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Topic: We need a new GPS ....  (Read 1219 times) previous topic - next topic

We need a new GPS ....

Our newest GPS unit is more than 4 years old and getting glitchy.  We have always used Garmin (except for the VERY first little guy we ever purchased, which was a TomTom) and they have been reliable and fairly intuitive to use.  My Wish List would include Lifetime Maps and the ability to configure for the size of the vehicle and towed ... but we have been getting along without that for years.  I always travel with the paper atlas on my lap and can anticipate problems.  What units are getting rave reviews from all you folks just now????
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #1 –
Carol,

We have the Rand McNally RV unit.  You can do all that you want with it EXCEPT it ignores what you have entered sometimes.  IE Directed us through a small town centre that was not suitable for a 30' vehicle let alone a combined train length of 65'.  Also sent us through Mobile AL which was an hour extra from the direct route.  Also it has a feature to warn you - incessantly - about being oversized for some states.  Does not mention which ones though.  Lastly it will tell you what is at the next junction, just as you pass it!!  All this has happened since the last two updates.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #2 –
Carol,
 Last year I purchased the Garmin RV760LM , 7" screen, Bluetooth, lifetime maps, local weather etc, small rear camera(wireless, so I will be using it as a side cam) it even warns you about any school zones coming up.
Geoff
Geoff & Pat Haygarth
1994 U240 SBI GV 36ft Cat 3116, Allison 6 speed
 Build #4448
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sport

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Keith and Joyce –
Rand McNally RV unit ...problems... since the last two updates.
Keith

Our RM7710 is much less reliable since the last couple of software updates.  Not one I'd recommend.
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Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #4 –

X2 on the Garmin RV760LMT.  We're not GPS "experts" by any means, but it seems to work good.  We bought ours last Nov. on Amazon (prime), but recently I've seen it advertised cheaper.  Watch for it on sale!

Be aware that the first full "Maps" download/update took over 5 GB of our monthly data allotment.  Best to do it in a place where you have a good, strong WIFI signal.

Amazon.com: Garmin RV 760LMT Portable GPS Navigator: Cell Phones & Accessories

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #5 –
Google Maps on iPhone or iPad has been our guide. Works great and always  up to date.
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
X2 on the Garmin RV760LMT.  We're not GPS "experts" by any means, but it seems to work good.  ...
Be aware that the first full "Maps" download/update took over 5 GB of our monthly data allotment.  Best to do it in a place where you have a good, strong WIFI signal.
Ditto. We use the RV760LMT in the coach and a Nuvi 765 in the cars. I've been pleased.

RV760LMT: The voice command sometimes works, but I seldom use it. The weather overlay via bluetooth from the iPhone is handy for locating the edges of bad weather. I set our rig as 8.5' wide, 55' long, and 12.5' high. Routing appears to honor those numbers. ETAs are accurate if you don't plan to stop. I know how much time to add to ETAs for our normal travel patterns. Speed limit displays mostly correspond with posted numbers. If bluetooth is on, be prepared for the the RV760 to "ring" on an incoming phone call. You can use it as a hands free device, but I prefer to use the iPhone and bluetooth hearing aids. "Lane assist" for upcoming highway interchanges is very good.

Updates for each Garmin device are 4-5 GB. I've found that our city library is the best place to do updates. Their WiFi is way fast and unlimited for volume.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Hans&Marjet –
Google Maps on iPhone or iPad...Works great and always up to date.
Until you get to a place where you don't have a Internet connection, then satellite-based GPS works better.  We use both!  ^.^d
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #8 –
We use a Garmin Dezl 760, the trucker version of the RV 760.  It is exactly the same unit, just the POI databases are different.  The Dezl has more ATA trucking POIs (like truck service locations), the RV has a larger campground database.  Both can be set for your length, width, and height, vehicle type if you want to use it in the car.  I can't recall if weight is in there as well or not.

I still verify the route via Google Maps/satellite view if it's one we haven't taken before and includes smaller roads.  I always review the route into a campground this way.

You may need to add an SD card to the Garmin unit for the large map files these days.  We do have lifetime maps and traffic on ours, but use the Waze app on our phones for traffic/construction/road hazards/etc.  We find the Waze more accurate and informative, real time.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #9 –
We use a Dual satellite signal receiver that "talks" to an iPad 2 with resident maps of North America using CoPilot HD. YOu can customize to your profile of rig, or car or whatever. You can set your preferences for roads such as Interstate then US then State but NO County roads. We have found this works great, allows great planning of the route as well as alterations, waypoints or quick stops. Having the maps resident ensures I don't have to worry about the strength of a cell signal. My coPilot (DW) likes the indicators of which lane is best when we are crossing big cities. We also back everything up with another 7 in Garmin and some pre trip planning using google.
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
X2 on the Garmin RV760LMT.  We're not GPS "experts" by any means, but it seems to work good.  We bought ours last Nov. on Amazon (prime), but recently I've seen it advertised cheaper.  Watch for it on sale!

Be aware that the first full "Maps" download/update took over 5 GB of our monthly data allotment.  Best to do it in a place where you have a good, strong WIFI signal.

Amazon.com: Garmin RV 760LMT Portable GPS Navigator: Cell Phones & Accessories


X4 on the Garmin RV 760LMT.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dennis & Martha Harrell
2000 Foretravel U320
2014 GMC 4X4 Sierra Crew Cab Pickup

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #11 –
We have a Ram Mount fastened to the dash and we have anIPad pro about 1 foot from the driver and we use Google Maps and find this is better than all others We have used.. Yes when you travel to areas that do not have Celluar then I am back Delorme on my lap top. Jim
Jim Busby
2015 IH

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #12 –
A better GPS routing is the result of much more than meets the eye.  It may select more right turns then left for safety, choose route based on historic time of day traffic, automatically respond to local traffic problems, etc.
Another nice feature is touch screens that respond to sizing finger squeeze & swipes like smart phones and have higher resolution.
Our latest Garmin 2699 is the best GPS we have owned.  It give directions like turn at stop sign, traffic light, Shell station, etc.  Price includes lifetime maps and traffic updates which they announce when available.
And having a current points of interest makes finding our way in a new town much easier.
Our vote is a new Garmin.  We purchase ours at Costco, which stands behind their products for a long time.  Today we saw the Garmin 2599LMT $170.
We have separate mounts in our Jeep and motorhome and move the GPS between them.  Motorhome driver has the Garmin and the co-pilot uses Delorme on a dash laptop for redundant navigation.  Our 2012 Jeep Grand was built with factory OEM Navigation, but it is so difficult to operate, we use our Garmin on a beanbag mount in the Jeep.

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #13 –
Don't forget to always have one of these ($7 at walmart??)  The 2016 Road Atlas

1998 U270 34'

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #14 –
The Garmin App on my iPhone and IPad, no cell connection needed, always with me, whichever size I want at the time. Same GUI as the NUVI, $50.

The FMCA atlas as a backup.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #15 –
Barry mentions an important feature for those of us new to coaches.  We were headed to a campground we had used in the past and the Garmin showed an exit before our familiar one.  We knew the area and so we took it to see what was up since the unit was also new to us.  It routed us to a left turn instead of a right turn into the gate.  The angle of the turn required could not have been made without backing had we taken the familiar exit nor could a big rig have done so.  It would have been quite the fiasco on that busy street not being proficient with our turning radius, dropping the towed etc.  I really enjoy Garmin and use the earlier version in the towed.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #16 –
Quote from: George and Steph –
Barry mentions an important feature for those of us new to coaches.  We were headed to a campground we had used in the past and the Garmin showed an exit before our familiar one.  We knew the area and so we took it to see what was up since the unit was also new to us.  It routed us to a left turn instead of a right turn into the gate.  The angle of the turn required could not have been made without backing had we taken the familiar exit nor could a big rig have done so. 

See this thread as well for what a "big rig aware" algorithm will do Garmin RV 760 LMT
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320
 

Re: We need a new GPS ....

Reply #17 –
I bought a Garmin camper RV-660 GPS on eBay for $200 and have been using it for three months. It came with detailed maps of USA and Canada, but less detail for Mexico. I purchased it to replace an RM 510 which was never identified by the RM docking program on Windows computers (yes several) or on a Macbook. This meant that I could not get map updates. I sent it to Rand McNally who returned it un-repared. While RM indicated that it had been repaired, I still could not update the maps but what made it worse was that it would just FREEZE (every day) when travelling, sometimes very inconvenient. It never froze over two years before the repair.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada