Accessories

First Impressions

Whilst the use of the unit seems quite intuitive I spent some time reading the instructions before use so as to not only understand the SatNav but also how the built in dash cam functions. A CD drive on your computer is required as there are no paper instructions.

The instructions on the included CD are very comprehensive being clearly written and avoiding technical 'jargon' starting with a quick-start guide followed by detailed operating instructions.

Aguri produce these units with the latest mapping available together with a host of pre-installed POIs (ACSI, Camperstop, EU Aires etc). Lifetime map updates can be updated using the supplied installer software. Whilst the .pdf instructions can be read on PC or Mac, the updater software is not yet Mac compatible.

Setup and Installation

Although everything works straight out of the box (ensuring the unit is charged up first) the users experience will be improved following a little setting up. Obviously the first thing to do is to select your motorhome as the desired vehicle and input it's various dimensions and weights. Then units like mph or kph and the types of warnings preferred regarding speed cameras etc. You can even personalise the vehicle icon to a motorhome enabling you to see 'you' on your travels!

Once done, it's just a matter of clipping the bracketry together and placing it in the vehicle making sure that the front facing camera has a clear view ahead.

Just handling the setup it is clear that the unit has a high quality feel to it with a nice 5" touch screen and very logical setting controls.

The Sat Nav

Once you have set up your vehicle specs the SatNav will route you accordingly thereby avoiding low bridges, width and weight restrictions etc (remember: these specialist mappings of any make will only ever take into account signed and official limits - it will not know about narrow lanes caused by overgrown verges and trees etc so vigilance and common sense is still required).

There is also intelligent junction view and lane guidance giving you plenty of warning of approaching junctions and major intersections en-route.

The unit comes with an extensive range of motorhome and caravan specific POIs. There are 30,000 motorhome stopover locations including those from The Caravan Club, Camping and Caravan Club, Bordatlas, ACSI, Camperstops and others.

The latest version of Aguri's Speedshield speed trap database is included and, like the mapping, includes free updates. It is claimed to be one of the most comprehensive databases available and includes GATSO, Truvelo, SPECs average speed cameras PLUS thousands of locations where mobile speed traps and laser guns are used. This coverage extends across Western and Eastern Europe.

The Dash Cam

The RV500 DVR comes with a built-in HD DVR dash cam eliminating the need for yet another accessory to clutter your view ahead. There's an inbuilt 8GB SD card, a 120 degree super-wide angle lens and GPS tracking enabling an exact record of where any incident or event took place, together with time and date.

The dash cam starts recording automatically when the unit is switched on and also has the ability to take still images. There are setup options for the dash cam within the main settings.

Playback can be instant on the satnav's 5" screen or, using the supplied PC software the footage and data can be analysed in greater detail on your computer.

What's in the box?

Aguri RV500 DVR PND (portable navigation device)
Micro SD card
Holder
Adjustable mounting bracket for windscreen or dash top.
Adhesive suction mounting disc
USB lead
Car charger
CD including Instructions as a .pdf file

Our verdict

If it performs as promised from our initial look around the unit, I'm looking forward to seeing how it all works in the real world on our forthcoming travels.

To be continued.....

So, how does the Aguri RV500 DVR perform?

For our impressions of the unit in use AND Aguri's excellent response - Click 'Next'

User's Review 

Well, 1500 miles into this trip I think it’s time to provide an update and feedback on the Aguri RV500 DVR satnav. 

Example video showing simulated route

Firstly it performs its function as a satnav very well. The mapping has been very up-to-date and we’ve not once been appearing on the screen to be travelling across open countryside…

Setting a route to a destination is easy and straightforward and the previously input vehicles weights, dimensions and route preferences take care of unsuitable routes….. except it’s not foolproof! The unit is very quick to detail a route to the chosen destination and once the vehicle and destination is again confirmed you are good to go.

The screen is touch activated but the stylus provided makes this very accurate and prevents fingerprints covering the screen after a little use.

The voiced instructions come via a fairly assertive female voice instructing things like ‘NOW take the exit!’ leaving little doubt as to when to turn off - which is quite good once you get used to it especially on roundabouts. The speaker on this device is poor and raspy making it necessary to keep the volume as low as possible to make it acceptable.

The lane guidance feature is useful and gives ample notice of upcoming junctions where it applies.

Now, with this being a user’s review I’m going to go through the shortcomings that I experienced. In a test like this it’s these things that show up rather than the fact that the unit does actually perform well for getting from A to B.

So these are the things that could be improved upon, in my opinion as a user.

The on screen mapping is clear, if a little small in detail and does waste a lot of the 5” screen with superfluous information. For example on a route ahead passing a town there are numerous bridge height and weight limit signs displayed off to the sides of the route being taken. It may be clever to show the weight limits on the town roads either side of my route but I’m not going there, I’m going along the planned route.

Weight limits and height restrictions. For me, as a motorhome owner, I want a motorhome specific satnav to keep me away from problems caused by these events. Very few problems have come up over the test mileage but, the unit has still tried to take me under a 3 metre bridge, a 2.5 metre bridge and through several 3.5 ton limits - the satnav knew about these limits because it displayed the signs on the screen at each location. My vehicle is setup as 3.2mtrs high and weighs 4.4 tons.

Aguri Response: This situation is being investigated by their software department.

The summary information panel shows remaining distance, time left and ETA. Distance, ‘LEFT' and ‘ETA' are nice and clear in white on a dark grey background whereas the actual information for each is a dull orange on the same grey background and is not so clear depending on how far away the unit is from you - and in a motorhome that can be squinting distance.

Aguri Response: 'This has actually already been changed and is available using the map/software updater. The orange text has been changed to white and increased in size.'

While mentioning positioning of the unit one factor to consider is that with the benefit of a built in dash camera the satnav siting is restricted because the cam needs to have the right view ahead to perform its own function properly. Stuck on a windscreen is fine but lots of motorhomes have screens that are just too far away and also may have closable blinds that will foul the unit in this position.

Multi stop routes. It seems impossible to route these using GPS co-ordinates. These type of routes can only be set using Address, Post Code, Recent Routes, Favourites or by built in POI - although not User POI which are the ones that would be of most interest like Aires, Camperstops, Bordatlas etc. 

However it is possible to find a User POI along an already planned route or within a chosen radius of your current location which can be useful.

Aguri Response: 'We have also since added the option to add locations to Multi-stop routes using GPS coordinates, this is available as part of the same map/software update.'

POI categories are plentiful but there are just too many types, meaning much scrolling to find what you might want. I can’t remember the last time that I wanted to go somewhere via an African Restaurant, Casino or Home Speciality Store as examples. Also if I want to select a Campground (the nearest category that may suit a motorhome location) I have to input the Country, City and Category (Campground) but, I have also to input its name! So unless your destination POI actually has a ‘name’ it’s impossible to complete the input.

It does not seem possible to install custom POIs.

The majority of this review has been while driving in Portugal which has fairly recently (within the last couple of years or so) introduced some toll motorways. Now when we travel we almost always exclude toll roads from any route and our system preferences are set to reflect that. On this trip we have been directed, without any warning, onto several toll roads. Because we had no intention of using toll roads we had not previously setup any way to pay these in advance which is the way the Portuguese tolls work. The result of this is that we have unwittingly avoided payment on these roads, our number plate will have been recorded and we will be subject to fines should we be stopped by the authorities. The only way we have found to avoid tolls is to also avoid motorways entirely.

Aguri Response: 'Unfortunately we are at the mercy of the 'Here' the map supplier when it comes to these types of things. All changes to roads and tolls and the like will be updated by Here and supplied as an update, but obviously there will always be delay between the physical change on the ground, Here re-plotting or adding the appropriate attribute and then that new data being released to us and in turn us converting it and releasing it to our customers. Obviously this will effect all sat nav suppliers in the same way. Of course this is the reason that we offer free updates.'

The dash cam. The quality of recording is average and playback on the 5” screen is poor which is not helped by the sound quality.

Example video of dash cam recording shown on the unit’s own 5” screen
{iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GAFzGMkfPOk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen}{/iframe} 

Playback on a PC using Aguri’s software or other video player software is better although a card reader or adapter is required to fit the micro SD card into for this purpose. 

Example video of dash cam recording as would be replayed on a PC
{iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SP_6YGCFvOs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen}{/iframe}

The important thing is that any ‘event' that may require evidence will have been recorded.

Software and mapping updates.

Following Aguri's response I decided to update my unit using their updater software. This is available via the included CD or as a download from their website.

The process was delightfully simple. The unit is plugged into a Windows PC and the updater software is run. It finds the SD card within the unit automatically and performs the update process. It then confirms when complete and allows the SD card or unit to be unplugged.

Switching the unit on confirmed that the small changes to the display and routing possibilities were all present and correct.

In summary. The Aguri RV500 DVR is aimed at a niche market of satnav users and is therefore in competition with some established big name manufacturers so has to perform well.

Some of the above observations (and criticisms) could also apply to other brands. The basics - mapping, speed of routing, quality of build and styling on the RV500 DVR are excellent.

I'm actually very impressed with the way Aguri have taken on board users' comments and feedback and made improvements accordingly.

Would I be happy to continue using the Aguri? Yes I would. 

NEILMAC

  Admin

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