GPS - RV specific or not?

eric1514 wrote:

jcpainter wrote:

Garmin uses software called "Base Camp" that allows you to create your route on your laptop, make desired modifications, and then download it into the Garmin RV 760LT (and some Nuviis also).

[rant] If you understand and like Base Camp, you're the only one. I've tried to figure out that bloated, unintuitive POS software more than once and can't get it to draw a route from my house to anywhere without resorting to watching at least one of their useless video tutorials. Mapsource was usable, but not Base Camp.

Sorry, that rant wasn't directed at you, but at Garmin who must have lost some employees to Google because now that POS doesn't even have a save option. [/rant]

Yes, there is a learning curve . . . especially if you are used to using Map Source (like we were) for many years. Alas, everything changes . . .

Ditto on the CoPilot app. Has an RV setting. Easy to use. Has campgrounds, gas stations and many other POI's. Like it better than the RV GPS we bought.

jcpainter wrote:

Garmin uses software called "Base Camp" that allows you to create your route on your laptop, make desired modifications, and then download it into the Garmin RV 760LT (and some Nuviis also).

[rant] If you understand and like Base Camp, you're the only one. I've tried to figure out that bloated, unintuitive POS software more than once and can't get it to draw a route from my house to anywhere without resorting to watching at least one of their useless video tutorials. Mapsource was usable, but not Base Camp.

Sorry, that rant wasn't directed at you, but at Garmin who must have lost some employees to Google because now that POS doesn't even have a save option. [/rant]

We have both the Garmin 2797LMT and the Rand McNally/Good Sam GPS model RVND7730LM. I highly recommend that if you are going to spend the money go with the Garmin which is a much better quality built unit and very user friendly over the Rand McNally.

I am really happy just using Google Maps, but you have to be aware of where it may be sending you, especially if it routes you around a traffic situation.

I have a Dezl 760lmt. I use it in auto mode. In RV mode, the routing is terrible. I like that model because of the programmable dashboard areas.

eric1514 wrote:
Maybe consider the Rand McNally/Good Sam GPS. I don't have one but I like to plot courses on the computer and send them to the GPS. MapQuest works sorta on my Garmin, Google Maps is a mess after their upgrade so I've been playing with Good Sam's Trip planner and it's seems OK. I like the RV specific thigs it does. Unfortunately, it won't talk to my Garmin or TomTom.

Garmin uses software called "Base Camp" that allows you to create your route on your laptop, make desired modifications, and then download it into the Garmin RV 760LT (and some Nuviis also).

We have the Garmin RV 760 now. It is great if you only travel on interstates but if you travel on any two lane roads you need a paper map. I can't even count the number of times it would have (and a couple of times it did) get us lost to the point we had to turn around and take a different route. Last week we traveled from Albuquerque to a spot just south of Taos, NM. I knew exactly where I was going but wanted to see how the Garmin would route us. If I had followed the GPS we would have ended up at one intersection where we were told to make a left turn. Impossible with 59 ft. of truck and trailer. It also took us 30 miles past our destination and then had us turn around and go back. It kept trying to get us to turn on dirt roads that led nowhere when we were on the two lane highway on which our property was located. Just saying.

Maybe consider the Rand McNally/Good Sam GPS. I don't have one but I like to plot courses on the computer and send them to the GPS. MapQuest works sorta on my Garmin, Google Maps is a mess after their upgrade so I've been playing with Good Sam's Trip planner and it's seems OK. I like the RV specific thigs it does. Unfortunately, it won't talk to my Garmin or TomTom.

When needed I simply use my Gamin Nuvi. If I need a new one, I'd stick with a Garmin as while mine has sent me down some bad roads, it has performed better than other brands I have owned. They all have quirks.