Garmin Camper 795 Review: An Award-Winning Caravan Sat Nav for Stress-Free Touring
- Caravan Coach
- Dec 7, 2025
- 4 min read
Product Category: Caravan and Camper Sat Nav
Brand: Garmin
Prices Usually Range From: £299 - £390
Best For: Caravanners who want reliable custom routing based on their outfit dimensions, with preloaded campsite databases and European coverage
Where to Buy: Available at Halfords, Argos, or major retailers like Amazon
Caravan Sat Nav - Introduction
Towing a caravan changes everything about route planning. Those narrow lanes that your car could navigate become potential nightmares when you have a 7-metre outfit behind you. Low bridges, weight restrictions, and sharp bends that would barely register in a car suddenly become genuine hazards. The Garmin Camper 795 is designed specifically to address these concerns, allowing you to input your caravan's dimensions and receive routing that accounts for your outfit's size and weight.
This sat nav won the Best Caravan Sat Nav award at the Practical Caravan Awards 2024, and it is easy to see why. The 7-inch display is bright and clear, the interface is straightforward, and the preloaded campsite databases from ACSI and Campercontact mean you can search for your next pitch directly from the device. Combined with lifetime European map updates and live traffic via smartphone, it offers a comprehensive package for UK touring and Continental adventures alike.
Having tested the Camper 795 across various routes, including some deliberately challenging single-track lanes in rural areas, I can report that it generally performs well at keeping larger outfits on suitable roads. However, it is not infallible, and understanding both its strengths and limitations is essential before relying on it completely.
Key Features
Custom vehicle routing: Enter your caravan's length, width, height, and weight to receive routes that avoid unsuitable roads, low bridges, and weight restrictions
7-inch high-resolution display: Large touchscreen with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution for clear visibility while driving
Lifetime European maps: Preloaded UK, Ireland, and full European coverage with free updates for the life of the device
Live traffic updates: Real-time traffic information via the Garmin Drive smartphone app
Built-in WiFi: Download map and software updates directly without connecting to a computer
Campsite directories: Preloaded ACSI, Campercontact, and Trailer's PARK databases with amenity filtering
BirdsEye Satellite Imagery: Aerial photographs of campsites help you plan your arrival
Voice-activated navigation: Garmin Voice Assist allows hands-free operation
Bluetooth hands-free calling: Pair with your smartphone for calls and notifications
Multiple vehicle profiles: Save different configurations for various towing setups
Pros and Cons
Pros
Large, bright 7-inch screen easily visible in all conditions
Genuinely useful road warnings for steep gradients, sharp curves, and weight limits
Comprehensive European map coverage with lifetime updates
Built-in campsite databases save separate searching
BirdsEye satellite imagery genuinely helpful for campsite arrivals
Michelin Green Guide and Local Spots enhance touring experience
Environmental zone warnings prevent accidental fines
WiFi updates mean no computer connection required
Two-year warranty provides peace of mind
Cons
Premium price point compared to standard sat navs
Battery life approximately one hour; must remain connected to 12V power for normal use
No protective case included despite premium price
Occasional routing onto narrow or unsuitable roads, particularly in rural areas
Suction mount designed for windscreen; dash mounting requires additional adhesive disc
Performance
The Garmin Camper 795 performs reliably across most touring scenarios. Route calculation is quick, and the voice instructions are clear through the enhanced speaker. The touchscreen remains responsive even in warm conditions, and the display brightness adjusts well to changing light.
Road warnings are where this sat nav genuinely earns its keep. Being told about an upcoming steep gradient or sharp bend before you encounter it, with your caravan swaying behind, is valuable information. The speed camera alerts and school zone warnings add another layer of awareness. For European touring, the environmental zone warnings help avoid accidental fines in low emission zones.
However, no sat nav is perfect. Some users report occasional routing onto narrow single-track roads despite having entered their caravan dimensions. This appears to depend on how accurately local restrictions are recorded in the mapping database. Garmin cannot guarantee that all road restrictions will be accounted for, and they rightly advise following posted road signs. Inputting dimensions slightly larger than your actual outfit can help provide an extra margin of safety.
The campsite databases prove genuinely useful. Being able to filter by amenities such as electric hook-up, showers, or pet-friendly policies saves time compared to searching separately. The BirdsEye satellite imagery is particularly helpful when approaching campsites with unclear signage or complex internal layouts.
Specifications
Specification | Details |
Display | 7-inch (6.95") TFT touchscreen, 1024 x 600 pixels |
Dimensions | 173mm (W) x 99mm (H) x 19mm (D) |
Weight | 239.6g |
Battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion, approximately 1 hour |
Power | 12-24V via vehicle power cable |
Storage | 16-32GB internal (varies by model) |
Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS |
Map Coverage | UK, Ireland, Western and Eastern Europe |
Warranty | 2 years |
In the Box | Camper 795, suction cup mount, power cable, CLA adapter, adhesive disc, documentation |
Why It's Recommended
The Garmin Camper 795 represents a sensible investment for caravanners who regularly tour or venture to unfamiliar destinations. While smartphone navigation has improved significantly, dedicated caravan sat navs still offer genuine advantages: vehicle-specific routing, offline maps that work in areas with poor signal, and screens designed for in-vehicle visibility.
The combination of custom routing, road warnings, and campsite databases addresses the specific challenges caravanners face. Knowing that your sat nav is actively trying to avoid low bridges and narrow lanes provides genuine peace of mind, even if you should always remain vigilant and follow posted road signs.
For those planning European touring, the preloaded continental maps and environmental zone warnings justify the investment many times over. Being guided around low emission zones in European cities prevents potentially expensive fines. The lifetime map updates mean the device remains current throughout its working life without ongoing subscription costs.
Rating
Overall Score: 4.2/5
Score Breakdown
Design: 4.5/5
Durability: 4/5
Ease of Use: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Disclaimer
This review reflects our genuine opinions and experiences. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Product details, availability, and prices were accurate at the time of writing but may change without notice. Please check with the retailer for the latest information before making a purchase. Caravan Coach cannot be held responsible for differences between this review and the actual product or service you receive.
