Community Forums

andyanddonna · 12-12-2011, 10:42 AM

We just purchased our first rv. Need to update the GPS system. Currently has a Pioneer AVD-W6210. Any suggestions to a good replacement?

HHIDan · 12-12-2011, 10:53 AM

I replaced a Pioneer with an Alpine IVA-D106 and a NVE-M300 navigation module. This is a flip-up model (single din) but if you can find a comparable non-flip (double din) from Alpine I would definitely recommend. I set-up a little box with two switches that simulate the service brake and park brake so that my unit is never 'disabled'. The other really neat thing is my GPS antenna (mounted on the roof) ended being compatible after I switched the connectors, which were not the same. This unit also works well my my backup cam and the Trip Tek. Very easy to switch audio or video sources.

Full.Monte · 12-12-2011, 10:57 AM

Welcome!

You can search the archives here...there are a lot of discussions on GPS, and different opinions. Some people like the idea of using a laptop as the display, especially class A owners, where the distance from the viewer to the screen can be large. You will find a lot of positive and negative comments on Magellan and Rand McNally units, which have RV specific GPS units. I'm looking at them also, but haven't made up my mind.

Good Luck!

ed6713 · 12-12-2011, 11:04 AM

Consumer Reports updates their reviews of GPS units frequently. Just did it last month. In almost every case Garmin was first followed by TomTom.
You can pay less then a $100 dollars and more then $300 or thousands in you want a built-in type unit.
Depends on your needs & pocketbook. Bluetooth? Lifetime maps? Live traffic? On & on & on.

Here are a few of their recommended high end units:
All Garmin NUVI
3490LMT 3450 3790T 3760T

Here is a starting point:

GPS Navigation Reviews, Ratings & Comparisons | PCMag.com

Then Google from there.

Take care:
ed

Perry White · 12-12-2011, 11:32 AM

Stay away from anything that says Pioneer. I have a built in and it is a 2006 model and they quit making map updates in 2007. Built in GPS is a big waste of money. Check map updates. Garmin cheapies are the answer. They update maps every 4 months. I have a new Ford Explorer with a built in and the map was a year and a half year old when I bought it new. Waste of money. $800 upgrade at the dealer.

andyanddonna · 12-12-2011, 11:52 AM

DB,
Thank you again for the info.
Would you mind answering a couple of questions?
The Pioneer system you replaced, did it have a hide-a-way box?
And all you had on the dash was the monitor in one place and the Nav disk player in another place?
Does your new system have an output for the side cameras also?
And an output for an extra monitor?
Did you have to replace or reconfigure the dash insert?
Will appreciate any further info you can give.

Perry White · 12-12-2011, 12:06 PM

No it was the DVD88 model. Touch screen was seperate. I didn't replace it. What with? The only thing it is good for is the back up camera. I use a stick on the side window Garmin Nuvi which you can get free map updates and they aren't going to leave you out in the cold like Pioneer. $129 and if you don't like it, toss it out the window. The Pioneer system was a $3800 option on mine. What a waste.

HHIDan · 12-12-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyanddonna

DB,
Thank you again for the info.
Would you mind answering a couple of questions?
The Pioneer system you replaced, did it have a hide-a-way box?
And all you had on the dash was the monitor in one place and the Nav disk player in another place?
Does your new system have an output for the side cameras also?
And an output for an extra monitor?
Did you have to replace or reconfigure the dash insert?
Will appreciate any further info you can give.

Yes the Pioneer had a separate hide-a-way box for GPS (mounted inside the dash next to Trip/Tek interface) and a 6 CD changer which was not compatible with the Alpine but I did not care for it anyways.

The new system (as well as the old) don't use a Nav disk. The data is built into the memory (in the hidden Nav box), there is a USB port on the NAv box for updates.

The radio has only one input for camera but if you want side cams you can buy a camera splitter box with three inputs and one output (the right and left turn signals are hooked up to this box to control switching.) See rvcams.com for samples. Your video cameras needs to be NTSC (regular TV) compatible.

The radio has an aditional input for i-phone i-pod and an output to an external TV.

The dash insert was exactly the same (single-din) no changes. Yours appears to be a double-din so you might need an adapter/cover plate.

I read that a lot of Pioneers failed. As Perry White mentionned they are not too well liked here... I paid about $1300 for the radio and Nav box.

andyt2 · 12-12-2011, 02:26 PM

This is what we may do:
Leave the old nav screen were it is and use it for the three cameras and the trip tek info.
Replace the old AM/FM radio with the Alpine with a flip up screen and the m300 nav.
The present radio is a little larger than single din, but I think I can buy an adapter for that.

HHIDan · 12-12-2011, 02:33 PM

A second screen will help if you have room to make it fit so it looks good... If not, like I said, it's very easy to switch sources!

JVR · 12-12-2011, 07:23 PM

When I bought the 2006 Essex, it was equipped with the Pioneer and I wasted about a half hour and couldn't figure it out, so I plugged-in my Garmin that was used in the Eagle and never looked back.
A few years ago, I bought a Garmin truckers model, got really tired of being routed into places I couldn't get out of. It shows traffic congestion and colors roads red that are not suitable for tractor trailers, and warns you not to use the road. I use the auto model in the tow vehicle, so I have a back up for either.

dajudge · 12-12-2011, 07:34 PM

I would recommend the magellan 9165t. It is rv friendly and has a 7 inch screen.

rvnavigator · 12-14-2011, 09:09 AM

We have the Rand McNally 7710 which is a 7 inch unit specifically designed for RVers. It has lots of features that make sense to RVers such as type of vehicle, height-length, specialized routing and warnings. This in addition to plenty of campgrounds, fuel stops, intersection listing make it very useful for our type of travel.

Deek · 12-14-2011, 04:04 PM

We also bought the Rand McNally RVND 7710 -- a really nice unit designed for RV application. Nice size (7" screen), very user friendly, easy to get set up with your computer and USB connection when you are connected to the internet. It has many of the things that we as RV'ers want to get to quickly and without hassle -- and it has available Lifetime Map updates ($89.99 but sometimes available for free as part of the purchase price when they run specials).

We did a lot of searching on iRV2 to locate the best place to buy and ended up going to Recreation Nation online. Got 20% off with free Lifetime Map updates on Black Friday weekend and now they offer 15% off through the end of the year, also I believe with free Lifetime Map updates. Best price we have seen from all vendors, including Rand McNally and Camping World.

IMO this is one of the best units to look at for our group -- I say that not just because we bought it and have it, but because when you do all the research and review all the comments on iRV2, you are invariably led to this unit as one of the best and smartest choices available right now.

Happy Motoring and Happy Holidays!!