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 #75 – April 24, 2013, 12:59:36 pm

I've been using the co-pilot chipset (SDcard) on a Magellan 7" GPS for over a year with good results. I can customize it as to type of rig and especially the voice it uses (some are better than others).

Co-pilot also has an app (at least for Android... not sure if it is available for IOS) that I've used but it's somewhat frustrating. Probably mostly because I have not yet figured it out completely. It's on my 7" Samsung Tab II and is easy to see with turn-by-turn instructions... and was free.

Craig

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

Reply #76 – April 24, 2013, 01:00:02 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – April 24, 2013, 12:53:15 pm

How about the product from Rand McNally? I've heard the RM product is not all that great user friendly-wise.

I haven't seen anything recently, but do know RVers were complaining last year that the R-M units were routing people on parkways in NYS. Those are passenger-car-only roads. It would give me pause about other routing choices (bridges, tunnels, height restrictions, etc.) if R-M couldn't get that one correct.

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

Reply #77 – April 24, 2013, 01:02:03 pm

Peter, we went from years of Garmin use to the RM5510. The user interface is different but not all that bad. We still use it in the coach rather than our two Garmins. It seems to have better routing for a motohome vs the Garmin. We do use the Garmins in the cars though.

I am also just starting to use Microsoft Streets and Trips on a netbook bot so far I like the RM better.

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

Reply #78 – April 24, 2013, 01:04:01 pm

Peter, we went from years of Garmin use to the RM5510. The user interface is different but not all that bad but it does make mistakes calling paved highways dirt roads, kinda surprising for RM. However, we still use it in the coach rather than our two Garmins. It seems to have better routing for a motohome vs the Garmin. We do use the Garmins in the cars though.

I am also just starting to use Microsoft Streets and Trips on a netbook bot so far I like the RM better.

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

Reply #79 – April 24, 2013, 01:14:28 pm

My only interest in the GPS is for directions, I have all the other tools for treking in the iPhoine...campgrounds, fuel, rest stops, etc. Beth wants to go East this summer and we all know how the roads are in the Northeast...narrow & low bridge clearance. The tool I need is one that is more like a trucker's needs (keep me out of trouble). So...Garmin Dezl or R-M?

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

Reply #80 – April 24, 2013, 01:16:43 pm

Garmin has lead me onto roads I didn't like. The RM has not.

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

Reply #81 – April 24, 2013, 01:19:48 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – April 24, 2013, 01:16:43 pm

Garmin has lead me onto roads I didn't like. The RM has not.

Kent,
I am assuming that the Garmin Dezl would follow a different route for trucks only vs. the car Garmin models.

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

Reply #82 – April 24, 2013, 01:42:17 pm

I am not familiar with that model but if Garmin makes on for big rigs I would be very interested in it. I really don't like the RM interface very much. It seems to me that a GPS could be made for big rigs with a much better and more usable program.

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

Reply #83 – April 24, 2013, 03:35:00 pm

I got a free map upgrade on my Garmin (good old reliable 2720) in late 2010 when they lost my registration. I normally upgrade every 2 years. I went back today and the lifetime map offer (4X/year) was down to 89.00. Lessee, 89 bucks vs $316.00 for the RVND 7720LM? My Garmin 2620 and 2720 have always show me the best route. I'll keeps my money in my pocket for another year or two. Real time weather could be cool, but not that cool.

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

Reply #84 – April 24, 2013, 03:56:18 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – April 24, 2013, 01:19:48 pm

Kent,
I am assuming that the Garmin Dezl would follow a different route for trucks only vs. the car Garmin models.

You can add Low Clearance to your Garmin, if you have one. Low Clearance GPS Data

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

Reply #85 – April 24, 2013, 07:05:41 pm

Pat, that's cool. You just earned a Karma.

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

Reply #86 – April 24, 2013, 10:12:22 pm

I've had my Garmin Dezl 560 for over a year, and have found it to be excellent. You put in your coach stats: length(I included the toad), weight, height and width. It has never steered my onto an unacceptable road, though I have been on some very small roads that it alerted that it had no information on it. My Dezl came with lifetime free map updates and traffic reporting. I'm still getting used to the traffic functionality. i keep forgetting I have it. Then it wants me to get off an interstate when I know I don't want to. Sure enough, all lanes stopped for an accident, and I sit there cursing myself. The screen is a good size. It took me a while to realize how many parts of the screen are active, leading you to other features. I miss the screen detail of earlier Garmins, but a guess that's the price of the latest software. If anyone has specific questions, let me know.

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

Reply #87 – April 24, 2013, 10:32:57 pm

To quote Brett: "I'm still getting used to the traffic functionality."

Brett,

I have had my Garmin for a couple years and still don't understand what seeing the two green traffic lanes is telling me.

Sometimes it has ".05" next to it and is amber in color. Other times it is red. What does this mean?

I have never noticed a correlation to the actual traffic surrounding me. I'd appreciate being clued in.

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

Reply #88 – April 24, 2013, 11:18:02 pm

I have traffic. I find that it works off and on. It sometimes says traffic where there is none and other times it is stopped. I find that the apple map system has a better traffic feature than the garmin

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

Reply #89 – April 24, 2013, 11:46:28 pm

I got a Garmin Nuvi 465 before leaving for south late last year and it is a trucker one, but you can switch over to car.
It gives all the truck stops fuel places, engine repair and breakdown info in the area you are in. It tells you when the road is eith too narrow for you or no trucks allowed etc. You put in all the info on sizes like others and so far so good. takes rtime to understand their language on what to do etc.
My older Garmin needed a lot of updates and cost more to do than the $140 this one cost.
John H

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

Reply #90 – April 25, 2013, 07:24:41 am

With the Dezl it's easy to switch from RV to car(or truck for that matter). Don, the Dezl doesn't have traffic info by lane as far as I've noticed. It does have a symbol showing traffic slowing or stopping ahead on your route.

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

Reply #91 – April 25, 2013, 09:27:34 am

Our current Garmin 2460 has traffic. It's not clear how it works, but it works. Last trip from Florida I ignored taking an exit on I-75N...I was very sorry I ignored the routing suggestion from "Jill".

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

Reply #92 – April 25, 2013, 09:56:06 am

Do you have to pay extra for the traffic service?

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

Reply #93 – April 25, 2013, 10:08:22 am

Garmin uses the nomenclature for whether Traffic is included for life in the model number. I purchased 2460LMT from Costco last year. The LMT implies Lifetime Maps & Traffic. The unit comes with a transmitter to receive traffic information within the power cord.

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

Reply #94 – April 25, 2013, 11:03:09 am

Quote from: Kent Speers – April 25, 2013, 09:56:06 am

Do you have to pay extra for the traffic service?

One way or another, you pay. With many of these you get ads right along with your traffic advisories. Since we seldom find ourselves in large cities with traffic problems (our trips are usually 100 or 200 miles in relatively sparsely populated eastern Washington) I purposely bought a GPS without traffic but with lifetime maps.

But I would pay extra for lifetime traffic with no ads. But ads are a game-stopper for me.

Craig

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

Reply #95 – April 25, 2013, 11:05:45 am

I recently ran the RM 7720 versus some model Garmin that I have, side by side, on the trip. My observations.

Both missed some speed limits because Texas increased to 75 mph on some highways. This would not have been noteworthy if it were previously a 70 mph but some were on 55 mph roads. Results same on both though the RM was a bit more up to date, due to its more recent purchase I think. I need to connect to RM and update.

The RM has much functionality that at first seems unneeded but in time became more than a curiosity, it may be that I will use it. Such as averaging speeds, times driving/stopped, the ability to adjust colors and brightness easily.....big benefit at night driving...and more data collected.

THe RM did however decide to take me thru Crockett, Texas. The proper route is around the town, the town square is not driver friendly in a large RV. I wonder though if I had some setting that dictated this route thru town. I had it set on the scenic route. Maybe fastest would have been better.

I think that the more scenic route also detoured me to send me part of the trip on the OSR, a great drive in a car due to scenery, but not for an RV....road can be narrow at times, lots of curves. Did not change miles though over the fastest route.

I really liked the 7 inch screen. I imagine the Magellan would be about the same, I guess the Garmin now comes in that size. But I would very much want the large screen. I do recommend the hood to reduce glare on the screen.

The RM has two ways to charge.....110v AC and 12v. Probably common to all brands? You can listen to Tom or Samantha telling you to slow down, you are approaching a lower speed zone. Or you can tell it to hush. Good. Turn directions verbalized though are good so I rather like Samantha being there.

Still, I better know where I am going before I hit the road. RM is a help, it is not my only guide....I have prior trip study, Forum members for ideas and a good co-pilot ("were we supposed to exit back there?"). For our next 800 mile trip I know a better way than it does because I know the roads. I can tell it the route I want, but imagine all of you have seen that on all devices. If you are new to these devices, be forewarned its route may not really be the best.

I like the access to the traffic conditions, I like the ability to display (or not) fuel, cafes and such along the route, to include my own points of interest and plan in stops, to map areas/roads to avoid on the next trip in an area. I do not think the data records on fuel and such will replace my 50 cents notebook.

I you should get this model and want help, print out their book, get Staples to bind it, and if you want to talk, give me a PM and I will call you, see if I can help more. (PS, I do not think the RM 7720 is best, it is just what I used to move from my little Garmin screen.)

Cheers, Mike

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

Reply #96 – April 25, 2013, 12:12:35 pm

Again, since I purchased my Garmin LMT last year I cannot attest as to the newer models, but I do not get ads with my traffic Garmin.

Mike on my Garmin if you touch the speed limit icon you can update the speed limit on the unit.

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

Reply #97 – April 25, 2013, 05:06:33 pm

I Like the traffic on the RM 7720, but I have to have the "lane assist" feature. I travel a quite a few interstates and go various places. Only time I have hit anything in my MH is when I was confused which lane to be in for the next maneuver (there were four lanes of interstate, and three different options at this point, I was trying to get from the second lane to the curb lane on passenger side and as I slowed I was "clipped" by a tractor trailer tearing off mirror, damaging entry door and Girard awning.

Lane assist shows a computer generated picture of which lane to be in and what the actual signs look like at the split/join/intersection, etc.

Here in Chicago we have two places of four lane interstate where each of the four lanes gets you to a different road/exit/direction. If you are in the wrong one, the recovery can take many minutes and miles. So for me, the large screen and lane assist on the RM make it my toy of choice in MH.

Still back it up with iphone, since the iPhone traffic is "crowd sourced" and more current, accurate and coves side streets.

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

Reply #98 – April 25, 2013, 07:50:52 pm

The Garmin I currently have as well as the Dezl both have the lane assist feature. I agree it is a great feature to have.

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

Reply #99 – April 25, 2013, 09:06:48 pm

Quote from: amos.harrison – April 24, 2013, 10:12:22 pm

I've had my Garmin Dezl 560 for over a year, and have found it to be excellent.

Brett - really appreciate your feedback

I spent quite a while reading reviews of the RM units and the Garmins online today (don't tell Steve, I visited another RV forum

But "The Google" made me do it

).

New RVND 7720 LM Rand McNally GPS - iRV2 Forums

Garmin Dezl 760 GPS - iRV2 Forums

First Impression: Garmin Dezl 760LMT GPS Unit - iRV2 Forums

We have a Streetpilot 2720 that has served us well, but is challenging to update and has gotten cranky on occasion.

I just ordered a Garmin Dezl 760LMT. The primary differences between the 560 and the 760 being screen size and the 760 has a smartphone link (Android app) capability that let you use your data plan (ours - grandfathered, unlimited) for (additional, beyond the traffic-receiver-data) live traffic and weather if needed. Well, and price....

Crutchfield - free shipping, no tax, and I had a coupon code 3A788 that saved $25

. 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

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