Snooper Ventura S8000

[fairweather camper]

Hi We are thinking of buying one of these, any info would be appreciated (good, bad points etc.) they are a lot of money if not very good so thought I would ask advise from you first.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Val

 

[bolero boy]

Venturas have come up loads of times on here, just use the search facility and take your pick.

Satnav users either plump for Tomtoms (and probably wouldnt have anything else, me included ;-) ) or have tried other rands with 'camper' type width warnings etc, tho these are dependent on the mapping which doesn't give anywhere near as much road width or bridge height info as you would think.

[Guest peter]

We've got the S7000 and it's very good. You don't need reading glasses to read the screen that's attached to the windscreen.

[linfield]

We have the S2500 & are very pleased with the very clear instructions giving plenty of time to make lane changes ect .The time of arrival to the destinations is over the time it takes but this is because it seems to use towing speed limits ,not a bad thing as it means you can take more stops on a long run.But it can take you the longest way some times but has never taken us down roads that are not suitable for our camper, over all we think our snooper was a very good buy Gook luck

[Billggski]

I've got the s9000, a double din unit that fits in the radio "hole".

It makes a very neat unit that looks part of the dashboard and in theory can do everything, sat-nav, radio, TV, DVD, iPod, reversing camera, settings for height weight, trailers, and several things I haven't found yet.

But this is too much information on one screen, and the sat nav interrupts the radio, even on mute. So I have the reversing camera separate.

The sat nav is very good, but will still send you down narrow lanes as it doesn't expect something to come the other way, if it's wide enough for you it will send you there as we found in rural Devon.

I bought it second hand extremely cheaply as someone clearly found it too frustrating. But fitting cost as much again, and I still have half a dozen leads for something in the box.

For the expense of a new one, I don't think it's worth it over a standard sat-nav and a fine detail map.

[mildi]

we have the Snooper S8000,

Six month trip towing a car so we didn't want any Satnav problems of going down the wrong roads. You can put in the H-L-W +trailer and so far we have had no problems with the satnav side.

The reason we wanted this one was that we like to listen to music while we drive. for our car we have a Garmin that has an MP3 player so you can listen to the music while driving but it mutes the music to give you the direction so you don't miss any. The S8000 will do this while the new Garmin camper will not.

Normally we plug the satnav into the Aux in, in the MH cd player so it just uses the MH speakers.

Problem with the Snooper was that the MP3 player part packed up after about the first month and has to go back when we get back to the UK. (not impressed).

The volume is not great so I wouldn't bother with a snooper unless you can put through the MH stereo.

 

It came preloaded with ACSI , camper stop, which was very good.

Also came preloaded with lots of other rubbish you will never need unless you are looking for a Vietnamese take away in St Malo???

S8000 also has a TV WHY I do not know, as a camper satnav would like it to have been loaded with motorhome dealers or LPG filling stations. Did have lifetime map updates, don't be fooled by the speed camera thing, No good to us as most of Europe you can't use it and you have to pay to load it (con)

Some good points and some bad so pay your money and take your choice!

 

 

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

Although no direct experience of the unit, I'd expect that you still need to engage your brain, me I've got two Navigo's bought for peanuts on Ebay but with IGO8 and TomTom software loaded, and all the POIs under the sun from POI plaza, and two because I'd be scewed without satnav now, one thing that does trouble me is people saying about big screens, surely we should all be looking at the road, sure I do glance at mine, but largely follow the voice guidance. ;-)

 

http://poiplaza.com/index.php?p=dc&c=17

 

Edit, I've just looked up the price, surely someone is having a laugh. 8-) for those that don't want a laugh and only want to spend 25 quid to do the same thing. :D and buy yourself a nice TV or something with the change.

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Navigo-SY-885-v2-4-3-Satnav-GPS-Tom-Tom-Compatible-/221335128781?pt=UK_Computing_Case_Fans&hash=item33889a0acd

[Caroline]

My personal experience of the Ventura Snooper gadgets are not very good, got shot of mine quite quickly.

 

POI’s I found very difficult to get onto the systems as they were in a different file type, it might be worth asking about this before considering. Things might have changed now.

 

I now have a Garmin Dezl and am pleased with it POI’s in webs come in a format for the Garmin as it is more universal. The same would apply to a Tom.

 

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

I'm not suggesting everyone would want to faff about, but there is a free program toconvert POI file formats for your devices, here for those that do ..........

 

http://www.poiedit.com/downloads.htm

[Flyinghigh]

I have the snooper 8500 and find it a good GPS, as far as the POI are concerned you can download all types from snooper direct ,including Aires/stellplatz motor home parking/ LPG stations CC and C&CC and many more for all of Europe, these are kept up to date and at no cost to you,

Two criticism I have, the volume could be higher in a noisy MH and a slight delay in re routing if you miss a turning,

But all in all I am satisfied with the unit , it also gives me digitalTV and DAB radio and reversing camera input so very versatile but not cheap *-)

[bolero boy]

Not sure why you would need the voice on any satnav.

After i bought my first TomTom i soon realised that this unit (or any other) would drive me mad instead of being a helpful assistant so i turned the voice off. When approaching a turning the unit would say ' in 300 yards, turn left'. Thats it, thanks, thats all i need to know. Oh, no, it will then repeat 'turn left' several more times before the junction, not necessary thanks.

I use the 'next instruction' icon (turn left, turn right, straight ahead etc) and the distance countdown to let me know whats going own without that infernal racket.

If it were your co-driver (spouse?) which kept repeating the same instruction over and over again you'd chuck them out of the window. Cant do that with the TomTom as far too useful ;-)

[Brian Kirby]

Billggski - 2013-12-15 10:18 PM...............The sat nav is very good, but will still send you down narrow lanes as it doesn't expect something to come the other way, if it's wide enough for you it will send you there as we found in rural Devon...............

This is the thing that must be understood.

 

There are basically only two sources of digital mapping used on sat navs: NavTeq, or TeleAtlas. The former is owned by Nokia, the latter by TomTom. They sell mapsets with varying levels of detail and information to other sat nav manufacturers. However, neither firm has yet produced mapping that includes road width data. It includes data on width restrictions (plus weight, lentgh, and height restrictions), but this only prevents you breaking the law, it does not prevent you being routed via a narrow road.

 

The work-around they employ is to prioritise main roads wherever possible, leaving only the first/last few miles to be taken on more minor roads. This can result in additional mileage being added to routes. It also results in miles of perfectly viable road being excluded from routes, merely because the roads are of a category that is assumed to be too narrow. As with many other things, one has to decide whether this trade-off is acceptable.

[AliB]

Brian Kirby - 2013-12-16 5:30 PM

 

Billggski - 2013-12-15 10:18 PM...............The sat nav is very good, but will still send you down narrow lanes as it doesn't expect something to come the other way, if it's wide enough for you it will send you there as we found in rural Devon...............

This is the thing that must be understood.

 

There are basically only two sources of digital mapping used on sat navs: NavTeq, or TeleAtlas. The former is owned by Nokia, the latter by TomTom. They sell mapsets with varying levels of detail and information to other sat nav manufacturers. However, neither firm has yet produced mapping that includes road width data. It includes data on width restrictions (plus weight, lentgh, and height restrictions), but this only prevents you breaking the law, it does not prevent you being routed via a narrow road.

 

The work-around they employ is to prioritise main roads wherever possible, leaving only the first/last few miles to be taken on more minor roads. This can result in additional mileage being added to routes. It also results in miles of perfectly viable road being excluded from routes, merely because the roads are of a category that is assumed to be too narrow. As with many other things, one has to decide whether this trade-off is acceptable.

 

For the UK the raw data is supplied by Ordnance Survey and as Brian says is sold the SatNav data companies who add the direction files.

 

http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/resources/sat-nav-data.html

 

They can and do provide more detailed information on height restrictions but SatNav companies appear not to fully utilise this data. Here is a sample of what OS can provide.

 

"Routing information - No turn, mandatory turn, no entry, access prohibited to (specified vehicle types), access limited to (specified vehicle types), height restrictions, fords, mini roundabouts, traffic calming, gate, tolls, bridge over road, firing range, through route, severe turn."

 

Road width is listed by road category: motorway, A road, minor road.

 

OS is undoubtedly the major supplier of UK mapping data. Their business plan is to expand into Europe and beyond. I have no idea who currently supplies the raw data for coverage of France but I bet it is no way as comprehensive as OS.

So the you can expect the advanced features of Snooper type satnavs to be less useful in Europe.

 

Understandably OS is finding difficulty in expanding into Europe. Ve vant to map your country Hans.

[tonyg3nwl]

Hi Folks, Over the past few years, I have accumulated 3 different sat navs.

Oldest is Garmin quest

next is Mio that came "free " with the purchase of a van

 

Most recent is snooper Caravan Club version

 

Garmin quest maps are now out of date but machine is small and can be used handheld it you are out for a walk or on a bike ride .. battery lasts about 3 hours. Being small it doesnt block the windscreen, and routes can be preplanned on computer then uploaded to device after editing and tweaking. Femail voice for directions.

 

Mio is 5 inch screen and includes traffic information pickup en route File types are KML for poi creation and upload to memory card, and file type convertors are available via internet to convert from for example CSV to KML. CSV files are comma separated Variable and can be created with MSWord or similar. Datafiles are readily available on internet for example ACSI sites, Caravan Club, Caravan and campling club sites and others which can then be loaded into MIO forming POI information. Very domineering male voice for instructions

 

Snooper file format is not available in the public domain, so to get poi updates they have to be downloaded from snooper. Unfortunately, although they claim to be willing to add to the database for example Aires or France Passion, there appears to be difficulty in doing so. as a result it hasn't yet happened.

 

Snooper allows vehicle type, weight width, data so hopefully choses suitable routing, but I find inputting a multi stop route is confusing. Lack of computer expertise perhaps.? ACSI and camper stop data is already loaded, as is Caravan Club, and CCC site locations .

Traffic congestion and trafic information is received on snooper and speed restricted roads show up on screen the relavent limit, but not necessarily totally up to date. Data updates are available on line.

 

Personally I prefer the old Garmin for initial route planning on Computer screen, and the Mio has the advantage of being able to create personal poi files and uploading them eg Camping Cheque sites.

 

The Snooper has the best screen and more up to date mapping, but creating a multiroute I find more of a challenge...lack of familiarity with the device!!!

 

 

In all cases, the best one is the one you understand and find suits your particular requirements, (including the one in the passenger seat.!!!)

 

tonyg3nwl

 

 

[hymer1942]

Hi all I am just waiting for one to include AIRES and STELPLATZ. And I will buy it. Barrie

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

hymer1942 - 2013-12-20 5:00 PM

 

Hi all I am just waiting for one to include AIRES and STELPLATZ. And I will buy it. Barrie

 

I've got one you can have, cheap. :D well a cheap satnav, with all those POI's and ACSI as well, I'm sure your comment maybe tongue in cheek, but for those that do not know they are all easily available on the net.

 

I've been playing around with IGo Primo, the last couple of days, which on the face of it is very good, with the caveat below, you can set yourself to a truck with user configurable settings, I set it for roughly the size of an artic, with a height of 4 metres, but sadly it tried to take me under a local 10 foot bridge, so obviously still a work in progress. :D

[hymer1942]

No not tongue in cheek, but no expert, just want a good one with the sites loaded. Barrie

[bolero boy]

As Mike said above, these files are readily available on the net and are relatively straightforward to upload especially on a TomTom.

The problem with preloaded devices is that the data goes out of date immediately. With files from the net they are always current.

[hymer1942]

Ok thanks, if it's easy on Tom Tom. That's what I will replace the garmin with. Barrie

[gocro]

TomTom Truck is available on a number of existing devices from these people, drop them an email

 

Tomtom One (Must have a SD Card slot).

 

Tomtom One XL (Must have a SD Card slot).

 

Tomtom 300, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550

 

Tomtom 710, 720, 730, 740, 750

 

Tomtom 920, 930, 940, 950

 

Update Team [upgrade@auctionportal.co.uk]