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Old 05-09-2013, 09:05 AM   #1
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In Dash Navigation or stand alone like Garmin

I am interested in seeing how MH owners like the in dash navigation system and if you had to do it again, would you invest in the factory install navigation or would you buy the stand alone product like Garmin? As we know, the price difference between the two systems can be hugh. I would appreciate any and all opinions. Thanks for your input
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Old 05-09-2013, 09:31 AM   #2
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Having had in-dash nav systems in both a car and a previous RV I know I would never again buy one. In both cases updating the navigation maps required the purchase of a costly set of DVDs compared with the lifetime free updates provided for both my Garmins. Furthermore, the manufacturer of the expensive system I had purchased for my RV decided after a couple of years to no longer support that model with updates. So irrespective of price, I could no longer keep my system current. Considering I had paid $$$$ for that system, I wasn't a happy camper.
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Old 05-09-2013, 09:35 AM   #3
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agree with Doc. Indash are often pretty but updating can be costly. Garmin, Magellan, Tomtom, etc make great systems and all offer reasonably priced (if not free) map updates
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Old 05-09-2013, 09:43 AM   #4
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In dash navigation

I choose prtables like Magellan, Garmin or Tom-Tom because they are portable! An in-dash system stays in the coach. A portable GPS will get you and the Rv where you want to go, then you take it in the car/truck for sightseeing. Also, a heck of a lot cheaper! The one advantage I can see with an in-dash system is the Bluetooth capabilities. Much easier to handle phone calls and clearer speaker.

Still, I prefer the stande alone GPS.

Happy Trails!

Darryl
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Old 05-09-2013, 10:00 AM   #5
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two vehicles 1 GPS go portable.
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Old 05-09-2013, 11:13 AM   #6
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I guess I'll be the odd man out. I LOVE my in dash GPS. We bought our coach new in 2005. About 6 months later I removed the in dash radio and added the Pioneer AVIC D-1 (there are newer versions now). The Pioneer is and AM/FM/XM/GPS/CD/DVD player. It has a large screen and it plays the directions through the MH speakers (which is huge as you get holder and don't hear as well). It also has a remote on the steering wheel that allows me to change stations, adjust volume on both the stereo and GPS and what I really like.....it has a repeat feature. As I get closer to a location, I hit repeat and it repeats the next turn.

It is as nice as any GPS out there and has telephone listings. Many times if you know the telephone number of your destination it will find it. Yes....it does have DVD's that the mapping software is loaded onto. Since most of the roads you travel on with an RV don't change that much, I kept the original DVD's for about 5 years. It was a $100.00 to change them. I'll probably keep the new ones another 5 years.

To be honest, I always run a second GPS. I have a 7" Magellan that I have mounted by my the passenger seat window. It's for my wife's use. When we need a Rest Stop, bank or food place, she looks it up there rather than change the routing on the dash GPS, that may have the entire trip already preprogrammed.
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Old 05-09-2013, 11:39 AM   #7
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In my MH the radio is also used for the rear and side cameras. I replaced the OEM POS radio the second month I had the new MH, so I had the option to get a new one with a 7" screen and a GPS. I don't like the idea of using one unit to do the radio, cameras, and GPS all at the same time. And like has been said, the separate Garmin (or other brand) can have free lifetime map updates and when I want to upgrade the GPS, it's an easy job compared with replacing the radio. With a separate GPS I can take it in the stick house and load routes from my desktop computer easily.
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Old 05-09-2013, 02:01 PM   #8
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We use a Rand McNally because the in dash unit faces the wrong way; towards the driver and not the navigator. Both DW and my self drive, when one is driving that is all they do. The other is responsible for navigating, locating the next turn, any route changes, park reservations, getting drinks, answering any phone calls, etc.
The driver cannot even see the GPS screen on our coach. It is just safer that way.
BTW, I do most of the driving because she is so much better at at telling me what to do... I mean navigating.
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Old 05-09-2013, 03:50 PM   #9
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I will never again buy an in-dash navigation system. I bought a 2010 F250 Ford diesel pickup with the navigation system. When I wanted to update the maps they wanted $199! Besides that, mine did not have ANY RV features! It's a no-brainer for me!
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Old 05-10-2013, 08:34 AM   #10
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Thanks for all the comments pro/con, mostly con however. I loved Selah's comment about being told what to do....hmmmm, sounds familiar. My wife is far better at checking navigation then me, so she gets to provide me with the driving directions. I am about to venture into my second coach as I just sold my 2003 Phaeton and will opt out of the nav unit. I guess another option would be to install navigation on the lap top and use the iPhone as a "hot spot". I am not that familiar with the lap top navigation, so any feed back on that configuration would be appreciated. Safe travels to all
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Old 05-10-2013, 09:00 AM   #11
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I have had portable GPS units from almost the first day they were invented and loved the new technology as it became available.

I upgraded my cellphone last year to a Samsung Galaxy 3 and have started to use the Navigation that is built into the phone - I am hugely impressed by the capabilities of the Google driven Navigation that is available for free on this device.

I still have the Rand McNally RV GPS in the rig but use the smartphone in the car all the time.
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Old 05-10-2013, 09:07 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by desobelman View Post
I choose prtables like Magellan, Garmin or Tom-Tom because they are portable! An in-dash system stays in the coach. A portable GPS will get you and the Rv where you want to go, then you take it in the car/truck for sightseeing. Also, a heck of a lot cheaper! The one advantage I can see with an in-dash system is the Bluetooth capabilities. Much easier to handle phone calls and clearer speaker.

Still, I prefer the stande alone GPS.

Happy Trails!

Darryl
Mine has blue tooth.
I much prefer the portable model. Large enough screens and you can make changes on the go, that is my navigator can. The in dash models on cars prevent you from doing a lot of things while the vehicle is in motion. You can also place the portable above the dash and in your line of site.

I can also program a route in my PC or laptop and transfer it to the portable.
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Old 05-10-2013, 09:27 AM   #13
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in-dash-navigation-or-stand-alone-like-garmin-

Our HR came without one so for us a no brainer. We bought a larger screen Tom Tom and so far love it. Simple, easy to see, easy to mount. Was a great deal on Amazon, under $100.
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Old 05-10-2013, 09:28 AM   #14
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We would rather have portable. Take it from the RV to the car to the bike as needed.
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