GPS Geez People School me

[Food_Maven]

After 2 weeks of daily research, I've come to the conclusion (almost a info concussion) that most if not all GPS are not worth the $ paid for them. Every time I read a review of a new, somewhat new or old unit, the 3 star reviews scare me. Mostly that is about the directions being wrong. For example the vehicle should turn right, but the gps indicates to go left. Other things like use the XXX freeway when nobody in that area uses that name. (I even have that problem with Google Mapping and my phone.) Then there is the RV (trucker) gps versus Car issue. I don't care about putting in the length, width and weight, but I do care about height. I've already smashed the top at a service station once. Between the multiplicity of models, add-on software, etc. can we please have a conversation to enlighten my ignorance?

[vermilye]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
How tall is your Rig? Hit a service station canopy??

I HAD a Garmin...2 goof ups (wrong directions that did NOT agree with paper map) I muffed her and stuck her in a bag never to come out again.
Besides I couldn't stand the sarcastic 'Recalculating' when I deviated from route.


Atlas/paper maps..........
7 yrs FT secondary/back roads and they got us where we wanted to go with no issues.

As for 'height'
PAY Attention----Look UP

If you get a newer Garmin GPS the processors are fast enough that you will never hear "Recalculating" again! I use both the Garmin & paper maps.

For me the advantage of the GPS is local maps. There is no way I could carry county & town road level maps for everywhere I travel. I don't know what atlas you are using, but mine leaves out lots of the smaller roads. I do wish the GPS makers would get together with the 911 people & use the same road names. Out county switched all the road signs to the 911 names, while Garmin uses the old ones. Makes it difficult to tell who is who when there are a bunch of intersections.

I'd never depend on any GPS for heights or weights. It is far too easy for things to change before the software updates them.

[Food_Maven]

The State of Cal (DOT) publishes what are called shapefile gps maps. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tsip/gis/datalibrary/index.php - If I had the knowhow, I would add them to the gps mapping. It's an overlay. What is really needed is for the gps makers to get this data from the 50 states. In Cal. CALTRANS even publishes weekly maps of road closures and similar. I can't see a reason this isn't pushed out to the gps' around the US. Bot Feds & States should do this. And the gps makers should be willing to take this info & provide it as a service, given they pay nothing more than downloading it from the gov't web sites.

[azrving]

Turn left, turn right, turn right, turn left, oh look we are back on the same road! Yes update update update paid $50 for "new" updates. But I must say it can sniff out a McDonald's 600 miles away!

Cell phone is excellent until it loses signal at juuuuuuuust the wrong time.

[BB_TX]

I have used two different Garmins and the built in GPS's in two F350s and two Expeditions and can remember only a couple of wrong turns, both on city streets. They are very good on major highways for upcoming turns, merges, splits, etc. and helping you be in the right lane for your route. On newer ones, when approaching a turn on a multiple lane freeway for your destination the screen will show an exact picture of the freeway signs for that exit. Looks just like a photo of the highway.

Makes navigation in an unfamiliar area much easier than trying to read a paper map while driving and trying to watch for signs all at the same time. I would not be without one.

[valhalla360]

It's a tool, not a reason to check your brain at the door. I wouldn't go without a GPS.

I have a Garmin unit now but when it dies, the phone will take on that job. Really no need for a trucker or RV unit. It won't help with gas stations and road bridges are almost always signed. If they aren't signed, it should be really obvious they are low.

Remember, people don't typically post reviews when every just works normally. They post reviews for when there are issues, so you tend to see a disproportionately bad set of reviews. A GPS is really great to have 99% of the time.

[Tom_Barb]

I use a Strattus II blue toothed to my iPad, and the App "Maps" does well enough for me, I plan the trip with Google maps, make notes, and go.

As far as hitting the overhead clearances, common sense and brake pedal. gets it done.

My damage comes from turning too short and taking out a Basement access door. Gas pump guards are a big Hazard to me.

[Old-Biscuit]

How tall is your Rig? Hit a service station canopy??

I HAD a Garmin...2 goof ups (wrong directions that did NOT agree with paper map) I muffed her and stuck her in a bag never to come out again.
Besides I couldn't stand the sarcastic 'Recalculating' when I deviated from route.


Atlas/paper maps..........
7 yrs FT secondary/back roads and they got us where we wanted to go with no issues.

As for 'height'
PAY Attention----Look UP

[K_Charles]

A GPS won't stop you from hitting a service station.

[Trackrig]

Get the Garmin 760 or newer and be done with it. Do the updates every couple of months.

I use mine in both the MH and the toad. If you do that, remember to change the setting from MH to a car when you turn it on. If you leave it set on MH and you're driving the car, it will think you are still in the MH and will probably route you differently than if it were set for a car. This will especially happen when in a congested area where the car can easily travel but the MH can't go in certain spots.

Then set it back to MH when turning it on in the MH.

Bill

[gemert]

My opinion is that you should care about weight if you will be using it with a RV! I used my phone nav program once because it was 10 minutes faster than the RV-760 I had. I regretted it when I came up to a bridge with a 3 ton weight limit that the RV-760 tried to steer me around. Had to unhook the towed and then back on to a busy highway to get out of it. That was 4 years ago. I now pay attention to the same RV-760 that I had then. Yes it has told me to go left a few times when I needed to go right. Nothing is perfect. I've started asking camp grounds if GPS units have a hard time finding them. They know and are prepared to give directions. That has only happened a couple times while traveling almost daily for the last 2 summers, a total of 30K+ miles. I highly recommend that you get one! I also recommend the Garmin RV-760. They also have a new model RV-770 with a larger screen (I think.) Good luck.

[rr2254545]

Overthinking it just get a Garmin RV model and be done with it - you are not a car or truck - I owned a trucker one before the RV units came out - it sometimes routed me way out of my way