GPS or not

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans

Since have tried the Waze app & that is the absolute worst GPS programming I've ever used, it'll have you zigzagging all over town to cross the street.

I think they call that the "scenic route"...

[Pete'sMH]

The lady in the Garmin is not quite as smart as she thinks she is though. She once told me it would take almost 6 hours to go 200 miles on interstate 70 in Ohio/Indiana. I examined her particulars and she thought there was a bridge with a 10,000 lb weight limit so she routed me way around. Obviously I70, despite its age, is not that crippled. I was impressed however at how much of a fuss the unit put up as I approached the bridge. Bright red flashing cautions and a dialog box asking me to acknowledge that I was accepting the risk.

[lwmcguire]

I have had decent results with RM and the update does require pulling the card

Garmin is OK and I check routes with the phone and actual Road Atlases as well

My favorite phone App is Hammer and it fits well with my large long RV and Towed

Tried most of the apps and several GPS devices and all have issues at some point

[Bob Denman]

Perhaps you just have to get as many as you can afford to...

... and let them argue over which route is best!

[jjoster56]

I have been using CoPilot this year on my phone. It's a bit clunky but I have been getting used to it. Parameters of my unit are loaded in. We usually compare its recommended path to Google Maps before we head out as a comparison, but will always take the CoPilot routes. Google Maps has taken us through some steep and winding roads that I wish we would have not traveled. Fastest is not always best.

[lwmcguire]

Sounds like the best idea yet!

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Perhaps you just have to get as many as you can afford to...

... and let them argue over which route is best!

[Bob Denman]

. It saves arguing with The Missus about it.
It becomes a spectator sport!

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

. It saves arguing with The Missus about it.
It becomes a spectator sport!

Like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK17k65CAno

[Bob Denman]

I'm gonna get a sandwich and a beer, and put that on continuous play!

[MJC62]

Looking for the Garmin 770 RV you all are talking about and there are a boatload of Garmin 780 RV advertised all over, (Wally World, Cabela's, Bass Pro, Amazon etc) for right at $400 is that the updated variation of your 770 RV?

[Bob Denman]

Yup!

[Lt Keefer]

No GPS here, I use free maps from state welcome centers and ask locals for directions. I also have a spiral bound road atlas from Amazon. I preplan the next days travels and if I get lost, so be it. Just think, over 200 years ago Lewis and Clark set off on their great expedition of the northwest. Over 600 years ago Christopher Columbus set off to discover a new route to Asia. Neither one had GPS and while Columbus got lost and ended up in the Caribbean Sea the results of their travels are legendary. Now a days folks can't even go to the nearest campground without a Nav system in their campers. I guess a sense of adventure only extends as far as the screen of a connected device.

[HarryS]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I have a Garmin 770RV mounted atop my dashboard and consider it essential. It has a number of worthwhile RV specific features and I leave it in the coach ready to go. I like my phone well enough but this is bigger and better for the purpose. Well worth the significant price.

How did you get it to 'stick' to the top of the dash?

[Tmgsteve]

I have Garmin 770...hasn't steered me wrong yet!

[Wiley1]

I have a drawer full of GPS devices made by Garmin and Magellan. None of them have been powered up since I got a smartphone. If anybody wants one, I'll mail it for $20.

The best thing about using GPS on your smartphone is that it is always up to date. As soon as a new road or business is reported to Google Maps, it appears on the screen. These updates are free and you don't have to do anything to get them. No SDCard, and no fees. All automatic.

In the next few weeks, I'll install a new radio/audio/head unit in my Class-C. Whichever one I settle on, it will have GPS integrated with an antenna on the roof. The maps will display on a 10.1" screen. Why would anybody want a 4.5" Garmin screen?

My new head unit will run Android 10, so I can change apps anytime. Google Maps is great, Waze might be better. In the future there will be many new apps, some specifically for RV's.

Its good to have more than one GPS onboard. We often run them simultaneously and compare results.

You may already know this, but....
When you use a smartphone or audio-integrated GPS, you might choose to download the free offline Google Maps. It defeats one of the advantages of an online navigation app, but it doesn't eat up your Internet bandwidth.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by HarryS

How did you get it to 'stick' to the top of the dash?

I used a short RAM mount with t self stick disk. I did put two very small sheet metal screws through it into the top of the dashboard for good measure though I suspect most folks would not want to do that and I don’t know that it’s actually needed. My setup seems to be very secure.

[Jph]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

I had the Rand McNally which IMO was garbage. Routed me down too many narrow streets even though RV parameters were set.

I now have the Garmin and have had no problems with it.

I have the Rand as well and agree with you it being junk. I have to really be careful about it’s suggested routes

[RPM22FE]

I have a Garmin 770 and when it is on RV mode it will take you out of the way for no reason. It constantly tries to take us down twisty almost single lane roads in VA. Even tries to take you on unpaved roads at times. It will try to take me down a small road by my house every time I turn left out of my driveway even though the road I am on is a main road that has no obstruction. It has tried to steer me wrong almost ever trip we have gone on. I use Google maps to counter the Garmin's stupid moves. I have all the settings correct according to the Garmin instructions but it just isn't reliable.
Your luck may be better with one but where I drive you always need a backup navigation system.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by RPM22FE

I have a Garmin 770 and when it is on RV mode it will take you out of the way for no reason. It constantly tries to take us down twisty almost single lane roads in VA. Even tries to take you on unpaved roads at times. It will try to take me down a small road by my house every time I turn left out of my driveway even though the road I am on is a main road that has no obstruction. It has tried to steer me wrong almost ever trip we have gone on. I use Google maps to counter the Garmin's stupid moves. I have all the settings correct according to the Garmin instructions but it just isn't reliable.

Your luck may be better with one but where I drive you always need a backup navigation system.

Yikes! Have you updated your maps and set the physical specs of your coach? And your highway preferences? Mine has led me astray once or twice so you’re right it’s worth double checking the route , but overall it’s been a trusted travel partner in like 30,000 miles over 5 years of RV travel.

[RPM22FE]

Updated before every trip and all weights, hight, and length set. Avoid unpaved roads, u turns, etc set. Linked to phone for info.. Still sucks.