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encantotom
05-17-2012, 03:16 AM
hi all,

i looked and there didnt seem to be anything recent on discussions about gps systems. i have an older garmin mobile pc. with the new rig being so tall, i would like one that has great height routing and warnings.

any experience with recent gps systems for our use? i have a remote gps receiver so using a laptop is fine.

thoughts?

tom

lbrachfe
05-17-2012, 02:37 PM
Garmins Street Pilot 7200 series and forward offer settings for vehicle type, traffic warnings including bridges,overpasses, etc. and will reroute you. It is free standing with a gigantic screen (Biggest made at the time) and the last one we bought 3 years ago was $1100. We also have had the Kenwood built in to the dash model (goes where the radio is ). The only model that includes SAT radio,CD,back up and side cameras by Kenwood has the same features.

fulltiming
05-17-2012, 02:47 PM
Tom, the Garmin dezl 560LMT appears to be the ticket for an RV. I have the nuvi 3790 LMT which is similar except auto and pedestrian only. I LOVE my 3790. The display of speed limits is wonderful. The lane assist and junction view are terrific. On freeways that you haven't traveled, this is marvelous since it alerts you in advance which lane/lanes you should be in and then shows a 'photographic representation' of the exit. This alone is worth the price of admission in a car and even more important in an RV where changing lanes quickly is not a great idea.

Things you gain with the 560:
Ability to input height, length and width of your vehicle and have it avoid roads that are restricted.
Larger screen (5" vs 4.3")
Stores 15 routes with 1000 waypoints (versus only the ability to sort multiple destinations on 1 route on the 3790)
Truck Speed Limits are displayed where they are lower than Auto Speed Limits
Extra Loud Speaker
Grade Data - allows you to anticipate steep grades ahead
Exit Services (that would be nice)
HOS violation warning (hours of service) which is interesting and should be an indicator to stop and rest to us but it is not a violation without a commercial license and vehicle
ITFA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) logging which again is not as issue for RVers

What you loose (from the the 3790):
Alarm clock (never used it)
Voice Navigation
Enhanced pedestrian navigation (never used it)
Ultra thin design (3790 is .35" deep while the 560 is .6" deep)

I prefer the routing on the Google/Android Navigation system and find that the arrival times are more accurate with the Google/Android system than with the Garmin which is almost always optimist. However, the Google/Android system will route you down roads you don't want to be on in a large RV. The posted speed limit display is one of my favorite things. I have built in navigation systems in two of our three cars (both even MORE optimistic on arrival time than the Garmin) and when I travel I ALWAYS take the Garmin since it has better routing than the built in car systems (one GM, one Chrysler). The lane assist and the junction view are the other major benefits of the Garmin.

I have used Microsoft Trips and Streets and DeLorme Street Atlas. The larger screen is great in an RV but the loss of the speed limits, lane assist and junction view are big negatives to me.

Chester B. Stone, Jr.
05-17-2012, 02:57 PM
Tom, last year I purchased RandMcNally's new 7" GPS designed for RVs, sold by Camping World, and it has imputs for height and length. However, I would not purchase it again. The screen background color is a light green with white streets. Difficult to see on a bright day and impossible with sun glasses. Which ever unit you decide on, check it our for screen clarity on a bright day.

encantotom
05-17-2012, 03:16 PM
hi chester. thanks for the feedback. if it wasnt for the screen issues (lots of people online say the same thing) i think that would be the one i would get.

does anyone here actually have and use the Garmin dezl 560LMT that michael refers to above?

tom

Summersgal
05-17-2012, 09:12 PM
Tom

We purchased the Magellan Roadmate RV9145 which is designed for RV/Trucks. We have just used it on a short trip since we purchased. It has a 7" screen, One touch, Hwy lane assist and many other features. You also can program for the height, length, weight and so on for your coach. I really liked the 7" screen, it was much easier to see! And since I do most of the driving I'm a happy person with this one! Our other one was a tomtom and that thing could send us places that we should have not gone!!! LOL

Hope this helps!

Pam

afrench45
05-19-2012, 04:22 AM
I've started using my iPad more and have been very pleased. Fixing to buy a mount to place on the dash, then I'd have everything I need at my fingertips.

encantotom
05-23-2012, 03:17 PM
hi,

is there any other experience with the newer large screen rv gps units? the reviews are all over the map on them.

too bad the gps industry hasn't been able to nail a great rv gps

i still want to get one but have no idea which one to get.

tom

folivier
05-23-2012, 04:38 PM
I have the Magellan 1700 with 7" screen. Love the large screen. You can also purchase the Co-pilot upgrade for it which gives you the height restrictions, etc. Haven't done that yet.

rheavn
05-24-2012, 03:19 PM
Has any one used this product for alerting you of low clearances? Seems like an inexpensive way to add a nice feature to your gps.

http://www.lowclearances.com/?gclid=CKnpi_yambACFWaFQAodOlPu4Q

LynnJeff
06-25-2012, 05:24 PM
Tom:
We just bought the Garmin dezl 560LMT (after learning the Alpine headset INA-W910 doesn't do height of bridges) but haven't tried it on the road yet. The best review I found on all the trucking GPS systems (which is what you have to have) was from DieselBoss and the link is below. We also got a hard copy of the Rand McNalley Atlas for Truckers [Amazon USA, Large Scale Road Atlas, 2013 (Rand Mcnally Large Scale Road Atlas USA) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0528006282/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0528006282&linkCode=as2&tag=affiliatechie-20)http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=affiliatechie-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0528006282] because basically Rand McNalley does their own maps and Naveteq supplies maps for almost everyone else. This way you have two sources plus the updates for the Garmin dezl 560LMT are free for life AND the big rig RV options are built in (you have to buy an additional program for the Rand McNally for RV options) AND the Garmin fits easier in a car or for walking/hiking. Will let you know after we try it on the road.

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http://www.dieselboss.com/truck_gps_review_features.htm (http://www.dieselboss.com/truck_gps_review_features.htm)

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Lynn and Jeff
43' Newell, 30' ATC Trailer (13.6" tall!)

tuga
06-26-2012, 01:57 AM
Lynn & Jeff,

Good post!

Does the 560 LMT have a suction cup mount? From what I have read on the attachment it can only be used with the bean-bag type mount.

Chester B. Stone, Jr.
06-26-2012, 03:49 PM
I have installed a Rand McNally RVND 7710, and there is a problem due to the light green background which makes it almost impossible to see on a bright day. I recently mounted it above my head near the tire monitor and made a four inch hood to help block the light and positions the GPS closer to my eyes rather than other locations on the dash. With this mounting location, I had to use an external antenna to reach the windshield. If anyone is interested, I will post a photo. I will soon find out if this makes the 7710 of any use on a bright day. However, I considered replacing it with a Garmin dezl 560LMT, but discovered that the Garmin does not have a port to plug in an external antenna. If that is correct, then it must be mounted very close to the windshield and perhaps will be too far for good visibility. It may work great in a truck with the glass close to the wheel, but I am doubtful how useful it will be in a Newell. Based on my research, two of the three GPSs designed for a motorhome have the problem caused by a light green map background. Garmin is the exception, but does not have an external antenna. Hope this helps someone.

Chester B. Stone, Jr.
06-27-2012, 04:15 PM
Attached are a couple of photos showing how I mounted the Rand McNally 7710. I doubt the Garmin dezl can be mounted this way since I do not think it has an external antenna port.
23452346

express1
06-28-2012, 11:48 PM
Tuga, that looks like the radar system on your first Bertram....:o

tuga
06-29-2012, 12:46 AM
You're right Matt!

Do you remember where the Garmin nuvi took us when we were returning home from picking up your coach in Madison, WI?

I don't know what address we put in the Garmin (I think it was for a State Park) but we were driving a 45' Newell thru a residential neighborhood with low hanging trees, cars parked on the street, and narrow streets. We finally had to back up about 2 blocks to find our way out of the area.

But we made it! Those were fond memories! You need to buy another Newell and I'll go with you to pick it up!

express1
06-29-2012, 08:43 PM
Always good times, when doing activities with you over the past 30+years.
thanks again....

LynnJeff
07-02-2012, 06:15 PM
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F7857S/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000F7857S&linkCode=as2&tag=affiliatechie-20">Garmin Suction cup mount</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=affiliatechie-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000F7857S" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F7857S/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i02) We bought a suction cup mount here at Amazon for $3.93 but the bean bag mount will probably be the one we use on our center stand up front. Getting a little crowded up there....monitor for camera (9 yes, nine cameras for this scared wife...that would be me), built in monitor for Alpine, and now Garmin. Looking forward to meeting you guys one of these days.


Lynn & Jeff,

Good post!

Does the 560 LMT have a suction cup mount? From what I have read on the attachment it can only be used with the bean-bag type mount.

encantotom
07-03-2012, 12:13 AM
i bought the 7710. everyone is right that the display is not enough if you have it on the windshield. i use it on the laptop mount area on the little moveable cupholder thingee that weighs 50 pound.

so far i would say it is ok, but takes some strange routes sometimes.

tom

ccjohnson
07-23-2012, 01:03 AM
We use a laptop with Delorme Street Atlas loaded on it. We put the computer on the console with no slip rubber mat under it. We keep the generator on for A/C's when traveling so power is no problem. LOVE the 15" display! It lets you set your speed on different road types. With a little bit of practice ETA is almost always right on the money. Haven't found a ht & width feature yet but it does allow for road types to avoid when using the routing feature. GPS antenna is USB.

chockwald
07-23-2012, 04:00 AM
Clint, we use the same program, but on our HP Netbook....a little smaller, and fits the console better. It came with a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug, so no need to run the generator, or inverter to operate it. We love it and have also found the ETA is pretty much on the money.

prairieschooner
07-23-2012, 02:39 PM
I just bought a GARMIN NUVI 50LM for my Yukon and possibly the Newell. I like the way that the GARMIN products work so I appreciate the advice on the GARMIN dezl 560LMT. I would rather have a larger screen though so I am interested in a program for a Tablet.



(http://g.premiumstore.com/details/29610-47425/Garmin-Dezl-GPS-dezl-560LMT.html)


I tried Microsoft Streets and Maps a few years ago and was very disappointed with it. I would like to find out more about other programs but for now the 5" display will have to do.