Community Forums

patrickemb · 09-26-2021, 04:15 PM

I like to run 2 GPS systems while traveling since my in dash is a garmin but not the rv version. I run rv live app on my phone. I'd like a bigger screen than what my phone provides for the rv life app. How would I do that for minimal cost? I'm not very technical anymore so please reply in words for a technical dummy. [emoji1787]

DKRITTER · 09-26-2021, 04:45 PM

Do you have a tablet? It might work on that.

My wife uses her iPad for that.

patrickemb · 09-26-2021, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

Do you have a tablet? It might work on that.

My wife uses her iPad for that.

No I don't. Starting from scratch.

outlawten5 · 09-26-2021, 05:28 PM

Android tablets can be had for pretty cheap.

patrickemb · 09-26-2021, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outlawten5

Android tablets can be had for pretty cheap.

Are you saying I can run the app from my phone to the tablet? It wouldn't have wifi to run the tablet by itself. Or do I need wifi to run the tablet and app?

DKRITTER · 09-27-2021, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickemb

I like to run 2 GPS systems while traveling since my in dash is a garmin but not the rv version. I run rv live app on my phone. I'd like a bigger screen than what my phone provides for the rv life app. How would I do that for minimal cost? I'm not very technical anymore so please reply in words for a technical dummy. [emoji1787]

Let's unpack this a bit.

1. What model is your Garmin?

2. What make and version phone do you have?

3. Does your phone and cell plan have the ability to create a hot spot?

dmctlc · 09-27-2021, 06:43 AM

Unfortunately if you bought a tablet you'd need a means to keep the app live and updating route along the way with your current location, corrections due to accidents, etc.. this would mean you need cell phone service or a means to get Wi-Fi. Now predicated on your cell phone service you might be able to provide the tablet Wi-Fi via a Hotspot on your phone otherwise you might need to add the option to your cell phone plan. Cost varies can be $10-15 a month or get a new plan that includes it. To me it might be better to buy a Garmin RV785, RV890 or RV1090 or another brand or model. In the long run this is your best option vs. a monthly fee.

twojayhawks · 09-27-2021, 08:49 AM

I like to run two systems and wanted a larger screen as well. I shopped this for a while and ended up just getting the 10" RV GPS from Garmin. The mount was easy as it's designed to be mounted. Although I did make a more permanent mount. My dash GPS is Clarion and I keep it updated but can't trust it alone.

BobGed · 09-27-2021, 10:02 AM

I have a Garmin 770 mounted on my A pillar and an iPad Mini running Co Pilot RV mounted on my dash.

GypsyR · 09-27-2021, 12:13 PM

We have a Samsung Android tablet that has built-in GPS (not all do) and is equipped with 3G technology so it can receive cell phone data. Or did, as it is an "AT&T unit" and we are currently on Verizon. So I just hotspot my phone to it when we travel
I understand you use/enable "offline" maps so you wouldn't have to have a cell data connection but I haven't bothered. We also use the tablet to stream online music through the coach's radio.
You can clean up a lot of that by simply upgrading the vehicle to a better all-in-one type stereo. Music, streaming music, GPS apps of your choice, video, rear view camera display, crossword puzzles, who knows what all one will do. I've retrofitted one of our other vehicles with such a one and now my wife is demanding one for her car. Or actually, demanding that I get around to installing the one I've long since purchased.

Being only occasional weekend travelers, the rigamarole version for the coach has been OK with me so far. Plus I'll have the tablet with me anyway.

Dutch Star Don · 09-27-2021, 03:30 PM

I have an in dash unit that I run for the trip. I mounted a 7" Magellan to the hand rail near the passenger seat. If we need to double check a route or look for something not on the dash unit, my wife can operate the Magellan and find things like rest stops, banks, supermarkets or verify what the dash unit is doing.

patrickemb · 09-29-2021, 01:33 PM

Thanks for all the replies. This will get me started. I did look at the garmin rv gps and they are quite pricey I thought. If I traveled every day it might be worth it but in the winter I go to south Texas and know the way and don't need the GPS. I'd only use it some in the summer when we go to Colorado and North. Just don't think I can justify 500 bucks or more and the updates required.

Dutch Star Don · 09-29-2021, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickemb

Thanks for all the replies. This will get me started. I did look at the garmin rv gps and they are quite pricey I thought. If I traveled every day it might be worth it but in the winter I go to south Texas and know the way and don't need the GPS. I'd only use it some in the summer when we go to Colorado and North. Just don't think I can justify 500 bucks or more and the updates required.

Personally, I just don't see the need for having an RV specific GPS, unless you plan to drive farm roads often the beaten path. Most people travel interstates or other major highways. If a road looks sketchy to me, I'm not going down it. Even if a campground is well off the main road, they're not going to have spaces big enough for a large coach if the roadway into it isn't big enough or has a low bridge.

dmctlc · 09-30-2021, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Personally, I just don't see the need for having an RV specific GPS, unless you plan to drive farm roads often the beaten path. Most people travel interstates or other major highways. If a road looks sketchy to me, I'm not going down it. Even if a campground is well off the main road, they're not going to have spaces big enough for a large coach if the roadway into it isn't big enough or has a low bridge.

I'm not sure I agree. I've been to many CG's over the years that cater to big rigs like mine and have mutliple ways to get into the CG predicated on the direction you're coming from. I'll agree no RV GPS is 100% accurate but neither is google maps or even waze in my personal experience over the years but I still wouldn't travel anyplace without my RV GPS, I'd rather be safe than sorry, JMO. I've seen many Tractor Trailers, RV's and even 5ers, thought it was safe and end up stuck under a bridge lower than they planned. In fact those that might be familiar with Lowell, Ma. might recall the Prince Spaghetti bridge and how many drivers hit that bridge... Prince Spaghetti might be long gone but not that bridge on a main drag from Lowell to Billerica. man I can recall way too many to count.