GPS

[spock123]

I am looking to buy another gps for my trip to Alaska. I need advice on what everyone thinks. I have a Garmin that I have had more than a few years, it's pretty good but I need to upgrade. I know a gps will sometimes take you the long way, I always check my maps but a good gps is good to have. I need advice on what you have.



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[Kaadk]

I have navigation in my pioneer head unit, but it's so out of date I usually use my iphone instead. (Magellan app or basic apple maps). Both have asked me to make some pretty tight turns at times so if I ever replace I'll be looking for an 'RV aware' GPS. I'd like to get it as an app as I don't really want another device laying around, but so far I haven't seen any GPS apps that I'm willing to spend more money on considering what I spent on the Magellan one.








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[jwedell]

I have the truckers version of this and love it. Will get this model before our trip to Florida in January.

http://g.factoryoutletstore.com/deta...egory_id=18937


Started Out With Nothing,
Still Have Most Of It Left!

[MeepMeep]

Not sure how useful GPS is in Alaska. Many, many roads are dirt......plus being that far North, I'm not sure how well a regular GPS will actually work. I'd probably check with some folks actually up in Alaska to see what the pitfalls might be....

[GlenZ]

X2

[msires]

GPS will work fine in Alaska, except where the mountains block too many satellites, same as anywhere else. It is called Global positioning system for a reason. Accuracy of the maps might be an issue, but I am frequently surprised how many back roads they know. The road in front of our house in Florida is grass (not gravel, not dirt, grass), and it knows about it.
Mark

[2OLDDIGGERS]

If the unit is not too awful old and it has the current down loads, you should be ok. Have the 760 LM unit and it does good. Have not tried any long routes yet, but the short trips have not had any surprises.

[MeepMeep]

Originally Posted by msires

GPS will work fine in Alaska, except where the mountains block too many satellites, same as anywhere else. It is called Global positioning system for a reason. Accuracy of the maps might be an issue, but I am frequently surprised how many back roads they know. The road in front of our house in Florida is grass (not gravel, not dirt, grass), and it knows about it.
Mark

Last time I was in Alaska, there were a LOT of mountains, which was the reason for my statement about not knowing how well the "global positioning system" would work. I, too, have never had a problem navigating in Florida......

Currently run the Rand McNally RVND-7720 and love it

[camaraderie]

Have the Garmin RV760LMT and love it. FAST and intuitive and accurate. The lifetime maps and traffic are great in the lower 48!
The Good Sam Rand McNally unit which some did not like...has just been replaced with a new model (Camping World) with improvements and it is cheaper and I haven't seen reviews on it yet...Given the price difference it may be worth checking out.
I sailed all over the place with Garmin...I trust them and their commitment to the technology and mapping so I'm biased admittedly...but happy and just a few dollars poorer!

[Tranquil Jim]

After doing a bit of research, I just bought and installed a Garmin 760LMT in my 2013 Solera, using a RAM ball mount and cradle. Nice setup and the 760LMT looks right at home, hovering just above the Magnadyne in-dash unit.

With the fixed position of the Magnadyne, I was just unable to see through the glare on the screen during the daylight hours. The 760LMT has both a brighter display and can be angled on the ball mount to kill the glare.

Will be heading out with the Solera early next week on a trip to California and will be able to comment further on the 760LMT's on-the-road performance after I get back. I will say that I have used Garmin GPS units for the past 15 years and have not been disappointed.

[Duckogram]

I have the original Rand RVND 7710. I rate it 2.5 out of 5.
Low screen brightness.
Occasionally poor route selection.
Poor data base.
Cluttered screen display.
Expensive parts & map support.

When I replace it I will most likely go with Garmin.

[MeepMeep]

Originally Posted by Duckogram

I have the original Rand RVND 7710. I rate it 2.5 out of 5.
Low screen brightness.
Occasionally poor route selection.
Poor data base.
Cluttered screen display.
Expensive parts & map support.

When I replace it I will most likely go with Garmin.

The 7710 is a well-known bad actor and Rand McNally almost immediately replaced it with the 7720. I've had much more success with the 7720 than any of my previous Garmins, but Garmin has made huge strides since I last owned one. I think the key to any GPS system is to updating your maps frequently. You also get system updates when you do that..... and do take the time to learn your system and it's capabilities BEFORE you hit the road

[Still Kickin]

With any GPS purchase, be sure to shop for ones that offer life time maps. It's well worth it and often times they don't price higher if you shop them.

[fast murray]

We have the Garmin nuvi50lm. It has maps for Canada and free lifetime map upgrades. I can't think of one time it has led me wrong. I like how it has lane assist or whatever its called which basically makes sure you're in the correct lane on multilane freeways.

[jkaspar20]

I have owned 7 Garmin and not disappointed. in any. Started with (2) nuvi 205, went to (3) nuvi 255w (wife and kids got these), Myself have the nuvi 2455 LM with life=time up grade and Traffic, It shows you what lane to stay in or exiting. It has split screen when arriving at exiting point. The Traffic mode has saved us many times with alternate routing (if Possible). It will give you how long of delay and how far ahead traffic jam is.
Have 431s in boat and a hand held for hiking.

[MeepMeep]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

With any GPS purchase, be sure to shop for ones that offer life time maps. It's well worth it and often times they don't price higher if you shop them.

X2....

[snormaniii]

I have the newest Rand and have been very happy with it as it is RV friendly. I found that I needed the sun shade however.

[WeRCreekers]

I have the Rand 7725 (Good Sam model). I like it. I didn't like the windshield mount Just bought a NavMat dashboard (bean bag type) mount and it will work well. I'm sure we will need to get the sun shade. But the screen is very bright. It has life time maps and other free upgrades periodically.

[Mark and Becky]

We have the new RM 7730 and really like it. We also purchased the NavMat and yes, we need the sun shade too!



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[bend302]

I drove to AK in 2006 using an old style Garmin with an onboard hard drive. Worked great until Fairbanks and then it simply said there were no roads to select.

Since then I have used Garmins to go everywhere with few problems. I do check MapQuest and paper maps when going into an unknown area to be sure the Garmin has chosen truck routes (shadowed in green in the RV Atlas).

Also updated maps every couple of years.

Bill