Map program

I see there are several different companies selling GPSs for RV. I have two TomT GPSs and see short coming in both. It is strange that some time my old Nextar gps that I paid $100.00 over 10 years ago works better. Garmin, Rand McNally, TomTom and Magellan all make a GPS for RV. My question is witch one works better then the other. Any ideas?

Thanks

Buster

Hi,

I guess I'll be migrating to Delorme from streets and trips. I have several hundred maps to convert.

The RV profile is a standard part of BaseCamp but from what I can tell the ability to enter your RVs height, weight, length, etc. is specific to having the 760LMT.

This is how I do It:

• Select Edit->Options
• Click on Activity Profile
• Select RV
• Now click on the Routing Tab and right at the bottom is a section to enter your RV attributes

rware wrote:
I use Garmin BaseCamp which I really like.

This is designed to be used with Garmin GPS units but it is a standalone program and free.

I use it in conjunction with my Garmin RV 760LMT which is a GPS made for RVers.

On my system BaseCamp does have an RV routing mode. Select the Edit->Options menu item, then Activity Profile. I select the RV option and can enter my RV attributes height, weight, length etc.

I am not sure whether the RV profile is a standard part of BaseCamp or if it was triggered when I connected my RV 760LMT. As it is a free download you could try it, see if the RV option is available.

I use BaseCamp to plan all my trips and then download them to my GPS.

The RV profile is a standard part of BaseCamp but from what I can tell the ability to enter your RVs height, weight, length, etc. is specific to having the 760LMT.

The thing I like about Delorme is the ability to add in and/or modify an almost unlimited number of POI (point of interest) files. They let you customize the maps to almost any degree you want. You mentioned low clearances - there's a POI for that (from lowclearances.com) that shows those places you don't want to leave an air conditioner. What the software doesn't do is plot a route to automatically avoid those low clearance points. But if you spend a few minutes with the software you can easily spot the problems and reroute.

al

I use Garmin BaseCamp which I really like.

This is designed to be used with Garmin GPS units but it is a standalone program and free.

I use it in conjunction with my Garmin RV 760LMT which is a GPS made for RVers.

On my system BaseCamp does have an RV routing mode. Select the Edit->Options menu item, then Activity Profile. I select the RV option and can enter my RV attributes height, weight, length etc.

I am not sure whether the RV profile is a standard part of BaseCamp or if it was triggered when I connected my RV 760LMT. As it is a free download you could try it, see if the RV option is available.

I use BaseCamp to plan all my trips and then download them to my GPS.

Buster52 wrote:
I use both Streets/trips and Delorme mapping programs. They are great for cars but they are not RV friendly. Is there a mapping program for RVing?

Thank

Buster

Not that I've found, and the options are getting slimmer. I've used S&T for years, but as you note it's insufficient for certain features that are important to RVs (like clearances). Besides that, Microsoft is discontinuing the product. MapSource (and I assume its current manifestation, BaseCamp) has a "bus" routing option, but other than sticking to major roads, I don't think it's great for RV planning either.

I've also used a program called ALK CoPilot, which does have RV routing options (height, weight, etc.), and it also runs on smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately, my experience with it was not good. The user interface was incomprehensible and the routes it generated were occasionally bizarre or even dangerous. I read that it's been revamped so maybe it's time to give it a second look.

I tried the RandMcNally RV routing app for the iPad. Unfortunately, I got snagged by that bug in the initial release that caused the program to lock up on certain iPads, and I had to return it before fully exploring its features. I see on the App Store that the software has been upgraded to fix that bug, so maybe that's something else that deserves a second look.

And I haven't found route planning on a GPS to be the best solution. Typing on a GPS screen, among other challenges, requires more patience and a happier disposition than I possess.

What I'd really like is a feature-rich, RV-specific route planning program that I can use on my computer, planning the route on a large screen with a full-size keyboard, with lots of standard menu commands and options, that is then capable of being downloaded to a GPS easily. Haven't found it. So, for the time-being, I'm using S&T and MapSource, exchanging between the two using the .gpx file format, and loading the route into my trusty Garmin Zumo GPS that I swiped off my motorcycle.

I'll follow this thread with interest, but I'm not optimistic.

Skip

Yes, I believe they're called GPS.