GlennB
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Starting RVing again; have GPS & backup camera questions?
After several years of not camping/RVing due to health problems, I'm now ready to hit the road again. I plan to tow my 2004 Keystone Laredo 29' 5th-wheel. Here's questions: 1. I have been unable to update the maps on my Garmin RV760 GPS. My computer just doesn't seem to recognize that I have it connected. U'm using a USB cable that I had labled Garmin RV760. I remember I always had problems updating the maps. I'm thinking of getting a newer model, one that you can update via wi-fi. Am thinking that the RV770 looks good. One question is: Can you select 3 or 4 items to show at all times? I like "Miles to next waypoint", Miles to destination", and "Elevation". The screenshots I've seen don't show that. I have a non-Garmin camera on real license plate that connects to the rear of the RV760. It appears to me that I would have to purchase a Garmin BC30 wireless camera to replace my hard-wired camera? Correct? Also, several years ago I paid a guy to install a no-name wireless backup camera on the rear of my trailer to be displayed on my RV760. It never worked. All I saw was static and occasionally a very brief glimpse of behind the trailer. Any suggestions? Glenn1.9KViews0likes5CommentsSan Diego to Duluth - scenic routes?
This summer we plan to tow our 30' 5th-wheel from San Diego to near Duluth, Minn. I'm asking for suggestions as to scenic routes to take. (Note: I much prefer to stay off the interstates and avoid cities.) Also, I would stop in Yellowstone and the Tetons but I figure in mid-August those places will be too crowded. Your suggestions will be much appreciated. Once we decide on a route to take, then I'll probably be back asking more detailed questions. Glenn1.3KViews0likes5CommentsHow to store my Winegard Pathway X2 during road travel?
Hi, I just purchased a Winegard Pathway X2 portable satellite antenna. While on the road I will set the antenna on the carpet at rear of our 5th wheel. With the slideout IN for travel there is space for the antenna. It just fits with about 3/4 inch to spare on the sides. I now ask if you folks think I should add some padding for the antenna to rest on while traveling down the road? Maybe a folded up blanket for it to rest on with any extra blanket material squeezed against the sides? Something like that. Or do you have a better idea? Thanks, Glenn3.6KViews0likes13CommentsRe: Time for new satellite antenna?
Hi, I am the OP of this topic. I wound up purchasing a Winegard Pathway X2 portable antenna. It is somewhat physically larger than my Dish Tailgater but does fit (barely) in an available interior space. It works beautifully. For the heck of it I disconnected the Pathway X2 and reconnected to the old Tailgater. I put the Tailgater in the same spot where I had the X2. Once again, I could not get HD programming. I think I made a wise choice. I do wish to thank all of you for your information and suggestions. Glenn450Views0likes0CommentsRe: Time for new satellite antenna?
It's me again, the OP for this topic. Bill.Satellite suggests I check to make sure there's a clear view to all of the satellites, in this case Sat's 110, 119, and 129. It so happens that this afternoon when I was doing my "tests", I, for the only time ever, put the Tailgater on the roof of the 5th-wheel. I put it on what appeared to be a level spot. Skies were clear and nothing blocking a clear view to the south. I made sure the Tailgater's handle was on north side. For the heck of it, I ran my "tests" several times. I would loosen then retighten each end of the coax connections and would shift the Tailgater's position a bit. Then I would run the setup again. It would take about 20 minutes each time. What I DID NOT DO was to connect the Tailgater directly to the VIP211z receiver. Instead, I connected the Tailgater to the factory fitting on outside of the trailer. I left the VIP211z connected to the factory fitting inside the trailer. Maybe I should do the direct connection of Tailgater to receiver? Glenn450Views0likes0CommentsRe: Time for new satellite antenna?
Hi again. I am the OP of this topic. As for subscribing to HD, I'm supposed to have HD for life. I just spent quite a bit of time with Dish C/S. It appears my Tailgater is sending pretty strong signals on Sats 110 & 119, but very weak signal from 229. Apparently it is time to shop for a new antenna. I got spoiled using the Tailgater, so I definitely want another automatic & portable one. We live in San Diego and our satellite use will be in So. Calif, northern Michigan, Kentucky and points in between. Likely won't be along east coast again. I suppose that means I won't have need for the eastern satellite feed, but I do like the fact that the Winegard X2 is a little larger in size than the others. I would think that means a larger antenna dish which means stronger signal. Do ypu folks agree with that reasoning? Glenn451Views0likes0CommentsTime for new satellite antenna?
We have Dish Network in our 5th-wheel. Receiver is a VIP-211z (2 yrs old) and the antenna is a Tailgater (about 5 yrs old). For the past 2 years I cannot receive in HD mode. (Note: when receiving via OTA antenna I get HD just fine.) I wonder if the problem is the receiver or the antenna? I suspect the antenna. How to determine which, if either, has gone bad? Any ideas? If I wind up getting a new portable antenna, I see that Dish, King, and Winegard all offer models that have the exact same physical dimensions. Maybe they are all the same unit? Any thoughts? Any suggestions? Thanks, Glenn4.3KViews0likes22CommentsDish Network 211 Rcvr - Need a compatible hard drive?
Hi, In our 5th-wheel, I have a Dish Network 211Z Receiver, a Dish Tailgator that I connect a WD Elements portable Hard Drive to for recording/viewing recordings. In the past 2 or 3 years I have gone thru 3 of those hard drives. They work for a while then I get a message that the HD needs to be formatted. I wind up reformatting, or try to reformat, but they never seem to work again. I keep losing $ and recorded programs. I figure the vibrations in the trailer are the cause for the failures and have tried setting the drives on a spongy material, but to no avail. What do you folks use with your Dish 211z receiver? Do you keep having the HD fail? Do you use a hard drive that connects to a power source as Dish says you need to do or do the ones powered via the USB connection work OK for you? I've been thinking of doing one of these 2 things: 1. Use a SSD (solid state drive). They are still pretty expensive but no more expensive than what it costs to keep replacing drives. 2. Use a more rugged hard drive, such as a LaCie drive. Any ideas? Glenn1.4KViews0likes9CommentsNatchez Trace - OK to miss the first few miles at north end?
Next week is when I plan to tow our 30' 5th-wheel down the trace. My first visit. To get to the start or near the start from where we are now in central KY, I'm planning on taking US-31E south to US-231S to Murfreesboro. Then TN-96 west to the Natchez Trace. It looks like it crosses the trace about 4 or 5 miles south of the start. By taking this round-about route I intend to avoid any hint of city (Nashville) congestion. My question: Is there anything significant I will miss by not starting on the trace at the exact northern end? Glenn2.5KViews0likes16Comments
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Bucket List Trips
Bucketlist destinations you just can't miss. Which spots stick with you?Jan 18, 202513,487 Posts
