GPS devices

[BODERRVING]

What does everyone else use for GPS for their RVs? We have a TomTom that is crazy. It has shown us back roads in IN and housing projects in SC; no thank you!

We want to be able to program our RV for height, restricted tunnels, bridges, etc. We have heard that Rand McNally was good and also Magellan, but which one?

Help. And thanks in advance to everyone.

[Hunter11]

We have a TomTom VIA 1605M RV GPS. It just took us to Elkhart, Ind and back from Austin, Tx. to pick up our new trailer and worked great.

[cw3jason]

A friend of mine just used the Rand McNally 7720, and he could not say enough about how much he loved it. He said and I quote "My Garmin NUVI which I do not use anymore wilts in the presence of the 7720."

Hope that helps.

[MEHoffman]

I have the God Sam GPS which is the Rand McNally 7725. So far I am mostly happy with it. I had always had Garmin units prior, so there was a learning curve as manufactures present things differently. There is an easy dock system to report discrepancies and up-dates maps which includes lifetime up-dates. I have the 7" screen and love the size.

[st.rodder2]

I have the Magellan RoadMate Pro 9165T from CW. It comes with live traffic updates and lifetime map updates. Completely programable for trailer type and size. It's kept me out of trouble many times. I've used it in the car and forgot to turn off the trailer and it wouldn't let me go down some roads because it thought I had the trailer connected.

[johnboytoo]

garmins for me... lifetime maps and traffic !

have nav in both cars, but they are horrible - waste of money !

[campingcpl]

We've been using a Garmin and haven't really had any issues.

[Gcross1468]

We also use Garmin and haven't had any issues. Not sure if they have a load in map program that will take height into consideration though. That would be a nice feature! I have a buddy that is a truck driver and he uses the Rand McNally. Says it's the best he's had for tractor trailers...

[DavisK]

I bought my first GPS in 1999, a Garmin StreetPilot, Garmin's first model. It had a monochrome screen that had an amber backlight. My second GPS was a Lowrance unit for my boat. I have since bought 3 Delorme GPS devices to use with various versions of their Street Atlas software on my laptops. I have also bought a Magellan, a Garmin Nuvi 750, 2 Garmin 1490LMT, a Garmin Colorado and one other Garmin handheld. The only one I don't still have is the Magellan. I gave it away because I could not stand it anymore. My Silverado came with the nav radio and built-in GPS. Before I begin camping out west in areas I've never traveled I plan to buy a Garmin RV 760LMT because of its weight and height avoidance abilities.

[avvidclif]

Rand 7720. Mainly because of the large screen and ability to put in height limits. The magellan doesn't aloow custom POI's at least not when I asked. The Rand does. BUT it also comes with the location of every animal hospital in the world(I think) and it can't be turned off.

[campingcpl]

On a lot of the newer Garmins you are able to upload routes, maps, custom poi's (points of interest), etc.. Garmin has a free program you can download from their website called basecamp that will aid in creating custom routes, adding waypoints and various other features. As for low clearances we use a website called http://www.lowclearances.com/ . You can download all of the low clearance points and then install them into your GPS. I have ours set up to give me a couple mile warning and show the height. We get regular updates from the web site so from time to time I have to update the Garmin but better then coming across a low bridge and taking off an a/c unit or worse. So far we have had pretty good luck with it. The only down fall is that sometimes you don't know if you are going over or under a bridge. Common sense usually tells me if I am on the interstate or a US highway I am probably going to be going over and on a country road or state highway more then likely going under.

[sleepyT]

Jean
Rosie just bought the Rand McNally Good Sam unit for us. Have not gotten to use it yet but will let you know how we like it after our next trip. Nancy and Tony have the Rand program for their I-Pad and they LIKE it. If you own an I-Pad you can buy the Rand program for it. It is cheaper than buying the GPS unit and it is the same program as on the GPS unit...

[BODERRVING]

Originally Posted by sleepyT

Jean
Rosie just bought the Rand McNally Good Sam unit for us. Have not gotten to use it yet but will let you know how we like it after our next trip. Nancy and Tony have the Rand program for their I-Pad and they LIKE it. If you own an I-Pad you can buy the Rand program for it. It is cheaper than buying the GPS unit and it is the same program as on the GPS unit...

Thanks, Tommy.

Now I have another reason to get an IPad. But I think the GPS is more than likely in Larry's future.

I know the Good Sam app helped us to know what routes would be better to use coming out of New England. Oh, Lord, I hope we NEVER have to go on the George Washington bridge ever again - 2 hours to go 5 miles - accidents galore and horrible, rude driving like I have never seen before.

[Gary Ohio]

I purchased a new Rand from CW last fall because our garmin would send us down too many small roads. The Rand had old maps because it was on the store shelf a long time. I called the Rand company and they helped me update the maps and included lifetime maps!!! I am very happy with the Rand GPS and their personnel.

[sleepyT]

Yes I have also heard that Rand's customer service is VERY GOOD..

[Bert]

I'm going to need to put a little more thought into my GPS after reading this thread. I used to use a Garmin but my phone with Google maps was 10 times better. I also use WAZE a social network app that let's you know where accidents are, traffic, police and even redirects you around traffic when possible. It's interactive so when you see something you log it on the app and it let's the next guy behind you know right away. A few truck drivers I know use it. But it does not allow you to set height parameters. It also helps you find cheap fuel on your routes.

[tator447]

Jean,
Like St.Rodder2 I also have the Magellan 9165RT. I have been nothing but impressed with it also. It saved my bacon in Niagara Falls last year when Linda wanted me to take a Parkway around the city to get to I-90. The minute I pulled on the road Magellan told me that I had to get off. As it turned out the bridge on the parkway was 12'2", my unit is 12'9" and with dual A/C's it may even be higher. The lane assist is great, it gives you warning of your turns 2 miles in advance, instead of 1 like the Garmin's do. I'm not knocking Garmin's, I've had them all my life and actually paid $600 for a Garmin years ago, and we still have one in Linda's car. We bring it with us when we travel as a backup. I wish the Magellan would let you download your own POI"s like the Garmin does. Our Garmin is programmed to tell us whenever we are within 10 miles of a waterfall, I cannot do that with the Magellan. But, all-in-all I like it and I have no complaints. Garmin didn't offer an RV model when I bought my Magellan, or perhaps I would have had one of those too. Good luck with your choice. See you in July.

Travel well,
Jim

[WildWildWest]

I guess I'm one of the few that likes the Ford Factory NAV system. Other than paying to update maps and it is still a bit outdated sometimes it provides sufficient warning on turns, etc. Got me into New York City with my 1 ton and all the way to and from a Mets game in Brooklyn without a hiccup. It works well for me when we travel in uncharted territory. One suggestion - don't always select the shortest route.

[sleepyT]

Jim
Parkways were created for cars only, and that is true nation wide. Absolutely no large truck traffic is allowed. They started in a city with the destination being a Park, so city people could have access to the great outdoors.

[mark5w]

Tommy,

How come we park in driveways and drive on parkways???? Go figure.