Considering RV Life Pro GPS

[PS89]

And the calculated route now may be different than the calculated route two hours from now due to perceived traffic conditions.

No kidding! I learned to keep the app running the desired route the whole day, seems to keep it from re-doing the routing, at least that I've run into.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

The only way I've found to FULLY customize is to set specific waypoints, which depending on trip length, could be literally HUNDREDS of them. The simple fact that you can't just simply DRAG AND DROP a part of the route around something you want to avoid speaks volumes.

Although it's like building a house with toothpicks, at least Garmin allows you (clunkily) build a specific route using avoidances. Then it won't change it. But you could spend hours doing that. Trade offs...

 

[dkoldman]

One of the other PITA things about the APP is if you blow by a waypoint and it doesn't think you hit it, it will continue to try to reroute you back to that waypoint for hours with no easy way for you to tell it to skip that waypoint and move on to the next waypoint.

This exactly what happened the last time I used RV GPS App, it kept making me take the next exit to turn around I was told, 2 years back, I had to login back into the planning tool to change.

I would use Google Apps, but Waze will always be my #1 because of the social interactions. I like knowing of the hazards and warnings on the road upcoming. Not that I am speeding, but it is nice to know when police are up front especially if they are hidden.

 

[Janet H]

Who has experience with the RV Life GPS app? Is it worth using over a unit like a Garmin or Apple Maps and Google? Thanks for the input.

Lots of outdated info on this thread....

RV LIFE Pro gives your RV safe navigation that Apple and Google simply can't, routing you around low bridges, impassable roads and allowing you to customize your route.

There are roads that RVs are NOT allowed on - most especially on the East Coast, and the RV LIFE Pro can help with this, routing you around these roads.

For longer-term planning, you can use the companion Trip Wizard (browser only) to find campgrounds, estimate travel costs and times and track reservation info. Once you've planned the trip, your route will sync to the app for live turn by turn navigation en route.

As a side benefit, RV LIFE Pro subscribers see no ads on the forum

There is a 7-day trial period - opt out if you find it unsatisfactory.

 

[ducksface]

If you divulge your map source it will make it easier for people to decide.
Garmin
Magellan
Mapqwest
Google
Xterra
Streetatlas(I think that's what that stupid Garmin used; a streetatlas map from 1991)

 

[yukongrant]

Like PS89 - I use RV Life to plan our trips. But use Google Maps for GPS directions. I'm quite aware "if you're not paying for the product you are the product." I've been selling myself for years and really don't mind.

 

[Janet H]

If you divulge your map source it will make it easier for people to decide.

The mapping source can be seen on the screen (HERE) and is heavily customized specifically for RVers.

You can configure your routing preferences to avoid height hazards, tolls, dirt roads, steep grades, highways, and can use the search tools to find campgrounds, fuel stops, rest areas, etc. Maps are downloadable for offline use (useful in the NW).

Street view is available, weather overlays and fire overlays are available, and more. Best of all, no external hardware is needed, just your cell phone, which will run updates periodically to update maps as roads change.

 

[16ACE27]

I like knowing of the hazards and warnings on the road upcoming.

Google Maps does that now as well.

 

[ducksface]

I don't mind that alexa, maps, and chrome knows which brand of panties I wear.

I'm
Just
Not
That
Special

And
While we're on the subject...a small tangent:
Life 360 is a free app that tracks a sim card(cell phone) so to know where the phone/person is at all times.

My version of the app is accurate enough that I can tell which chair at the dining room table the spousal unit is sitting in.

Consider this when in rv parks and and forests and ghettos you don't know well.
Walk anywhere, backtrack perfectly.

 

[ducksface]

If the app/program requires a hobby level of skill I won't use it if I can find another that does 80% with no prior skill needed.

I've had sygic for 15ish years.
I'm not remembering if the instructions were even in English back then. Maybe it's Scandinavian I don't remember.
It used to be very hard to use.

 

[16ACE27]

The mapping source can be seen on the screen (HERE) and is heavily customized specifically for RVers.

Just to clarify, the name of the mapping source is Here Technologys:

HERE Technologies | The world's #1 location platform

HERE is a PaaS for building, deploying and scaling location solutions. Create custom maps, visualize location datasets, gather insights and buy and sell location assets.

www.here.com

Not the word/missing hyperlink as it may appear.

 

[Janet H]

If the app/program requires a hobby level of skill I won't use it if I can find another that does 80% with no prior skill needed.

Here's the thing... Navigation tools need to know how big your rig is, and something about your routing preferences to return good information. This means that you have to do some setup work.

This is an undesirable outcome and is completely avoidable:

 

[16ACE27]

Navigation tools need to know how big your rig is, and something about your routing preferences to return good information.

That's a true statement and something that the RV Life GPS APP does have as well as Garmin RV GPS units and Sygic GPS APPs (among others), but other APPS such as Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps (and others) do not. But that is just one "talent" the GPS tool must have. Updated map info, updated traffic info, smart re-routing, accurate travel time estimating, accurate POIs and others are "talents" drivers need/want. That's why so many RVers use multiple navigation aides while traveling - one aid just doesn't click all the boxes. Some click so view they don't even make the prospective list. One solution will never be good enough for everyone's taste, that's why there are many players in the field.

I've mentioned before that I think the RV Life Trip Planner is one of, if not THE, best out there. I just wish the GPS APP was as well, but it's left me disappointed on several long trips. I'll probably run it on a device again on our long trip this summere just to see if it has gotten better. Maybe it will become a contender.

 

[SGilbert]

Here's the thing... Navigation tools need to know how big your rig is, and something about your routing preferences to return good information. This means that you have to do some setup work.

Janet, you can preach as long and loud as you wish, the fact remains, HERE mapping just doesn't cut it!!
As said here several times, I use RV Life Pro's GPS, but only to check my route for problems. I then, out of necessity and road information, switch to Waze for the entire trip.

Until you (I'm assuming you're associated with RV Life Pro) change to a reliable mapping software company, I will not rely upon the HERE GPS! Period.

I've mentioned before that I think the RV Life Trip Planner is one of, if not THE, best out there. I just wish the GPS APP was as well, but it's left me disappointed on several long trips. I'll probably run it on a device again on our long trip this summer just to see if it has gotten better. Maybe it will become a contender.

Agree 100%

 

[dkoldman]

Lots of outdated info on this thread....

Outdated does not mean not true. When a User or buyer of anything learns some material facts that is negative about any product, and decide to move on, it is not normal the User's or Buyer's responsibility to continue to view that product as viable. If I go to a restaurant and food or service is bad, I leave. Not only do I not go back, but if one ask, I will tell them my truthful experience. A few years ago the RV GPS App was about as bad as it could get, I faithfully tried. I am 100% sure there are threads on the issues and to my knowledge, no one spoke of an update or new changes.

That's why so many RVers use multiple navigation aides while traveling - one aid just doesn't click all the boxes. Some click so view they don't even make the prospective list. One solution will never be good enough for everyone's taste, that's why there are many players in the field.

I've mentioned before that I think the RV Life Trip Planner is one of, if not THE, best out there. I just wish the GPS APP was as well, but it's left me disappointed on several long trips. I'll probably run it on a device again on our long trip this summere just to see if it has gotten better. Maybe it will become a contender.

I have two systems now, maybe I can try for 3. My biggest knock on the RV GPS App now, is that I simply don't need it. It would have to be compatible as an app on my Android Auto device. Until then Waze wins, during the interim if I ever do run across a low bridge and I am somehow distracted to not see, I have my Garmin RV890. I would not recommend anyone to buy the RV890, I just have it because I have it.

 

[16ACE27]

It would have to be compatible as an app on my Android Auto device.

 

[Lt Keefer]

All the complaint in this thread are why I still rely on paper maps.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Mapping comes from satellites. And we ALL know who "owns" those satellites. Ironically, each and every one of us paid (is paying) for them. Corporations lease the data via a license. Then developers (including Alphabet/Google Maps/Waze) create interfaces to use/present that data. It's ALL the same data... just presented in different visual ways. Ground based weather radar works the same way. Mass media just leases the data then pretties it up to make it presentable.

 

[Janet H]

Outdated does not mean not true. When a User or buyer of anything learns some material facts that is negative about any product, and decide to move on, it is not normal the User's or Buyer's responsibility to continue to view that product as viable. If I go to a restaurant and food or service is bad, I leave. Not only do I not go back, but if one ask, I will tell them my truthful experience. A few years ago the RV GPS App was about as bad as it could get, I faithfully tried. I am 100% sure there are threads on the issues and to my knowledge, no one spoke of an update or new changes.

I have two systems now, maybe I can try for 3. My biggest knock on the RV GPS App now, is that I simply don't need it. It would have to be compatible as an app on my Android Auto device. Until then Waze wins, during the interim if I ever do run across a low bridge and I am somehow distracted to not see, I have my Garmin RV890. I would not recommend anyone to buy the RV890, I just have it because I have it.

I'm sorry you had a negative experience. The app has had many, many updates in the past two years. Routing has been substantially improved, mapping has been improved and updates continue.

 

[16ACE27]

Mapping comes from satellites.

No, mapping was around long before satellites or even airplanes. You might say in today's world "positioning" comes from satellites. The position of the travelers and indeed, the accurate position of roads and other mapping features comes from GPS and aerial surveys.