What to use for GPS

[viajante]

Went to update my Garmin (RV 760) this morning. I got sent to a site that wanted to charge me for updates. This unit is supposed to have lifetime maps. Any advice on how to get those updates ? Failing that is there an app to use on a phone that is reliable and reasonably priced ?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[wa8yxm]

I will say this.. I like to back whatever I use with paper maps. I've seen some "Strange" routing on the GPS. Plus paper gives me a larger view.

I also engage brain before starting engine... Why I say this.
One CG I used to stay at if I went to visit Darling Daughter at one point the GPS would tell me to "Turn left" Well, legally I was turning left but ... Physically I was going straigt.. To the left was a fence... If you just listen to the GPS.. Well there are TV commercials about that.. "Turn Right" (Crashes into flower shop) "In 800 feet".

[Yankee_Clipper]

Best advice I ever got about GPS: small TVs with a funny sense of humor.
I use a Garmin and a Rand McNally Road Atlas.

[Lantley]

valhalla360 wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
Like I said I thought I thoroughly checked the route, but missed the tight curves/almost switchbacks. And again google maps is good and I trust it when out west, but in the east with the tight roads everywhere it’s no good. And you can only pre check a 400 mile route so much. At 400 miles something will get past you. The GPS is a tool to go along with the knowledge on how to use it. I haven’t gotten stuck because of this thinking. But I prefer to skip backroads in the MH unless I’m well aware of what to expect!

If you are doing a 400mile day, it's probably mostly freeways and major roads except at the beginning and end. Not too many tight switchbacks on the freeway system, so just focus on the non-freeway part.

Never had an issue quickly finding tight areas with a quick pre-check.

I tend to agree with you. But if you own a large RV it is worthwhile to have a GPS with RV features vs. a standard GPS...there is a difference.
For the record I tend to use both RV model and Google maps. Between the 2, I manage to make it to my destination....LOL

[valhalla360]

dodge guy wrote:
Like I said I thought I thoroughly checked the route, but missed the tight curves/almost switchbacks. And again google maps is good and I trust it when out west, but in the east with the tight roads everywhere it’s no good. And you can only pre check a 400 mile route so much. At 400 miles something will get past you. The GPS is a tool to go along with the knowledge on how to use it. I haven’t gotten stuck because of this thinking. But I prefer to skip backroads in the MH unless I’m well aware of what to expect!

If you are doing a 400mile day, it's probably mostly freeways and major roads except at the beginning and end. Not too many tight switchbacks on the freeway system, so just focus on the non-freeway part.

Never had an issue quickly finding tight areas with a quick pre-check.

[joelc]

Just a note. Google maps are fine for cars, but if you are hauling propane it will not tell you what roads propane is NOT allowed on. Also, if you have a high rise RV like mine, that it will not inform you of low bridges or over pass. I use for my RV the Garmin GPS along with Rand McNally truckers atlas to double check the GPS routes, confirm roads and underpass heights. For my car and truck I use exclusively Google Maps. It is great and beats Garmin hands down.

[Nodaker]

Another user who just updated my Garmin 760 yesterday with Garmin Express and NO CHARGE.

As someone said above, the Garmin works great for the main navigation. Co-Pilot will occasionally use Google Maps on phone to find local info or alternate route around construction or traffic issue.

[dodge_guy]

valhalla360 wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
I would steer clear of any phone app GPS! I tried CoPilot, the routes always seemed questionable. The very last time I tried it it sent me down a road in WV highway 60 (Midland Trail) through Gauly Bridge.

If you expect to just plug in your destination and the car will drive you there...sure it might be problematic.

But GPS is an aid to navigation. As the helmsman, you still have a responsibility to look at the route. If in doubt, stick to interstate and major arterials if you don't want to vet side roads. That's basically what the dedicated RV/Trucker GPS units will do anyway.

Google maps is free, constantly updated and includes construction and congestion information. If you've looked at the route before departing, it's a really good option and avoids having an extra item kicking around on the dash board.

As far as finding things while on the road, the co-pilot will typically use Google Maps on her phone while mine is doing general navigation.

Like I said I thought I thoroughly checked the route, but missed the tight curves/almost switchbacks. And again google maps is good and I trust it when out west, but in the east with the tight roads everywhere it’s no good. And you can only pre check a 400 mile route so much. At 400 miles something will get past you. The GPS is a tool to go along with the knowledge on how to use it. I haven’t gotten stuck because of this thinking. But I prefer to skip backroads in the MH unless I’m well aware of what to expect!

[valhalla360]

dodge guy wrote:
I would steer clear of any phone app GPS! I tried CoPilot, the routes always seemed questionable. The very last time I tried it it sent me down a road in WV highway 60 (Midland Trail) through Gauly Bridge.

If you expect to just plug in your destination and the car will drive you there...sure it might be problematic.

But GPS is an aid to navigation. As the helmsman, you still have a responsibility to look at the route. If in doubt, stick to interstate and major arterials if you don't want to vet side roads. That's basically what the dedicated RV/Trucker GPS units will do anyway.

Google maps is free, constantly updated and includes construction and congestion information. If you've looked at the route before departing, it's a really good option and avoids having an extra item kicking around on the dash board.

As far as finding things while on the road, the co-pilot will typically use Google Maps on her phone while mine is doing general navigation.

[dodge_guy]

I haven’t updated my older Garmon in about 6 months, it has lifetime updates. I’ll have to check it out this weekend.

I would steer clear of any phone app GPS! I tried CoPilot, the routes always seemed questionable. The very last time I tried it it sent me down a road in WV highway 60 (Midland Trail) through Gauly Bridge. I would have never chosen that route. I thought I researched it thoroughly. I was wrong. I was set up for length with toad, height and weight! It was questionable with a PuP and SUV let alone a 37ft class A towing a car! I stopped using that app immediately. I just use Apple Maps for now. I will be purchasing a new Garmin RV GPS soon.

[JaxDad]

Aside from it being far easier to me to input my route, I just prefer to use GPS app on an iPad (or iPad mini) because it means I get a really big screen which can be very easily seen at just a glance and I can get voice cues in an ear bud even with the music cranked up.

Being able to put the antenna in a better location is great too.

It also means one less device to tote around and keep plugged in. I can use the iPad as my main internet access device and other tasks that a traditional GPS is useless for.

[Dutch_12078]

viajante wrote:
Thanks everyone. It appears Garmin is using another company for updates, which requires charging me again. That really stinks...

What about cell RV map apps? We love google maps as they always have the latest info. Unfortunately, Google does not provide assistance to rv'ers! Used Google one time in Oregon for our motorhome and ended up on a road only wide enough for us! Really hairy.

So anyone out there using a cell app that gives RV map info that they like?

Dave

Updated my Garmin Nuvi 57 LMT today using Garmin Express and had no problems. I'll try our older Nuvi 255 tomorrow.

[Gjac]

viajante wrote:
Thanks everyone. It appears Garmin is using another company for updates, which requires charging me again. That really stinks...

What about cell RV map apps? We love google maps as they always have the latest info. Unfortunately, Google does not provide assistance to rv'ers! Used Google one time in Oregon for our motorhome and ended up on a road only wide enough for us! Really hairy.

So anyone out there using a cell app that gives RV map info that they like?

Dave

Yes I bought a Copilot RV app years ago for $6.99 it allows you to input the ht. of your RV and routes you around propane tunnels. Once down loaded to your cell phone or Ipad it is a standalone GPS, no cell towers needed. It has automatic updates unlike my previous Garmin's. After spending a small fortune on these Garmin GPS's I decided to give this APP a try rather than spending another $400 plus on an new RV specific gps, I would never buy another Garmin.

[RetiredRealtorR]

azdryheat wrote:
I've been using Google Maps on my phone to navigate the country. Normally it shows me 3 different routes to chose from. It's free and reliable. However, I like to check it against a hard map. I use the Motor Carrier's Atlas, which shows me approved trucker routes.

^^^what he said -- why bother with something additional that you've got to buy in the first place, then you've got to upgrade, when google maps on your cell phone is all you need?

[joelc]

Are you using the program "Garmin Express" for updates. I have a garmin and no problems "yet". If they are supposed to give you free updates then I would email or call them.