Do I really need a RV Garmin?

[bayoubelle]

I am in the process of purchasing a new nav system. I have had several Garmin products, my Nuvi just died. My Streetpilot is still going, but the maps are about 10 years out of date and it is no longer supported, such a shame, it was a great little system.

I don't need it in my vehicles, both have nav systems, so I will only be using it in my RV.

Do I really need a RV nav system? I have a class C, 32ft in length and less than 12' in height. I am towing a Focus, so our overall length is approx 48'.

I always review which roads I am being routed on with a map and info from folks on this forum. I don't trust navigation systems to route me correctly all the time.

Advice? Before I spend $400 on a system.

[SCVJeff]

No you don't.. I've had at least 12 GPS's since the early 90's and haven't bought one in years now. Both iOS and Android have GOS built in, and there are excellent apps to support them.

I'm not a big fan of on-line GPS, but Garmin owns a company called Navigon that makes an excellent stand-alone (no internet) app for iOS (and I think Android) that isn't as graphically pretty as the high end Garmin GPS, but it's definitely less error prone. It's maps update 4 times a year and are lifetime. There are way cheaper stand-alone apps out there but Navigon is far closer to the look and feel of a conventional GPS. It is not an RV/ truck app, but there are apps that claim to be RV friendly

Ps- I also run Waze in the background on long trips only for traffic conditions.

[valhalla360]

When our non-RV garmin dies, we will probably just use the cell phone with a mapping app. If you are worried about data use, simply download the area ahead of time on wifi and turn the data off but it's really not a big deal anymore.

If you pay attention, there is no reason you need a special RV unit.

[Dennis12]

If you have a phone you have a navigation system. Go to google and download Google Maps. Why spend 400? I use it all the time. I have found it to be right 99% of the time. Watch reroutes on it. It put me on a road with only 10ft clearances. Other than that it works well.

[rk911]

need as in absotively, posilutely, don't-leave-home-without-it? no. we traveled for years without any sort of GPS in the MH and managed quite well. is it a good idea? I think so especially those that are RV specific in terms of knowing the dimensions, weight and whether you have a toad or not.

our Rand McNally GPS is now part of the infotainment system in the MH and while I don't think it's as useful as our old Street Atlas I still use it on every trip. as you mentioned putting complete trust in a GPS...or a set of maps for that matter...is not wise. if I was buying a stand alone system I would want to make sure what if any cost is associated with updating the maps and database before I purchase.

[Lwiddis]

If you review maos prior to driving, I'd say no. Maps loaded on an iPad work well for me.

[2oldman]

bayoubelle wrote:
I don't trust navigation systems to route me correctly all the time.

No nav system will route you correctly 100% of the time.

GPS bashing 2016
Paper v Gps 2015
Why a GPS? 2010 (good)
Why a GPS?
How many use GPS?