Good Sam GPS Unit

RWjSIM2003 wrote:
I Received a Good Sam GPS unit for Christmas and I am wondering if anyone else has this unit and how it preforms. I had wanted a Garmin and could take it back but it looks to be a good unit and has the life time maps updates and other features that look interesting.

Looking for advise here on which is a better GPS unit your input is appreciated.

Each has it's own strong and weak points.

I had a RV Garmin and did not like the way it displayed POI, it missed many gas stations.

I had an old TomTom in my pickup that I liked a lot. I sold the Garmin and got the new TomTom 1606M RV, it also has it's strong points and weak points. But I like it better than the Garmin.

I would say try it and see if it does what you want, if not sell it on Fee-Bay and get one you like.

I like the way the Rand displays the POI for campgrounds, RV services locations, Dump stations, etc.

And the Quick Stops to locate the nearest Walmart - an RVers first stop after the campground. Also, Pilot, Flying J, Love's Travel Stops, TA/Petro and Wilco truck stops.

I can setup a week long trip with the GPS to travel across the country with fuel stops, lunch locations, campgrounds all setup. Creating and setting up multi-stop trips is pretty easy once you do it a few times. (Now I would likely not do that for a real trip - I tend to be more comfortable working with Streets & Trips, but it is a fun way to spend a few hours.)

I also like how the GPS can be setup for the Car mode - and will show my ETA based on running at or near the speed limit, but in the RV Mode I can set the GPS to increase the ETA for slower RV speeds. (I ain't running 85 mph down the tollway around Austin pulling my trailer).

Practice with the GPS in your easy chair. Find out how the different features work - how to find POI that you want. Make sure your navigator also knows how to use the GPS. Don't be like me, and most other folks, trying to figure it out while on the interstate, or yelling at the navigator/ DW.

You do need to download the Rand McNally "Rand Dock" program and connect the GPS to your computer/ laptop - and run the latest update.

As with any GPS - remember it is advisory on routing - not the last word. Never trust it to be perfect.

A GPS is only as good as the source data - and state highway departments, RV campgrounds, national and state parks, government campgrounds all have a long way to go in standardizing their data so GPS units are better.

The only 'issue' I have with the Rand unit is the large 7" screen size and seeing it when in bright sunshine.

I have found that setting the screen to display the night screen and on the brightest setting is easier to see than the daytime screen.

The night screen is a black background with lighter colored roads and the route is a lighter color. The day screen is a near white background and the light colored roads tend to fade into the background for me.

Good info Thanks we are shopping for GPS

I have been testing the Magellan Roadmate Pro 9165T and don't like it.
The Bluetooth volume isn't loud enough and in the slightest sunlight, the screen is non-viewable.
I wouldn't purchase one.

Hint: if looking for camgrounds on the fly, look for them "Near My RV". To look "Along My Route" gives very erratic results.

I've become very familiar with the Garmin systems so personally that's probably what I will stick with. I don't have an RV specific one because they seem to be 2x the cost of a regular car one.

I have been playing with the Good Sam GPS unit and so far I am impressed. It seems to be easy to use and I like the large screen. I like the ability to put in your RV info. Thanks for the input Have a Merry Christmas

I posted a thread recently too on the 7725. It wouldnt find 2 of our state parks even after downloading the updates. And I don't like how u travel right to left on the screen rather than bottom to top like the garmin

I have a 7710 with lifetime maps and never travel without it. I find it easy to use and its great for finding a campground after a long day of travel. We also use it a lot to find rest areas because we travel with our dog.

MarkieBob wrote:
And I don't like how u travel right to left on the screen rather than bottom to top like the garmin

???

The Rand just like the Magellan and every Garmin I've ever seen has three options for the map display - North Up, Heading Up and 3D with Heading Up - I've never seen any GPS use right to left.

In the Rand GPS there is a click area on the lower right beside the street name where you can change the map orientation unlike only the Map settings on most Garmin units.