Rvnd 7710

[ctpres]

Out of the box and on kitchen table
Box contents surprising in that this is first of four GPS’s I have owned that came with an AC and DC charger.
No real problems loading program or registering, just need to move program start icon from program list to desktop. Dock program had unusual step to “check file integrity. ” Took about twenty minutes on my laptop. Some icons in Dock don’t have names, function not revealed with mouse hover and for example don’t make sense such as start button which looks like IE refresh page button. Strange that every time open program - update button highlighted but none are available. Have read that first map update is a long way off.
Back plate is removable so you could Velcro it to dash as long as rear vent holes not covered and it still gets strong signals. I have it on kitchen table about two feet from window and got nine satellites.
We live near Nowhere so I can’t comment on traffic feature yet
I wasn’t expecting this: qwerty buttons are BIG and easy to touch. Also text size very large and easy to read. I should be able to read most of screen info. without glasses. So two more good reasons for going with seven inch.
Addresses can be named and put in named groups. Nice touch for each major destination or trip. We are going to RGV for Jan-Feb so I can group all addresses we use there under RGV. Address book has a sort function for all addresses: by name, distance or date. First address I entered wasn’t found - Google maps found it OK. Finally figured out that if I used range of available street numbers for the street that it would get me close enough. Had similar problem with nuvi. Inputting new address starts with city: offers last two cities, zip code search and qwerty the same disappearing characters choice works here. But to get Huntsville Al; type huntsv and it offers Huntsville or Huntsville park pick Huntsville and it offers about twenty Huntsville’s - not good. Better have zip code handy.
Can zoom map - touch any point or poi icon on map and make that a destination.
Has a quick planner for major cities. Just enter your cost per mile and average speed then enter two major cities and it will display total trip miles, driving time and cost. If city not on list you will know as only available letters are displayed. Type h and there are only four letters to choose from and two cities are offered, type o and Houston is the only option. Cool and fast .but only major cities.
Only two voices available: male and female
Volume very high.
Lots more to learn, I play first then read instructions.
I will add more tabletop comments later. Road test won’t happen till after Xmas.
.

[stepside454]

So far I like ours. I can't figure out how to plan a trip with a differant starting point.

[ctpres]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepside454 So far I like ours. I can't figure out how to plan a trip with a differant starting point.

Main menue - choose destination - choose multi stop trips - choose new trip - enter name for trip - chose trip you just named from list of trips - add address and repeat till that trip is done.

More tabletop comments. Power up screen has status bar at bottom.
Night screen brightness can't be changed (by me anyhow)
comes with one loaded poi "low ground clearence RR crossings"
On map screen, touch mph icon lower left corner and you get a WOW screen: current mph, sunrise/sunset, elevation, % of current trip completed, average uphill/dowhill speed, three trip meters each with miles traveled, total hours, hours moving, hours stopped, average moving mph, average trip speed, and max trip speed
Map screen has 12 tappable icons
Tutorial and tips located second page on general tab in preferences but I havn't read it yet. That's no fun


Note: if you get one - play at home a lot before you hit the road. This is different enough that I don't think you can learn and drive.

[Gary RVRoamer]

How is it on campground POI's? And have you investigated what it takes to add your own custom POI sets?

[ctpres]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer How is it on campground POI's? And have you investigated what it takes to add your own custom POI sets?

Not yet but suspect you use pc/laptop to load poi's on micro sd memory card and move card to 7710 micro slot. Will try when I find my micro sd. This is one of my reasons to get 7710 vs 5510 so it better work.

Re. my comment: can't adjust night brightness, yes you can - main menue, preferences and general tab, then in day/night map color select always night, then move to brightness, select night brightness level desired, then move back to day night map color and turn automatic back on.

[1stCougar]

can you turn the volume down,I have one coming 12/19/ 2011 can't wait to
play with it.

[stepside454]

Yes, that's easy

[ctpres]

OP here: I Did Not load dock correctly, did not wait long enough after clicking finish. Removed and reinstalled and let things finish, OK now, registered ok and used dock to browse my computer for previously downloaded POI file. also used dock to download user manual. Not real fast process but transferred POI file and installed/loaded on 7710 by following prompts. Now have Passport America POI's on 7710
Life is Good.

[ctpres]

A few more notes and I'm done till we hit the road.
Can import POI files in cvs format, I think anything for garmin will work - name you give file will be what shows up on list forever
To find nearest imported POI- destination/point of interest/custom poi and select from list.
If screen touch not to liking - preferences/align screen(last item)and align screen again then just touch and hold target at each spot on screen, took me a couple whacks at it to improve to my satisfaction. Won't make a big difference.
If you find ETA consistantly over or under - RV Tools/RV Info/ last item ETA Adjustment and adjust in different increments
K/Mi converter and calculator /RV Tools at bottom
If anything unique shows up on first trip 12/28 I'll add here
That's it for now other than - Any Questions?

[rebelone]

Anyone know if charger and power cord that I have with my 5510 will work with the 7710? I have both units, plugins look the same. Before I try to use cables that are in my RV, do not want to destroy unit.
Rebel

[stepside454]

I tried using multiple stops. It won't do what I'm trying to do, maybe it doesn't.
I'm in st. Louis, we are going to see our daughter in Arlington, tx. Let's say I want to look at a trip from Arlington to Houston. On my 7710, while I'm still in stl. Like you can do on google maps or streets & trips

[ctpres]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebelone Anyone know if charger and power cord that I have with my 5510 will work with the 7710? I have both units, plugins look the same. Before I try to use cables that are in my RV, do not want to destroy unit. Rebel

Should be OK since it works with USB/PC charge. Look at specs on transformers and power rating should be the same

[rebelone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctpres Should be OK since it works with USB/PC charge. Look at specs on transformers and power rating should be the same

Thanks,will check power specs for both
Rebel

[Deek]

By the way, for those interested in the Rand McNally RVND 7710, Recreation Nation is offering it now for 15% off retail price with Lifetime Map updates. I bought mine on their web site on Black Friday and got 20% off with Lifetime Map updates but the current price, through the end of December, is 15% off.


If any questions, contact April Klein at Rec Nation -- she is very helpful and will answer any questions which come up. For example, the Rec Nation web site on Black Friday listed the RVND 7710 as having 20% off for the weekend but did not list the Lifetime Map updates as part of the deal. I emailed April late at night as I was looking at making my purchase online (she had posted to iRV2 previously in response to others' questions) and she not only responded to me immediately the same night, but she confirmed the Lifetime Map updates AND fixed the web site ad to make sure it was clear that they were included when I made my purchase. That's as good as service gets IMO.


The 7710 is definitely a full sized and easy to use unit. I have had lots of GPS units over the years, but this one is as user friendly as it gets and is a direct application for us motorhomers with lots of helpful features dedicated solely to our adventures.


Looks to be a real winner.