We are considering '07/'08 Nimbuses and trying to visualize the best GPS navigation system setup. The '08 has the GPS mounted in the dash, but the '07 does not. I am trying to figure out just how much of an advantage an in-dash GPS system would be. My wife does all of our in-route navigation, so without some method of remotely tweaking the route, I can't see how I would benefit much from an in-dash system. I do like to be able to look directly at the route on the GPS display, but that is a small benefit. For those of you who have an in-dash GPS system, is there any real benefit?
The benefit is i can see when the road that i need to turn on is coming up. It also is helpful in knowing what lane to get in, either a right or left exit. Finally, it will tell me when the next exit is a rest stop. I put mine in after market and would not be without it.
I would think the primary advantages of in-dash (vs. portable) would be not needing to find a place to set the portable device and not having to plug into a power port (not always needed with today's battery-operated units, although Garmin's traffic receiver seems to need it).
One of the potential negatives are how it gets updated with new maps. If it can't be easily (or affordably) updated, it will eventually become a boat anchor taking up dash space.
We prefer portable.
I've never had a built-in GPS, and only recently got a stand-alone one. I do 90% of the driving and Jo Ann is the navigator. We haven't gone anywhere in the coach yet, so dealing with the GPS is still something to be determined. With all of that background, we generally have the navigator operating the GPS (and looking at maps), and put the display where the driver can see it when necessary. Plugging it in usually isn't an issue.
The other advantage is that the GPS can move from one vehicle to another. Right now she has it in the Lincoln, but Thursday when we go to (finally) get the new tires we'll put it in the coach. When we're fulltiming it will move from the coach to the toad and back again.
Royce, I have a free standing Garmin in my coach and a built in unit in my Passat (not my towed car). My wife is blind so not much help in navigating any more. I am much more familiar with the Garmin as I have used these units for many years and I do some searches (rest stops, changing display,etc) while driving, more complicated requires a pull over. The in dash unit in my VW is not as "user friendly" in my opinion and therefore requires pull over for nearly all adjustments. It is NOT mounted in as convenient a location, and almost all examination tales my eyes off the road.
I have the 465LMT garmin. You must be able to up date maps yearly. This is a truckers unit which allows for use as a car or as an large truck. I keep it on truck when using in the motorhome. Just this recent trip to Branson it wanted to take me on an old route through town when a faster by pass had been opened. Hopefully, updates will catch things like this. I have built in units in my cars but I am not sure where we will get those updated. I use this unit when driving as it gives me the directional signs in advance and which lane to make turns. It gives speed plus the speed limit. Shows any difficult driving coming up in advance. It also give traffic backups in larger cities. tks DAN
I like the separate unit like the Rand McNally RVND 7720 LM unit I have. If it breaks I can get another also I can hand it over to my wife and she can play with it as we go along. Much more flexable than an in dash unit. My Acura has an in dash unit and it's expensive to update and not anywhere as good as the Rand mcNally.
Keith
We prefer a separate unit. We've had a Rand McNally RVND 7710 for the past year and like it. However, I always do a quick check with a paper map before setting out. A few times it's send us astray.
We've found that separate units are much easier to update and are portable. In-vehicle units we've owned in cars and SOB's were a real pain to update.
Either way the Mrs. likes GPS 'cause she can knit with the pooch on her lap rather than reminding me I should have turned way back there.
I usually use my iPad as a quick check before I leave as well.
I have a factory in-dash GPS on my Honda Goldwing motorcycle. It's better than nothing but it is impossible to update and can't be changed without stopping. I use it mostly as a rolling road map, and have a separate Garmin for complicated navigating.
Glen
We have had cars and trucks with in dash units. I will avoid any more vehicles with in dash for several reasons, 1) I like the positions I get from in a bean bag on top of the dash or using a ram mount with a suction cup. 2) I can hand it to my wife to input info while we are driving. 3) The in dash units are awkward to see and push the buttons or screen. The portable you can hold and get the right angle and position to see and input. 4) You can switch vehicles and it becomes more versatile plus if you are going back to "frequently found" in a different vehicle saves some inputing. 5) easy updates and it won't be dated in the dash.
I find myself using the portable Garmin along with the iPad in the Garmin app. The iPad is easy to see and offers the google search with the GPS.
iPad and Garmin also. Way cool
I did update the Garmin on my 'wing a year or two ago. Garmin finally offered an update that is installed by putting a new card in the unit in the trunk. I have not used it enough to see significant differences from the old maps and firmware.
I like the convenience of the "rolling roadmap." I used it to great advantage during a couple of "Avoid Highways" adventures. The information screen on the GL1800 incorporates nav, radio, odometer, and some other information into the screen. All that is nice and has worked well so far. However, for most navigation functions I prefer the portable Nuvi for the cars and the coach.
All my cars are so old the only built in navigation function is the ability to look out the windows.
I use Delorme's Street Atlas Plus running on a laptop. Pop it up on the dash.
http://tinyurl.com/pbe9myu (http://tinyurl.com/pbe9myu)
I like the trip routing capabilities of the software. I can lay out multiple routes and select the one I want.
I do use a Nuvi for the car.
Our previous (2011) coach had a built-in JVC GPS and it worked OK but updates were expensive, you could not load custom POIs like low clearance, Elks, etc., and the user interface was not nearly as good as a portable Garmin - for example you could not preview the turn-by-turn directions. So, much prefer the portable Garmin. It was a $1000+ option and not a good value.
I use Microsoft streets & maps, on a PC sitting on the dash. Have used it for (with updates ) for over 18 years now.
Gives present position and leaves a trail of where you have been, uses a GPS receiver that I hang in the windshield. The GPS program is built into the system.
I also use a Garmin street pilot for recording real time, time & distance traveled, time not moving and speed.
Transfer street pilot info to spread sheet for trip and each leg of trip. Including Fueling, generator time, place of departure & arrival, MPG, etc..
I prefer on-dash GPS units (after market) rather than in-dash (built-in). You are captive to the manufacturer for the in-dash units for updates so they can charge whatever they feel the market will allow. One Toyota was $100 for the upgrade.
In-dash (built in) GPS units often do not allow any alterations at all while the vehicle is moving. So you cannot change your destination, choose a detour, or anything until you stop the vehicle. This is especially annoying as it means that no one in the car can change it while moving (the units do not know about co-pilots).
In-dash units tend to be very expensive; often out of all proportion to their usefulness (or lack of). They are often flashy, however, and will pop-up out of the dash and include special features like controlling radio, CD/DVD options, etc.
Once they break or become outdated they're useless.
You can't choose the most convenient position. In the coach I prefer the GPS to be on my left mounted against the window. This is not convenient for the co-pilot but it's perfect for me.
However, the major downside (for me) is having to stop the vehicle to actually change anything.
Craig
Bill, I had wondered about using S&T on the computer with a hdmi feed to TV. Do you use it for navigation or just planning? 18 years experience, sounds like you must be pretty dang satisfied with it.
I us the Garmin system on my laptop. Lay the laptop up on the dash and I'm good to go. 17" screen and we can slide it back and forth between the driver and navigator.Gam