New GPS needed

[stevemorris]

we need to replace our aging tomtom, its been great but the battery is done and its no longer supported by the manufacturer

its a 5 year old tom tom xl

so much for lifetime map updates!!

what to buy? the choices are mind boggling!

we do have gps in the truck('17 ram) but we prefer the handheld for navigating "on the fly". the truck gps cant be played with even by the passenger while in motion

[ncscz]

stevemorris wrote:
if we used a dedicated tablet, would the gps function use gps data directly or cell phone signals?

MAYBE -- it will depend on the tablet - not all tablet GPS capabilities are the same. Look very closely at the specs before you select a tablet.

I have successfully used a Asus and a Samsung tablet (both WiFi only) as gps. As long as I kept the maps updated, it worked very well.

[joebedford]

I have used Garmin for many years and usually create my routes in Basecamp first. My Garmins can do on the fly changes as well. No 'smart'phone for me.

[Sam_Spade]

stevemorris wrote:
we need to replace our aging tomtom, its been great but the battery is done and its no longer supported by the manufacturer

Some thoughts on that:

Are map updates still supported for that model ?
If no, ignore the next two.

Doesn't the unit still work if plugged into 12 V power with an adapter ?

Given the model number or part number for the battery, you probably could get a new one from somewhere else.

I was an early GPS adopter, have used almost every brand out there and overall prefer Garmins.

Well that's not totally true. When the wife is with me, I prefer using her phone. The GPS function is just better.
When alone, I won't be using my phone as a GPS. Just to confusing for an old guy.

[RoyF]

I switched from TomTom to a Garmin Drive Smart. I like its 7-inch screen that allows a lot of information (street names, for example) that is easy to read. It gives an advance alert before a reduced speed limit or a school zone. It displays a "camera view" as you enter a freeway or interstate exit or onramp, showing which lane you should be in.

[vermilye]

stevemorris wrote:
if we used a dedicated tablet, would the gps function use gps data directly or cell phone signals?

It depends on the tablet & the app. Some tablets do not have a GPS receiver, so must use tower locations (not necessarily data) for location. Not as accurate, and, of course, useless outside the cell tower coverage area.

Most tablet or phone routing apps use data for the map, however CoPilot installs complete maps on your phone or tablet during installation & does not need any data connection when used.

As to stand alone GPS, I currently use a Garmin NUVI 3580. I tried one of their newer "Drive" models when I wanted a larger screen to go with a bigger tow vehicle, however I much preferred the interface of the older NUVI, so I'll keep it until it dies.

[Sam_Spade]

lap527 wrote:
FYI...I never put in the whole route or trip. I put just towns that I want to go through on our destination,

In most GPS units, that is called "way points".....and most or all of them can be entered at the same time to make a complete trip. :B

[stevemorris]

lap527 wrote:
FYI...I never put in the whole route or trip. I put just towns that I want to go through on our destination, meaning the roads I want to travel on. As soon as I get close to that town I cancel that trip and put in new destination. Personally, for me it works out great but one time I did forget about canceling trip and we were going some crazy places. LOL! The life of the navigator..Ahh.

that's what we do as well, constantly changing the destination as we go
we travel long distances but primarily on secondary roads. gps nits of course always pick the fastest most direct route

[harley-dave]

stevemorris wrote:
if we used a dedicated tablet, would the gps function use gps data directly or cell phone signals?

We also use a dedicated tablet with Co-pilot RV. It has no cell capability so just uses gps only. We update it if needed when on Wifi. Co-pilot RV downloads the maps to the tablet so no data is required. It also allows you to add POI files. Seems to work pretty well for us and is easy to read. We use a USB charger plugged into the cig lighter port for full time power.

Dave

[lap527]

FYI...I never put in the whole route or trip. I put just towns that I want to go through on our destination, meaning the roads I want to travel on. As soon as I get close to that town I cancel that trip and put in new destination. Personally, for me it works out great but one time I did forget about canceling trip and we were going some crazy places. LOL! The life of the navigator..Ahh.

[stevemorris]

if we used a dedicated tablet, would the gps function use gps data directly or cell phone signals?

[Airdaile]

stevemorris wrote:
we're not doing a phone app, much prefer standalone units for various things like music(mp 3 player), internet(laptop), camera etc etc
if the phone goes dead, you loose all of it
and a phone is too small for aging eyes!

For what Garmin or Rand McNally get for a stand alone RV capable GPS, you could get a separate Samsung Galaxy tablet and put Copilot RV on it.

[fj12ryder]

My last GPS was a Garmin Nuvi 2539, works great for us. I create routes in BaseCamp and upload them to the GPS. Very rarely do I ever follow the route created by the unit.

I use the POI Factory to add stuff I want. I had a truck/RV GPS previously and it was almost useless unless it was in Automobile mode because it would avoid routes that were for "non-truck traffic". Finally pitched it.

[wa8yxm]

I recall when one of the Gadget mags (GPS I think) put TOMTOM. Magellin and Garmin up head to head to head in 3 sample route jobs

The Garmin won every time. All 3 routes the Garmin user got there first and turned RIGHT into the parking lot. both Tomtom and Magellan brought the driver to a LEFT turn.

(Right turns are safer it seems)

I use the Google Maps on my phone but I will tell you it has issues so I often override with brain.

Example if going from where I park in FairPlay SC to Savannah or Darien GA it will at one point tell me to turn left.. Left is a chain link fence You go Straight (The road you are on bends right but you continue STRAIGHT onto another road)

Likewise I visited Camping world (Former gander mt) store in Flint. it said "Your destination is on the right... No.. Left. but you use your brain then

Still the program was free and usually does a decent job provided I look over the route and make the right choices.

[neschultz]

We’ve been really happy with our Garmin. Had a RV760 for the TT but included it with the TT when we sold it because it had a wireless backup camera and was large. We still have a 3 year old smaller unit in the car that we use often.

[lap527]

Garmin Drivesmart 65, you can talk to it and it has Bluetooth and wifi to do the free updates. When traveling I am the navigator and use paper map, GPS, and my phone. Good Luck!