Forum Discussion

deereone's avatar
deereone
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015

User friendly GPS

I recently purchased a Garmin RV 760 GPS and find it to be the most unfriendly GPS I have ever used, this includes the Base Camp program that's suppose to make it easy. I'm sending it back. Big question is what brand and model do you have that you consider user friendly to use? I guess it's not all that important to me to have it RV rated. I have an old TomTom that I always thought was very easy to use along with the program to program it with a computer. But the TomTom lacks in defining lanes and lane usage. I'm 72 years old and maybe a little slow on my learning curve, I know this alone doesn't help. I'm not looking for any comments from those defending the RV 760, I've made up my mine it's not for me. Thanks
Class A
  • mtrumpet's avatar
    mtrumpet
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2015
    This is the one that we use. Bought via Camping World at the GS Rally last year. Ours is GS Branded, but its the same as below. It is set up for RV users, but can be set and used for any vehicles. Didn't like it at first, but as I had gotten used to it and learned how to use it properly, I like it a lot more. I doubt that any GPS unit is perfect.

    Rand McNally Tripmaker Rvnd 7720 GPS
  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Mar 27, 2015
    If you do decide on TomTom, back it up with paper maps, Google Earth, the Trucker's Guide or the mountain guide. Be sure to set fastest route and not shortest route. TomTom will take you down some roads that an RV has no business being on. So says the Voice of Experience.
  • RLHAMILTON's avatar
    RLHAMILTON
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2015
    We used the Rand McNally last year, but purchased a new Cobra Truck GPS. Used on trip last week, and is great! Highly recommend.
  • rcarpe06's avatar
    rcarpe06
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2015
    I have the Garmin 2797. I agree that Basecamp sucks but I have found a good work-around. I use Google maps to layout my route exactly how I want it, then I export it to a file, then I import that file into Basecamp and simply transfer it to the GPS.

    So I basically only use Basecamp as a tool to transfer the route to the GPS from Google Maps.
  • rdmike's avatar
    rdmike
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2015
    I bought the Good Sam 7735 from Camping World about 6 months ago. I swear by it. The toad has a Garmin as does my other car, and my motorcycle. The first outing I hated the Good Sam as it just didn't operate like I was use to coming from Garmin. After a day or so I was sold. This is my 7th GPS and best one. The trip planner, with Good Sam parks is a real plus. Download to your GPS and you are off. At night I plan the next day on the computer, upload to the GPS. I am 58, a bit tech savy, but not an expert. Go to a Camping World and try it, or this site to try out the trip planner.
  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2015
    Rand Mcnally has a GPS we LOVE. We've been thru every other brand of GPS, and this is the best. So far, after 6 months on the road, it hasn't led us wrong. And it'll show fuel stops, etc. Also, it'll show it which EXACT lane you should be in to make that next turn! DH LOVES it.
  • lryrob9301's avatar
    lryrob9301
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2015
    Since your familiar with TomTom products, take a look at their RV specific GPS. It's the TomTom VIA 1605TM RV. Make sure you are looking at the RV model of the 1605 TM since they also have a car model 1605 TM. Just make sure it says RV on the end of model number.
  • jfkmk's avatar
    jfkmk
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2015
    If you like your Tom-tom, why don't you look for an upgrade in that brand? I used to have a Tom-tom and agree it's user interface was easier than the garmin. However, I had troubles with it within the first week and the unit they sent as a replacement was not only refurbished but also had issues. So I returned it and got a garmin.

    I'm looking to upgrade to one with an RV setting (let me know if you want to sell yours cheap :-) ) as there are roads I'd rather not travel on with our trailer that I think an Rv setting would help with. Last year we camped in-state for a weekend. Good thing I heeded the campsites advice and ignored my garmin. I've never seen a road so steep!
  • icanon's avatar
    icanon
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2015
    There aren't many RV friendly GPS out there! If you don't like it sent it back, the only suggestion (PLEASE don't take this the wrong way) I can make is to buy a paper map and do it the old way. Nothing out there is perfect there are no perfect solutions.

    If you do find the perfect solution please let us know. Thanks
  • Second_Chance's avatar
    Second_Chance
    Explorer II
    Mar 27, 2015
    I'll agree with you on BaseCamp, but I find the 760 GPS just as easy to use as any other GPS (and easier than a Magellan I tried and returned). Between my wife and myself, the 760 is our fourth or fifth Garmin GPS - I'm very happy with it. Garmin needs to get someone who knows what they're doing (possibly partner with Google) to redesign BaseCamp, though.

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