Forum Discussion

Sabluka's avatar
Sabluka
Explorer
May 28, 2013

Most robust GPS/Computer Trip SW

A Tiffin friend uses MS Maps and Streets. I've read some GPS units with the SW is better.

Whats the word on it?

Want to be able to get a basic route like MapQuest, change it, show maps on GPS, be able to import to computer and print it out, show GS camp sites and of course be linked to the GPS.

Real time traffic and weather wld be nice.

Rifk

7 Replies

  • Rolin wrote:
    Hi Sabluka,
    The GPS in the Dash of the Tiffin might have been a Rand McNally 7 inch.

    Magellan 1700 has 7in screen as does the Garmin 2797 and 2757.

    I like the trucking professional driver 7 inch models like the Garmin 760. The reviews of the Cobra 7750 pro weren't as good as the garmin.


    rolin - Lookin at the 3 Garmins and tryin to fig out the diffs. 1st glance they seem to have it all per navigation.

    RR
  • Hi Sabluka,
    The GPS in the Dash of the Tiffin might have been a Rand McNally 7 inch.

    Magellan 1700 has 7in screen as does the Garmin 2797 and 2757.

    I like the trucking professional driver 7 inch models like the Garmin 760. The reviews of the Cobra 7750 pro weren't as good as the garmin.
  • Tanks guys and gals. Good info.

    Yeah having a hard copy for backup is a must and smart. Hey, pilots always carry hardcopies...it's required less it's rec flying.

    Rolin - Good info. Had Garmin 296..Have early 1990s Magellan GPS. Still works just fine. Got it for fishin in Cook Inlet. Water proof but back then it was $700 but it's S.G. was less the H20 so it floated and water proof.

    Is the 1690 the biggest screen..I noted the early Tiffin's had a very large screen in the dash. I like that. Large screen with Bluetooth abilities and routing and GPS wld be great.

    I'll chk Garmin reviews and featiures of all models.

    Thanks for all the good and warm.

    Oh..wonder why GS hasn't got this all in bundle for it's members.

    Drive safe!.

    Rick
  • We use MS Streets and Trips on the computer. You can export your Streets and Trips route as a GPX file that can be downloaded into a Garmin. The following Garmins will accept routes: 500, 700, 800, 1400, 1690, 2200, 2300, 2400, 3700 and 5000. I favor the 1690 as it will do both horizontal and vertical display plus you can purchase a service (think it is $5/mo) that will allow access to weather, traffic, local attractions, etc. Sort of a phone data type connection the to worldwide web.

    Generally we plan our trip on Streets and Trips, then compare routs with the Garmin. Normally there are pretty close. Occassionally we will correct the Garmin route to match our planned route. Generally we don't download the Streets and Trips route to the Garmin.

    There is a free Garmin program called Base Camp that is interesting. You can create your routes in Base Camp and import them to the Garmin as well. You can even create adventures with pictures if you want.
  • Veebyes wrote:
    More navigation gear than the lunar lander here.

    A stuck on the windshield GPS & MS with GPS in the laptop on a table in front of the navigator/DW. Great fun when they do not agree. It happens. Both have their moods every so often.

    Trusty Walmart map book is stuck down the side of the seat in case all technology & seat of the pants navigation fails.


    While tech gadgets are nice they can be very tepermental at times if not flat out fail. I have always, Since I was a teen many many moons ago, carried a map, atlas, with me and the best I have found are the laminated copys so that I can use a dry erase marker to map my route and make notations. I have also seen GPS coordinates be as much as a mile off from where you actually are...So much for dead on tech
  • More navigation gear than the lunar lander here.

    A stuck on the windshield GPS & MS with GPS in the laptop on a table in front of the navigator/DW. Great fun when they do not agree. It happens. Both have their moods every so often.

    Trusty Walmart map book is stuck down the side of the seat in case all technology & seat of the pants navigation fails.