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navigating europe without a sat nav?

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roryntp
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
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PostPosted: 15:53 - 21 Jul 2010    Post subject: navigating europe without a sat nav? Reply with quote
our sat nav is uk only and we don't have the cash to upgrade it right now. also i'm finding the google map route planner to be a bit longwinded and poxy when writing up directions and printing small maps.

has anyone got any good tips on maps/websites/route planners to help us get around europe this summer?
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John933
Crazy Courier



Joined: 01 Mar 2005
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PostPosted: 16:45 - 21 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you are going to go with out a sat nav ... Get a good map ... And a tank map holder ... Plan your rout the day before ... All you really need is places and road number's that done me ... keep your eye on the mileage ... if any thing trip your trip at the start of the day and then at each way point ... Give's you an idea of how far you have to go ...

The trouble with out a sat nav is ... If you see something interesting and you make a turn off to have a look ... You have to map read your way back ... With a sat nav ... It's just a case of punch a few button's and it will get you back on track ...
John933
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Caliente
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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PostPosted: 21:00 - 21 Jul 2010    Post subject: Re: navigating europe without a sat nav? Reply with quote
roryntp wrote:
our sat nav is uk only and we don't have the cash to upgrade it right now. a


Take it you can't upgrade it with downloads from t'interweb?
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Caliente
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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PostPosted: 21:13 - 21 Jul 2010    Post subject: Re: navigating europe without a sat nav? Reply with quote
roryntp wrote:
our sat nav is uk only and we don't have the cash to upgrade it right now. a


Take it you can't upgrade it with downloads from t'interweb?
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Gazz
World Chat Champion



Joined: 19 May 2009
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PostPosted: 23:22 - 21 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Have a look on viamichelin.co.uk - Good site.

However on a recent trip to Europe, I used a map (not very detailed - was 2007 and of a very big scale) and used Google maps print-outs.

Never had any problems - and Google maps was 100% spot on with their directions.

Just popped the directions (in very large text) into my tank bag and gave them a wee glance every so often. Not idea when you are doing 120+ on the autobahn though. Wink
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benc
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 16 Jul 2005
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PostPosted: 00:26 - 22 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Last year i done portugal to france in a camper van with just a map of the main roads and winged it the rest of the way.
We found most places are well sign posted we just looked out for camp site signs and followed them or if we got stuck drive into a town and ask at tourist information where they normally had leaflets with maps on.
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Phoenix
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Joined: 01 Aug 2002
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PostPosted: 03:35 - 22 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Just get a Europe atlas, Lidl have AA ones for £2.99 at the moment, they've taken me right across Europe for the last 2 years and will be again this year despite me now having a sat nav aswell which I won't be using other than to find campsites. Sat navs are useless for route planning because you can't get a proper overview, they also don't show topopgraphy in any way or identify scenic routes or pass names usually.
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barnhatter
Nitrous Nuisance



Joined: 05 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: 10:42 - 23 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Before I had my satnav I used AA maps, one country on eash sheet, good visibility and easy to follow.
I also make a list of the roads that I plan to use, makes looking for the correct road easier. The one difficulty is reading a map on the move so using flourescent marker pens on the map and a list of roads make life easier.
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Grazoid
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 09 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: 14:20 - 23 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Phoenix wrote:
Just get a Europe atlas, Lidl have AA ones for £2.99 at the moment, they've taken me right across Europe for the last 2 years and will be again this year despite me now having a sat nav aswell which I won't be using other than to find campsites. Sat navs are useless for route planning because you can't get a proper overview, they also don't show topopgraphy in any way or identify scenic routes or pass names usually.


Hmm this old chestnut... twatnavs are a tool, same as a map and a compass.

For everyone who "says" I don't plan anything, so don't use maps or anything... there are hundreds who sit down and plot where to go...

Buy the most up to date map you can, the French in particular seem to change route numbers every two years, make sure the road number is not a local one, e.g in France any road starting with D is a Departmental(countyish) designation do there can be many many D60's for example.

European signage is based on next big town principle so work out routes from big town/city to big town/city then to locale.

learn to use all tools properly. My twatnav has a huge selection of custom POI's all downloaded from t'internet repositories.

Many forums in their travel sections keep them... and specific sites.

You want all the alpine passes and and maybe some tracks in your GPS head off to https://alpenrouten.de/downloads.html

Need more bike specific waypoints and POI's for the UK and Europe... https://www.ukgser.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=279

You want a motorcycle specific routing software for GPS or routecards... https://www.on-route.com/shop/

For more motorcycle specific navigation stuff https://www.motorcycle-navigation.net

Hope some of these help....
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roryntp
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
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PostPosted: 12:09 - 29 Jul 2010    Post subject: Re: navigating europe without a sat nav? Reply with quote
Caliente wrote:
roryntp wrote:
our sat nav is uk only and we don't have the cash to upgrade it right now. a


Take it you can't upgrade it with downloads from t'interweb?


fraid not Crying or Very sad
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roryntp
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
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PostPosted: 12:13 - 29 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Gazz wrote:
Have a look on viamichelin.co.uk - Good site.

However on a recent trip to Europe, I used a map (not very detailed - was 2007 and of a very big scale) and used Google maps print-outs.

Never had any problems - and Google maps was 100% spot on with their directions.

Just popped the directions (in very large text) into my tank bag and gave them a wee glance every so often. Not idea when you are doing 120+ on the autobahn though. Wink



cheers gazz, i think this is the way we're going to go.

i guess if we get real stuck at any point we'll be able to buy road maps in the local service stations but a googlemaps print out of the overview of our route will give us a good bearing on where we are going.

i'm trying very hard to be free spirited with our route and stop off at the same time as making sure we're covered for getting places stress free. it's a struggle Laughing
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