GPS Systems

[The_Herbigs]

I am just purchasing my first 5th wheel and plan to hit the road as a full-timers later this year. I would like to know if people have comments on the two Good Sam GPS systems the Rand McNally 7735 and the Magellan 9490. I have seen mixed reviews on both systems so I thought I would ask the forum. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[FLNOMAD]

I have a Magellan Roadmate RV9145LM but can't download from the Good Sam Trip planner.

[bthomforde]

I have had 4 Garmins and now 2 Rand McNallys, Rand McNally is a far superior GPS. Very happy with the RM.

[GordonThree]

The $$$$ Garmin built into my Ram thinks the fastest (not shortest) route out a nearby state park is along a very twisty turny road that runs between Carp Lake and Petoskey. The road is so rural, about 30 miles of it are single lane, such that you pull off the road to let oncoming traffic pass.

That same garmin thinks the shortest route between my house and Interlochen SP contains a stretch of 2-track that runs along a power line right of way. Google maps also agrees.

Long story short, every GPS system is flawed, and blindly following one no matter the cost or brand WILL get you in trouble, if not hit by a train (look it up.)

You either need some local knowledge of the roads you plan to travel, or research them ahead of time using Google Earth's street level mode, blogs, this forum, etc.

[deltamaster]

I have a very old Garmin c300 that is still chugging right along giving me directions all over the country. I purchased the lifetime maps and keep it updated

When it finally decides to give up the ghost I will choose another Garmin

[johnnyrv]

None of the three rv gps from garmin , Good Sam and Magellan work for an rv, but ok in car mode. Returned all three. Magellan gave the best route but could not update maps . Garmin and good Sam used Interstates instead of shorter truck routes. I use a garmin Nuvi 55lm And check route with good Sam trip planner which is good for rvs

[4aSong]

Another vote for Garmin, suggest you look at the 2797LMT.

[Colo_Native]

I have Rand 7725 for the MH and a Garmin for the toad. The only thing I have notice with the Rand is if you pick shortest route is usually the more out of the way so I always do fastest.

[Miles_Away]

I have the Rand McNally 7710 and have been very pleased with it. The only short coming is that the screen is NOT very bright and it is hard to see in the day light. I have used both Garmin and R/M and they both have their good and bad points. I have found that customer support from R/M is slightly better than Garmin.

[donn0128]

Garmin.

[Ron3rd]

I would consider Garmin only.

[GordonThree]

Another vote for Garmin. If you have a fat wallet, get the big fancy one made for RV's and semi trucks.

If you're on a budget, look at the 4-5 inch Nuvi line. They use the same maps and generally same software... the RV specific ones offer stuff like campground directory, low clearance data, wireless cameras, etc.

Sites like www.woot.com and newegg.com often have refurbished Nuvi with lifetime maps and traffic for around $100 and sometimes less.

[Ductape]

Garmin.

[sch911]

IMHO I would skip all three of those and go with a Garmin RV 760LMT