Garmin 785 MTD GPS Satnav - RV, TRUCK, CAMPER, MOTORHOME Long-Term Review

Over the past 5 months and covering 7000 miles in 18 countries, I have been using and testing the Garmin 783 satnav and I'm now able to give you a very detailed review and conclusions about this device.
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#satnavreview #motorhome #rvgps

[@francistrot]

Gah, bought one of these Feb 2024 and even with up-to-the-minute maps we were inconceivably taken off the main road to a camp site near Potes and then told to turn onto an impossibly narrow road to get back to the main road. Wish I had read your review before I bought this but my experience with other Garmin equipment has been so great. This one is going on eBay immediately.

[@chrisandkitty923]

Thank you John. I was waiting for this review before buying. It’s been in my Amazon wish list for a while. Think I’ll check out your old one now… Nothing beats real life testing for thousands of miles in all terrains 👍🏻

[@geoffcampbell7846]

Bang on with this review John. I've had quite a few different satnav's over the years (Garmin and TomTom) and always favoured the Garmin for its companion route planning programmes that enable the planning of exact routes picking up nice roads or points of interest to include, particularly when touring on our motorbike where good "biking" roads can be researched ahead and linked up. I wouldn't be without our Garmin Camper 760LM satnav for our van, but the downsides described in the review have always been an issue if you just rely on the satnav to work out the route. Usually it's great, but so many times ours tries to cut corners by routing through housing estates or down narrow countryside lanes across open fields etc. just to find the "fastest" route. I think the algorithm is not quite right and I feel that's where Garmin needs to do more work. I've never trusted the shortest route option on any Garmin unit, it always ends up with trouble 🙈, so am limited to the fastest route option, but the fastest route option often strays into the shortest route option territory instead of being a bit more world wise and not factoring a saving of a few dozen saved metres/yards over the ground against the minimal time lost by sticking to larger less complicated roads. I'm sure if they adjusted the algorithm slightly much of the problem would disappear, and the longer route would actually be just as fast and a whole lot more relaxing to drive. With regard to your unit, the reflective surface is definitely a backwards step, and the inbuilt camera is badly thought out. So a great review and thanks for the objective report. I had been considering an upgrade to a newer unit, and I do think your unit has some useful tweaks and upgrades, but based on your review, I'll stick with the Camper 760LM for now. It guides us over great distances with few complications, and although it could be a bit more intuitive, it's not a bad bit of kit. Cheers 🤙

[@ianrodger1256]

Just add some more thoughts about your Gadget John statement, when we were looking to buy our motorhome and the first few months of ownership we were looking at Bob and Jenny, Mandy and John and general motorhome and site info, now it's modifying and upgrading our motorhome so I think the information you will be creating will be of great use to motorhome owners.

[@samclemens2916]

I’ve been using the US version of this unit for some years. I find it amazing the 785 designation is used as they are so different. I don’t have all the features this one has, and my user interface is horrible. If it picks some weird route you can’t follow it may keep trying to take you back to an impossible landmark for hours while preventing you from modifying the route. My older 765 at least knows when to give up.

[@drewhodge3820]

I'm really chuffed you have started doing more tech videos on this channel. Of course I follow you both on your other channel.

[@Northern-Light]

Brilliant review John, clearly presented,objective, informative,balanced, looking forward to the next one👍

[@WanderingWheelie]

We have the 1080 and you know where that one took us in Croatia....... Very balanced review John as always, cheers

[@meltonrobbo]

Good review. Thanks for taking the time to inform us.

[@johnward3641]

Many thanks. Almost purchased this before your informative review.

[@alliejr]

Great review. I never even knew that such a speical device exists for vans and trucks.

[@diandmartydownes1611]

Hi John yes I sold my one. I use only Waze now brilliant for potholes. 🤣👍🏻👏🏻. X.

[@ianofsjkartwork]

That was a 100% honest review of the sat nav John...........well explained i used to only use TomTom Sat navs without any problems............stay safe..........thanks for sharing

[@paulb7391]

i have a tomtom 6250 pro had it for a few years now driving trucks in Europe I found putting the weight for the van at 18 ton seems to work better than the actual size

[@startaylor123]

Great review... Tried one of these👎 but went back to my Tomtom Camper that provides much better routing for the motorhome and offers real-time traffic 👍🍻🍾

[@GadgetJohn]

That’s good, which tomtom model do you have?

[@startaylor123]

@@GadgetJohn TomTom Go Camper & Caravan John👍

[@startaylor123]

@@GadgetJohn The garmin is much slicker... but Tomtom much better suited for the purpose once you get used to the transition/interface 👍🍻

[@GadgetJohn]

I tried the TomTom app on our android head unit and it wasn’t anywhere near as good as the standalone TomTom units 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@kennymiddleton1405]

Brilliant and honest review well done John that movement and reflection would send me bonkers surprised you bought it in first place but l quess there wasn't the same reviews lol all the best m8 kenny

[@ILikeThatchannel]

Thanks I was looking at this model because of the camera but think not now, will check the 770 or a truck specific one. Cheers

[@darrenrussell9720]

Hi John, Great review thanks - will be checking out your other VLOG's. Cheers, Darren

[@brianfd622]

Absolutely the best Sat Nav review and so worth the wait. Thank you John.

[@GadgetJohn]

Thanks Brian 👍🏻

[@robertdobson183]

Thanks for a great review Dave I was about to buy Kenwood DNR-992RVS for my t5.1 California 0:52 which has garmin software in it presumably the same as your review . Won’t bother now . Will go with Kenwood 9720 . Thanks

[@ianbayley4416]

Probably your best vid for a long time 👌

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Thanks for that, great review. So the built dashcam is probably not worth the extra. We have the Avtex Tourer Two, which I think is the same as the Garmin Camper 780, and I can't say it's ever routed across a farmer's field! It's been pretty reliable and accurate on arrival times.

[@GadgetJohn]

The 780 seems to be the hybrid of the 770 and the 785, so maybe it’s the perfect unit to buy 👍🏻

[@baggiecamper]

I'm pretty sure the 780 accepts a much better Bluetooth camera than the 770. - Has to be Garmin one I think

[@FrankSluijter]

Great review, screen is indeed a point on this unit and the one I own the Garmin Overlander. But overall I’m happy with it.

[@emraa1]

Really good, thorough review, thanks John

[@brianmcclure8012]

Great objective review John. Very informative. Many thanks!!

[@libellula3313]

Thanks John trying to make my mind up. 😅

[@MG-cp8xk]

Good review. My hire car sat nav, loves changing the time to destination to 36 hours.

[@Motorhoming_Fun]

Excellent review John , think ill stick with my £60 truck nav recommended by whippetman never let me down yet

[@ianrodger1256]

Hi not sure what happened to the first post. Enjoyed the sat nav review, it was good to see an honest review from personal use. I have a similar set up as you but have an OHREX budget price sat nav but have mirrored my mobile through my useless fitted Xzent system running Google maps. Google maps is my main sat nav but it's good to have a standard sat nav as backup. You mentioned about the sat nav rerouting you down unsuitable roads, I did a few weeks of fact finding on mapping software and discovered that road width is not taken into consideration with any mapping software, so it appears that sat navs when programmed with dimensions will just bias to A roads, that's why they will occasionally take you down unsuitable roads. Keep up the good work, looking forward to more tech and reviews.

[@GadgetJohn]

Seems they need to update the software to identify roads by their category maybe 👍🏻

[@ianrodger1256]

@@GadgetJohn yes it's quite fascinating how the interaction between map software and the sat nav hardware works. When I discovered the map software doesn't take width of road measurements, I tried to find out from Garmin how the sat nav hardware interacts when you add dimensions, this proved difficult to get from the tech guys as they know the garmin kit but the map software seems to be a mystery as its other in dependant companies that supply it. If you manage to find any info about this interaction between the two I would be interested to hear. All the best. Ian.

[@spitNsawdust]

Lovin the review 👍 always wondered about those highs and weight satnavs. Never had any issues using my phone.

[@steviebye1]

Just about to bid on that exact one, won't be now thanks.

[@campervangaz]

Great review John. Thanks for the info. I intend on upgrading my Sat nav this year... won't be considering this one..! Cheers

[@ari.voutilainen]

I bought that unit and returned it immediately point for two reasons. At that point it did not support the wireless bc40 (which is very handy) and it was full of bugs. Bought the 780 Camper instead. It has turned out to be quite good except for the problem that it has completely messed up road speed information in Finland and it does not follow the set vehicle info. My camper is allowed 120km/h but I constantly get speeding warnings on motorways as it thinks I should do max 100. And you get random speed warnings on roads in the middle of nowhere, when the unit all of a sudden thinks your 80km/h speed limit has dropped to 50 for a few kms. Random and annoying as he@@. The nav works, so I just keep it muted. Thanks for a good review btw. 👍

[@DA11NOON]

Thanks John great review 👍 Not getting that one now Stay safe guy's

[@chrisw4072]

I use the Avtex tourer one plus, this is powered by garmin and has dash cam. Been really good, but all GPS are just a aid and good old map does the trick. Dash Cam is good and moveable not like the one on your review. Like the reviews keep them up.

[@Scud_and_thesTig]

Brilliant review. I’m still with the 770 and with apple systems. Although it has some faults, I’m fairly happy with it. Might need to talk to you about a decent backup system to deal with those quirky few faults 👏👌💙❤️

[@k15elv]

Recently sent our Garmin camper 780 back as tried to send us down small paths in our motor home was pointless having it and they’re not cheap

[@LifeistooshortCK]

I think you met your objectives. 👍. I wouldn’t buy one having seen this and that is a positive in my books.

[@adamsher86]

Thanks for the review John. I have been debating whether to change my TomTom to a Garmin (after being a lifelong TomTom user) and your honest review has made me decide to stay with what I know. For another review what I'd like to know is what it's like using android with Apple, such as iPhone with Android watch and what works and doesn't. I've also been a lifelong Android phone user and have also used an old iPhone 4s a few years back as a work phone at the same time, but am a bit worried about making the newer iPhone jump as I now use a dual sim phone and would like your honest opinion on Android to Apple (or Vs Apple) in 2022 and how far iPhones have come or whether to stick with what I know.... Sorry for the long message 🙂

[@peterblackwell6748]

Nice review thanks

[@mandi3136]

Got rid of an Auguri 7000 for all the negative reasons you cite. I put in the dimensions of a double decker bus then set a route near where I used to live and it took me over a 3t limit bridge when there was an easy work around. We have three vehicles with built in sat navs and don't use any of them. Google maps and old fashioned paper map as back up.

[@barrieathey1822]

Great review John. Think I will stick with my Garmin 760 LMT, not worth spending money to upgrade.

[@Sowerbylads]

A very honest review, thank you. For me too many negatives at that price. Sony android head unit it is, can even add a reverse camera to that. Keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@Sowerbylads]

Hi, indirectly to the review John. What make and model is the Head unit you have fitted plz? Is it factory fitted? Cheers 👍🏻

[@brianmac001]

Fantastic review John! Nothing beats real world use to find out what is good or bad about a product. I also find dedicated sat navs are not what they were. When you think in days gone by, that you went with either Tom Tom or Garmin (& Garmin was the ipso defacto goto selecto of the off grid GPS world) for navigation, yet an Android or Apple device can do it all with the right apps installed, is it worth the money anymore for the dedicated devices?!?

[@Bob-thenomad]

Hi John I found on my German I had to up size the motorhome to avoid smell roads

[@Jonny5salive]

Great review John. I’ve got the Garmin 780mt-s and I think although an older model and no dash cam, it is better than the android 785. It makes sense to revert back to your 770! Hope your still enjoying Turkey without the rain?

[@GadgetJohn]

Turkey without the rain, I dream of those days 🤪☔️🤦🏼‍♂️

[@globalobserver8934]

Thanks, very good way to present a review. My only complaint is that you have created a desire on two channels, for me to buy a motorhome.

[@GadgetJohn]

😝 ooops

[@linz_in_NZ]

Many of the same route issues with the ones they hire out with rental cars here in New Zealand. Every Summer there are several newspaper articles of Tourists going over private gravel roads over a mountain pass to get from one major town or city to the next instead of via SH1 etc. Though to be fair, some of the tourists must be rather dim to continue along a track/pass with private road signs and locked gates... BUT SatNav said......

[@harwichlifethroughthelens4255]

Thanks john not for me this one then....problem i have with using the head unit is with all the rubbish around the edge cover half the screen and even when you can get rid of it it comes back later... thanks for review safe travels

[@goranborjesson5593]

Very good review!

[@FreeBirdUKVanLife]

Great review, I prefer TomTom, need a new one so this review is good timing. Thanku.

[@alanthompson9956]

Great review - I think I will stick to my TomTom Camper

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

Good video keep up the good video s

[@nicklovell7745]

Good review 👍👍

[@timbright2426]

Very interesting John. We have an old garmin camper satnav and have the same issues. Had some epic wrong turns. My satnav says 1000m out, "and board the ferry". Had an epic trip to skye via malag and got the windermere ferry??

[@vn800tn5]

Brilliant thank you

[@garethpearson174]

Top job 👍👍

[@bazbazzler188]

Brill cheers

[@hopesfreedom2322]

Nice review, I remember you moving onto this from the 770, was interested in whether it would prove to be better. Have to agree that using Google maps is a good secondary thing to have on aswell. Would be nice to have W3W within the Garmin too 👍🏼

[@GadgetJohn]

W3w integration would be great 👍🏻

[@meltonrobbo]

What is w3w?

[@linzimcmaster5717]

the glare annoyed me before u even mentioned it and it is something as simple as that can put you off 🤦‍♀️

[@nashsgt]

I had a garmin camper or tourer not the same one about two years ago the dash cam was the best part but found the navigation part terribly poor sent it back and got Tom Tom go camper

[@kempsole]

Is this suitable for caravans also ?

[@tonysmith7739]

Great reviews we have a nuvi which has a moveable camera but it won’t do map updates from our new MacBook Pro

[@GadgetJohn]

Such a shame all devices can’t update over WiFi 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@tonysmith7739]

@@GadgetJohn correct and Garmin are not interested so lifetime updates are a waste of time 😡

[@stuandalbert6595]

Hi I have a previous Garmin satnav and I joke that garmin do sat navy’s for walkers etc so I think sometimes I think my satnav for my motorhome thinks it’s going for a walk 🤣

[@David_11111]

YAY SEEMS COOL

[@bobparker637]

I have the drive assist 51, worked with my old blackberry but does not get on with my iphone13. Sometimes it recognizes someone is ringing me - does it answer NO. I can adjust the camera though lol

[@bus_y]

Thanks you for reviewing this unit. We (try to) use Sygic Truck (paid version) on our headunit but it crashes too often taking the maps with it every time it does which is super annoying as we then need to re download the maps whilst on the road. Did you have any experience with Garmin helpdesk on that unit when it initially died at first start?

[@GadgetJohn]

My sygic app crashed and lost data all the time too. Garmin help desk was useless. They said return the unit.

[@tomoandthebigkahuna]

Hi john quick question for you. You know the android system in your van,do you have trouble to hotspot your iPhone to it and if so how did you overcome it. Cheers Martin

[@GadgetJohn]

I don’t have any issues, I can connect to my phone hotspot or the WiFi in the van.

[@stuandalbert6595]

I would like to ask a separate question if I may? I have the Victron dc to dc charger with 2 leisure batteries in rear of my motorhome and the original leisure battery under the driver seat. They aren’t connected so my dc to dc charger is charging the ones at the back but all the lights are working from the front original battery. Question can I get the victron charger to charge both in parallel if I connect a bus bar and run another cable from the charger to the front battery?

[@GadgetJohn]

If all the batteries are identical then you can connect them using a bus bar, so sane AH rating, same age and same type (eg. agm)

[@escapethematrix5069]

Is it big enough John?

[@GadgetJohn]

Is what big enough for what?

[@baggiecamper]

That's what she said 😂

[@escapethematrix5069]

@@GadgetJohn The screen, it's huge.

[@GadgetJohn]

😆 Screen sizes are like me, getting bigger all the time for no reason 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@escapethematrix5069]

@@GadgetJohn Me too, although I managed to shed a stone and a half when I had covid.

[@spitNsawdust]

Any one use apple carplay in there camper?

[@jaminavan4061]

Definitely not for us then, seems a lot of faff!