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Old 11-06-2014, 02:01 AM   #1
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Rv gps systems

What brand would you consider to be the most reliable, informative and functional GPS system for RV'S out there.
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Old 11-06-2014, 02:17 AM   #2
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I have the 7" rand McNally, I like it a lot BUT, I use it all the time in truck mode in my home area on roads I know and it wanted to put me on roads the RV is not allowed on twice. It didn't know until I was at the bridge to say caution low bridge ahead and it put me on a parkway which your not allowed on in NY.
In most outside areas there aren't the restrictions we have so its been good.
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Old 11-06-2014, 02:23 AM   #3
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We also have the Rand McNally. Just finished a 7,000 mile trip with it without incident. We used their campground directory several times. Very satisfied.
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Old 11-06-2014, 03:02 AM   #4
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I have the RV760LMT, and its a 5 out of 10. It has nice features and is large easy to read, but more often than not I get the message that it doesn't know if my RV will fit or not, and if routing you, it will take you around these unknown places, even if it means driving 400 miles out of the way. Basically the database isn't comprehensive enough to know all bridge weights and heights, etc. on a good share of the roads including State highways.

Kind of a letdown. It sits in the console now, and I use Ford's nav.
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Old 11-06-2014, 04:11 AM   #5
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I was towing the RW to the dealer using the ford GPS and the rand McNally at the same time. The ford said 2 miles to go and the RM said 6. The ford said you've arrived on the left but the RM said I had to go 2 more miles to turn around. They were both right but the RM knew I couldn't turn left. I like redundant systems.
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Old 11-06-2014, 04:22 AM   #6
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Atom Ant, have you had any trouble with the ford GPS. Mine was a real nightmare it thought I was off the road and kept giving me wrong information.
It was a simple "Syncmyride" update at the dealer and it's been great ever since.
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Old 11-06-2014, 01:22 PM   #7
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Myfordtouch has been THE complaint on ford vehicles since 2011 ...
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Old 11-06-2014, 01:23 PM   #8
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Steve,

I haven't yet, but I really haven't used it much yet. I think the truck has 1,800 mile on it.

I like your redundancy idea, which is why I will probably keep the Garmin handy and set it on the console for unknown territory.

Of course the wife is redundant as well. She is all knowing
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Old 11-06-2014, 01:29 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnboytoo View Post
Myfordtouch has been THE complaint on ford vehicles since 2011 ...
"myfordtouch" No matter how I tried it was impossible to use the system myself, I follow instructions but it never worked. I brought my truck in for an oil change an told the dealer what was happenig and they did the computer updates. It worked immediately from that day on. So if I get a computer message myfordtouch has an update due, I'll let the dealer do it.

I put 60,000 miles on an 2012 F250 and now 20,000 on my 2014 F350. Love my truck.
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Old 11-06-2014, 01:43 PM   #10
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We travel with the Ford GPS and also with the Rand McNally app on the ipad. If you have an ipad, I would recommend this. It's $99.00 and updates are free. If there is an update available, it will tell you and the next time you have wifi you can load it. If there is much of a conflict between the two gps units, we will actually look a bit further and figure it out the old way (map) .

Tracy usually has the ipad open and also an app called Trucker Path that shows Fuel Stops, clearance issues, etc. Its a free app.
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Old 11-06-2014, 02:18 PM   #11
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We use the 7" Good Sam version of the Randy McNally and for redundancy we back it up with paper charts - a 2014 North America road atlas. Tracey also talked Judi into the Trucker Path, which we found really helpful on our recent trip.

Just completed 15,000 miles and found it to be probably about 99% accurate. Found a couple of minor discrepancies and 1 major - it wanted to route us under a 12' bridge in small town New Brunswick, fortunately I spotted the height sign and took an alternate route.

It is easy to see with the 7" screen and is user friendly.

Having used commercial GPS/SatNav systems for 35+ years and seen numerous issues with the raw signal, we always carry paper maps as the back up, even though we also have Garmin & TomTom GPS systems we could bring with us
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Old 11-06-2014, 04:48 PM   #12
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I hate to depend on cell phone based IPADs and such. Too many times that we're out of coverage!
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Old 11-06-2014, 06:29 PM   #13
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I hate to depend on cell phone based IPADs and such. Too many times that we're out of coverage!
So long as the map for your particular area is downloaded to the device you don't need to be in a cell covered area. The device has a built in GPS which essentially puts a point on a map, it just needs the map in place so that you can use the information.
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Old 11-07-2014, 03:01 PM   #14
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I have the Garmin DEZL760, bought it before they came out with the RV760. The DEZL is actually a truck GPS but also has an RV mode, I use the truck mode because it has more features in this mode. Is it perfect, NO, but it is fairly accurate.
I also have the Ford GPS, I don't use it, I refuse to pay the outrageous fee they want for updates!!

I've loaded several POI files from POI Factory on the DEZL so I can look for campgrounds, Truck Stops, WalMarts, whatever you want. There are more POI files out there than you can imagine!

When not towing I use the Auto mode on the DEZL, the routing is different and leaving the GPS in Truck or RV will route you around avoidances.
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Old 11-07-2014, 04:12 PM   #15
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I haven't experienced the updates on the truck yet Chuck, how much are they?

I know our old expedition was about 250 a set of CDs everytime, until the thing just quit working anyway.
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Old 11-07-2014, 04:54 PM   #16
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No worries about the cost for map updates...
they haven't come out with one since before we bought our 2013's

Had An Audi for 3 or 4 years and the maps were two years old when I bought it and they too never came out with an update...

I'll stick with my Garmins --- new FREE map update coming out around 11-20-14
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Old 11-07-2014, 09:08 PM   #17
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No worries about the cost for map updates...
they haven't come out with one since before we bought our 2013's

Had An Audi for 3 or 4 years and the maps were two years old when I bought it and they too never came out with an update...

I'll stick with my Garmins --- new FREE map update coming out around 11-20-14
There's actually a new A5 Map update that came out this summer for our trucks. You likely have A4 which is the same as me, I bought my truck in May 2013.

Go to eBay to purchase unless your Ford Dealer will budge on the $100+ retail price. You can pick up a new map for about $50 on eBay.
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Old 11-07-2014, 10:06 PM   #18
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I'm in agreement the Ford built in GPS is rubbish and so is the UI for most everything.

We use the Garmin North America app on an iPad as our primary route planner. It's actually an iPhone app but functions very well on the iPad. Since we can load it on 5 devices, actually have it on 2 iPads and 2 iPhones. Uses iCloud to share favorite locations so I can set everything up on one device and get to the route on all. It does not however do avoidances but is fully self contained so don't need any cell signal/internet to use maps only to sync with iCloud.

The Trucker Path app is good for what it does and a great backup reference for avoiding low bridges and locating truck stops for fueling. Does require an internet connection.

The AllStays app is the best I've found for locating all sorts of campgrounds, public parks, BLM land, Walmarts, RV dealers, gas stations, truck stops, rest areas and a whole lot more. Also has low bridge information plotted on the map. Does not do routing but once underway or when I know the route I'm taking can find places to stop along the way. No need to fuss with any POI files, all just right there. Does require an internet connection and also has a web based version Allstays.com which I find very handy when working at my desk to make travel plans. I subscribe to the Pro version.....

Finally there is the Google Maps app. Sounds simple but I use it to show realtime traffic and has proven to be very accurate. It's free, way to go Google, but as all things Google, requires an internet connection to use.
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Old 11-08-2014, 01:18 PM   #19
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Is there a way to tell whether the truck has the A4 or A5 map update ?
My truck is a 2013 with the Sony GPS unit and Microsoft Sync
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Old 11-08-2014, 01:25 PM   #20
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pull the sd card out of the unit, should be printed on it...
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