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

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 #25 – June 13, 2011, 10:49:56 pm

The Garmin has the ability to add "custom POIs" (points of interest). I expect other units have similar abilities.

We have added rest areas, Flying J locations, campgrounds, and NPR stations. You can download POI files, or build your own. Garmin uses a comma separated spreadsheet format. They provide a loader than puts it into a format that the Nuvi will read.

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

Reply #26 – June 14, 2011, 09:43:03 am

I'm really glad to have your review of the 5510. You are answering a lot of the questions I have had. It is sounding better and better.

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

Reply #27 – June 14, 2011, 02:27:08 pm

I think you should definitely buy one, Kent ... for 2 reasons. First, so that you can have FOUR electronic devices simultaneously telling you which way to turn, instead of only three.

(Notice I said "electronic devices" ... I know that Peggy just lets you get yourself lost until you ask her for help!) Secondly, so that if it is really a great unit that I can then order one ... AFTER you have spent the money!

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

Reply #28 – June 14, 2011, 05:08:27 pm

Quote from: Carol Savournin – June 14, 2011, 02:27:08 pm

I think you should definitely buy one, Kent ... for 2 reasons. First, so that you can have FOUR electronic devices simultaneously telling you which way to turn, instead of only three. (Notice I said "electronic devices" ... I know that Peggy just lets you get yourself lost until you ask her for help!) Secondly, so that if it is really a great unit that I can then order one ... AFTER you have spent the money!

I'm thinking, I really am thinking! If one Nag-i-gator is good three, four maybe even five are better. As you know the only time I get lost now is trying to get back on the interstate. Maybe this new one will help me find the entrance ramp since my "FRIENDS" aren't of much help. They just leave me going around in circles.

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

Reply #29 – June 16, 2011, 06:04:19 am

I haven't had much time to play this week, but I did find a few more things in there. You can tag any point of interest as a favorite, and it will store that info. And as to Travel Centers - not only can you filter by truck stop, etc, the list goes on and on - laundry facilities, restaurants, showers, etc. So no matter where you are and what you're looking for, you can pick from the list and it will display everything within a 350 mile radius, beginning with what's closest to your location.

If you're pulling a dinghy or trailer, it will warn you if you're entering a state or province where your total length exceeds current laws. You can tailor the warnings (reduced speed, hill, sharp turn, etc), in terms of how far ahead to warn you. Knowing the length, height and weight of you rig, it should steer you clear of hazards.

The campground list is impressive, and again you can filter by particulars of what you're looking for. It also includes - Walmarts, BLM land, and COE sites as well.

For those folks with pets, like myself, you'll appreciate all the animal services it can pull up - animal hospitals, pet-friendly campsites, free run parks, pet stores, etc.

It's clear a great deal of thought went into this device, to make it useful to RV folks. For me, the only question now is the navigation part. Will it get me stuck or lost, or can I count on it? Time will tell.

Steve

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

Reply #30 – June 24, 2011, 12:44:08 am

Here's another review of the Rand McNally TripMaker RVND 5510 GPS via another forum:

My Review...Rand McNally RV GPS Unit - Jun 22, 2011 -

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

Reply #31 – June 24, 2011, 10:49:34 am

Quote from: Merle Hench – June 16, 2011, 06:04:19 am

It's clear a great deal of thought went into this device, to make it useful to RV folks. For me, the only question now is the navigation part. Will it get me stuck or lost, or can I count on it? Time will tell.
Steve

Steve,
What about map updates - is there an annual fee, a charge each time you update or are they free...? We're pretty much sold on the R-M GPS having been run down too many bunny trails on our iPhone GPS.

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

Reply #32 – June 25, 2011, 06:12:46 am

So far they are free. I expect that will likely change, though. There are updates every week or so.

I see several GPS makers building in ties to services that provide up to the minute traffic and construction data. Looking at the small print, though, it seems there are no guarantees as to how long the service they want to tie you to might be available. The Tripmaker offers a free trial to one of these, and keeps offering it every time you connect the unit to your PC. Pass.

Steve

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

Reply #33 – June 28, 2011, 02:17:50 pm

I just got an email from FMCA offering a $ 50.00 discount on this unit.....

Brings the price down to $299.00

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

Reply #34 – June 28, 2011, 03:02:23 pm

I remember when I bought my TomTom, the list was about $350. In less than a year, I got it on ebay for $110. With so many GPS makers out there plus a soft economy, I bet we will see really competitive prices on this unit soon. A growing number of smart phone RV apps will also keep the pressure on the dedicated units.

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

Reply #35 – June 28, 2011, 03:18:53 pm

Pierce, you may be right but I just ordered one anyway. Yes Carol, now I can have 4 GPS' telling me where to go.

Our GPS has been sending us right through the middle of towns even if there were a bypass for the last two years. It will be worth paying a little extra to avoid those narrow streets and small town traffic on even one trip.

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

Reply #36 – June 28, 2011, 03:39:58 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 28, 2011, 03:18:53 pm

Our GPS has been sending us right through the middle of towns even if there were a bypass for the last two years. It will be worth paying a little extra to avoid those narrow streets and small town traffic on even one trip.

We've been using our AT&T iPhone GPS and after being regularly being sent to the wrong place as well as "loosing signal" right at the crucial moment, we're ready to change...

Does anyone know the difference between the R-M 510 & 710... besides price & screen size? And does the FMCA discount only apply to the 510 or does it also apply to the 710?

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

Reply #37 – June 28, 2011, 04:15:39 pm

Quote from: Bill Jackson – June 28, 2011, 03:39:58 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 28, 2011, 03:18:53 pm
Our GPS has been sending us right through the middle of towns even if there were a bypass for the last two years. It will be worth paying a little extra to avoid those narrow streets and small town traffic on even one trip.

We've been using our AT&T iPhone GPS and after being regularly being sent to the wrong place as well as "loosing signal" right at the crucial moment, we're ready to change...

Does anyone know the difference between the R-M 510 & 710... besides price & screen size? And does the FMCA discount only apply to the 510 or does it also apply to the 710?

Bill, the RVND 5510 was designed specifically for RV's and it sounds like motorhomes in particular. As I recall the 710 is for Truckers. Each have some unique attributes oriented to their specific market focus. The beginning of this thread outlines many of the attributes of the 5510 and there was a previous thread a few months ago that outlined the 710 truckers version.

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

Reply #38 – June 28, 2011, 06:47:08 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 28, 2011, 03:18:53 pm

Pierce, you may be right but I just ordered one anyway. Yes Carol, now I can have 4 GPS' telling me where to go.

Our GPS has been sending us right through the middle of towns even if there were a bypass for the last two years. It will be worth paying a little extra to avoid those narrow streets and small town traffic on even one trip.

Kent,

Sounds like just the ticket. How about an initial review after you have played with it and another after a trip or two? Lots of features so be as wordy as you like. I have not seen another review out there for it yet.

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

Reply #39 – June 29, 2011, 09:43:19 am

I would like to know how easy it is to find the next Starbucks. Audrey likes her mid afternoon Mocha fix. On my Nuvi we have to re-enter the string, letter by letter, each time.

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

Reply #40 – June 29, 2011, 10:07:28 am

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 28, 2011, 03:18:53 pm

Pierce, you may be right but I just ordered one anyway. Yes Carol, now I can have 4 GPS' telling me where to go.

Kent, let us know what you think when you try it out.

Steve, please continue with any other feedback or comment as you use it more.

Jill, our Streetpilot 2620, is starting to have touchscreen problems, so we're very tempted by the new RM 5510. Of course about the time we decide to buy one, Garmin will probably come out with a competitive offering...

Michelle

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

Reply #41 – June 29, 2011, 12:44:15 pm

Quote from: Harvey Nelson – June 29, 2011, 09:43:19 am

I would like to know how easy it is to find the next Starbucks. Audrey likes her mid afternoon Mocha fix. On my Nuvi we have to re-enter the string, letter by letter, each time.

Nuvi -> Menu -> Where To? -> Points of Interest -> Food -> v Cafe or Diner -> Starbucks

Alternate method for Nuvi: visit Starbucks Coffee - North America | POI Factory Get the appropriate software from Garmin and load the Starbucks list to your Garmin. Then:

Nuvi -> Menu -> Where To? -> Extras -> Custom POIs -> Starbucks

On our Nuvi we have: Campgrounds and RV Parks, Cracker Barrel, Pilot Flying J, Speed Trap, RestAreasCombined, Truck_Stops, Wal-Mart_US&Canada, NPR-Stations

You can set any of them to alert you based on proximity. We don't use them very often. We used NPR-Stations most recently.

On the iPhone: Maps -> Locate Me Button -> Search -> Starbucks -> Directions -> Route

The iPhone will remember a few of you recent search phrases.

The routes to Starbucks are not likely to be friendly to big rigs via any GPS. But if you are in your "big rig," you should be able to brew your own.

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

Reply #42 – June 29, 2011, 12:53:01 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 28, 2011, 04:15:39 pm

Bill, the RVND 5510 was designed specifically for RV's and it sounds like motorhomes in particular. As I recall the 710 is for Truckers. Each have some unique attributes oriented to their specific market focus. The beginning of this thread outlines many of the attributes of the 5510 and there was a previous thread a few months ago that outlined the 710 truckers version.

Thanks, Kent. Escapees is also offering a $50 discount for the 510 for those who are members.

http://www.escapees.com/randmcnally/

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

Reply #43 – July 01, 2011, 11:04:59 am

Quote from: Harvey Nelson – June 29, 2011, 09:43:19 am

I would like to know how easy it is to find the next Starbucks.

Somewhat along these lines, in a discussion on the FMCA board it's mentioned that you cannot load custom POI files on the RM 5510. That's something to consider if you're accustomed to using those (such as the list/coordinates of all Starbucks, Walmarts, etc.)

-M

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

Reply #44 – July 02, 2011, 09:32:59 am

A big thanks to both JD Stevens and Michelle re using POIs. I need to take advantage of them. I was only vaguely familiar with them. Now that I'm aware it is certainly a deal breaker re the 5510.

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

Reply #45 – July 02, 2011, 10:59:44 am

Within several seconds, my TomTom (and probably the 5510) can located all the restaurants including Starbucks or Wal-Mart using another category, close to me, on my route or at my destination. All without having to enter any information, just tapping the screen about 3 times. A lot more involved trying to spell it out when driving as it is mounted close to me on the back edge of the windshield. The 5510 must be able to do something like this with a minimum of fuss. As more Starbucks for example are built, the updates should catch a lot of them (but updates may not be free and they only catch about 50% of the new ones).

I love my iPhone but if I don't have any bars or have bars but no data plan, it's useless as unlike a dedicated GPS, it needs a connection for most apps to work.

It may be the 5510 will have a firmware update that will allow custom POIs to be entered. This question might be a good one on a GPS forum.

For new RM 5510 owners, how is the internal speaker? That was my big complaint on the Nuvi. I could not understand it half the time.

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

Reply #46 – July 02, 2011, 12:51:18 pm

Quote from: Merle Hench – June 25, 2011, 06:12:46 am

So far they are free. I expect that will likely change, though. There are updates every week or so.

Steve, this depends on the type of update... here's the scoop from Rand McNally's RVND 5510 FAQ page (boldface and italics are mine for emphasis):

"The TripMaker RVND is fully functional out of the box, but as a Rand McNally customer, you are entitled to exclusive Rand McNally updates. The frequency of updates varies from every month for free Rand McNally road construction updates, to quarterly for free software updates. Rand McNally also provides free RV restriction updates throughout the year based on feedback from Tell Rand, as well as our own ongoing research. The Tell Rand feedback requires research verification and updates are 2-4 times per year. Once per year, a full map update will be made available for a competitive price."

In addition to the lack of ability to enter custom POIs from an outside data source (eg, we like the NPR station POIs), which is not a complete deal-breaker for us, the other lack of functionality is the inability to enter a custom route which you have pre-planned on your laptop.

While I can't completely do this with our Garmin c530 StreetPilot, I can plan a multi-stop route with Garmin's MapSource software on the laptop (which, BTW, works with Google Earth - very cool!). The stops that I create to define my route become waypoints that upload into the Garmin unit. Later, as we travel, I can select these as "favorites" (since that's how Garmin uploads my waypoints).

Finally, on the FMCA forum, here is a post from a few days ago that has now convinced me to continue using our Garmin until it dies:

"I purchased my 5510 from Camping World last week. I now have NO hair on my head after trying to enter a multi-stop cross country. I visited with 2 RM techs and both gave me the same answer basically you CANNOT enter a route of your desire and you cannot look in detail at a planned trip except for the first leg. They told me that it would send you the "best" route within the law. It sent me down narrow winding two lane farm-to-market roads when a direct 4 lane highway was available and shorter plus faster."

Sigh....

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

Reply #47 – July 02, 2011, 01:37:08 pm

Does the rule " never buy the first version of anything" apply?

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

Reply #48 – July 02, 2011, 02:06:51 pm

Quote from: sgkarnes – July 02, 2011, 01:37:08 pm

Does the rule " never buy the first version of anything" apply?

Absolutely!

I'm definitely not an "early adopter" of new technology.

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

Reply #49 – July 02, 2011, 04:18:12 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 28, 2011, 03:18:53 pm

Pierce, you may be right but I just ordered one anyway. Yes Carol, now I can have 4 GPS' telling me where to go.

Our GPS has been sending us right through the middle of towns even if there were a bypass for the last two years. It will be worth paying a little extra to avoid those narrow streets and small town traffic on even one trip.

That is why I also use that paper thing called a "map". the DeLorme atlases we purchased are very detailed and I can clearly see that a "loop" exists around towns. I alert Jeff and we can deviate if the Nagigator does not pick it up.

Affiliate Notice