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Groupie
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Joined: 19 May 2016
Location: Middletown, NJ
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Posts: 80 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New GPS recommendations...
    Posted: 29 Dec 2016 at 12:20pm
We're looking to the forum hoping to get some recommendations for a new GPS. Anybody have a favorite? Any to really stay away from? Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!
2017 179 "Big Sexy"
2012 Honda Pilot
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Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec 2016 at 7:29pm
I've had a Garmin for a long time and am very happy with it.  Actually, I've had two and I'm thinking of getting a 3rd, newer model.  I don't know the model name/number, but the one I like is a 5" model with lifetime maps, and HD traffic.  It's about $279 on Amazon.  You can add a backup camera for something extra, and there are models with dash cams now too.  Just looked it up: Garmin DriveLuxe™ 50LMTHD.

There are RV models from most manufacturers that will route you to campgrounds and alert you to low clearance overpasses, etc., but in my opinion they aren't much needed for pulling a Pod.

I use my smart phone occasionally, with Google Maps, and it usually does okay, but sometimes it's just plain wacky, telling me to turn here or there when I know perfectly well that turning here or there would be entirely nonsensical in terms of getting to where I want to go.  No idea what that's about, but it would be a major annoyance, at least, when you're out of town and aren't somewhat familiar with where you're going.

I own a little chunk of Garmin stock, so take my recommendation for what it's worth.

TT
2010 176
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Joined: 18 Nov 2016
Location: Minnesota
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Posts: 106 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec 2016 at 7:37pm
I think garmin is the best one out there. I have used one form my work for years and never had an issue.
Ronald & Lonna
2014 178
2016 Chevy 1500
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4517 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec 2016 at 8:13pm
We also use a garmin. Really like them
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
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2010 Rpod 171
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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3255 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Dec 2016 at 12:23am
Another Garmin user here also.  Ours is the nuvi 3490, no problems, lifetime maps, works well for us.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Joined: 08 Sep 2011
Location: Chesterville On
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Posts: 261 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Dec 2016 at 9:12pm
I've been looking for a Garmin that is for a TT. I have a Garmin but it is for a car only. I use my Garmin, while towing the pod, but take into consideration that all info is given for a car, so I add on time etc. for pulling a TT. Does Garmin make a GPS for TT's?
Ron & Shirley
2020 Tacoma
2012 177 rpod
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6326 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Dec 2016 at 10:32pm
I don't know if they make specific Garmin units for travel trailers. There is one for RV use which should be more than adequate. It is expensive though. It is the Garmin RV 760LMT.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
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Joined: 08 Sep 2011
Location: Chesterville On
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Posts: 261 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2016 at 10:24am
Great thanks StephenH I didn't know if Garmin made a gps for tt/rv's. I'll look it up.
Ron & Shirley
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2012 177 rpod
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Joined: 20 Sep 2016
Location: NC mountains
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2016 at 2:42pm
Magellan GPS was once very competitive, but for many years now, Garmin seems to be the most consistently favored. Some people have taken to the TomToms. Others stay with Magellans.

My very first was a Magellan 860T from around 2005. It was durable and over-built, very reliable and used for over 9 years with heavy use. The map database on that one now is stuck at around 2009 on it, and map update support, which used to come on an SD card, has now been terminated. It's retired, but I can't seem to throw it away yet.

We are happy with the Garmin 57LM. (LM= Lifetime Maps). With this one, the 2016 map updates downloaded just fine in a campsite with strong, consistent WiFi. This unit was discounted around $88 at WM when we purchased. It was built / designed in 2015, and later took the 2016 map downloads just fine. It has been very stable without glitches. In Spring 2017, I'll update again. Just takes a couple hours downloading via the laptop

You can get larger screened Garmins beyond our 57LM model, but this is all the screen I need in a full-sized truck. Didn't need a built-in back-up camera, as a some offer at a premium. 

 When I was in the art handling business, we used a large-screened Truckers' GPS, as our transport vehicle was about the size of a Fed-X Custom Critical Unit vehicle. This GPS has directions based on road choices for larger vehicles. An example would be cirumventing a low railroad bridge undercrossing that would have less clearance than 13'-6", etc. I imagine this one is set up with similar parameters as today's RV GPS models would have, including highlighting trucker friendly fueling stops, such as Pilot, Loves, Flying Js...

However, I personally did not see any compelling reason to pay the premium for that one, or generally, the larger screened ones. We wanted a thin pocket-sized GPS that's transferable to our other car, and to use in the tow vehicle when not towing.

So the 57LM works for us, has great reviews, and was very affordable, nice interface. Customizable, too, showing current speed limit, paired with current speed, (which tints to reddish color if you exceed the posted limit.) Very helpful.

You are warned with a tone when you are approaching a school zone, a convenient touch. Of course it searches for restaurants, fuel stations, or any category that you want to search. You can set it up to route your way, by stacking "waypoints" (cities or towns) so that you can travel using the routes you prefer for that day. Meanwhile, it is always tracking approaching restaurants, other items you define, including approaching rest areas.... whatever you want.

Typical directions: "Be in either of the 2 left lanes to enter I-40 Knoxville W, then move towards the middle or right lanes for the next merge."

Or, "turn left at the stoplight, then take your second left at the post office." <--- It uses occasional real landmarks to make turns, a nice plus.

Hope all this helps.


Brad & Layli
179 HRE (WanderPod)
10 Tundra CrewMax (BG)
W. NC
 
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Joined: 01 Jul 2015
Location: Connecticut
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Posts: 190 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jan 2017 at 3:35pm
Waze on the android. If I could find something that worked for towing I'd consider it, but I'm not aware of anything. Except for that limitation Waze is a great navigation app.
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