GPS for RVs

[Derek up North]

Not my review. From the KOA newsletter:

RV Tips: The Best GPS System for RVs

GPS technology makes finding travel destinations easy for automobile owners, but RV owners still have real-world concerns about using this technology. RVs are longer, taller and heavier than your average automobile, and a GPS designed for automobiles can get the RV owner in some challenging predicaments. Driving or towing an RV can be a white knuckle experience when the GPS leads you to an overpass that is too low, a bridge not rated for the weight or a residential neighborhood with low hanging tree branches.

Having some previous experience with non-RV GPS models there were some specific features and benefits I wanted in an RV GPS.

My RV GPS Criteria:

1. A screen display large enough to see while traveling down the road.

2. A non-glare screen. Lots of GPS displays are difficult to see because of the glare on the screen.

3. The option to select settings for an RV or for everyday automobile use.

4. A GPS that can be updated with current map data. I have owned GPS units that were basically worthless in a couple of years because you could not update the system with current data.

5. A GPS with RV specific tools like points of interest, RV campground locator, warnings, hazards and restrictions, RV friendly exits and RV trip planning features.

With my list of criteria, the search was on for a GPS unit designed with RVs in mind. I quickly discovered several very reputable GPS manufacturers who offered GPS units with RV features.

Magellan offers the RoadMate GPS for RVs. The RoadMate comes available in several models offering various levels of RV and truck related features. The features I like include:

1. A 7-inch touch screen display

2. Free lifetime map and traffic alert updates

3. Customizable truck/RV routes

4. Bluetooth enabled, turns your GPS into a hands-free speakerphone

5. Turn by turn spoken directions

6. RV campground information and RV POIs

Prices for the Magellan RoadMate range from $349.99-$429. 99.

Garmin offers several dezl GPS models with varying RV/truck related features. These Garmin GPS models are billed as truck and RV GPS units. Features I like on the Garmin RV/Truck GPS include:

1. Lifetime map and traffic updates

2. Trucking routes for the lower 48 states and Canada

3. Extensive exit services and POI listing

4. Customizable main menus

5. Bluetooth enabled

6. Spoken street names

7. Lane assist with Junction View

8. Turn by turn directions

Garmin is currently taking pre-orders on a new dezl 760MT GPS model loaded with great features including a large 7-inch touch screen. The 760MT will be released on December 31, 2012.

Prices for Garmin truck/RV GPS models range from $249.99-$399. 99.

As my research continued, I discovered that Rand McNally was the first to actually launch a GPS device designed specifically for RVs. It started with the RVND 5510 & RVND 7710 RV GPS models, and I discovered Rand McNally just released a new and improved RVND 7720LM RV GPS unit. At first glance, this new GPS met all of my criteria and more. It is evident this GPS was designed with RVers in mind.

Rand McNally offers the RVND 5510 & 7710 RV models and the brand new RVND 7720LM RV GPS model. The features I like include:

1. The large 7-inch screen that adjusts for low and strong light.

2. The unit lets you choose from 11 different RV types, and can be switched to car mode for everyday use too.

3. Lifetime map updates using the Rand McNally dock software portal for PC and Mac users.

4. Routes based on legal and physical restrictions, such as low bridges and roads with weight limits.

5. Packed with RV specific tools like Junction View with lane assist, warnings for speed limit changes and other potential hazards, Exits Quick View featuring RV parking and amenities available at exits, RV maintenance logs, and RV safety checklists featuring pre-departure and campground set-up checks. It also offers a quick planner to calculate time, distance and cost for trips, pet-friendly locations and there is an address book.

6. Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling transmission and display of weather and other real-time information. This includes current and forecasted weather information for your current location, your destination and anywhere along your route. The live map overlays display other important information for RV owners like wind speed and precipitation. All of these weather related features are important when making RV travel plan decisions.

7. A fuel log so you can track your fuel purchases, including where it was purchased, gallons and total cost and it can be organized by date or state.

8. A video input that can be used to connect to a back-up or rear view camera.

9. Trip planning features include trip content with images and videos, multi-stop trip planning, millions of POIs including RV services, dump station location, thousands of RV parks and campgrounds, Woodall campground information and text to speech descriptions as you drive.

10. Rand McNally Editor’s Picks, including Best of the Road® 3-4-day adventures, regional trips, scenic tours, weekend getaways.

Prices for RVND RV GPS models range from $149.99-$349. 99.

After researching some of the RV GPS models available, and based on my experience and criteria, I was sold on the new Rand McNally RVND 7720LM unit. The only thing left was to do was put it to a real world test.

The first thing I noticed and liked about this GPS unit was the brighter screen. It was really easy to see and can be adjusted for various light conditions. I liked the customized RV setting too. You simply choose the type of RV you have and the length, height and weight. Your best trip route is selected based on the information you provide and on Rand McNally proprietary information. I always stress to others the importance of making safety checks before leaving on a trip, so the RV checklist feature helps make sure noting is overlooked or forgotten. You can even make your own checklists.

The Exits Quick View feature made it easy to find things like fuel and places to eat along the way. Something else I always talk to other RV owners about is being aware of the current weather conditions when you are traveling in your RV. I particularly like the real time weather information feature. It not only gives current weather information for where you are, but along your route too. And you can monitor wind speed, an important consideration for RV travelers.

It was a breeze to locate our campground and I had the option to search for certain campground amenities we were looking for or needed. The rest of test drive went great with the new GPS unit. I really like the RVND 7720 GPS. I haven’t even scratched the surface when it come to features on this GPS, and can’t wait to check out more during our upcoming RV travels.

Regardless of the GPS unit you decide on, the good news is that there are finally some real RV GPS units to choose from. Do your research and decide which GPS best suits your specific needs and then head to your favorite KOA using your new GPS. You never know, if you ask for one now, maybe Santa will have it waiting for you under the tree on Christmas morning.

Happy RV learning,

Mark J. Polk

For more information on how to purchase, use and maintain your RV be sure to visit www.rveducation101. com.

[Derek up North]

I don't know if any of the new 'smart' things allow you to program in that you want to avoid hills (either going up or down) steeper than, for example, 15%?

Another feature I've never noticed would be a warning as you approach a State line where there's a big change in fuel prices. Either fill up before (if there's a jump) or wait until after (if there's a drop).

Maybe someone's already written an 'app'! Or someone should and get rich @$0.99/download!

[Maineah]

After using a GPS (many different kinds including a laptop) one thing I learned if it leads you to an unpaved road don't take it!! They like to send you on any road that's shorter if you get off course or make a wrong turn. Having ending up on a few skidder wide logging roads I learned my lesion.

[waiter]

I use a Magellan (two year old) windshield mount while traveling. I also have a Blue Tooth GPS that is mounted under my refrig chimney. I connect to it with my laptop and use Microsoft Streets and Maps.

John Mc

88 Dolphin 4 Auto

[Derek up North]

Here's another (sort of) review. Not mine, again.

"I recently bought a TomTom. Although I like the quality, features and ease of use of the TomTom their customer service is non-existent. I bought a model with lifetime maps, however I cannot update the unit. TomTom cannot determine what is wrong with it and even though it's in warranty they won't allow a return. They're service is awful so stay away."

[Totem]

IOS 6.0 (latest iphone release) will all but sprout hands and drive for you.

you can speak to siri and if you speak clearly and have cell tower signal, it will plot a course with no typing required.

You can also change settings such as closest distance, fastest time, avoid highways avoid tollways etc.

They have apps for finding cheapest gas, truck stops, showers etc.

Once the GPS is running a destination you don't need cell tower strength it runs on GPS.

It is based on the Tom Tom engine but is updated with IOS releases as it is now part of IOS.

Stand Alone GPS Units are like 8 tracks vs. blue ray when compared to smart phones.

[Vanman]

I was tooling around in the boondocks in my 08 Outback with GPS and came to the end of the road. It looped back to where I had come from, but the GPS said the road continued and connected to others. Was pondering this when a nice older lady approached me from the house at the loop and asked me why I has come up here. I showed her the GPS display and she said there was never any road there, but now understood why in the last several years she has so many puzzled visitors!!!

vanman

[Derek up North]

I don't want to go chasing down gas stations to save a few pennies on a fill up in a small gas tank.

But on the gas prices, do your fill ups someplace besides Washington State, we have very high gas prices due to taxes and refinery accidents. Often 50 cents a gallon more than other states.

I seem to remember there was a similar situation between gas in NY-Pa-Ohio along I80(?).

[Maineah]

I was tooling around in the boondocks in my 08 Outback with GPS and came to the end of the road. It looped back to where I had come from, but the GPS said the road continued and connected to others. Was pondering this when a nice older lady approached me from the house at the loop and asked me why I has come up here. I showed her the GPS display and she said there was never any road there, but now understood why in the last several years she has so many puzzled visitors!!!

vanman

Garman decided my drive way (all 927 feet of it) was actually the road that went to a state owned wild life management area never mind their road went straight and mine was a turn. We contacted Garman and they corrected the problem.

[Maineah]

Still using my Garmin GPS I got at costco for a hundred bucks a couple of years ago. No lifetime updates for it but it gets me where I want to go. It will show traffic too which can be handy driving around the city. State parks don't travel very far from where they put them so that does not change. RV parks are still mostly on the outskirts of towns so that does not change much either.

When my GPS dies and I get a new one it will come with new maps.

I don't want to go chasing down gas stations to save a few pennies on a fill up in a small gas tank.

But on the gas prices, do your fill ups someplace besides Washington State, we have very high gas prices due to taxes and refinery accidents. Often 50 cents a gallon more than other states.

That's pretty nuts isn't it for what they want to upgrade the maps you can all most buy a new one. It is kind of funny when it shows you driving across a river "who put that road there?"

[Derek up North]

Similar to the marketing scam by computer inkjet printer makers. Need cartridges? For $5 more you can buy a new printer!

[acudoc]

In regards to the IPHONE gps. One of their top executives just resigned because of their navigation program.

They have APOLIGIZED AND i THINK withdrawn the app. I use google maps. Have used a garmin for a few years.

I find that in the city I like both, ie if they take me the wrong way it is a minor deviation.

I stick to paper maps on the highway first and use gps for gas staitons etc. For example when going from San Diego to Agua Caliente campground

GPS with Garmin wanted to take me up and over a mountain instead of on a good highway.

Buyer beware. PS the stock of most GPS companies have tanked since the smartphones.

[Totem]

actually Scott Forstall was fired during the Sandy storm (where they could quietly do it without stock consequences as wallstreet was shut down) not resigned;

and the Apple Maps have been fixed in 6.0.1 and were never withdrawn; they are baked into IOS...

So basically everything you just posted with respect to Apple is not true. Agreed on GPS comments.

I think an IPAD mini would make a SWEET double DIN in dash puter/GPS etc.