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

[JaxDad]

maillemaker wrote:

Don't really understand the animosity toward cell phone apps.

I just like having a dedicated device for a dedicated function. I like how they mount to the windshield.

But mostly, I like that the Garmin type devices are one-way communication devices. They don't rat on me like a cell phone does.

I had started using some nav app on my cell phone. And then I noticed that every time I stopped at a store, I was getting a request from Google to "review my latest visit to McDonald's" or wherever I had visited. Those ba$tards were spying on me! My phone had not just been telling me where to go, but it had been telling Google where I went!

My Garmin doesn't tell anyone where I went. My Garmin has no transmitting capability at all.

Now I'm sure the phone is busy ratting on me even when I'm not deliberately using the app, but it still pissed me off that it was so blatant about it.

My iPad is a ‘one-way’ device and when using an ‘on-board’ database type navigation like Co-Pilot on your cellphone there’s no tracking by third parties.

Anyone who thinks Google or any other live mapping / navigation app is actually “free” is out of touch with reality.

You ‘pay’ for it through advertising leads based on your travels.

This website is based on exactly the same principle.

[maillemaker]

Don't really understand the animosity toward cell phone apps.

I just like having a dedicated device for a dedicated function. I like how they mount to the windshield.

But mostly, I like that the Garmin type devices are one-way communication devices. They don't rat on me like a cell phone does.

I had started using some nav app on my cell phone. And then I noticed that every time I stopped at a store, I was getting a request from Google to "review my latest visit to McDonald's" or wherever I had visited. Those ba$tards were spying on me! My phone had not just been telling me where to go, but it had been telling Google where I went!

My Garmin doesn't tell anyone where I went. My Garmin has no transmitting capability at all.

Now I'm sure the phone is busy ratting on me even when I'm not deliberately using the app, but it still pissed me off that it was so blatant about it.

[Paul_Clancy]

Why not likely? Most any smartphone has a GPS receiver built in for doing just that. Also as mentioned apps like co pilot have complete maps when installed so no cell data is required as you go down the road. And google maps allows map downloads ahead of your route.

[Sam_Spade]

stevemorris wrote:

and what happens if you are in an area with no cellphone service,

What usually happens is......NOTHING.
That is, you don't know the difference.

The phones do indeed have a builtin GPS receiver that is NOT dependent on a cell signal.

The thing that I like about the phone GPS app is that the voice guidance is good enough (with very few exceptions) so that you never need to LOOK at the screen; thus the size isn't important.

[stevemorris]

my biggest issue with using the cell phone is that its too small!

plus as I said before, using one device for everything is not a good idea imho

and what happens if you are in an area with no cellphone service, where we travel tat does become an issue once in a while, unless of course the cellphone receives gps satellite signals directly(or tablet as well) wich is not likely

[nickthehunter]

belairbrian wrote:
Don't really understand the animosity toward cell phone apps. We have Car Play compatible units in 5 vehicles. We can plan a route on the phone, plug it in and call it up on the 7 inch touch screen, full music library is available too.

With the smart phone you get constantly updated maps, real time traffic, lane direction, and voice commands. If I want to avoid highways I just throw that switch.

Oh, and it charges the phone and provides hands free calling.

For those who haven't seen a phone compatible head unit you might want to check them out. Considering they start a little over $300 they really aren't a bad choice.

Yea, it's a mystery to me also. You already paid up for that technology, not taking advantage of it is just dumb to me. To each their own.

[Sam_Spade]

whjco wrote:
With a cell phone GPS app, you need to purchase a program that loads the map database onto the phone so that you'll have navigation in areas where there is no cell phone coverage.

I don't know about Apple but with Android devices that is only partly true.

The nav program automatically loads a limited set of maps depending on where you ARE and automatically "rolls" that set of maps as you move along. The actual GPS function does NOT depend on cell service and as long as you don't lose connectivity for too long, the maps don't either.

Unless your normal travel is somewhat unique, you do NOT need to purchase anything extra.

[stevemorris]

the garmin 61lm looks to be a good choice, on sale at 200 can at a local retailer
180 usd at American walmart, slightly more at amazon.ca

[JimK-NY]

Years ago I bought a Garmin. I now have a fancy Nav system in my truck. Both are garbage compared with my cellphone and Google maps.

Maps gives me up to date traffic information which is often invaluable and can save long delays. With Maps, I can search for any location. Toward the end of a travel day, I can search for Walmart supercenters, rest stops, campgrounds, dump stations. and truck stops. I can search for more obscure locations. Again, all of the information is current and reliable.

Someone mentioned that the cellphone screens are too small. Actually I have a fairly large cellphone and the screen is not that much smaller than my built in Nav system and it is about the same as my older Garmin. In any case you should never drive while reading the maps. That is distracted driving and way too dangerous. Unless I am stopped I follow the voice commands.

[Acampingwewillg]

I've had the Rand McNally RV GPS since inception. I have updated it several times via lifetime maps. I know this sounds like an endorsement but alas, its not. Although I continue to use it, for some reason, even after you input you are trailering, it cannot get the speed limit correct for Calif. I've notified them on a couple of occasions but anyone who lives in CA knows that no matter what you trailer, the speed limit is 55mph period. Oh well....just thought I'd throw that out there!! LOL

[whjco]

I'm very happy with my Garmin. With a cell phone GPS app, you need to purchase a program that loads the map database onto the phone so that you'll have navigation in areas where there is no cell phone coverage. Second, you can download Basecamp from Garmin's web site, do your route and stop planning in Basecamp and then upload your trip into your Garmin and have it navigate you. Finally, you can get a Garmin that's designed for RVs.

[D_E_Bishop]

We have two Garmins, a 5" - Model 2555 with LMT and a 65 - 6" with LM. There are a few mistakes in the maps but the only time we were led down a dead end street was due to the address supplied by AAA Tour Book.

We each have slightly different settings and get usually small variations in the routes.

We also use a Garmin 35 Dashcam. Best dashcam we've had. Thinking of a rear view camera with DVR for the towed. Both of the accidents in the last few years we were rear ended. Last one a couple months ago resulted in over $15,000 in repairs to the DW's 2017 Explorer Limited. It was on record at the time.

[Community Alumni]

Don't get a Rand MacNally GPS, they are junk.

[belairbrian]

Don't really understand the animosity toward cell phone apps. We have Car Play compatible units in 5 vehicles. We can plan a route on the phone, plug it in and call it up on the 7 inch touch screen, full music library is available too.

With the smart phone you get constantly updated maps, real time traffic, lane direction, and voice commands. If I want to avoid highways I just throw that switch.

Oh, and it charges the phone and provides hands free calling.

For those who haven't seen a phone compatible head unit you might want to check them out. Considering they start a little over $300 they really aren't a bad choice.