Looking for a new GPS

[Debbie]

Looking for a new GPS. We had an old GPS and the screen has died. Any recommendations?

[jeffcarp]

avvidclif1 wrote:
That's a great idea as long as you have cell service. No cell service and no map or directions.

That isn't true. Google Maps provides maps and directions offline if you can prep for and anticipate where you'll lose cell services. There are many other smartphone solutions including TomTom, CoPilot and Sygic that work completely offline.

[azjeffh]

Debbie wrote:
Thanks everyone for all the ideas. We decided to stay with Garmin. Purchased Garmin RV 660 LMT GPS Navigator.

Great choice IMO.

[Debbie]

Thanks everyone for all the ideas. We decided to stay with Garmin. Purchased Garmin RV 660 LMT GPS Navigator. It will arrive Tues. Ordered it through B&H no tax and free 3 day shipping. We had an old garmin with a smaller screen that we had for many years. Hope this one is just as good.

[jpbuch9309]

If your camper is bigger you might want a trucker GPS that way you dont have to worry about going down a road

[Planning]

We use the Garmin DezlCam LMTHD 6-Inch Truck Navigator.

It has all of the low height information, it constantly updates traffic, you can input your dimensions and weight for restricted areas, and it has a always on/looping camera that automatically saves 5 minutes before if an impact occurs.

[TucsonJim]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Garmin, but make sure to get one with "lifetime map updates".

I don't believe Garmin sells any units anymore that don't offer lifetime updates.

Jim

[jpmihalk]

We just returned from a 3,095 mile round trip through 9 states using CoPilot RV and found it worked well. The live traffic feature was outstanding and helped us avoid some serious interstate traffic jams and was more accurate than the DOT signs we saw.

[djsamuel]

I just got the Garmin DriveSmart 50 NA LMT when Amazon had it for $138. Really nice and I can add many of the POIs and stuff from the RV GPS's. So far I like it a lot. Lifetime updates and traffic (without cell phone) as well as the bluetooth cell phone link to handle calls.

[countrykids]

We just returned from a 3000+ trip over 6 states using a new to us Garmin 760 and were very pleased with it. We talked to several other RVers using the same unit who were having similar results.

[theoldwizard1]

Garmin, but make sure to get one with "lifetime map updates".

[n7bsn]

Some general thoughts....

The cell-phone apps (Google Maps, etc) do -not- include things like low overhead (overpasses) and propane restrictions (tunnels, etc).

CoPilot general aps sound good, but I heard nothing good from a beta-tester of their RV version.

The Rand RV-GPS family has the best built in campground directory, but after market POI can easily over come that.

The Garmin series has a solid rep for the best user-interface, plus a good campground directory (which we supplemented with some 3rd party POIs)

The current Garmin's have an option to display the upcoming road grade.

Models with live "traffic" can be very useful in Metro areas. Mine have rerouted me around really bad traffic issues a couple times

[dedmiston]

avvidclif1 wrote:
That's a great idea as long as you have cell service. No cell service and no map or directions.

Google Maps should cache the maps if you've already visited that route. I think Apple's Map app might do the same thing now too.

Navigon is an outstanding navigation app and it loads the maps onto your local device. You use the map loader function to pick the states that you want to load onto your device. I used Navigon for years and I was always satisfied. I stopped using it when I upgraded to a newer truck with a good nav system installed.

[justafordguy]

There are a lot of GPS programs for phones or tablets that don't require cell service/data connection. Just go look in the app store for your device.

[garyemunson]

Cell phone works great with Sygic's program. You'll need a phone that takes a SD memory card but the entire program in kept on the phone so cell service is not necessary. The coolest feature is the 'heads up' display that will reflect an image of an arrow on the windshield at night (when I usually am most in the need of directions) along with some other info. You can download the program for 14 day's free trial. Just search for Sygic. Will also work on a GPS equipped tablet.