You, Technology and the Club
If you have access to the Clubs web site you are using the internet and so have some type of technology at your fingertips whether it be a tablet, smart phone or home computer. Judging by the posts on here about WiFi, many also like to take some kind of portable computing device with them along with sat navs on their travels. However, there seems to be a reluctance to use these devices to their full potential which is indicated by posts requesting duplication and paper copies of information. This gives the impression some are still clinging on to old technology instead of using their computing devices to better effect.
The internet offers quick and easy access to information via search engines, site finder, mapping and routing web sites some of which you can even customise to suit your own requirements on or off line. In addition, and in response to requests from members, we have seen Club site WiFi upgrades and the introduction of Club site finder and magazine Apps all in the interests of offering even easier access to information.
So, if you have the equipment, why do you still prefer to stick with the old methods of accessing Club information which in my view causes the Club unnecessary expense?
If you do make use of technology on your travels what tips do you have for other members which might be of benefit to them?
peedee
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The hard copy handbook is invaluable when there's no signal available or, as frequently happens, the club website goes down.
My tip is to ensure you have the book. It may gradually go out of date but it's always available no matter where you are. What's more, it never needs charging or a contract to run it. 👍
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There is nothing wrong or incorrect with wanting both. I have both GPS enabled devices and the 'old fashioned' compass and maps, if one fails then the other will still work.
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I certainly prefer the electronic methods of doing things. Much less clutter and weight, as I am taking my iPad away in any event. The site handbook usually sits on the bookshelf for two years and is then recycled. Even when away, an internet connection is almost always possible by some means. Even where it is not available on site a signal can be obtained close by. The Sites App is of course useable offline.
I have the magazine App and when I occasionally browse it tend to use that format. OH likes the hard copy, as the crossword is not interactive on the App. Perhaps something the CC could look at.
I have access to the whole of the UK at 25,000 digitally and use these in preference to paper these days. They can be accessed on both pad and phone, so can be used when out soft walking. When we were walking regularly in hard mountainous type terrain, we used to take a lap top and printer away in the van, as paper back ups are essential in those circumstances. Now with doing less of that walking ☹️ I pre plan and do them before we leave.
The iPad is also used for my morning paper and for interrogating routes to the next site, using google maps / earth / street view. The phone for bird identification and flower apps, along with internet radio and much much more.
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My top tip is don’t rely solely on technology. Use it by all means, fantastic, helpful most of the time. But it doesn’t hurt to retain some basic understanding of things like the ability to understand a map. If I had a £1 for all the times someone has asked for help because the Sat Nav isn’t showing how to get somewhere, or “I don’t have a signal” I could fund a few ferry trips elsewhere. Be assured, a Sat Nav will not get you to my house. Close, but you will have to do some street walking.
The handbook contains much more than just Club Site Information. It can be used to level up a table and swat flies as well😂
I would say, use the technology you have, make the most of it. But retain the capacity to use one’s own internal computer as well.
I have never, and will never, pay for Club WiFi. Currently totally unavailable at York RP (nothing to do with floods), system is down. DD would be asking for a refund😂
Edit, oops DD, didn’t mean to follow your post, it was a lighthearted jest👍
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I use whatever is working for me in different locations. However local internet connections are not up to the level of some users. Just now I'm using my phone data as our other internet provision has gone awry.
It's not a case of why don't you use it but why haven't we got it? However even with good provision I'm not interested in opening up access to more and more adverts, news etc. So I just try to adapt to what's on offer and use what's available to suit me. It's a belt and braces approach, it's good not to depend on just one communication source.
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That is good customer service, and you are wise enough to formulate a value for money choice on the Clubs WiFi. 😀
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We always search, book and plan the route on line we find street view useful as we can check any parts of the route where we think there could be a problem even view the final approach to the site, we do have a Sat Nav designed for towing a caravan but as we know these are not 100% also we have a look at you tube as the club and some members upload videos of the club sties and before setting out like us how about checking the Highways site for traffic info and hold ups. if you ever have a problem or a question "google it" its a world away from our school days when we could only use a pencil or a fountain pen and the threat of the cane if you used a Biro
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One thing I particularly like about digital OS maps, is when someone mentions a site or CL we might be interested in, I can quickly check it out in detail, for footpaths etc. Not so easy with the paper version, unless you happen to have the appropriate sheet.
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I suppose it could depend on your style of touring and how much of it is planned and how much is on an ad hoc basis. Certainly in the UK our touring is much more the former so everything in terms of sites is preplanned. I also do much of the research on what we might do during our stay online before we go. I use Google Earth to check out the location of sites and I find Street View very useful to give me a visualization of how to find the site. So from my point of view printed information is not so important. Certainly have never found the need for grid references or paper maps beyond my A to Z road Atlas. Not having an internet signal or phone signal can be a frustration because we are used to it on a daily basis and it seems strange not to have it!!!
David
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It’s clear there is a place for both technology and paper in all this. Technology is wonderful but has limitations so back up with a road atlas and the likes of the club handbook make sense to my mind.
There are many places in the UK where no phone signal, or a voice/text only service, exists. The mobile data network coverage is improving all the time so maybe one day paper will be redundant for those of us prepared to use the techie option but, until then, it’s belt and braces for me.
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You get a digital download with most OS paper maps nowadays. OH has all of UK OS subscription, which he uses a lot.
I find I can relate distances, surroundings, terrain better looking at a paper map, rather than a small screen, but that’s just a personal preference. Maps are like books for me, I love the feel, scale and detail of them. It’s more than the practical application.
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Must stop off at Abbotsbury some time to pick up some new quills.
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I have some CY, I still occasionally write with a fountain pen as well. 😁
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I've never had a map or a Handbook, after I have visited somewhere or looked up details, perster me for a review of the food in the pub or the service in the supermarket.
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It's very exasperating trying to plan a multiple stop trip online. I find the book and map much quicker. However for checking access and routing the online approach does work. If only the online references used the same CL numbers as the paperwork...
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Although using the Sat Nav (route checked and waypointed if required) for getting to the site. We do have an up to date AA or similar A3 map book for this country and the spiral bound Michelin atlas for France, as a back up. Plus OH likes to follow the route.
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Use PC for access to Club web site - find it difficult to navigate on my I-pad.
Find the map with the handbook handy for seeing CL locations - unless I have missed it you cant see a map of them. If you are going some where near county boundaries web site is a night mare. Also distance/direction from named town useful when trying to locate possibile sites.
Do use web site for pictures, reviews, google maps etc. Navigation is usually on big map book for the long distances and OS maps for "last bit" and while we are away. OS references essential. Wouldnt want to rely on Sat Nav - sometimes they do very strange things like try & make you turn round when you know you are going in correct direction, or if there is a diversion a hard copy map is often useful.
Dont have any internet in van - on phone or anything else. Research before we go. Having changed from caravan to motorhome and going away more frequently we are considering having something like mifi installed. As I understand it, much more versatile than site specific wifi. Only used Club wifi once - when we were in London for a whole week at Crystal Palace - found it sort of useful!
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The Site Directory and map are essential for us when planning our trips, as we go away for up to 10 weeks at a time, and not just an odd site or two as most do, and find with the map we can get an overall picture of our projected trips. I much prefer the hard copy OS maps to those in digital format as again they give a much wider range of view of what's in the area than those on laptop or i pad etc. As we use CLs mainly there are frequent times when we have no or very poor WiFi reception, not good if we wish to view future destinations if we didn't have the SD to call back onto.
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Having changed from caravan to motorhome and going away more frequently we are considering having something like mifi installed. As I understand it, much more versatile than site specific wifi.
It is not something that needs installing, they are small stand alone mobile units. Here are just a couple of those available from Amazon. Choose your unit, buy a pay as you go or contract Data sim on a Network of your choice and your online. A favourite of many is a Pay as You Go sim from the 3 network. These are available in various sizes, but the 12 and 24 GB ones, valid for 12 and 24 months respectively, are good value.
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I've just got the EE mini wifi - only used it once so far, but was brilliant. Entering into a monthly contract might not be everyone's choice, but for various reasons, it suited me.
Really impressed with it - seems to pull in a much stronger signal than the phone does and in addition to providing a signal for up to 10 devices, it's great for catch-up TV, Netflix, Prime etc. which we tend to watch when we are away in winter - no buffering whatsoever.
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I do most of my planning at home. One of the most useful tools I use for UK journeys is the digital 1:50K OS maps loaded with both Clubs' POIs. It is very easy to rapidly search an area to see what sites are available and see what the area is like around a possible site and the access to it. It is also easy to switch to the 1:250K road maps for an alternative view. I load the same POIs onto my sat nav so both are as up to date as the Club maintains their POIs which is better than the handbooks but not as good as the Clubs’ web sites and site finder Apps. For more detailed site information I will either use the Clubs’ Apps or web site. If your using the Clubs’ Apps you can get a route to your chosen site very quickly via the “View on Map” button. If you are running the App on the same device as your sat nav, you may be able to chose to use your own sat nav App for directions otherwise this does work with Google Maps. I run my OS mapping on my desktop, tablet and laptop.
I also keep any guide books I need on my tablet using the Kindle App to search and read these.
I usually have a laptop, tablet and a smart phone with me when away so I have plenty of backup should one device fail. I have recently switched my phone service to Giff Gaff which is a more flexible service provider than the main network providers. No contract and you can change the level of service required on a monthly basis or top up as required. The only time I use Club WiFi is to access the Club’s web site.
The only paperwork I carry is a road atlas and the CMC handbook. I have digital membership to the C&CC so carry none of their paperwork. I have not had a problem yet and you are just as likely to misplace or damage paperwork as you are to have problems with technology.
It works for me.
peedee
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Low roaming charges and Giff Gaff have maide my MiFi redundant. Giff Gaff service is provided on the back of the O2 network and, so far, the coverage has been good but my wife's phone runs on Three mobile giving us choice should one network not be available. Service is never a problem "over there" because of the many providers you can use when roaming.
peedee
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