7" (or larger) GPS Units

[bluwtr49]

I've been using my Garmin Nuvi for several years with great success but the small screen, while great in the car, presents some difficulties in the MH so I'm shopping for something larger.

Since this will be a dedicated GPS I have little to no interest in ancillary functions like phone connectivity, web browsing, playing music, cameras and the like. Of course most come with a lot of those features but they are of minimal interest.

RV specific units are interesting but not necessarily a "must have" and I wouldn't want to sacrifice quality navigation for a list of RV parks.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Dick

[holstein13]

bluwtr49 wrote:
Based on the recommendation of some I downloaded co-pilot onto my phone and gave it a brief go alongside of my Garmin Nuvi. Not to bad but lacking a lot of feature of the Garmin and a bit more cumbersome to use. Small problem in that the map never did scroll so once my location scrolled off the map I was sort of lost. Must be a configuration setting I missed and can not find.

Looked at some WiFi only tablets and found some nice 10" ones in the $250.00 range but nothing for dash mounting so that's an issue. I figure that buying all the "stuff" to dash mount a tablet will somewhat north of $400.00 but that's not too bad since a 7" Garmin goes for ~290.00 What I did notice on the Copilot setting is that it want's cellular service and I want to run it on WiFi.....Is this a real issue or not.

If co-pilot doesn't work, try Trucker Path Pro, In-Route, Waze, or Navigon. For $49.99 you can even have the Garmin program on your iPad or phone. I had the same problem with co-pilot until I paid the in-app upgrade.

You'll need the cellular-capable iPads rather than the WiFi only. The cellular iPads have GPS chips built in. But you don't have to activate the cellular to use it.

The dash mounts are cheap. Do a search on Amazon and you'll find the perfect one for you for well under $40.00.

The Co-Pilot should work on wifi.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

When looking at tablets most of the Samsung tablets WiFi only tablets have a GPS in them. That's what I statrted with. You only need data to down load the app on to you device. After that no data is required to run it. Once you purchase the app it's good for any device you have or will have. I use a Ram adjustable tablet mount in my MDT for my iPad Pro.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

[bluwtr49]

Based on the recommendation of some I downloaded co-pilot onto my phone and gave it a brief go alongside of my Garmin Nuvi. Not to bad but lacking a lot of feature of the Garmin and a bit more cumbersome to use. Small problem in that the map never did scroll so once my location scrolled off the map I was sort of lost. Must be a configuration setting I missed and can not find.

Looked at some WiFi only tablets and found some nice 10" ones in the $250.00 range but nothing for dash mounting so that's an issue. I figure that buying all the "stuff" to dash mount a tablet will somewhat north of $400.00 but that's not too bad since a 7" Garmin goes for ~290.00 What I did notice on the Copilot setting is that it want's cellular service and I want to run it on WiFi.....Is this a real issue or not.

Thanks again for the advice.

[holstein13]

Mondooker wrote:
I decided on an iPad (they have them in all sizes up to 12 inches, just make sure you get one with the GPS chip) and the RV version of CoPilot. It does all I want it to do and has "off line" maps as well, not using any of my data plan. It also offers just on time traffic information that only takes up a smidgen of the data plan.

X2 on the iPad but you don't need much data at all. Even Google Maps can cache most of your trip in memory before you leave. I love having Trucker Path Pro and AllStays in the background and I can swipe to them easily while driving.

I use a cup holder mount to keep the iPad at the perfect viewing angle that's out of the way but easy to see.

[Effy]

I like our Garmin DEZL. Works flawlessly for it's intent (gps). We have a tablet phones etc, and frankly I find their navigation cumbersome and data hogs. I like to keep things simple. A GPS that functions as a GPS.

I do wish GPS devices were better at telling you what's at upcoming exits. When searching for fuel or food, a GPS is limited. We also like good food - we avoid burger joints. Most GPS are not equipped to be this specialized.

[wredman]

bluwtr49 wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. As I had originally mentioned, I have no interest in using phones, tablets, or etc but, thanks to you folks, I'm starting to reconsider so please allow a few question regarding tablet use.

I don't own a table so I would have to buy one for the gps use but that's minor.

1) Do you need a constant internet connection? I do generate a WiFi hotspot when traveling via my Verizon phone but there are plenty of times where no cell coverage is available.

2) How do you mount it on the dash?

3) Any problems with glare on these larger screens?

4) Since I would not need cell service just a WiFi chip any recommendations for a tablet that would work well as a dedicated GPS unit....I don't see any use for the tablet other than that.

Thanks again for your input.

Dick

If you are wanting a unit to use primarily as a gps unit, buy a dedicated gps unit. Most of your questions/concerns are valid negatives for using a tablet.

I use a Garmin for long trips but I like my phone and wish I could use it for that, it has GPS, Google maps is better graphics than Garmin, ease of finding/loading a destination is better. However, I hate the size and mounting. I keep asking at the phone store how I can HDMI my phone's video image out and have not found an answer. Do most of the RV head unit screens accept HDMI in while driving. My car does not, once I put it into drive, the image is removed for safety reasons.

[bluwtr49]

Thanks for all the replies. As I had originally mentioned, I have no interest in using phones, tablets, or etc but, thanks to you folks, I'm starting to reconsider so please allow a few question regarding tablet use.

I don't own a table so I would have to buy one for the gps use but that's minor.

1) Do you need a constant internet connection? I do generate a WiFi hotspot when traveling via my Verizon phone but there are plenty of times where no cell coverage is available.

2) How do you mount it on the dash?

3) Any problems with glare on these larger screens?

4) Since I would not need cell service just a WiFi chip any recommendations for a tablet that would work well as a dedicated GPS unit....I don't see any use for the tablet other than that.

Thanks again for your input.

Dick

[Dale_Traveling]

I couldn't get past the cost of a large screen unitasking GPS so went with a tablet with a GPS chip. 7" screen for $150. For software I'll either use Co-Pilot (free) when network services are spotty or Google Maps. Google maps uses very little in data so no big worry about using up what I have from Verizon associated with my phones. The tablet is also full of podcasts, music and electronic books that I can bluetooth to the dash radio.

[owenssailor]

I got a new Garmin 660 for this winter's trip. 1200 miles so far. It works like a charm. Crisp screen Clear lane assist.
Very satisfied.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

My recommendation is go big or stay home. For the last several years of fulltiming I used my tablet along with Co-Pilot GPS app. Started with a small android tablet and now use my iPad pro 12.2" tablet. Also use the same app on my smartphone when in the Smart Car. No need for a stand alone GPS if your own a tablet and if not you could buy a tablet for the cost of a stand alone GPS and get much more use from it.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

[stugpanzer]

Mondooker wrote:
Hi Dick,

Been through what you're going through. I actually decided agains a dedicated GPS because I couldn't find one that had the screen size and maps etc I was after.

I decided on an iPad (they have them in all sizes up to 12 inches, just make sure you get one with the GPS chip) and the RV version of CoPilot. It does all I want it to do and has "off line" maps as well, not using any of my data plan. It also offers just on time traffic information that only takes up a smidgen of the data plan.

I know you're looking for a self contained GPS and don't mean to get off subject. Just though I'd mention what worked for me!

Harry

I too am using CoPilot RV Version. I had been using CoPilot USA and recently purchased the RV version so I could put all the specs of the coach in the app (height, length, weight, etc). Huge advantage are the local maps so no data needed, just GPS signal. Also I run mine on my Sony Xperia Z2 10.1" (Android Tablet so it seems CoPilot is supporting both Apple and Android platforms. Also, since I own the app I can run it on my Android phone as well.

[dirtyharryo]

My son is a trucker he turned me on to a 7 inch xgody gps I got it on ebay less than $65.00 for the price it is a real nice system.

[OLYLEN]

For now the RV760 is fine for me the RV660 has a couple new items and a higher res screen. Either has two items I really like/need. One is lane assist, tells you what lanes you need to keep on route. And voice command, if you change or add to you destination you don't need to touch the GPS, just tell it. Of course this never happens, the wife sees newville and says "lets stop and see" you tell the GPS to reroute to newville and it takes you there. I think the next greatest is the 860 8" high res screen, but I'm waiting for the drive on GPS, then you just drive ON the like. LOL
Full disclosure I have a bunch of Garmin's RV 760 being one.

LEN

[Two_Jayhawks]

I still use the GPS that came with the coach however I will likely move toward something larger myself. I have a friend that uses a mounted tabled and runs a GPS app and he is quite happy with the set up.

[Mondooker]

Hi Dick,

Been through what you're going through. I actually decided agains a dedicated GPS because I couldn't find one that had the screen size and maps etc I was after.

I decided on an iPad (they have them in all sizes up to 12 inches, just make sure you get one with the GPS chip) and the RV version of CoPilot. It does all I want it to do and has "off line" maps as well, not using any of my data plan. It also offers just on time traffic information that only takes up a smidgen of the data plan.

I know you're looking for a self contained GPS and don't mean to get off subject. Just though I'd mention what worked for me!

Harry