Installation

Well, this is almost quicker than saying the word 'installation'.

Just unpack, attach to windscreen/dash holder and plug in! If the unit doesn't come to life automatically there is a discreet on/off switch on its top left corner.

Finding your way around it

Setting the device for your vehicle is easy, you just need to know your vehicle dimensions and weights etc and enter them where required.

Having used TomTom satnavs for about 10 years this unit felt very familiar from the start. The 5” touch screen is very easy and logical to use and gives a very comprehensive display of driving information. There are the usual options to choose types of routes (exclude/include toll roads etc) and destinations by address, postcode, GPS in any format as well as incorporating waypoints along the way.

Where this model is different from the other TomTom devices (and where the extra cost comes in) is that ability to select specific vehicle requirements for size and weight.

As tested this satnav is loaded with the latest mapping and a couple of sets of POIs for stopovers.

First impressions

Feels like a quality built product and user friendly so, I like it!

To be continued....

So, how does the TomTom GO LIVE Camper & Caravan perform?

Click 'Next'

TomTom GO LIVE Camper & Caravan - User's Review 

In brief, the TomTom Camper has performed very well over the test mileage for this review. There are just a couple of negative observations but that would be expected as its those things that show up, rather than when all goes smoothly and nothing stands out.

Routing is simple and the process is very logical. Setting multi stop routes is also easy and waypoints can be chosen by category, POI or GPS coordinate which we find very useful.

The preset vehicle weights and sizes should take care of obstacles en route but this was actually a bit of a let down. Several times we were routed via inappropriate weight limits so vigilance is required.

The live function relating to hold ups along the way was useful although on one occasion it prevented the unit routing us into Andorra from France due to an apparent road closure. We ignored the ridiculous alternative route instructions and it's attempts to get us to 'turn around when possible' by just following the road signs towards Andorra. It turned out that a tunnel was closed for repairs but there was a perfectly usable road as an alternative! Had we relied on TomTom's instructions we would have followed a detour of literally hundreds of miles!

We have noticed also that it sometimes takes you off your route and eventually puts you back on it a bit further along, even though it would have been easier and quicker to stay on the original road. One one occasion it took us all round the houses and through an inappropriate weight limit and eventually put us back on the same main road within sight of where it told us to turn off it - crazy.

Despite maps being up-to-date we were, on occasion, appearing to travel across open countryside whilst on established roads that it didn't know about. It also tried to take us on toll motorways in Portugal without warning.

These 'niggles' aside we were very impressed with the unit's overall performance.

The 5" screen is nicely laid out and all the summary information is very clear and doesn't interfere with or restrict the mapping display.

Video showing a demo route

The spoken instructions are clear albeit slightly amusing when 'Jane' tries to pronounce foreign towns etc.

In conclusion.

Would I be happy to continue using the TomTom GO LIVE Camper & Caravan? Yes I would.