7" (or larger) GPS Units

holstein13 wrote:

Dale.Traveling wrote:
The problem was only the iPad with cellular capabilities have GPS and I would rather not add an additional device to my service.

To be perfectly clear, you DO NOT need to add service to an iPad with cellular capabilities.


It's simply not necessary in order to use the GPS.

Speaking of not necessary, ANY iPad will work as a GPS, not just those with cellular capability.


All you need to do is use them in conjunction with a Bluetooth GPS receiver like Garmin GLO or Bad Elf. The added benefit of doing so is that you can place the receiver way out next to the windshield where there's great reception and leave the iPad in further where it's easier to see.

BobGed wrote:

Rufas wrote:
No one here has mentioned using the front overhead TV as a monitor. I have a small form factor PC on the floor under the drivers side dash. I've ran an HDMI cable from that PC to the front overhead LCD TV. I have a wireless keyboard with mouse, very similar to a laptop keyboard. I really like having a 36 inch monitor for my GPS screen. I've had this setup for almost 14 years.

I use Delorme Street Atlas Plus as my GPS using the above setup. What I REALLY like is the ability to add my own custom POIs to my routes. I'm like to plan my trips ahead of time with everything defined. I typically plan large trips. This years spring trip is over 6,000 miles. I plan for all fuel stops and all nightly stops.

I've tried using Co-Pilot and it's so limiting. Can't import ANY POIs and using the find POI function is totally useless. I can never find any truck stops for fueling. I gave up on it.

The bottom part of the screen is my SilverLeaf engine monitoring software.

A couple of comments. You actually can import custom POIs into CoPilot
***Link Removed***
***Link Removed***

Regarding using your front TV, just be carefull, as some states, particularly out west, have laws against the driver viewing anything on an overhead TV.

CoPilot for Windows DOES NOT support importing POIs and the search for POIs from within CoPilot is totally useless. It fact, CoPilot for windows is worthless.

As for using the overhead front TV out west, been using it since 2002 and never had a problem. There are laws against GPS and tables mounted on dash within line of sight too.

Rufas wrote:
No one here has mentioned using the front overhead TV as a monitor. I have a small form factor PC on the floor under the drivers side dash. I've ran an HDMI cable from that PC to the front overhead LCD TV. I have a wireless keyboard with mouse, very similar to a laptop keyboard. I really like having a 36 inch monitor for my GPS screen. I've had this setup for almost 14 years.

I use Delorme Street Atlas Plus as my GPS using the above setup. What I REALLY like is the ability to add my own custom POIs to my routes. I'm like to plan my trips ahead of time with everything defined. I typically plan large trips. This years spring trip is over 6,000 miles. I plan for all fuel stops and all nightly stops.

I've tried using Co-Pilot and it's so limiting. Can't import ANY POIs and using the find POI function is totally useless. I can never find any truck stops for fueling. I gave up on it.

The bottom part of the screen is my SilverLeaf engine monitoring software.

A couple of comments. You actually can import custom POIs into CoPilot
Importing to an Android device
Importing to an iOS device

Regarding using your front TV, just be carefull, as some states, particularly out west, have laws against the driver viewing anything on an overhead TV.

No one here has mentioned using the front overhead TV as a monitor. I have a small form factor PC on the floor under the drivers side dash. I've ran an HDMI cable from that PC to the front overhead LCD TV. I have a wireless keyboard with mouse, very similar to a laptop keyboard. I really like having a 36 inch monitor for my GPS screen. I've had this setup for almost 14 years.

I use Delorme Street Atlas Plus as my GPS using the above setup. What I REALLY like is the ability to add my own custom POIs to my routes. I'm like to plan my trips ahead of time with everything defined. I typically plan large trips. This years spring trip is over 6,000 miles. I plan for all fuel stops and all nightly stops.

I've tried using Co-Pilot and it's so limiting. Can't import ANY POIs and using the find POI function is totally useless. I can never find any truck stops for fueling. I gave up on it.

The bottom part of the screen is my SilverLeaf engine monitoring software.

Dale.Traveling wrote:
The problem was only the iPad with cellular capabilities have GPS and I would rather not add an additional device to my service.

To be perfectly clear, you DO NOT need to add service to an iPad with cellular capabilities. Every single iPad I have has the GPS and cellular capabilities and I have not activated service on any of them.

If you want cellular service, you can add the service, but I don't need it. I simply connect to my mifi card while traveling and it works great. So if adding service is holding you back, you needn't worry. It's simply not necessary in order to use the GPS.

Sound like you have made your decision and I wish you luck with it. If you change your mind you might check out the Magellan RV9145. The "boss" got me one for Christmas 2 years ago and I love it. Free map updates for life with it too.

I used my Garman and Copilot with iPhone taking a 100 mile trip the other day. They both took me the same way and did the same things but I felt that Copilot did the best job especially at which lane to be in!

I do use my 10.1 tablet every once in a while. It has nice graphics. I bought a Garmin RV760LMT a few years ago and I still use it over the coach GPS or even the tablet. I like how loud it is and the screen is large and bright, and something to be said for the Garmin features such as lanes change for turns etc., and I still like some of the features like finding a campground.

OK, decision time. After hearing all the pros and cons over using a tablet I've managed to overcome my original bias and go the tablet route.

Years ago I gave my wife a Asus Transformer 10" tablet. She uses it primarily as an e-book reader but does do a bit of Internet news surfing and email checking as we travel but it's slow as molasses on a winter day and I've been considering buying her a more up to date mode. So, I'm getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 for her and will re-purpose the Asus as a GPS unit. I had tried to give it away to the grand kid but no one wants it since it's so outdated but it does have a GPS function.

Still need to figure out the mounting and will try the side window idea and see how that will work. Meanwhile I will need to find a travel adapter and a source of 12V power in that area. I also think I'l just start with the basic version of Co Pilot and make an upgrade decision later if I like it.

Thanks again of all the input this has been a very useful thread and it actually stayed on topic (bit of a shock).

regarding the Garmin RV660 vs RV760,

I think the newer RV660 has a newer tech (capacitive) screen, similar to the behavior of all the phones we are now accustomed to. So do not think that the loss of an inch is the whole story.