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Post by garybushey on Feb 22, 2018 13:10:04 GMT -5
Looks like it has been about 5 years since this was last discussed so I was wondering which GPS people use today? I have one in my truck but it does not work well for a RV so I was considering the Garmin 770, Rand McNally RVND 7, or even the Garmin dezl (which is a trucker's GPS but has most of the same features plus a dash camera)
Any comments?
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Post by RdRmr on Feb 22, 2018 14:15:31 GMT -5
garybushey,
We use the Rand McNally RVND-7725 bought it years ago and it has done well, very happy with it. Why did we choose this one, lifetime updates and two separate programs. One for the tow vehicle alone and another for the tow vehicle and 5TH wheel. You program in all your parameters: total length, width, weight, height, amount of propane and such and it sets your route accordingly. As you stated, the one in the tow vehicle doesn't have those options. Happy Campin....
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Post by johnr on Feb 22, 2018 14:34:52 GMT -5
I have a Garmin RV760 with Lifetime Maps. I've had it for several years and it works pretty good. It had some trouble in Boston with the over and under passes but other than that it has always gotten me where I need to go. It too allows for entering the height and length of your RV. Plus it has a lot of campground locations already pre-loaded into it so you just have to search the name.
I would recommend getting lifetime maps if you can. It's well worth the couple extra dollars you'll spend compared to buying one later down the road.
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Post by doublewa on Feb 22, 2018 14:44:37 GMT -5
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Post by bluegrass2 on Feb 22, 2018 14:54:55 GMT -5
We have the Rand, in fact we have 2 as we moved the old one into the everyday vehicle when we upgraded a few years ago. We like them, no troubles. We liked that we could enter unit info. for size, propane, height, etc. Also as said above it allows us to change from when we are towing and using the truck daily...it sometimes makes a difference as to the routes they select. We did have an old Garmin years ago....it was OK but didn't give us options for the RV...sounds like Garmin has improved over the one we had.
There can be issues with tunnels and bridges as it is based on satellite reception.....pay attention to exits before you enter a tunnel of lots of overpasses as you might miss a turn it the exit is nearby.
We use the campground locations, gas stations, stores, restaurants, and other points of interest a lot.
We think the Rand is a good choice.
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Post by garybushey on Feb 22, 2018 14:55:27 GMT -5
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Post by doublewa on Feb 22, 2018 15:10:15 GMT -5
Not a problem. Ray usually does some pretty spot on and through reviews. He doesn't just do them after a week (well he will do one after a week), he usually follows up with a review several months or even a year later. I've checked out some of his reviews and bought some of the things he reviewed for myself and it's damn near spot on. He usually has videos about it somewhere on here too. |
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Post by jetzen on Feb 22, 2018 16:54:46 GMT -5
Have a built-in Garmin navigation system in the DW mini van, it is ok at best. It's directions and screen displays are poor, it is had to navigate the menus and the updates are expensive. So if you ever buy a new vehicle tell the dealer to keep their built in systems.
I also have a portable Tom-Tom 680XXL with lifetime updates, traffic warning and fuel pricing. I purchased it 5 years ago and use it in my truck. It has preformed flawlessly. It is easy to navigate the menus has an excellent screen display, does not give me as man false directions as the Garmin and best of all it was inexpensive.
You will get many opinions on GPS systems, non of them are perfect. pick the brand and model that YOU like and can afford and remember one very important thing
NEVER USE THEM TO REPLACE COMMONSENCE they will let you down every time, |
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Post by bluegrass2 on Feb 22, 2018 20:26:53 GMT -5
Ditto on the common sense...also, DO NOT rely on any of them with out having a map as a back-up with you and a general mental note of your expected route. There have been glitches that can leave you lost in a hurry.
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Post by mtcowgirl on Feb 22, 2018 23:16:58 GMT -5
We have the Dezlcam. Was in our big truck and just moved it to rv. Like that it shows low overpasses, tight curves, etc. and it also a dash cam. As the saying goes we don't leave home without the dashcam anymore. Also have the built in gps in our Ram 5500. Between the phone, the truck and the garmin, we are covered. Also, have our road atlas from our trucking days.
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Post by johnr on Feb 23, 2018 7:38:39 GMT -5
What do you find the dashcam useful for? Is it strictly if you get into an accident?
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 23, 2018 8:20:27 GMT -5
What do you find the dashcam useful for? Is it strictly if you get into an accident? I download some of the best videos to the laptop. |
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Post by johnr on Feb 23, 2018 9:52:19 GMT -5
What do you find the dashcam useful for? Is it strictly if you get into an accident? I download some of the best videos to the laptop. And do what with them? |
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Post by doublewa on Feb 23, 2018 9:56:59 GMT -5
I download some of the best videos to the laptop. And do what with them? A full-timer I follow on You Tube does dashcam footage of some of the BLM areas he stays at or hikes in certain parks and stuff. It's pretty cool, I think, because you get to see a part of the world you might not otherwise see. Then of course, there's that whole accident thing. |
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Post by Chuck on Feb 23, 2018 10:50:55 GMT -5
As well if someone cut you off an stops in front of you or cut across in fromt of you it also shows
who was at fault in an accident ...
Safe travels an don't forgget about the Kz national Rally in Aug. near the factory
Chuck
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 23, 2018 11:24:50 GMT -5
I download some of the best videos to the laptop. And do what with them? After I complete a trip, I make a slide show of the photos that were taken, and insert video clips from the dashcam if they will better tell the story. This isn't mine but it is an example of what can be done. video I have been there and have an excellent dashcam video of Zion. |
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Post by mtcowgirl on Feb 23, 2018 23:02:17 GMT -5
We like the extra protection in case of an accident. We can also leave it running when we are parked somewhere in case someone hits our rig. We had it running and hit a deer. Was easy to show adjuster what happened!
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Post by 101stairborne on Feb 24, 2018 9:50:20 GMT -5
Looks like it has been about 5 years since this was last discussed so I was wondering which GPS people use today? I have one in my truck but it does not work well for a RV so I was considering the Garmin 770, Rand McNally RVND 7, or even the Garmin dezl (which is a trucker's GPS but has most of the same features plus a dash camera) Any comments? I recently purchased a Garmin RV 660. it was very inexpensive but works well. My main concern was low bridges or overpasses. So far, when I put in a route, the GPS will reroute you if there is a low bridge, etc. My F-250 has factory Nav system but it does not have the features of the Garmin.. The Garmin has lifetime map updates and traffic alerts. Total cost is approximately $200. |
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Post by garybushey on Feb 24, 2018 16:38:04 GMT -5
I bought a Garmin RV 770 but it failed the first test I gave it. I noticed when camping at Hard Labor creek in Rutledge, GA that the direct route to I-20 would take you over a railroad crossing that displayed one of those warning to trucks that they may drag (which I'm guessing would probably apply to my 40' 5th wheel RV as well) but the Garmin took me the exact same route.
Is that a fail or is it smart enough to figure that my RV would not be affected? I really have no way of telling if my RV would drag on that or not as I went a different way home.
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Post by bluegrass2 on Feb 24, 2018 19:53:35 GMT -5
You will find none of them are perfect. There is a short arched-stone train tunnel in our county that didn't warn us for our unit. We accidently discovered it when we were riding around with the truck and realized it was still in the RV mode. The bridge is arched so we can drive the center lane and get through but the edges would be concerning should we have to meet someone. It is an extremely old bridge on a small country road.
We have called ahead to CG for availability and been told not to follow the GPS because of bridges, poor roads, etc. approaching their CG.
They are great to have but not 100%...as someone said use common sense.
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