Just thought I'd give a huge shout out to the newish Tom Tom VIA 1605M RV Specific GPS Unit!More about the specifics here:Tom Tom Via 1605M RV GPSI've had mine for awhile now and it's performed flawlessly. They're about $149.00 compared to the Garmin which is going for $399.00 at Amazon.I own the Garmin as well (RV 760LMT) and did extensive side by side testing on my dashboard. I found the routes that Tom Tom led me down are better than the Garmin, as the Garmin led me down 2 unsuitable roads while in the RV mode. It's a good thing that I wasn't pulling the trailer at these times otherwise I would have been in a quandary. Not good at all.The TomTom also allows end users to make and submit road conditions changes (under construction, temporarily blocked roads, etc) and you can update your unit with these updates as soon as they're verified.I tested heavily along the Los Angeles 405 freeway corridor which is a major freeway undergoing ramp closures and ramp re-openings, heavy construction, etc and the Tom Tom performed flawlessly. I can't say the same thing for the Garmin.The Tom Tom also offers lifetime Traffic updates as long as you use a mobile charger that has the traffic module.TomTom Charger So, if Santa Claus needs something for an RV family member or a gift for yourself, I'd consider the Tom Tom VIA 1605M RV.WoodGlue

Based on my prior experiences, I wouldn't give you a bucket of oily rags for a Tom-Tom

Well then! That bucket of oily rags would be great as fire starters!

Camperpaul, any reason why?WoodGlue

Well, Woodglue, I am listening... I bought a Garmin 3790LMT, thinking it was the latest greatest bestest everythingest. This thing has been a total PITA from the word go. I had to take it back not once, not twice, not 3 times, but 4 times and exchange it before I got one that actually worked. They have a good warranty and they need it. My Garmin has been a real pain all along. It CONSTANTLY tells me to drive one street parallel to a main route, going down back alleys and narrow side streets instead of the main street.I find the Garmin has the most ridiculously programmed routes. It will tell me to drive 10 miles up a road, crank a U turn and come back the same ten miles and turn left. Why can't it just tell me to turn right at XX road instead?I bought the top of the line Garmin thinking I was buying the best, but such is not the case. The Garmin is a piece of junk........ I had a cheapo Magellen before the Garmin. It was way better for 1/4 the price. I won't buy another Garmin. They are a totally useless POS!!

Where did you find one for $149.00?

Excellent Christmas Gift | Good Sam Community

camperpaul
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Based on my prior experiences, I wouldn't give you a bucket of oily rags for a Tom-Tom
wbwood
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Well then! That bucket of oily rags would be great as fire starters!
WoodGlue
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Camperpaul, any reason why?

WoodGlue
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Dec 05, 2013
Well, Woodglue, I am listening...

I bought a Garmin 3790LMT, thinking it was the latest greatest bestest everythingest. This thing has been a total PITA from the word go.
I had to take it back not once, not twice, not 3 times, but 4 times and exchange it before I got one that actually worked. They have a good warranty and they need it.

My Garmin has been a real pain all along. It CONSTANTLY tells me to drive one street parallel to a main route, going down back alleys and narrow side streets instead of the main street.

I find the Garmin has the most ridiculously programmed routes. It will tell me to drive 10 miles up a road, crank a U turn and come back the same ten miles and turn left. Why can't it just tell me to turn right at XX road instead?

I bought the top of the line Garmin thinking I was buying the best, but such is not the case. The Garmin is a piece of junk........

I had a cheapo Magellen before the Garmin. It was way better for 1/4 the price.

I won't buy another Garmin. They are a totally useless POS!!
RVTravler
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Where did you find one for $149.00?
BurbMan
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2013
I got my navigation system here for a LOT less than you guys are paying.

I also have 2 nav programs on my Samsung S4 that help as a back up. Not sure why I would need either a Tom-Tom or a Garmin.
taigarazz
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Does the Tom-Tom have an RV mode?
camperpaul
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
WoodGlue wrote:
Camperpaul, any reason why?

WoodGlue

During my tenure as a campground host at Illinois Beach SP, I was getting five to ten phone calls per week from people wanting to know how to get to the campground from the Nuclear Power Plant.

For some strange reason these people sounded like they were very scared.
Maybe their fear was caused by the two Jarheads standing in front of the RVs with machine guns (the plant was on lock-down due to 9-11).

With only 24 ft between the curbs there is no easy way to turn a MH around, especially if you have a toad.

To add insult to injury, the Zion PD would issue a ticket to the driver of the MH for driving on Shiloh Boulevard.

The Tom-Tom routing data is not the only one with this defect.

If you want to test your GPS receiver, have it route you to

Illinois Beach State Park Campground.

If it shows the entrance to be on Wadsworth Road, there is no problem but if it shows the entrance to be on Shiloh Boulevard the error still exists.
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
WoodGlue wrote:
Just thought I'd give a huge shout out to the newish Tom Tom VIA 1605M RV Specific GPS Unit!

More about the specifics here:

Tom Tom Via 1605M RV GPS

I've had mine for awhile now and it's performed flawlessly. They're about $149.00 compared to the Garmin which is going for $399.00 at Amazon.

I own the Garmin as well (RV 760LMT) and did extensive side by side testing on my dashboard. I found the routes that Tom Tom led me down are better than the Garmin, as the Garmin led me down 2 unsuitable roads while in the RV mode. It's a good thing that I wasn't pulling the trailer at these times otherwise I would have been in a quandary. Not good at all.

The TomTom also allows end users to make and submit road conditions changes (under construction, temporarily blocked roads, etc) and you can update your unit with these updates as soon as they're verified.

I tested heavily along the Los Angeles 405 freeway corridor which is a major freeway undergoing ramp closures and ramp re-openings, heavy construction, etc and the Tom Tom performed flawlessly. I can't say the same thing for the Garmin.

The Tom Tom also offers lifetime Traffic updates as long as you use a mobile charger that has the traffic module.

TomTom Charger

So, if Santa Claus needs something for an RV family member or a gift for yourself, I'd consider the Tom Tom VIA 1605M RV.

WoodGlue

The Garmin camera input makes it worth it if you use one. Put one in the tom tom and watch the price go up...You are not comparing apples to apples
krev
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Love our Tom Tom, not that model but it's great. We've used it all over the world and can't complain. We changed the voice to Dario Franchitti, he's awesome!!

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