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Topic: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl) (Read 4369 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #100
We chose the RM 7720 over the others available on the market - not sure why.  It's still new to us and we are still learning how it works.  Documentation sucks.  It did lead us down a series of narrow Farm to Market roads here in Texas - that was not fun.  We later found out that we could choose a setting that would exclude narrow roads.  Our Garmin ran us through some rough stuff too.  Once I start to depend on it, it screws up.  As on our boat, I try not to depend on the GPS but try to review all roads on a paper map before and during the trip.  The navigator, my DW keeps us on track - except when she is sleeping. We could connect to traffic and weather but it would cost extra via cell data pack - we do not have unlimited usage.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #101
Crutchfield - free shipping, no tax, and I had a coupon code 3A788 that saved $25 :thumbsup: .  I also sprung for the bean bag mount since we'll use the new Garmin in both cars and the coach and the car dashes aren't flat.

-M
Michelle, thanks for the coupon suggestion.  I was waiting for just such a deal, but Google was not my friend until you suggested Crutchfield's.  My order is place.  No shipping costs and $25 off.  Many Thanks & Karma to YOU! :dance:
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #102
The way the Lane Assist works on the DEZL is amazing.  It looks just like a photo of the place you're driving through.  And no ads for traffic.  I update whenever I get an alert, but they haven't caught up to the Texas 75mph limits yet, I manually update as I see them.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #103
We use Garmin Nuvi 765T, with LM upgrade. I've had it several years. It's so old I replaced the Li-ion batteries a few weeks ago. I use it in the car and in the coach. I've been pretty satisfied with it. It's handy to move between coach and towed. I use it mostly to show ETA and give me a daily summary of overall average speed, moving average, time moving, time stopped, and measured distance. It also does a good job on lane positioning for turns. The voice prompts can be very helpful navigating freeways in unfamiliar territory. The traffic indicator is fair and shows no advertisements during operation. There are some "coupons" listed somewhere from the traffic service, but they are so inconsequential I don't remember where they show up. Since I recently learned to tilt it sideways a bit when wearing polarized sunglasses, it is much easier to read.

I also "collect" locations as we visit places to remember. I have a list of quilt shops, camp grounds, and residences in my "Favorites." I have also added special POIs that I found on line for campgrounds, rest areas, NPR stations, and Flying J stations. I find the Allstays Camp & RV app on the iPhone more convenient to use for all but the NPR stations.

I use Google Maps to plan a route, then tweak the Garmin with waypoints to take the route I want.

On Tuesday, I received DeLorme Street Maps Plus. So far it is $50 for curiosity satisfied, but it appears to be of little use to me. It may work for trip planning, but I think Google Maps is as good or better for my purposes.

I continue to be interested in folk's experiences using the Garmin Dezl and RM 7720.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #104
I have the Garmin Dezl. It has been good and I am used to the Garmin menu drives from other ones i have used. I have not been following this thread and did not go back too far so if it has been mentioned already sorry. I have the 60.00 Garmin app (streets & trips). They say it can be put on 4 devices but have it on at least 5 so far. It works well with the I Phone and the I pad & mini. It does not have inputs for your profile but it has some advantages over the dedicated GPS's. 1) It allows you to Goggle search for places and does it knowing where you are! 2) It pulls out of your contacts which saves inputting the address if you already have it. 3) you always have your phone/I Pad with you so whether it is a backup or your walking or in the car whatever? You will likely have a real GPS at your disposal.
  I shared the app with my daughter and my wife and I both have it on our phones and I Pads. I use it for work all the time. It also gives the voice directions and shows pictures of the intersections just like the regular GPS.
1999 U320
Mount Dora Fl

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #105
I've read what I believe to be all of the posts on this thread about gps so I don't "think" I'm off by asking this question.
Sadly but true, I have never ever used any type of gps at all ! Never used google maps, Verizon directions or any of them. If my wife wasn't in the seat next to me telling me where to turn or I didn't have a mapquest map printed and not going very far from home......I didn't go. Seriously.
However, last weekend a few friends were getting together in Chicago at 2 different locations. One was familiar near O'Hare and right off the highway ( I could do that one by myself with medium + stress ) The other location was in a suburb about 30 miles away and I had no idea what to do.

I was driving my wifes van since the coach has been locked up all winter in the barn AND I have been having new COMPLETE brakes installed...but that's another story.

So, the long and short of it was that I borrowed my neighbors Magellan Roadmate 1424. I think it is 3 years old, seemed pretty simplistic and I knew nothing about it other than he put it in my hand and said "figure it out"!

I was able to type in the address and it took me right there. I was very surprised and decided I would buy one.

Well, now that I am looking at the possibility it seems there are a lot of options and not that I need them all because it will only add stress to my personal situation.

If I weren't getting a new phone in about 2 weeks I probably wouldn't ask this, but since I am, I wonder if anyone has experience that my sway me one direction or another. I've never been an "i" anything guy although I understand that Apple is pretty awesome. I am an Android user and seem to be happy with it. I will be purchasing the new Samsung Galaxy Note II and with that.......I'd like to know if anyone knows if there is some sort of app that would allow me the ability of HEARING directions like on any stand alone gps?

Although I played with the neighbors Magellan a little bit and thought that features like "gas stations, hotels & food" at exits was cool, I was just happy to hear where to turn to get me to my destination. As I thought about it I realized that one with the option of TRUCK or CAR would be great when I was going to travel in the coach. AND, now that I've read about some of the other options you folks have mentioned like traffic conditions and lane assistance would REALLY be nice.

I like gadgets as much as the next guy but I am pretty archaic and don't buy new toys until they are so outdated that my kids literally laugh out loud at me. So, when I buy this new phone that it supposed to be the cats pajama's, does anyone know if there is such a gps app for it or any android that would allow me to have some of the helpful features mentioned in this thread without having to purchase a stand alone gps?

Any ideas would be much appreciated and very helpful. I get overwhelmed when it comes to technology and this phone is already going to be a handful, but if it does what I need, I'll just keep adding to it and not have to have a lot of other gizmo's.

Thanks in advance :)
t
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #106
Google maps.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #107
I know...I got that too, Tim.  It doesn't help me when driving in New England to help me evade their numerous low clearance overpasses, usually rail road.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #108
I'd like to know if anyone knows if there is some sort of app that would allow me the ability of HEARING directions like on any stand alone gps?

The Google Maps navigator that's available free on Android phones does speak the directions.  We use our Galaxy S3's for a lot of our car nav (when we inevitably realize we don't know where a business is and the Garmin is in the other car ::)  ).  I can't speak to i-hardware since we don't have any.

Quote
So, when I buy this new phone that it supposed to be the cats pajama's, does anyone know if there is such a gps app for it or any android that would allow me to have some of the helpful features mentioned in this thread without having to purchase a stand alone gps?


If you are interested in an app that will have added features for the coach, you might look up CoPilot Live.  I don't know much about it, but kept seeing it mentioned on the trucking forums when I was researching standalone GPSes.

Michelle
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: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #109
My iPhone5 speaks directions.  With Siri, it understands spoken requests for info like restaurants, gas stations, home addresses, etc.  Apple caught a lot of grief when it dropped Google, but we've found their map app excellent.  it won't, however, distinguish between your car and coach!
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #110
The Google Maps navigator that's available free on Android phones does speak the directions.  We use our Galaxy S3's for a lot of our car nav (when we inevitably realize we don't know where a business is and the Garmin is in the other car ::)  ).  I can't speak to i-hardware since we don't have any.

If you are interested in an app that will have added features for the coach, you might look up CoPilot Live.  I don't know much about it, but kept seeing it mentioned on the trucking forums when I was researching standalone GPSes.

Michelle
That's a real great app!.  The one specifically for truckers will work for RV's as well.  It is pricey at $150.  I should be getting my Dezl today, though.  I don't know that I would have purchased the app at that price.
Truck-Specific GPS Navigation

Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #111
I like to have both a deficated navigator AND a smartphone. Find both in use simultaneously. Yelp, rv websites, and co-pilot navigation done on phone , RM 7720 does the nav.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #112
I like to have both a deficated navigator AND...

I prefer a cleaner solution!  (Ok - I'm spelling challenged so that seemed close enough for a :)) )
The selected media item is not currently available.

Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #113
It made me smile. Actually we have a "deficated NAG-A-GATOR" in our coach.

No I don't mean Peggy.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

 

Re: GPS for RVs - the Rand McNally Tripmaker (added discussion - Garmin Dezl)

Reply #114
If anyone is interested, we have our Rand McNally 7710 GPS for sale in the Classifieds section.
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert