Good Sam GPS

Barryrv wrote:
Looking to buy in a few days a GPS specifically for RV use. I'm leaning toward the Good Sam 7" RVND 7735-LM GPS.

Love to hear opinions of this unit and any other options that might be in the $270-$300 range.

Back to your question;

Hope some of the answers have helped.

Google Maps gives you that level of voice instruction and it is a great feature. However no other smartphone app does that. So if people are running a RV specific navigation app or TomTom etc then you have to see the screen to get that detailed level of guidance.

jeffcarp wrote:

strollin wrote:
I don't know why some people are so fixated on looking at the screen while you drive. I put my phone in my shirt pocket and listen to the spoken commands. Very rarely ever look at the screen because it's not necessary.

Totally disagree. Looking at the screen provides you with lane guidance (ie which lane of the freeway should I be in for an upcoming maneuver), exit sign imagery to confirm the correct exit is being taken for complex interchanges or interchanges that have multiple forks on an exit and traffic rerouting to decide whether to take the suggested detour due to traffic.

My phone tells me things like, "use the 2nd lane from the left to turn left then stay right at the Y..." which tells me everything I need to know to maneuver around complex interchanges and which lane I need to use.

When I first started using a GPS with a laptop back in 1996, I was fascinated watching the little arrow following the roadways on the screen but after 20 years it's not so fascinating any more. I'm much more fascinated watching the view outside the vehicle than constantly watching the GPS screen.

strollin wrote:
I don't know why some people are so fixated on looking at the screen while you drive. I put my phone in my shirt pocket and listen to the spoken commands. Very rarely ever look at the screen because it's not necessary.

Totally disagree. Looking at the screen provides you with lane guidance (ie which lane of the freeway should I be in for an upcoming maneuver), exit sign imagery to confirm the correct exit is being taken for complex interchanges or interchanges that have multiple forks on an exit and traffic rerouting to decide whether to take the suggested detour due to traffic.

I don't know why some people are so fixated on looking at the screen while you drive. I put my phone in my shirt pocket and listen to the spoken commands. Very rarely ever look at the screen because it's not necessary.

For a price not too much more than a dedicated GPS you might want to consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 tablet ($299) and buy the new RV version of the CoPilot app.

Perhaps there's a different Google maps app than the one I have, because the one I have doesn't move the roads when you drive. The car icon moves off the screen.

strollin wrote:

Barryrv wrote:
... I probably will go with the Good Sam 7" RVND 7735-LM GPS rather than using a Google map ...

It's not a Google Map, it's Google Maps which is an app that comes with Android phones. Since Google Maps constantly updates its map info as you drive, its map data is about as current as you could possibly get. As mentioned, it also incorporates WAZE technology which provides up-to-date traffic info.

I've been using Android phones exclusively for my GPS for about 5-6 years now and would not want to go back to using either a laptop or a stand alone GPS.

To each his own.

I've looked at Google Maps and agree they are useful to some...just not me especially when I'm going down the road pulling my rig.

I prefer to look at my 7" Rand sitting in the middle up on top of the dash instead of squinting at my little Samsung phone screen. For me it's called the 'eye test' and at my age the 7" GPS wins going away.

My 7710 is updated enough during the year that I'm more than comfortable with whats ahead. The info on my 7710 is all I need/want...and there is plenty of info available.

But again to each his own.

Barryrv wrote:
Headed to Marina Del Rey (LA) area.

Not sure if you are in a hurry after the Grand Canyon to get to Marina del Rey but if so I can help you with a few overnights.

When coming out of the GC on 180 you'll hookup with I-40W. We've stayed in Needles, CA which is about 230 miles and a 3.5 hour run from the GC. If you are an Elks member there is a Lodge with RV parking w/full hookups. We stayed there overnight last Fall on the way to Casa Grande for the Winter. If not an Elk there are many other RV Parks to stay at in the area.

If you want to travel further than Needles on the 1st day there is a nice KOA at Barstow/Yermo, CA that we did an overnight at this past April on the way home to Reno. From the GC about 370 miles or 5.5 hours. The KOA is right off I-15 and to get there from I-40 is only about 5 miles or about 10 min. You'll want to be on I-15 anyway going to the L.A. area....if you want to go that route.

Another choice for an overnight is in Hesperia, CA and the Desert Willow RV Resort. Very nice and the location may be convienient place for getting to your destination as it gives you possible choices.

You could stay on the 15-S into the L.A. area coming in from the West (about 95 miles 2hours 10 min) to the 210 to the 60 to the 10 to the 405 and finally to the 90 into the Marina del Rey area or you could leave Heperia on the 138 to CA-14S to the 405 into Marina del Rey coming in from the North (about 110 miles 2 hours 15 min). All depending on traffic and I'm sure others more familiar with the L.A area will offer comments on the 2 routes.

All routes and CG's (RV Park Reviews for more info on the CG's for overnights) will be on your GPS.

Enjoy your trip and safe travels.

Barryrv wrote:
... I probably will go with the Good Sam 7" RVND 7735-LM GPS rather than using a Google map ...

It's not a Google Map, it's Google Maps which is an app that comes with Android phones. Since Google Maps constantly updates its map info as you drive, its map data is about as current as you could possibly get. As mentioned, it also incorporates WAZE technology which provides up-to-date traffic info.

I've been using Android phones exclusively for my GPS for about 5-6 years now and would not want to go back to using either a laptop or a stand alone GPS.