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Old 12-04-2016, 08:49 PM   #1
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Recently Ordered Isata 3

Hi all, new member here. We just ordered a new Isata 3 a few weeks ago and still have a little time to make some decisions on the options we are getting.
1. I really like the looks of the full body paint, but I'm having trouble justifying the extra cost. Are there practical reasons for the paint or is it all asthetics?
2. I would be interested in opinions on the solar panel option. Most of our camping will be done in parks with hookups and the motorhome will be stored indoors. Also, does anyone know if the motorhome is wired for the panels and could be added later?
3. Is the GPS system offered useable on the fly? The reason I ask, the one in our car is very user unfriendly. You have to be stopped to make any changes to it! We find that a hand held Garmin or the App on the smart phone much more useful.

We did opt for the Four Point Leveling, Aluminum Wheels and the Seat Cushion Extensions.
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Old 12-04-2016, 09:12 PM   #2
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I recommend the full paint. Ours is 4 years old and still looks brand new. Paint job was great. Get lots of compliments at campgrounds
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Old 12-05-2016, 09:51 AM   #3
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1. Only that it will look great forever.
2. It's mainly to keep the batteries topped off, which in turn, extends battery life. We do not pre-wire for solar...but you can always add after market. There is always a way.
3. I agree on the app. I'll have to double check that. We don't tie into a speed sensor or anything like OEM systems do.
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Old 12-05-2016, 12:34 PM   #4
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Thanks for the comments, it really helps. Mr Clemens, your comment on the paint lasting forever brings up a couple of questions. How long do the decal type applications typically stay looking like new? And, in the event of a scrape or deep scratch, is one type of finish more easily repaired than another?
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Old 12-05-2016, 12:42 PM   #5
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The solar might be a good investment as your cruising style could change.

Boondocking , or simply leaving the RV with no plug in is common .

The unit will be faster to sell, when the time comes.
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Old 12-05-2016, 01:21 PM   #6
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Not sure there is much difference on repair...gets fixed just like a car on both really. Even the non painted still needs repaired and painted to match the colored fiberglass.
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Old 12-05-2016, 10:04 PM   #7
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I don't care for the GPS, at all! It is a TomTom, and I am used to Garmin products for the car and motorcycles. They seem much more user friendly.

We have the cushions for the cab seats, but have not used them in the month we were on the road. Might be a better option if it is more than two people traveling, or you expect visitors.

I wish we would have the leveling jacks. We have stabilizers on the rear, but levelers would be better.
If there is an option for a privacy curtain for the front cab, get it. We fought the provided sun shades every night. We ended up making up a curtain that was easier to use on the road.
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Old 12-06-2016, 08:19 AM   #8
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I've looked at a Garmin based radio...but the interface was not like the normal Garmin stuff. I have TomTom on my phone but frankly, nothing beats GoogleMaps for intuitiveness.

We have looked at Apple Car Play based radios that use your phone for everything...but my fear is that not everyone has a smart phone, in remote areas you don't have cell service, and if you don't have unlimited data, streaming XM or maps could get up there on a cross country trip.

So one other thought was to make the Apple Car Play standard (lower cost, uses phone) and option in a higher price point piece that has a hard wired XM antenna and Rand McNally RV GPS (also hard wired).

What was the issue with the sun shades? The fronts are held with the visors, that one seems easy. The sides with the suction cups, might be a little more finicky, but I've never had any issues with them.
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Old 12-06-2016, 08:58 AM   #9
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We actually installed clips on the windshield to hold the front sun shades in place. It was the sides that were the problem. Could not get the suction cups to hold. A couple of them were deformed, but it just seemed like they didn't want to stick. Either because the windows were cold, too much moisture, not enough, etc. It was just a PITA really. I can see where they are needed, when it is warm out. A lot of glass up front to warm everything up. We were in cool conditions and wet, so not needed as much.
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Old 12-06-2016, 09:15 AM   #10
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I noticed when the temps dropped last month the suction cups on the side windows which had been working flawlessly no longer wanted to play nice. Seems about 40F they start to misbehave.

As for GPS I'm with you Brian, google maps is where its at. I'm looking at apple carplay head units or something similar currently. Once TomTom took me through a backroads no shoulder 2 lane road on the way home from TX I lost all trust. That was a fun one.

But your concerns are definitely valid. Right now I' havent hooked the XM tuner up to the headunit, and just stream from a table. That said due to the cost/hassle of wiring I'd say ALWAYS worth putting the antenna in there. I've got to imagine any head unit that can do carplay will also have a satellite tuner. No reason to limit options.

So far the few times we wander off the beaten path and lose signal I just flip to mp3s for music. Google maps seems to cache the trip far enough in advance that it hasnt been affected. That said it is nice knowing I have a backup with all the maps downloaded if I need them. Never really had considered that.
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Old 12-06-2016, 05:02 PM   #11
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You'd think they would have a satellite tuner. Car Play head units have lowered the price point by getting rid of the XM plug in and GPS. Figuring you will run everything through the phone.

Both we have looked at, have no hard wired hook ups. I think another version is coming out with GPS hook ups, but I think hard wired XM is down the road.

I worry about GPS more than XM...not sure how many are streaming versus playing their own music via bluetooth. I guess there is no way to please 100%...but I'll keep trying.
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Old 12-06-2016, 06:15 PM   #12
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I for one, really appreciate your attentiveness.
We added full body paint to our order this morning. Thanks for all the comments everybody!
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Old 12-07-2016, 08:54 PM   #13
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Not sure what the stereo sizing is like on the I3 but been looking at this one for my DX3

Seems to check all the boxes. Am I missing something?

Pioneer AVIC-5200NEX Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com
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Old 12-07-2016, 09:27 PM   #14
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What's your current head unit? We just switched all the DX3's over to the Xite G2 with Rand McNally RV GPS. 6" screen.

http://riverparkinc.com/product/xite-x2s/
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Old 12-08-2016, 08:50 AM   #15
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I've got the Sony XAV 602BT. Didn't you mention before you guys went away from the river park unit? Having the rv specific GPS would be nice. Though that leaves the question of what to do with the rear view Camera.
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Old 12-08-2016, 09:00 AM   #16
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That was done before my time...I assume someone was trying to save some money, not realizing the domino effect.

The XITE unit, has a dedicated Camera button. So if you want to watch your tow vehicle, just hit the button. Navigation audio still runs.
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Old 12-08-2016, 11:36 AM   #17
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Ooooh I'll havbe to look into that further then

Any reason a retrofit would be problematic?
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Old 12-08-2016, 11:46 AM   #18
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Not that I am aware of... Video feed from camera would go into the existing Sony now...should just be a matter of plugging in a new head unit. GPS antenna might not be the same however. XM should be
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:32 AM   #19
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I switched the head unit over to a Pioneer, it has a constant on rear camera button. I put a similar unit in my 99 Jeep so I could keep the rear camera on. the Pioneer seems to be easier to use than the Sony that came in the Force. I should probably sell the Sony, it is brand new, only used it on the way home from the dealer.

The GPS I kept separate and use a Garmin on the dash, I added a wireless backup camera for the Garmin that is on the back of our 25' enclosed trailer, now I can have both cameras on at the same time. overkill?
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