RV GPS Recommendation

Don't waste your money on an RV specific GPS.

Bought our Rand McNally 7710 7" in 2011 and still does everything I wanted originally and actually more.

Easy updates.

I have a GPS nav unit in my TV. Is there a way to upgrade the regular vehicle GPS software to RV GPS software to use the built-in unit when towing a fiver?

az99 wrote:
Don't waste your money on an RV specific GPS.

Why do you say that have you actually tried one? Have you ever owned one?

Lantley wrote:

az99 wrote:
Don't waste your money on an RV specific GPS.

Why do you say that have you actually tried one? Have you ever owned one?

I have. I had the 760. It gives just as bad routing with misinformation as any other GPS. Paying a lot of $ for a super duper RV labeled GPS guarantees you nothing more than a thinner wallet.

There are 100's of posts on here and other RV forums telling the Pros and Cons of the "special" RV units. My personal opinion is they are an overpriced waste of money.

The advantage to the RV760 is you can set height and length of your vehicle so you don't get directed on routes with low bridges. Another advantage is the option of a backup camera. I find the camera very useful.
The GPS has sent me astray on occassion though. I plan my route in advance to avoid this. I put waypoints along the way if necessary using Garmin BaseCamp.

There seems to be no end to the growing list of new and improved things in our lives. I am not trying to dis anyone or technology, it is in my opinion just a fact of life that today the rate of change in all facets of our lives, is faster than ever before.

We bought our first GPS in 2011 when we took off on a trip that took 10 weeks and included some 37 states and seven provinces. Some miscreant needed a fix and we ended up buying our second and then one day, the DW said she knew where we were going(she is usually very good about finding the stores she wants to shop)and about 90 minutes later we found it about 25 minutes from the house. Not where she thought it should be at all. The result of that trip is a reconditioned unit from Garmin with a 6" screen and LTM, that stays in her SUV at all times(except when we're in the RV).

In my "never to be humble opinion", they are the greatest augmentation to paper maps there is for travel. I should say, after past experience.

When we plan a trip to where ever, we take one of the 50 or so AAA paper maps we have available and make our destination with one of those little arrows that realtors like to use to show you where to sign and the use them to mark POIs along the way from home to our turn around point.

We program in out first stop in both GPSs, her 6" my 5" using different parameters and off we go. At dinner we update for the next day. On our first trip with the GPS, the DW started relying on it and didn't review her POIs on the paper map and we missed Monticello.

Reviewing the next days travel on the paper map at dinner and then programming the GPSs allows us to be flexible and include POIs we learn about on the way. Paper map for planning and GPS for execution.

So my recommendation, just buy what you are comfortable programming and watching and listening to. All of ours are Garmin's, neither of the two we have now are RV types. From what I have read, I feel Garmin are the simplest and easy to operate, so that is what I bought and we really like them.

Like I said, it is just "My Never to be Humble Opinion".

az99 wrote:

Lantley wrote:

az99 wrote:
Don't waste your money on an RV specific GPS.

Why do you say that have you actually tried one? Have you ever owned one?

I have. I had the 760. It gives just as bad routing with misinformation as any other GPS. Paying a lot of $ for a super duper RV labeled GPS guarantees you nothing more than a thinner wallet.

There are 100's of posts on here and other RV forums telling the Pros and Cons of the "special" RV units. My personal opinion is they are an overpriced waste of money.

I agree the RV 760 is just as capable of giving bad info as any other GPS. THere are pitfalls to using any GPS none of them all foolproof.
What the RV models do give you is an attempt to keep you on major roads. They also attempt to avoid low clearances. For my money the RV GPS only has to save me one time to be beneficial. I understand it is not foolproof, but I also understand the additional features are worthwhile vs. a standard unit. Is the additional money worth it? Yes as I mentioned above if it keeps me away from a low bridge, or keeps me off of a road that is too narrow it has done its job.
When in RV mode the GPS does plan a different route vs. being in car mode.

2 weeks ago. I got the Truck version. Dezl 770LMTHD.. from a Garmin 2597.

after my 1800 mile trip.(Ended yesterday). I am happy with it. Size restrictions. speed changes, sharp turns. steep hills. and you can do route changes with a finger on the screen, if you do not like where GPS is sending you..
NO more needed to use computer and download to GPS. and hope it works.

I have no need for RV type information.. I have a tablet for that ( if needed )

My RV 760 can't find businesses in Quartzsite. Go figure.

I will have to give it credit for recognizing BLM roads.