Rand McNally, Garmin, TomTom, RV GPS, Kick the Hornets Nest

[#1]

I've been reading older post on this forum, they tend to die out because I can't seem to tell if the majority lean one brand over the other. So I decided to ask a comparison of the 3 top brands mentioned thru out the forum of which "appear" to be better for RV use than an other.

Not really trying to kick a hornets nest, but as with everything I start to research, always seems one brand has something better than the others and then each have something different but better then those others.

I would like to ask if anyone actually likes the features that these "RV" devices offer?

I would be replacing a really old Garmin that can't hold charges at all, very difficult to accept the map downloads. I have a 2011 Yukon and the latest GM update is 2016, (just ordered it because the original is almost useless where I live). Order off eBay $14.00, not GMC site of $180., newer has to be better than 2011????

Lets just compare the GPS choices and not so much the google maps and the other great ideas others have mentioned in prior posts, nothing beats a paper map etc. (I agree).

I am leaning toward the Rand McNally brand, but that's because of the minimal marketing I've been reading on all three. The RM seems to market more for the RV's, but as others here say, do your planning research and not specific to the GPS.

Anyone interested in hashing this out "AGAIN"?

Thanks for any input!

Thanks
Jon

[johnhicks]

I find that by the time I'm actually following a plotted route I've looked at it so much I don't need the gps.

[wa8yxm]

I still use paper. assisted by Google Maps on my phone.. I also have Microsoft S&T with a GPS dongle for my Windozer but I've found the Google Maps to be very good.. YOU DO however have to use brain, not just GPS. For example at one corner Google tells me to turn left. Well there is no left turn (in fact at more than one) WHat happens is the road I'm on takes a half right. and a DIFFERENT road is straight ahead.. Sometimes Google gets this right. Sometimes Wrong. and by "Turn Left" they really mean DO NOT TURN at all.

But then That's why I back it up with paper.

[johnhicks]

The trick is that there's a 12'3" clearance bridge on TX-63/LA-8 at the Sabine River. Garmin has it, lowclearances.com does not, and AITA has it at 12'1". My Basecamp set at 13' routes around it. I don't know what Google would do.

A gripe about Garmin and Basecamp is that while it'll route around such obstacles it won't tell you why; it'll just refuse to go there. I confirm via Google Earth and sometimes confirm that there's no obstacle on the route I want but it's a block over.

[Bill_Satellite]

Dup.

[Bill_Satellite]

Many tablets DO have an actual GPS chip built in. I use a 10" Samsung for my GPS needs along with Google Maps and/or WAZE. With Google Maps you can also download the maps before you leave if you are not going to have a MiFi type device (or your phone used as a hot spot). The advantage of having an internet connection while traveling is the live traffic data provided by these 2 services. It's nothing like the nearly worthless traffic data available when using a Garmin or similar GPS unit which if FM (radio) based and only available in limited areas, mostly big cities.

[apr67]

Normy wrote:
Does the Android tablet use SAT technology like the actual GPS units?


I'm not a full timer, so I'm not sure I'll need a mifi? I could be wrong?

My tablet does not have GPS built in, so I will add an external GPS receiver. I will provide it wifi via my phone as needed, but with copilot all the maps are able to be downloaded to the device, which is a big plus when traveling.

[fj12ryder]

From Garmin Basecamp:

1. Burkeville, N30° 59.963' W93° 40.100'
2. Get on Hwy63 and drive northeast, 323.3° true, N30° 59.963' W93° 40.100'
3. Turn left onto N 5th St, 28.87 mi, 31 min, 28.9 mi, 31 min, 88.1° true, N31° 08.595' W93° 15.827'
4. Turn right onto Alexandria Hwy, 1.20 mi, 4 min, 30.1 mi, 35 min, 331.9° true, N31° 09.602' W93° 16.000'
5. Turn left onto Hwy8, 5.62 mi, 6 min, 35.7 mi, 41 min, 90.0° true, N31° 09.596' W93° 10.338'
6. Get on Hwy8 and drive east, 27 ft, 65.0 mi, 1 h, 19 min, 4.2° true, N31° 24.311' W92° 49.584'
7. Take the I-49 S/La-8 E ramp to the right towards Alexandria, 6.92 mi, 9 min, 71.9 mi, 1 h, 28 min, 60.0° true, N31° 24.508' W92° 43.054'
8. Continue on I-49 S towards Lafayette, 18.01 mi, 17 min, 89.9 mi, 1 h, 45 min, 145.2° true, N31° 18.472' W92° 27.001'
9. Us165 N, 0.33 mi, 20 s, 90.3 mi, 1 h, 45 min, 67.3° true, N31° 18.222' W92° 26.841'

[jplante4]

Google Maps

Follow TX-63 E, LA-8 E and LA-28 E to 10th St in Alexandria. Take exit 85A from I-49 S/LA-28 E

Copilot RV

63 east, 8 north, 1213 north, i71, 8 east, bus. 28, i165 north

[johnhicks]

Just for giggles everyone please plot a route from Burkeville TX to Alexandria LA using TX-63/LA-8 and relate what you come up with.

[sempka]

I use Co-Pilot RV on a 9 inch tablet, it does use GPS to determine your position. Maps can be stored so that an internet connection is not required on the road. Have been satisfied with both the planning and the on the road features.

[#12]

I had started a separate post on the 3 Rand McNally RV GPS's if anyone like one more over another, but the post is gone, presumably deleted...Anyway

I'm not going to mention the 3 names but one is an actual GPS type unit, the other two are on a tablet based system. I read the spec's on each but I'm wondering if you that use the Rand McNally brands is there one you would like over the other even if you have the other?

I've been reading here that the RV feature can route you like trucks too far out of you original destination. Some use the "car-mode" on the Garmin's, I didn't notice these 3 Rand McNally's RV's have a car mode.


I guess the million dollar question is of the 3 Rand McNally RV units, and forget price for now, and forget other brands this one time post, "is there a reason to get the higher priced tablets then the original style"? Why the heck so many choices?


thanks
Normy

[#13]

apr67 wrote:
I'm looking at Co-Pilot myself, probably on a 9" android tablet. The big thing I want is to be able to route plan with windows and then transfer the route. It looks like this will be a manual process with anything I've found thus far.

Does the Android tablet use SAT technology like the actual GPS units?


I'm not a full timer, so I'm not sure I'll need a mifi? I could be wrong?

[johnhicks]

I plan using Garmin Basecamp on a Windows pc (Apple also available) and transfer the route to the RV-760.

[apr67]

I'm looking at Co-Pilot myself, probably on a 9" android tablet. The big thing I want is to be able to route plan with windows and then transfer the route. It looks like this will be a manual process with anything I've found thus far.