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 #50 – July 02, 2011, 06:50:01 pm

Quote from: Steve & Michelle – 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

Which is why I am extremely happy with my Microsoft Streets and Trips combined with my Garmin Nuvi 265WT

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

Reply #51 – July 03, 2011, 11:30:29 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. Audrey likes her mid afternoon Mocha fix. On my Nuvi we have to re-enter the string, letter by letter, each time.

I just got my 5510 yesterday so I am by no means an expert but I did try to find Starbucks here in Oklahoma. From the origination screen, click "Choose Destination", click "Points of Interest", click "My RV" or "My Route" depending upon whether you are moving of stopped for the night, click "More", click "Coffee Shop" and if there is a Starbucks within 50 miles it will pull it up in a list of coffee shops. If you are farther away from an area with Starbucks or don't want to search the list, you can start to spell Starbucks and by the third click it will pull up all Starbucks within 100 miles.

I have not found a way to exclude Starbucks but I will keep trying. I really don't care for the taste of Strarbucks.

OOps! I really didn't mean to offend or start a Coffee War!!! Each to his own.

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

Reply #52 – July 03, 2011, 12:10:20 pm

Kent, that sounds pretty slick. I guess I'm back on the fence re a new fancy Nuvi with lifetime maps or this unit. An RV specific unit vice options like POIs and lifetime map updates. Nothing is easy.

Re the coffee, that's an Audrey thing when we're out in the car.

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

Reply #53 – July 03, 2011, 12:41:51 pm

Harvey, I'm sure you know I was just ribbing you. I can't seem to control that part of my personality.

It looks like the annual, full updates are going to be priced at $79. I have had one of my Garmins for 6 years and never updated the maps and have never had a problem because of that. My other Garmin is two years old and has never been updated, again without causing any problems. So, updating is not a high priority for me. Having the options to avoid those dirt roads, single lane weight restricted bridges and roads and downtown traffic is important. I like the idea that it will warn me of upcoming steep grades and tight turns. We shall see if this thing really does help with that or not. I have no current trips planned so it will be a while before I can evaluate it that way.

Have a great Holiday Weekend.

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

Reply #54 – July 03, 2011, 01:41:03 pm

I never have seen the justification for updaters since they cost a high percentage of a new discounted GPS with the latest maps already installed. Smart phone apps are constantly being updated for free and include apps for Wal-Marts with no overnight stays, rest areas, campground locations and reviews, trails, etc. Since most of us have these phones, they can work well along with a dedicated GPS and a paper atlas (my favorite is Benchmark). I have used several atlases that did not indicate unimproved gravel roads, a real bummer if you planned your trip with this route in mind and the road was not as expected.

A good internal speaker is a high priority as I don't like to take time to bluetooth to the radio. The bigger the screen, the better. 5" good, 7'' better. Also hate warning messages every time I start up the unit.

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

Reply #55 – July 03, 2011, 01:46:11 pm

Pierce,

I am with you on the updates. It takes six hours on ours and still does not have the latest POI we want or tells us our destination is on the left, when it is on the right. These goofs are rare and we would not be without our Garmin. But they are not perfect.

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

Reply #56 – July 03, 2011, 02:27:31 pm

I was surprised to see the GPS that came with my Droid X shows the dirt road to Lake Lotto outside Channing Michigan (in western UP)

The GPS is pretty anazing in general.

best, paul On Jul 3, 2011 1:41 PM, "Pierce & Gaylie Stewart" <epiercestewart@gmail.com> wrote:

Quote

I never have seen the justification for updaters since they cost a high percentage of a new discounted GPS with the latest maps already installed. Smart phone apps are constantly being updated for free and include apps for Wal-Marts with no overnight stays, rest areas, campground locations and reviews, trails, etc. Since most of us have these phones, they can work well along with a dedicated GPS and a paper atlas (my favorite is Benchmark). I have used several atlases that did not indicate unimproved gravel roads, a real bummer if you planned your trip with this route in mind and the road was not as expected.

A good internal speaker is a high priority as I don't like to take time to bluetooth to the radio. The bigger the screen, the better. 5" good, 7'' better. Also hate warning messages every time I start up the unit.

Pierce & Gaylie
'93 U300/36

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

Reply #57 – July 03, 2011, 05:18:46 pm

"Since most of us have these phones, they can work well along with a dedicated GPS and a paper atlas (my favorite is Benchmark)"

Pierce & Gaylie. I must be very retarded, I do not own a smart phone and frankly can't think of a good reason to have one. It raises the question whether most of us DO have one, I wonder? Might be a good subject for a poll.

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

Reply #58 – July 03, 2011, 05:22:35 pm

Horace, I put off getting one until last fall and now I wouldn't be without my iPhone.They truly are one of the handiest gadgets ever made. I will admit though that I have always been a bit of a gadget nut, emphasis on the nut part, but they are not nearly as complicated as I thought they would be and there are many useful applications.

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

Reply #59 – July 03, 2011, 05:27:51 pm

I have an old Motorola Flip phone, It does two things, rings when I have a call and lets me dial a call. My kids think I am retarded.

For travel I use Street Atlas on My laptop with a Road Atlas as a Backup.
Gary B

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

Reply #60 – July 03, 2011, 06:01:46 pm

Gary I hear you but I traveled my whole career having driven over one million miles by 1992. From the day I got my first GPS, it was a Garmin iQue 3000, my travels to new areas where far more relaxing and I would usually get to my destination considerably faster because I could avoid heavy traffic without fear of getting lost. My first trip with the GPS was from Benton Harbor, MI via Chicago to Milwaukee. It took three hours where the day before without a GPS the same trip took 6 hours. With the GPS I was able to get off of the toll ways whenever traffic started to back up and then get back on. I would never have ventured off of the toll ways without the GPS to keep me close to the toll way and get me back on it when I could see it was clear.

Some technology actually simplifies life.

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

Reply #61 – July 03, 2011, 06:16:02 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – July 03, 2011, 06:01:46 pm

My first trip with the GPS was from Benton Harbor, MI via Chicago to Milwaukee. It took three hours where the day before without a GPS the same trip took 6 hours.

Kent,

That trip is 190 miles. You were doing some kind of driving to do it in 3 hours.

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

Reply #62 – July 03, 2011, 06:38:59 pm

OK so maybe it was four hours and it wasn't really Milwaukee it was south of Kenosha but it was a whole lot easier than without a GPS and it was at least five years ago. I moved a lot faster then.

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

Reply #63 – July 03, 2011, 07:33:07 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – July 03, 2011, 05:27:51 pm

I have an old Motorola Flip phone, It does two things, rings when I have a call and lets me dial a call. Gary B

Gawd... I sure loved my Motorola StarTac... simple, small, great belt clip holder... only thing missing from that flip phone was Scotty beaming me up...

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

Reply #64 – July 03, 2011, 08:18:10 pm

Was in a Rosd Pilot store today and the same GPS was on sale as a "Truckers GPS". Even had truck where the RV is on the other one. Sure hope they have really made it a real RV orientated one.

Keith

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

Reply #65 – July 03, 2011, 09:35:45 pm

Slightly off the RM 5510 subject but since others have brought it up.

My wife still looks at the iPhone with suspicion but they come in handy for a lot of stuff. For those not acquainted with one, they are just a miniature computer/GPS that also doubles as a cell phone. They can contact AAA for you, make phone calls to anywhere in the world either for free or for $.02/minute from the U.S. or abroad (Skype), provide turn by turn GPS guidance, read restaurant reviews in the town you are passing through (and get GPS directions to it), read and send email, take and send photos or video and a million other things. EZ, not much of a learning curve either. Without breaking the bank, you can get a prepaid plan for $.10/minute or $2.00 a day for each day that you use the phone for voice calls. Separate data plans are available so you can go on-line or just visit a hotspot like Starbucks where you can internet all day to your hearts content for free. You can buy one without an expensive monthly contract/bill as I did using the above prepaid plan. I got by with my regular cell phone just fine until my son loaned me his iPhone for a day. Sold!

Not putting regular cell owners down at all. Just nice to have a cell phone sized item (read toy) that can replace so many different devices and do it well without having to be a rocket scientist.

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

Reply #66 – July 11, 2011, 07:47:59 pm

Well, today was my first day with the RM 5510 and my old Garmin 255W and my Motion X iPhone GPS. Yes Carol I am still using multiple GPS' instead of a MAP.

I have always really liked my Garmins but I have to say I like the RM 5510 better. I haven't challenged it yet, just driving the interstate today, but I really like the clarity of the verbal instructions and some of the warnings are much sooner than those given by the Garmin or the iPhone. So far so good. I'll post more as I get more time and experience with it.

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

Reply #67 – July 11, 2011, 08:03:43 pm

The free navigation app in our Droid X is pretty impressive. It uses satellites.

The recalc is also impressive. No sooner that we miss a turn and we already have the new route.

best, paul

Quote

I haven't challenged it yet, just driving the interstate today, but I really like the clarity of the verbal instructions and some of the warnings are much sooner than those given by the Garmin or the iPhone. So far so good. I'll post more as I get more time and experience with it.

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

Reply #68 – October 16, 2011, 12:20:17 pm

Ok... I altered the subject line to indicate that there is a choice in RV-specific GPS units. The Magellan Roadmate Pro 9165T is a 7" display GPS which you can - they say - customize to your RV. That is, you can put in the height, weight, length, etc. and you should be able to get a route that will work for you. The RoadMate Pro also has Good Sam and other campground information built-in; this should include the various municipal, state and federal campgrounds, too. These also have speed limit for where you are displayed. Lifetime updates.

Also, the WorldNav GPS for trucks 7400 does much the same thing for about the same price but includes an option for $200 more to plug in a rear-view camera (in case you don't have one... or yours is unsuitable for some reason).

The cost is about for the Magellan is $399 and Amazon has 'em.

PS: We don't have a Foretravel as yet... but we're working on the financing to buy one locally right now.

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

Reply #69 – October 16, 2011, 06:51:33 pm

That world nav option for a backup monitor sounds interesting. I will have to look into that.

Mark

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

Reply #70 – October 16, 2011, 07:31:15 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – October 16, 2011, 12:20:17 pm

The Magellan Roadmate Pro 9165T is a 7" display GPS which you can - they say - customize to your RV. That is, you can put in the height, weight, length, etc. and you should be able to get a route that will work for you.

I looked at the reviews on Amazon (just a few); looks like one reviewer marked it low because you can't input GPS coordinates.

Amazon.com: Magellan Pro 9165T RoadMate: GPS & Navigation

I wish Garmin would come out with an RV-specific GPS with Streetpilot (rather than Nuvi) capability. Sticking with Jill, our Streetpilot 2720 for now.

Michelle

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

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

Reply #71 – October 16, 2011, 08:07:34 pm

Total agreement on the StreetPilot 2720, that info in the Nuvi case with a hot button for Wally World / Sams Club, like the find home button would be great for me.

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

Reply #72 – October 16, 2011, 10:04:31 pm

The magellan is an interesting unit... It does have an A/V input to hook up your iPod or back up cam as well. I am hoping Magellan or whoever will release an iPad version of their RV software, as the 10" responsive touch screen would be killer! I haven't used any of the newer touchscreen units, but after the iPad and iPhone, I could never go back to the kind that leave you wondering if it even registered your touch. I used to have an in dash unit that frustrated me to no end because you would touch it, wait until it seemed that it didn't take, so you do it again only to execute a command on the next screen that wasn't even visible yet.
Don

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – October 16, 2011, 12:20:17 pm

Ok... I altered the subject line to indicate that there is a choice in RV-specific GPS units. The Magellan Roadmate Pro 9165T is a 7" display GPS which you can - they say - customize to your RV. That is, you can put in the height, weight, length, etc. and you should be able to get a route that will work for you. The RoadMate Pro also has Good Sam and other campground information built-in; this should include the various municipal, state and federal campgrounds, too. These also have speed limit for where you are displayed. Lifetime updates.

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

Reply #73 – October 17, 2011, 07:47:30 am

I bought a Garmin Dezl 560 last summer after my beloved Streetpilot 2820 screen died. I wanted the Magellan until I read the reviews, especially its inability to insert via points. I love the much bigger screen, but not the limited screen detail. I love the speed limit and traffic info, and the ability to specify your rig specs, though the first time I encountered a low bridge in Arkansas I noticed too late that the screen was telling me it didn't have data on that road. Luckily I was able to dump air and make it through.

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

Reply #74 – April 24, 2013, 12:53:15 pm

It's been awhile since we're discussed GPS capabilities. I am a devout Garmin user. Anyone with the Garmin Dezl that can give an review/update on functionality? How about the product from Rand McNally? I've heard the RM product is not all that great user friendly-wise. This may be very applicable to me as having used the Garmin exclusively, this old dog may take a lot of retraining to figure out a Rand McNally product and be comfortable following its processes and features.

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