What GPS ?

[09Sam]

I am looking for a RV Class A specific GPS unit to replace the factory one in my coach. What do you all use and how reliable are they as to routes and information, etc.? Thanks...

[roundown8366]

I have retired my GPS units. There is a free app called Waze that, imo, works as good or better than my GPS's. The Waze is user ran so detours, red light cameras, accidents, etc are listed within minutes.

I also installed a app called Low Clearance to assist in finding low clearances. Both are free from the app store.

I have used Tom Tom, Garmin, Magellan and a truck specific one (the name I can not recall) that do not come close to the Waze.

[Jack_Kay]

I had an older Magellan a few years back and after a while I decided that I needed a larger screen. That's about the time the Rand 7710 came out. I wanted it because of the 7" screen. I have since upgraded to the 7720 which i great. When setting up a route you can choose one of two choices which I like. It does take a while to get to know any GPS unit out there. The best thing is to download the manual and use it to figure out how to work it. (Rand and Garmin both have manuals) None of them are perfect and it will take some time to get familiar with a unit. That said I really like the RM 7720.

[Rbrunson]

I like to supplement my Garmin with looking at my days route with Google earth before heading out. It gives me a birds eye view of the route and also things nearby of interest.

[pkunk]

Any GPS will tell you where you are. It's up to you to decide not to drive under a low bridge or off into a field just because it tells you to.
Let common sense prevail upon you.

[Canadian_Rainbi]

n7bsn wrote:
Personally I prefer the user interface of Garmin, which means the Garmin RV 760. The Garmin RV uses the same map base as the Nuvi and Dezl

Garmin 760. You can also get Mexico maps for Mexico which are not available for the Rand

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
The routing will not allow you to set RV specific routing options and may tell you to avoid roads you are allowed on or send you on roads many RVers would avoid. There's really no way around that so be sure you use good judgement and plan your route before you go.

A GPS routing is only as good as the source data supplied by the various states to the consolidation company.

No GPS maker, or map maker, actually gathers data on all the roads in their products.

I agree with you though.

A GPS is ADVISORY - when traveling to new areas, you need to look at a map and have a good idea of where you are going, what the roads are that you want to travel, and look for things to avoid.

Never ever trust a GPS to be perfect.

[PastorCharlie]

I have a Rand McNally 7720. I previously had two different 7710 and they were junk. Also have a Garmin and it is ok for the car.

My old faithful is DeLORME that I have loaded into my 11" laptop and mounted in driver cockpit. Never fails and have used it with upgrades for many years. Currently have 2014 update. I will continue to depend upon it.

When comparing DeLORME, with Rand McNally, Garmin and Magellan I find the later ones to be more conversation pieces, I own them all

[Koop]

TEO wrote:
I'll second the comment on the Rand McNally, but I wouldn't be without my Garmin NUVI either. The problem with the Rand unit is that it ends at the Mexican border and the NUVI is usable and pretty accurate all over the parts of Mexico where I have been.

Paul

+1. We love our 'Nally (as we are fond of calling her).

[Bill_Satellite]

There is no truly RV specific GPS. The routing will not allow you to set RV specific routing options and may tell you to avoid roads you are allowed on or send you on roads many RVers would avoid. There's really no way around that so be sure you use good judgement and plan your route before you go.
I still prefer the Garmin brand and I can add any POI groups that I like. Since I already know which campground I am heading for before I leave, having a campground data base is of no value to me.
I recently updated from a 2720 I bought in 2005 (it's now in my toad) to a 2797 (2013 series) and really love the large 7" screen and voice commands and lifetime maps and traffic.

[maanpaontheroad]

We have had 3 different brands, we are back to Garvin and will not sway again.
Not saying the others are bad but Garvin is top on our list.

[n7bsn]

Personally I prefer the user interface of Garmin, which means the Garmin RV 760. The Garmin RV uses the same map base as the Nuvi and Dezl

[TEO]

I'll second the comment on the Rand McNally, but I wouldn't be without my Garmin NUVI either. The problem with the Rand unit is that it ends at the Mexican border and the NUVI is usable and pretty accurate all over the parts of Mexico where I have been.

Paul

[Desert_Captain]

I'll be happy to share our recent experience. We just got the Rand McNally 7720 LM and it is the best GPS I have ever used. We have taken several trips with it and I could not be more pleased. Extremely feature rich, fast, accurate and very user friendly. It was $269 on Amazon. :C

[WoodGlue]

I have a Garmin and a TomTom, both RV specific and I much prefer the TomTom VIA 1605 RV.

WoodGlue

[2oldman]

If you search 'gps' in Subject Only (using advanced search) you will have pages of reading.