GPS Map Software which one???

[Dom Ferris]

New laptop is on the way. I'm going to use a bluetooth GPS and need to update my old map software (Delorme). I've narrowed it down to Delorme Steet Atlas or MS Streets and Trips. What does everyone recommend?

Dom Ferris

[The Newell]

You might want to check this out

Joseph

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OEIY8W/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005OEIY8W&linkCode=as2&tag=affiliatechie-20">Rand McNally TripMaker RVND 7710 7-Inch GPS for Car and RV</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=affiliatechie-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005OEIY8W" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

GPS for RV
- RVND 7710 -


Product Features
Style Name: GPS

7-inch LCD display
This Rand McNally GPS device is designed specifically for the RVer and camper. Routing includes legal weight and height restrictions designed for the type of RV you are using
More than 14 million points of interest - including festivals, National/State/Regional Parks and other Rand McNally researched locations
Pet-friendly locations - animal hospitals, hiking trails, parks, beaches, and more
RVer Tools including Checklists, Quick Mileage Calculations, Maintenance Logs, and Breadcrumb Trails to get you back to your campsite



Additional Map, Routing, and Device Features:

This Rand McNally 7" GPS device has been designed specifically for the RVer! RV-Easy routing begins with a base of award-winning navigation from Rand McNally; includes RV-legal routes, Parkway and Boulevard, weight, and height restrictions - all designed for the specific type of RV you are using, including 11 classes of RV's. Prioritizes right-hand turns whenever possible.

Turn-by-turn voice and text directions so that you can focus on the road ahead.

3D road junction view prepares you for splits or junctions in the highway ahead.

You choose to set warnings for speed limit, sharp curves, tolls, steep grades, time zones, state borders, or dirt roads.

Large, clear, bright screen with oversize buttons and a loud speaker perfect for large vehicles.

Rand McNally proprietary trip content - plan a weekend, city side trip, regional trip and more with specific information on places to stop and unique things to do.

Over 13,000 RV campgrounds and 6000 travel centers with detailed amenities (like dump stations and electrical hook-ups, etc.) RV dealers and service locations, parking and rest areas.

More than 150,000 places just off the interstate so that you know what is located at each exit.

24,000 pet-friendly locations: animal hospitals, hiking, beaches, parks, more!

Extra content downloadable with a PC and internet connection

Real-time traffic ready (requires additional accessory)

12,000 Rand McNally "Editor's Picks" for destinations - including weekend getaways, regional trips, "Best-of-the-Road" locations, scenic tours, and top cities (with video guides built in!)

Virtual Dashboard screen gives you quick-reference information like average speeds, trip odometers, elevation, uphill and downhill statistics, time that you have been stopped by hour, day, week, etc.

[Chester B. Stone, Jr.]

My Rand McNally is not visible on a bright day due to having a light green background and white streets. This week it has frozen up about 12 times and often gives incorrect directions. It is simply junk and I would not recommend it to anyone. Actually, it is dangerous.

[Dom Ferris]

Hi Chester B. Stone, JR.

If you could do it all over again what program or software would you use.

Thank You,

Dom Ferris

[Chester B. Stone, Jr.]

Dom, I am researching now and will post when I find an acceptable unit. The Garmin 5" dezl is interesting, but I do not think it provides for an external antenna. I want to avoid mounting the GPS on the windshield, but prefer to mount it above near the tire monitor for closer viewing. I am also looking into the PC Miller truck GPS.

[Dom Ferris]

Hello Chester B Stone,JR,

Thank you for your reply, I will wait to hear your recommendation and continue my search.

Dom Ferris

[1993Newell]

I could never figure out the GPS gadget my son gave me as a gift so I gave it back to him. I think I'm to old for all these high tech gadget. I'll stick to my road map instead.

[Dom Ferris]

Wanted to let you all know I am still searching for that perfect software. If you have any recommendations please send them my way.

[The Newell]

Have you checked into the HTC smartphone from Verizon which uses Google maps...which are automatically updated You get turn-by-turn directions and even a satellite view...where you can zoom in to the location you're going from a top-down image taken via satellite etc.

[MrE]

I used Google maps on my smart phone to get from Austin Texas to Boise Idaho. I learned to ignore some of the directions, there were numerous times where it was alerting me to an upcoming turn that common sense told me not to follow directions. There were also the times where I would have felt comfortable in a car, but not in a 40' 102" wide motor home. From what I've seen so far, I'm leaning towards the Garmin Dezl where I can let the GPS unit know that I'm not in a 4x4 jeep.

[tuga]

Dom,

I have used MS Streets and Trips for about 10 years; I love it. I plan my trip on Streets & Trips, record phone numbers and other pertinent info using the push pin feature. Streets & Trips is better for planning a long trip; it gives approximate distances which can be preset for how far you want to drive in a day. This way you can plan which RV parks will be in the area. I use Big Rig Best Bets for CG selection.

Then I use the Garmin 470 (or whatever the number is) GPS to actually navigate with going down the road.

I print out the directions from Streets & Trips and compare those with the Garmin as we are traveling.

Both units have advantages over the other. So using both I have the best of both worlds.

A word of caution: you can make an error using either system. For example, if you enter 121 Maple St. New Orleans, LA you may actually want to go to 121 Maple St. Metairie, LA. If you are not familiar with the city of New Orleans you won't realize that Metairie is a suburb of New Orleans. So it is very important to get it right the first time; also using 2 systems helps a great deal.

Good luck!

[Dom Ferris]

Dom,

I have used MS Streets and Trips for about 10 years; I love it. I plan my trip on Streets & Trips, record phone numbers and other pertinent info using the push pin feature. Streets & Trips is better for planning a long trip; it gives approximate distances which can be preset for how far you want to drive in a day. This way you can plan which RV parks will be in the area. I use Big Rig Best Bets for CG selection.

Then I use the Garmin 470 (or whatever the number is) GPS to actually navigate with going down the road.

I print out the directions from Streets & Trips and compare those with the Garmin as we are traveling.

Both units have advantages over the other. So using both I have the best of both worlds.

A word of caution: you can make an error using either system. For example, if you enter 121 Maple St. New Orleans, LA you may actually want to go to 121 Maple St. Metairie, LA. If you are not familiar with the city of New Orleans you won't realize that Metairie is a suburb of New Orleans. So it is very important to get it right the first time; also using 2 systems helps a great deal.

Good luck!


Tuga,

What is the cost of Streets & Trips is my first question. Second is, I take it I need a laptop to run the program is that correct? And Third is it a one time fee or a yearly subscription?

Thank You,

Dom

[tuga]

Dom,

I honestly can't remember how much S & T costs, I would guess about $65. Yes, you will need a laptop. You purchase the software and you can go online to update road construction and other updates free.


There is a version that uses a GPS antenna that sticks to the windshield. I prefer to use a Garmin GPS instead. I just use the S & Trips at home or when I'm planning a trip.

[Dom Ferris]

Tuga,

That was a nice recommendation, I decided to purchased Microsoft Streets and Trips (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RFW1NA/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007RFW1NA&linkCode=as2&tag=affiliatechie-20) on amazon for 45.00. I am curious if there are any in dash gps systems and could be retrofitted for our newell.

Dom Ferris

[MrE]

There are lots of in dash GPS systems available, a good place to research specifications is Crutchfield: Car Stereo, Speakers, Home Theater, LCD TV, Digital Cameras (http://www.crutchfield.com). They have single DIN, double DIN, and larger for specific new cars. One word of caution, I had a Kenwood system in a Mercedes that they (Kenwood) wanted $450 for a updated map disk.