3200 miles with CoPilot RV navigation app

[jeffcarp]

I just completed over 3200 miles using the CoPilot RV navigation app. I've written an extensive blog post of my experience. My conclusion is that "it's the best of bad choices." If interested: http://jkcarp.blogspot.com/2016/07/3200-miles-with-copilot-rv-its-best-of.html

[jeffcarp]

Yes, the RV version has additional algorithms for weight and dimensions.

[Gjac]

The version I have has an RV profile that has height restrictions of 12 ft 6 ins and 13 feet, and also has avoid propane restricted tunnels. Do you think that Copilot uses additional algorithm's for width and weight in their newer RV version for routing rather than just height restrictions?

[jeffcarp]

There's only one version of Copilot that is specifically made for RVs. It's called Copilot RV and sells for somewhere around $50 depending on what sales exist. The car version of Copilot does have a RV profile option in it but it doesn't do much. Specifically, the RV profile in the car app only has height restricted routing in it and even that can only be selected between two fixed choices 12'-6" and 13'-6".

The actual Copilot RV app has full RV restricted routing including height (custom entry), width, length, weight and propane restrictions.

Waze is a fine app but it knows nothing about RV routing, doesn't do offline maps, and doesn't have real PND features like route planning, stopovers, etc.

[Gjac]

Nice write up Jeff. Which version did you test,the RV one for $9 or the newer RV more expensive one? What does the newer RV version have over the original RV version? I like the $9 version than does every thing that my two previous Garmin's did except for less POI's. Also you recommended using the active traffic with it any down side using Wazes instead? I like the 2D map because you can shrink it, scroll ahead and check your route and can zoom in on intersections,exits and areas that you want to stop at for more definition.

[1492]

I also just have the $9.95 Co-Pilot version. Use it primarily as a backup on my Samsung Note.

Except for an initial glitch where it apparently lost my downloaded maps for some reason, has worked fairly well. One handy feature being searching on Google, i.e. "Closest Starbucks to me", and have the address transferred and mapped out in Co-Pilot almost instantly.

[jpmihalk]

I am also using the RV version of CoPilot and it has been working very well. There are some map inconsistencies, as the blog post indicated but those can be reported and ALK seems to be fairly quick about getting updates out to the customer.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

I use the Copilot app on my iphone and love it. I just upgraded to the RV version which included traffic info for one year.

[jeffcarp]

Yes, it is $9.95 per year and you must check the box in the vehicle profile that says "ActiveRoutes." I think you'll understand what it does if you read through that section of the blog post.

[Bucky_Badger]

jeffcarp wrote:
Bucky Badger, did you purchase the traffic package in CoPilot? The blog post addresses this specific issue.

No, thanks for the info. I suppose it's a yearly fee to make something work correctly:(.

[jeffcarp]

Bucky Badger, did you purchase the traffic package in CoPilot? The blog post addresses this specific issue.

[Bucky_Badger]

I use CoPilot, the arrival time is always off by a large amount on long trips. I went to Dallas last week, 1,000 miles. CoPilot had the same route as my Garmin, but CoPilot arrival time was at least 2 hours longer. As I got closer the arrival time did shrink but it's really annoying

[rekoj71]

I would agree that it is the best portable device type app out there and I believe it works fairly well especially when you don't have data service. I've chosen to live with it and supplement with Google Maps when I have doubts about it.

I also believe that some of the dedicated GPS units could do a better job, but I have a hard time spending that much when they seem outdated every 3ish years. No I'm not talking about the map updates but the features of the hardware. I've been through 3 different Garmin units that I had to upgrade due to not having enough onboard storage space for the newest maps that come with an insane amount of POI's so now I could only download portions of the country at a time. But sometimes basic is better.

[jeffcarp]

dsteinman wrote:
Thanks for the review since I was just looking at trying copilot since I now have an extra tablet. But, it doesn't seem good enough to bother trying to replace my Garmin RV760.

So, when you say "it's the best of bad choices.", are comparing this to GPS units like the Garmin or just to other smartphone/tablet apps?

David

In terms of replacing your Garmin, I think it depends on what your primary purpose is. CoPilot's advanced route building and planning features are really good. I really like building an entire route ahead of time including all gas and overnight stops.

In terms of "best of bad choice" yes, I am comparing that to all options. If you glance at my blog you'll notice a lot of posts about Garmin products. I've owned a lot of them (not the RV product though). Garmin has actually taken away features in their products over time and has a history of ending meaningful feature updates in their products in order to protect next year's new hardware sales.

I own two Rand McNally products and just can no longer use them with their old user interface and underperforming hardware. I believe they still build on Windows CE.

In terms of Magellan, I've not seen one Magellan product in recent years that has achieved a collective user rating of over 3 / 5 stars. I've never owned a Magellan product.

[Triker33]

I have used Co-Pilot since the early 90's.
Now the currant $12.99 one with FREE updates on my iPad & iPhone 6 Plus.
Just installed the new map update a couple days ago on both.

I find it is better to just put in my next stop be it, a fuel stop then after it the next if that nights campground.


But I wouldn't use the present outdated Laptop version.

In Jan 2000 I paid them $407.95 for a new Laptop version & GPS receiver. 😞 Times sure have changed since then. 😉