GPS

[jon carpenter]

Ditto with Norm/Ginny and CPW. Google is fine for all of our needs.

[Backwater Bill]

MapsMe is a free phone app that works without a data connection. It gives turn by turn instructions.

MAPS.ME (MapsWithMe), detailed offline maps of the World for iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle Fire and BlackBerry

[David B.]

Originally Posted by LDP

We are looking at the Magellan RV9365T-LMB 7"..... any thoughts?

Lloyd, the problem I had with the very first GPS we had (Magellan), was that when it came for the update, the device was not compatible with MAC devices. We had a MacBook. I called their support and asked if they plan to come up with a way for Mac users to be able to update their GPS's, and they said that they have no plans and never will......I guess it is a sore spot for them.
We bought a Garmin after that, but even their updates are difficult for the technically challenged.
Dave & Paula

[Glenn Baglo]

No problem updating my TomTom from my MacBook Air.

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by sokhapkin

But phone needs Internet connection which you most likely will not have when need to see a map in hurry in the middle of nowhere:-) Off-line mapping solution like stand alone GPS is a must for travellers who travel not Interstates only.

There is mapping software for phones that does not require an internet connection - CoPilot is an example.

That said, I prefer a stand along GPS. I've had one since the late 90's (A Garmin GPS III+) and currently use a Nuvi 3580. That said, I still stop at AAA and pick up paper maps for all the states I plan to travel through, as well as carrying an atlas. The GPS is great in that it makes county level maps available for the entire country, but a real map is much better at looking at "the big picture".

As to the model of GPS, the models & software change so often that I'd have a hard time recommending a particular model. I will say that one of the annoying things about the Nuvi 3580 is that if you do a coordinate search (what I usually end up using to find a campground using the AllStays app) you cannot change the coordinates to a name like you can with some of the older models. Trying to find a campground later in the "recent" menu is a pain using coordinates. I'd want to get my hands on & play with any new model...

[steve dunham]

My Samsung Galaxy / T Mobile phone is a phone in name only. Over half the time at home, we have no phone service or internet service and cannot text . We have traveled for days on end and never had one minute of service when we were on the road . Most of the time it is basically useless
My 6 year old Garmin , while not perfect at least works 90% of the time and gets us where we want to go. I would never depend totally on my cell phone under any circumstances . We still have a land line in our home because we want service that we can depend on in case of an emergency . Technology is only great when it actually works !!

[honda03842]

If we're in a low data area we can program a route on Wi-Fi and it will download the route for later usage.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[honda03842]

For us the primary usage of Wi-Fi is in data usage areas like cities. Between locals I have Ginny.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[rdickens]

For whatever it might be worth ......

Some of the things you might consider in a Garmin unit:

1) Voice control

2) BC-30 wireless (backup) camera interoperability - for "behind the trailer" view

3) LMTHD - lifetime maps & traffic with rapid HD traffic updates (every 30 seconds)

4) 6" display size? - 5" = smallish? ... 7" = nice but just a bit big for some mounting spots?

I personally wondered if the RV units (RV-760LMT) were a little more targeted at motor homes and larger trailers and not quite as applicable to our smaller FGRV trailers? .... YMMV?

With my older non-HD traffic unit, reported incidents were often cleared before I got there or else were unreported until I was already impacted.

Good luck with your search and decisions!

Ray






Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV

[monB]

Originally Posted by Civilguy

.....Now if I add a dash-mount hula doll I'll probably have to hang my head out of the driver's window just to see the road ahead.

Naw, you just get a dog for that!

Mon

[DeanCHS1980]

Howdy Ray,

Despite my interest in the Garmin RV 760LMT, I agree with your thoughts. I think it is geared more toward the larger RVs like Motorhomes, etc. and is not a requirement for our smaller egg campers. A nice toy with capabilities beyond what most of us need, but still a nice toy!

Happy New Year,

Dean

[MarkyVasquez]

Originally Posted by sokhapkin

But phone needs Internet connection which you most likely will not have when need to see a map in hurry in the middle of nowhere:-) Off-line mapping solution like stand alone GPS is a must for travellers who travel not Interstates only.

You don't need internet while traveling. If you plan your trip beforehand, google maps will allow downloads of the area you're traveling to. If on a limited data plan, when stopping for fuel or potty break, just use the business wifi. Most truck stops, and fast food restaurants have free wifi.


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[BARNEYCONE]

Take a look at units by rand mcnally,love mine!
Barney cone ii