Community Forums

Doug427 · 12-20-2019, 11:45 AM

I'd written a long post with many questions previously and it was suggested to break it up into many individual posts. I'll start doing that here. I've decided to target mid-2000's era Winnebago Vectra / Itasca Horizon 40KD coach with a Cummins 400HP engine for purchase. All questions are related to that model.

I have it narrowed down to two individual units. I'll probably pull the trigger on one or the other after the holidays.

The coaches that I am considering do not have current GPS nav units in them. One has nothing, the other has some cheap and old unit screwed to the top of the dash. Id like a very good current GPS nav unit, and I would like it mounted high up in the line of sight. However I wold like it to look somewhat factory installed, but jut tossed up there and screwed down. Maybe a nice housing or something is available? Any ideas on either front, guys?

I don't want to rely on the iPhone apps, because they work off of cell signal and many of the areas I plan to go or drive through won't have any cell service at all. With a self contained GPS unit I won't have to worry at all about cell service to have accurate and effective nav capability. I can always supplement that with my IPhone when cell service is available.

Any input is appreciated.

CountryB · 12-20-2019, 12:10 PM

I have the Rand McNally OverDryve 7 GPS. It's the unit mounted to the left of the steering wheel.

This model has music storage, front and rear facing camera, Bluetooth connectivity (hands-free phone, texts from phone, GPS antenna is built into the base, and a wireless rear view camera (mount to license plate frame). But most importantly, the GPS mapping takes into account the Coaches height weight length (and if carrying propane) to route accordingly. It also "reads out" turn-by-turn directions and warns about exceeding the speed limit (by more than 5 mph).

There is a write up on it in Motorhome magazine (comparing to the other popular brands) listing features.

Not meaning to sound like an Ad for RM. The Garmin unit is pretty good too.

LarryJB · 12-20-2019, 01:34 PM

First I want to address a statement you made that is no longer true for the most part. Mobile GPS app such as Google Maps no longer require a cell signal to operate. This used to be true with previous versions, but now you can download the maps to your device and they work fine offline. I do not have (or want lol) an iPhone, so I don't know if Apple Maps has a map download feature, but I suspect it does. The problem with Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps is that they are not RV Friendly. However there are other mobile apps that are RV Friendly such as CoPilot RV.
In addition to that, because you will probably be wanting to replace your head unit, I would suggest you look into one of the Andorid based head units. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=android+head+unit&crid=1XHNJ3F7FFGRZ&sprefix=a ndroid+head%2Caps%2C185&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_12 You can then install CoPilot RV or another RV Friendly GPS app on that unit and you will be set. BTW, that is just a link to an Amazon search I think it contains non android based units as well. You should probably do your own search, I just wanted to show that there are many units and prices to choose from.

pasdad1 · 12-20-2019, 01:56 PM

A Garmin 770/780/785 RV specific GPS is the most useful...also has lifetime maps which download over WiFi (no computer needed to update).

Many (me included) stop using the built-in GPS because it’s hard (also not free!) to update the maps, and doesn’t have the functionality of a Garmin unit. Also like others have said, it can be mounted closer to the driver/co-pilot making it easier to see.