Looking for a new GPS. We had an old GPS and the screen has died. Any recommendations?

That's a great idea as long as you have cell service. No cell service and no map or directions.

I have the cheapest TomTom Walmart carries and it works fine for me. We use a cell phone occasionally but if you use it all day very many days it will use a TREMENDOUS amount of data. Don't ask me how I know.

We just received and tested the new Garmin RV 770 LMT-S. It was released by them about two weeks ago. It's pricey, but loaded with features we really like. One of my favorite features is called "LiveTrack". When we pair the GPS with our smart phone and activate LiveTrack, our kids can follow our progress on a map. It's a nice way for them to know where we're at.The screen on the Garmin is much brighter than the screen we had on our old Rand McNally GPS, and you can easily see it even in the brightest sunlight.It is also voice activated so you can search for places without having to take your hands off the steering wheel.Jim

avvidclif1 wrote:That's a great idea as long as you have cell service. No cell service and no map or directions.I think that is incorrect.The GPS function on a real smart phone uses an actual GPS chip built into the phone.Now the maps are a different matter but I think once you get a route loaded, you could go a really LONG way with no cell service and still have a working map and directions.I find that Google Navigation works better than my Garmin or the built-in GPS in my Ford or Toyota.But if you want a solid basic stand-alone GPS, a current model Garmin for about $150 should do fine. That's what I use in my RV most of the time.If you want features specific to routing BIG vehicles or a really big screen, the price will be somewhat more.

Looking for a new GPS | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

jeffcarp
Explorer
Apr 25, 2017
avvidclif1 wrote:
That's a great idea as long as you have cell service. No cell service and no map or directions.

That isn't true. Google Maps provides maps and directions offline if you can prep for and anticipate where you'll lose cell services. There are many other smartphone solutions including TomTom, CoPilot and Sygic that work completely offline.
azjeffh
Explorer
Apr 25, 2017
Debbie wrote:
Thanks everyone for all the ideas. We decided to stay with Garmin. Purchased Garmin RV 660 LMT GPS Navigator.

Great choice IMO.
Debbie
Explorer
Apr 24, 2017
Thanks everyone for all the ideas. We decided to stay with Garmin. Purchased Garmin RV 660 LMT GPS Navigator. It will arrive Tues. Ordered it through B&H no tax and free 3 day shipping. We had an old garmin with a smaller screen that we had for many years. Hope this one is just as good.
jpbuch9309
Explorer
Apr 23, 2017
If your camper is bigger you might want a trucker GPS that way you dont have to worry about going down a road
Planning
Explorer
Apr 22, 2017
We use the Garmin DezlCam LMTHD 6-Inch Truck Navigator.

It has all of the low height information, it constantly updates traffic, you can input your dimensions and weight for restricted areas, and it has a always on/looping camera that automatically saves 5 minutes before if an impact occurs.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Apr 18, 2017
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Garmin, but make sure to get one with "lifetime map updates".

I don't believe Garmin sells any units anymore that don't offer lifetime updates.

Jim
jpmihalk
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
We just returned from a 3,095 mile round trip through 9 states using CoPilot RV and found it worked well. The live traffic feature was outstanding and helped us avoid some serious interstate traffic jams and was more accurate than the DOT signs we saw.
djsamuel
Nomad
Apr 18, 2017
I just got the Garmin DriveSmart 50 NA LMT when Amazon had it for $138. Really nice and I can add many of the POIs and stuff from the RV GPS's. So far I like it a lot. Lifetime updates and traffic (without cell phone) as well as the bluetooth cell phone link to handle calls.
countrykids
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
We just returned from a 3000+ trip over 6 states using a new to us Garmin 760 and were very pleased with it. We talked to several other RVers using the same unit who were having similar results.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Apr 17, 2017
Garmin, but make sure to get one with "lifetime map updates".