They have changed the website and I just cannot get along with it for planning routes in France despite several attempts. Does anyone use any other site for planning?
------------- lizzie
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Unfortunately every time their developers add something (like masses of hotel suggestions) useful features disappear - like the caravans option for route planning. I wrote to them several times as part of the last thread, and did again this time on the 17th May when I realised it had gone again.
I got a reply each time to suggest it would 'become available again soon' but it took months and months to get it restored last time. I would suggest everyone affected by it emails: viamichelin at support.foodandtravel.michelin.com.
Unfortunately it's virtually useless now, unless you're looking for hotel suggestions or places to eat, but I don't like any of the alternative route planners either!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by lizzie on 08/6/2024
What other options are there online?
I’ve been using Waze, owned by Google, and shares their data, but with a different structure. The emphasis is on crowd sourcing information, so you get regular alerts showing stoped cars, road works, level crossings and so on. The speed controls are rather lovely, showing current speed, and with a ring showing margin before the appropriate limit. If you go over, it flashes red, and the ring shows you by how much. Mine was set to kph, easier to read than the speedo. My reputation it’s also leaner on data use than many of the others.
I also have WeGo and Apple Maps besides Waze and Google, but don’t use them.
Quote: Originally posted by Netherton on 08/6/2024
Quote: Originally posted by lizzie on 08/6/2024
What other options are there online?
AA, RAC , Green Flag, Plotaroute, Google and others.
Never liked ViaMichelin, tried it a while ago (when caravan routing was still an option), but was not impressed by it's routes, some definitely NOT the way to go with a caravan for destinations I already knew well!
You can set dimensions, weight, max speed etc. for Caravan/MH, and a host of other route options, it'll generate up to 3 routes for you to choose from. I've never had it try and send me on a totally duff route, although it can pick routes that are not the best in terms of maybe a narrower/windier way than perhaps a slightly longer but easier route, but don't they all do that! As I have a TomTom sat nav (not a caravan specific one), and an account, I can download the online route to my device.
As far as phone apps go, I've been evaluating Magic Earth (https://www.magicearth.com/) for a little while now, and find it exceptionally feature rich and generally pretty good. Again, you can set your vehicle type and dimensions etc. Again it'll offer up to 3 routes for you to choose from. Only real niggle is like a lot of phone based apps (this one is no worse than others!), it can be a little 'laggy' which puts turn info a bit close to the necessary physical turn point! As you can download maps to memory, it's great in all those areas with no mobile phone signal (is it just me that likes to visit 'not-spots'!) as the navigation doesn't vanish or falter with the phone signal as many other phone apps do! It's also one of the few phone apps I can mirror to my in car screen/system, so a LARGE display and the audible warnings/announcements take priority over radio etc.. It's not been perfect, but then no other phone based app has either, so putting it down to the phone as much as the app itself. I've used it enough (mostly without caravan on back) to be moderately confident about it now.
I tried Waze a little while back, and absolutely hated the routes it took, technically 'may' (I have my serious doubts!) have been shorted/quicker, but REALLY hard work ducking and diving 'rat run' routes with endless turns! Never used another sat nav that choose those sorts of routes! - certainly not the sort of routes I'd favour when towing!!!!!!
Combination here of Google Maps (tip - set your travel date to a random point way in the future, if you don't do that it will give you a route for now that avoids current roadworks, incidents, etc and may not be the best route) and then the road numbers and junctions of the Google route are texted to the co-driver (Mrs Dent), supplemented with a 1:1,000,000 atlas. I used to use viamichelin in the old days but prefer Google now, quicker and easier to use.
I don't do satnav as my Ford one has tried to lead me down many an obscure lane, though it is handy used as a map to see current position, whether we're facing N/S/E/W and likely next path to get back on a route.
Quote: Originally posted by arthurdent on 19/6/2024
Combination here of Google Maps (tip - set your travel date to a random point way in the future, if you don't do that it will give you a route for now that avoids current roadworks, incidents, etc and may not be the best route) and then the road numbers and junctions of the Google route are texted to the co-driver (Mrs Dent), supplemented with a 1:1,000,000 atlas. I used to use viamichelin in the old days but prefer Google now, quicker and easier to use.
I don't do satnav as my Ford one has tried to lead me down many an obscure lane, though it is handy used as a map to see current position, whether we're facing N/S/E/W and likely next path to get back on a route.
Interesting side comment about Ford. We've had a Mondeo since 2012, and the SatNav is terrible. There are roads missing near us which have existed for twenty years or more. Like you we use it only as a map - and even then it's not reliable. One way systems haven't been updated, roundabouts are missing, or exist where there is now a whole new road layout, and there is little or no up to date information about road conditions such as miles and miles of stationary traffic. We use a phone, now, supplemented with a trusty map for emergency alternative route-finding.
I gave up on my VW Sat nav for similar reasons ... despite buying their 'update' for an extortionate amount!
Find the Garmin Camper SN very good ... very few mistakes.
Occasionaly use Google ... especially looking for car parks in city centres!
My VW satnav has only recently been in to get a new antenna fitted.
It currently thinks we are in Welsh Wales when in fact we are actually in the Ardeche outside Vallon.
Go figure!
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Via Michelin
via mobile 07/6/2024 at 10:02pm
