Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Topic: Rand McNally 7720 GPS (Read 1437 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #25 – September 30, 2014, 10:59:08 pm

Thanks, Don. That is good to know. Really, getting into the correct lane is the most difficult thing about driving in traffic. Especially in the metro areas where there are a dozen highways with different numbers. The Area you were driving (Fall City to Chehalis) is one of the worst.

BTW: If you went west on I-90 you probably drove across the Moses Lake bridge (the one with the island in the center and the radio towers) and would have been able to see our house on the west side of the lake about 3 blocks north.

Craig

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #26 – September 30, 2014, 11:19:52 pm

I have rand because of the Lane Assist feature, BUT the best of all that i have used is google maps on iOS, and it recently

t added Lane assist.Â Used a newer garmin with a friend las weekend (don't know which one) and it had a nice lane assist too.

Rand has big screen, not so good maps. Â Like speed limit feature, but often wrong re posted limit.

Would not buy again.

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #27 – October 01, 2014, 10:55:14 am

I don't think there is ANY "magic" device that gives you fail proof routing and easy directions. We have 2 different Garmin GPS units on the dash (one for him and one for me!), both large screen, but about 4 years apart in age. They are updated differently, and often give us some different estimates of time, mileage to destination and even routing. Eventually, they manage to agree. I also use my iPhone for some detail and I ALWAYS travel with the DeLorme Road Atlas for the particular state on or near my lap. The "Next Exit" book comes in handy when on an Interstate and Gas Buddy is our friend, too. It takes some work to be a navigator!

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #28 – October 01, 2014, 11:41:42 am

If you folks had a choice of leaving home with only 1...... latest and greatest gps or an old fashion paper map..which would you take?

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #29 – October 01, 2014, 11:52:11 am

GPS by far, depending on the model, just like using a 70's paper map. all GPS units are not created equal by far, some very smart & Sone a waste of money. Have enjoyed the better Garmin units I have used over the past 15 yrs. Even gave one to my road service man so he could find both, the customers and his home.

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #30 – October 01, 2014, 12:10:21 pm

Quote from: rcantrell51 – September 28, 2014, 09:06:19 pm

I have found the map section of my iPad Air to be accurate. It has shown to be a better GPS then our Garmin.
Reese

Careful as when I used Apples maps when it was new I was misrouted several times.

Does not show some destinations that Google maps does show.

I have a Garmin 275 on a dash mount and my iPad air on a Ram mount next to it that I switch from gas buddy to all stays to Apple maps as I drive.

Now adding a large cheap dell notebook for the silverleaf function. 15" for $249 at the Microsoft store. No cd/DVD player in it but $23 dollars for an external Sony fixed that.

Dash top is getting crowded.

I use the small Garmin as it shows the speed limits fairly accurately while moving and a total mileage keeper for the trip as I reset the trip odometer after filling up.

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #31 – October 01, 2014, 01:12:16 pm

iOS device with GPS and google maps

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #32 – October 01, 2014, 01:38:34 pm

I have the Rand McNally RV unit and find it to be the best yet BUT never rely an just one thing. I also use the Truckers Atlas and ask when calling a campground of any issues such as low bridges and weight restrictions. Remember that even the best unit is never completely up to date. Also helps to look out the windscreen occasionally to spot those neat roadside signs that the highway department like to put up.

Keith

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #33 – October 01, 2014, 02:11:30 pm

I'm off subject a tad because 99% of my travels have been in a diesel truck but hear me good I have been in some FIXES in my 40 years of travel even after searching closely my road map and almost always talking to drivers at a truck stop about rts I am considering using.. I've been himmed in where it looked like it would take a chanook helicopter to lift me out... some stress I promise ya...75 ft and 80000 lbs and people yelling get outta here with dogs trying to bite and no way out but back out and sometimes a long distance...still own a trucking company but don't miss trucking 1 ioda.. please excuse the off subject recall.

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #34 – October 01, 2014, 02:16:53 pm

Said all that to say I just couldn't trust a gps not to get me in trouble especially in a diesel truck..This is a motor home forum and I'm out of line but I can't help reminising of years and fixes gone by. Pat and Dave understand.

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #35 – October 01, 2014, 02:20:35 pm

Can we factor out two constants from our posts?

1) Never rely on just one source for data; and,

2) Don't trust your GPS to give you the right information.

I think we all pretty much know these by now.

Craig

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #36 – October 01, 2014, 02:43:11 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – September 30, 2014, 10:59:08 pm

Thanks, Don. That is good to know. Really, getting into the correct lane is the most difficult thing about driving in traffic. Especially in the metro areas where there are a dozen highways with different numbers. The Area you were driving (Fall City to Chehalis) is one of the worst.

BTW: If you went west on I-90 you probably drove across the Moses Lake bridge (the one with the island in the center and the radio towers) and would have been able to see our house on the west side of the lake about 3 blocks north.

Craig

We didn't take the I-90, Craig...we went over Stevens Pass on the 2 as far as Monroe. Beautiful views and the road was great! Tys

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #37 – October 01, 2014, 02:44:26 pm

I figure we all know... just recall of a senior who traveled half a century for 3 1/2 million miles... does something to mind and body.

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #38 – October 01, 2014, 03:15:59 pm

The real point in my original posting was that Rand McNally is supposed to be the major map-maker in this country. When they load maps into the 7720 that show roads that were superseded years before then I think it is time to question what we are actually buying from them. This especially the case with a major east-west highway such as US 64, now a four-lane road.

I have had the wrong location for roads shown on Garmin and TomTom, but only those that had been replaced within the last few months or maybe a year, not multiple years before.

Has anyone had the very old map problem on Garmin or TomTom? If not then I may make my second GPS one of those brands.

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #39 – October 01, 2014, 03:58:42 pm

Every brand will have a few old roads or will not provide the correct route every time. Lots of Internet sites with reviews and screen images. I like a simple 5" screen with a large speaker for our vehicles and rental cars with a data base that includes Canada, Mexico and Europe. It should have all of the information in one place on the screen so I don't have to change screens while driving. A tablet with a much larger screen can have much more detailed maps. I even replaced the twist on suction cup mount with a lever operated suction cup mount. On trips in our U300, I keep a 5" as well as a tablet running.

Some brands have an easily switched 2D to 3D view. Others are poor in both views and switchability.

Pierce

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #40 – October 01, 2014, 04:02:05 pm

The newer Garmins with the ability to select "TRUCK" as your vehicle keep you out of a lot of trouble!

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #41 – October 01, 2014, 05:14:57 pm

I just installed "Navigator" onto my Android cell phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 3) and so far it's located where I'm sitting.

This weekend we'll be out camping in the RV and I'll give it a test next to the others.. It comes as both a free version (which I installed) and as a paid version (?). I downloaded 2.5gb of maps. They supposed upgrade the maps free on a quarterly basis.

I also downloaded SYGIC and it wants me to D/L another bunch of them. I'm going to test one and then the other. Both of these will also work on a Tablet style Android device.

Both of these can be moved to an SD card to save space. These are extremely large in terms of file size and unless you have a lot of free memory you should get a 64gb SD card to put the apps and their map data on.

I use FileManager III to move apps to the SD card storage.

Craig

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #42 – October 01, 2014, 05:49:46 pm

On this subject, in reading the posts I did not note anyone mentioning using any gps with clearance and weight advisories. I picked up a unit at a truck stop when my old gps went out on me that had these features. I just loaded in the weight and height limitations I wanted to use and off I went. Got a few warnings on a couple of routes (both weight and height), so opted for alternative routing. No idea if this was legit, but am wondering if anyone else has found a good gps or app for those issues.

Don

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #43 – October 01, 2014, 06:40:07 pm

Craig,

Sygic is my favorite for a tablet. Midway up on the right edge of the screen is a button that toggles between 2D and 3D. I don't usually care for 3d views but theirs is great. As you zoom in, the view is lower and lower until you are in front of a 3D building. Sygic uses TomTom maps.

Be careful on buying their USA maps. You will see prices discounted at the Apple and Google Play Store. Their $29.95 special is an older version compared to the $39.95 special. It's in the fine print. Complaints on GPS forums about that.

Have played with Navigator as well. Backcountry Navigator is excellent but costs about $10.

Don,

Living on the West Coast, we don't encounter the low bridges and weight limits found further east. I drove my 4107 bus about 200 feet out on the Brooklyn Bridge before I realized it was too high. Imagine backing blindly into heavy traffic. Got stopped on low tunnels out on Philidelphia's mainline towns.

Sygic has a truck version: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sygic.truck&hl=en

Free is free for three days. TomTom is $0.99 for a month. I like TomTom better for small devices, Sygic for tablets.

Pierce

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #44 – October 01, 2014, 06:49:38 pm

Craig,

If you decide to use an external GPS receiver, I have step by step photos on the five minute way to get a bluetooth Holux or Garmin GLO working like a champ on any Android device.

Garmin GLO pairs without a driver on any iPad.

Pierce

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #45 – October 01, 2014, 08:37:17 pm

Quote from: Don Rickey – October 01, 2014, 05:49:46 pm

On this subject, in reading the posts I did not note anyone mentioning using any gps with clearance and weight advisories. ...
Don

Garmin RV760LMT takes height, width, length, and weight values for your RV. My understanding is that it uses that information for routing.

I put our RV as 11' 6" high, 8' 6" wide, 36' long, and 30K lbs. I thought about making it 54' long to account for the towed vehicle. I wouldn't expect any difference in routes. So far routing has been satisfactory except for incorrect location coordinates for a couple of campgrounds. Curve and hill warnings seem accurate in the US, but were completely wrong in Canada. That was not a big deal to me, since I generally watch the road for hazards rather than watching the Garmin for hazards.

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #46 – October 01, 2014, 09:19:06 pm

Here is what really pi##&# me off. I am following say US2. But when I get near a town I am now on some flipping unkown to me memorial highway. EXCUSE ME my map shows US2 going in and out of the town, not some idiots memorial highway. When Garmin tells me to turn on this idiots road I don't know if Gertrude (I call my GPS Gertrude when she is nice and other things when she is not) is taking a "short cut" following US2 or otherwise being cute and bringing me up a blind alley. Dammit US2 is US2.

Roland

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #47 – October 01, 2014, 10:30:55 pm

The RM 7720 also has height, width, weight and length as well as "Avoid Narrow Roads". I found that setting after being on a road in the middle of Texas, 2 Lane, that we did not appreciate. No shoulder, overhanging trees and lots of sharp turns at night. I always have that set set now and try not to drive at night.

Re: Rand McNally 7720 GPS

Reply #48 – October 09, 2014, 01:42:40 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – September 30, 2014, 10:34:33 am

Piku,

Just looked at the photos. They are about 45 minutes down the hill from our house. Do you live in Sacramento?

Pierce

Hi Pierce,

We live in Pennsylvania. We are in San Mateo right now on a 2 month trip. I work full time as well so any trips we do we don't have a lot of time for sight seeing so we make the trips very long.

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