The internet is a fantastic thing – it offers us a whole world of information and possibilities at the touch of a button, and (let’s face it) you wouldn’t be reading this without it.
But one of the other great developments in technology over the past couple of decades is the rise of the sat nav. Gone are the days when you would have to pore over a paper map, perhaps with a highlighter pen, marking out the best route for you.
Then, you’d either have to get your passenger to read directions from the map to you, or (even harder) try to memorise each roundabout exit and motorway junction to avoid getting lost. That’s hard enough when you’re driving a car, but when you’re behind the wheel of a motorhome, it’s ten times trickier.
Fortunately, these days, the best motorhome sat navs do the hard work for you. All you need to do is enter your destination, and you’ll be given routing options to get you there quickly and efficiently – many (such as the Garmin Camper 1095, which I have) also allow you to enter your vehicle’s dimensions, which will then be taken into consideration on the route.
But do sat navs need access to the internet? After all, you might be travelling abroad, or in more remote locations where there might not be much of a signal. How will your sat-nav know where to take you if you don’t have internet access?
The short answer is that sat-navs don’t require internet access in order to offer basic navigation. That’s because of how they locate themselves – they connect to global satellite systems in the skies all around the world, which allows the sat-nav to know exactly where it is at all times. Not only that, but it can also tell how fast you’re moving.
The motorhome sat-nav then uses its own in-built mapping – which could be just for the UK, or sometimes the whole of Europe – to pinpoint where you are on a pre-programmed route. If you deviate from this route, the satellites (and therefore the sat-nav) can tell.
This is when it will try to redirect you back onto your original (and what it thinks is the best) route. Even if you’re in an area with no internet signal, the GPS signal will still be picked up – so there’s no need to have internet access.
This is also a great reason why we’d generally recommend using a dedicated motorhome sat-nav over a mobile phone app. If you lose internet, your phone might leave you high and dry – but with a dedicated sat-nav, it doesn’t matter.
That’s not to say that your sat-nav won’t ever need internet access. For instance, if you’re wondering how to update a Garmin sat nav, you’re going to need internet access. Road networks change constantly, so the mapping data will need updating from time to time. You can do this by plugging your device into a laptop and following the manufacturer’s instructions – by doing so you’ll also be keeping the unit’s software up-to-date, and fixing any potential bugs that might occur. It’s well worth doing.
Some newer sat-navs also allow you to connect to Wi-Fi networks, so you can automatically download updates without needing a physical connection.
Also, bear in mind that features such as traffic alerts and live data will likely not be available unless you have internet access. Some sat-navs have their own built-in SIM card, which provides connectivity (you will likely need to pay a subscription fee for this).
You can also use your phone as a hotspot to act in the same way – if you’re travelling abroad, though, check roaming fees before you go or you could be lumbered with a large bill at the end of your trip!
So to sum up – yes, a sat nav will generally work without internet. However, to get the most from your device – many of which offer a tremendous number of features – some form of internet connection is recommended.
If you’re wondering what else can be worth buying for your ‘van, don’t miss Motorhome Matt’s top picks, as he shares his picks of the 10 motorhome upgrades that are worth considering.
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