GPS?

[wvbike_99]

My Garmin nuvi has taken us on so many wild goose chase we have decided to toss it. Looking to buy a new unit that is RV friendly. Any suggestions?

[1775]

strollin wrote:

msgtord wrote:
...
I agree that my android maps have some advantages over my Garmin, but with so many areas out west with no cell coverage, I'll not toss the Garmin yet.

For those areas where there is no cell coverage, you need a navigation app like CoPilot that stores its map data locally instead of requiring map data be periodically downloaded.

X2

Plus Copilot has an RV profile to route around overpasses lower than 12'6" or 13' and propane restricted tunnels.

[rhingst]

We have the Garmin RV 760 and it is performing very well. You can pick a destination and have it run all the routes it suggests and then pick the one you want. Also, we usually leave it on RV mode so it won't take us down little narrow streets. It may be farther but will be easier. We have had it for 3 months and are happy with it.

[D_D_Wanderers]

We have a Rand McNally 7710. The first one did a melt down in 3 months. The replacement freezes up at the worst times and gives unreliable directions. Doing a map update doesn't help.
WE are not impressed.

[Bill_Satellite]

wvbike_99 wrote:
My Garmin nuvi has taken us on so many wild goose chase we have decided to toss it. Looking to buy a new unit that is RV friendly. Any suggestions?

No such thing as an RV friendly GPS when it comes to routing. There are only 2 routing options. Car (with the addition of a height and/or weight limit) or truck routing. Truck is not good for an RV as it will not let you take routes where trucks are prohibited but would OK for an RV and car routing is going to be similar for all devices. You cannot EVER trust a GPS and follow it blindly. They will all, eventually, steer you wrong. I'm OK with following the GPS in my toad to get me to Wal-Mart, I don't give it a second thought since it really can't do any harm other than wasting some gas. In the RV, I know where I want to go, what roads I will be taking and which exits I want to take. I just use the GPS for lane instructions, time of arrival info, distance to turn and reminders of those upcoming turns.

[sue_t]

Each brand of GPS will have its own routing and POIs embedded in its structure/system. If you're unhappy with Garmin product results, don't go with a Garmin product again.

I've never used the routing with our Garmin GPS to take me places so am very satisfied with our two Garmin handheld eTrex units. Which we use for hiking and I use for navigating with one connected to the laptop, using a Garmin legacy program called nRoute. Navigating in the bush on old jeep tracks or goat trails, that is. Not in the city.

We have no cell coverage at our cabin or in most of the areas we explore so GPS is the best solution for us.

Ironically, this past weekend we were on a track that needed the truck's 4x4 in some spots to continue, and darn if the GPS didn't have it as a routable road. If someone unfamiliar with the area headed down that route with their car or RV they'd be in for an awful time.

When I chatted with Garmin reps a few years ago, their focus was on POIs. No interest in improving their service to the few who get out into the backcountry where there are no coffeeshops, hotels, banks, restaurants, etc.

[strollin]

msgtord wrote:
...
I agree that my android maps have some advantages over my Garmin, but with so many areas out west with no cell coverage, I'll not toss the Garmin yet.

For those areas where there is no cell coverage, you need a navigation app like CoPilot that stores its map data locally instead of requiring map data be periodically downloaded.

[msgtord]

wcjeep wrote:
Dedicated GPS devices just don't make sense anymore. Iphone or Android maps are current. My Garmin Zumo has 6 million poi. Big deal. My Android with Google Maps has way more. My Android has has street view pop up when approaching the freeway exit. Go smart phone for ultimate in maps.

While I prefer Android, the new IPhone with bigger screen should be available sometime around September 19th if that's your preference.

.

I agree that my android maps have some advantages over my Garmin, but with so many areas out west with no cell coverage, I'll not toss the Garmin yet.

[wcjeep]

Dedicated GPS devices just don't make sense anymore. Iphone or Android maps are current. My Garmin Zumo has 6 million poi. Big deal. My Android with Google Maps has way more. My Android has has street view pop up when approaching the freeway exit. Go smart phone for ultimate in maps.

While I prefer Android, the new IPhone with bigger screen should be available sometime around September 19th if that's your preference.

[dkilley]

I have enjoyed the rand mcnally with wi-fi to show weather on route etc. I have not used the others mentions, so really cannot provide comments on which is best. But when I purchased the rand mcnally I had thought I could download a planned trip from MS streets and trips which is not the case. I really like to plan longer trip for most enjoyable travel stops along the way and streets and trips is the best.
My next gps will hopefully allow me to download trips.
I love the weather feature and it is suppose to show fuel prices along the route as well, but have not tried that feature yet.
Probably not much to help, but just my 2 cents worth...Good luck.

[USARMYCW]

Have you kept it updated?

[rware]

I have the Garmin RV 760LMT which I am very happy with.

I always plan my trips ahead on my computer using the free Garmin Basecamp software. Most of the time the calculated route is fine but occasionally I will want to tweak it. You can easily see the route on your computer, spot problems and tweak it by inserting waypoints to force it to take the route you want.

As others have stated no GPS will get it right every time, but if you plan out you trip on your computer first you can avoid the surprises. Another thing I like is that it gives me a permanent record of all my trips. I think something like Basecamp is essential and it only takes a few minutes to plan your route.

[Cottontop]

What Tom Wilds said.

[wildtoad]

Not sure which one to buy, but you should expect to see some more geese along the way regardless of which one you decide on. I've used Tom Tom, Garmin, Magellan, IPhone Maps, and each and every one has gotten me lost or in some other level of trouble in either my RV or car. I have found my Garmin to be the least problematic but still gets yelled at from time to time.

[2oldman]

Many RV recommendations here...

GPS in heading