Community Forums

BPD138 · 12-05-2022, 05:51 AM

Hello again,
I'm looking for your thoughts on what to use for a GPS solution.
So far I have played around with TogoRV and Copilot. Both gps software's have done some funky routing although TogoRV seemed pretty good at avoiding low bridges and difficult turns. I typically research the route I want to take but sometimes, you just want to punch in an address and go.
I know there are pros and cons to using a standalone gps such as the the Garmin 890gps as compared to a downloadable app.
If you wouldn't mind sharing your experiences it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again in advance for any insights.

Turbojack · 12-05-2022, 06:40 AM

Been using TomTom Go on tablet. It has been pretty good and at times is way better then google maps. Wife uses Maps and I have TomTom. Sometimes one wants us to take a turn and the other wants us to go another way. Made some tuff decisions as to which to follow.

jacwjames · 12-05-2022, 06:58 AM

I use Garmin for auto's and RV.

I got the Garmin 670 when they first came out, it's with Life Time Maps LTM so I just update it, I download the update to my laptop and then to the GPS.

The newer RV Garmins have new features but function the same. Since Garmin use satellite for the signal you seldom loose a signal, so will work in the middle of no where.

**Lt Dan** · 12-05-2022, 07:11 AM

I had been using a Garmin RV760 for several years and this year upgraded to a RV890. It's a big improvement with a larger screen, Android tablet based OS and faster response. So far, neither one has led me astray with low bridges, etc but any software can take you off route if there is a reported closure which could be just a lane closure. The 890 also has live traffic updates when connected to a smart phone with their Drive app as well as phone answering and text reading capabilities. I'm a Garmin user from way back starting with the original StreetPilot in the early 2000's and a Nuvi on the motorcycle.

B52Rnav · 12-05-2022, 07:48 AM

Concur with everything Lt Dan said. I have Garmin RV760 with a low clearance database loaded. On Garmin, all users should learn how to use custom POI files. My one gripe on the Garmin is while it will route around a low clearance it does not identify that it has done so. Only indication is route may not make sense.

F4Gary · 12-05-2022, 10:12 AM

I have the Garmin RV 770 with traffic updates via smartphone. It gets updated regularly and does a great job.

CaptainGizmo · 12-05-2022, 10:19 AM

Disclaimer: I serve as a Beta-tester for Garmin GPS.

I’ve used dozens of GPS solutions. Though like ANY of them, Garmin is far from perfect. However, after 4 years of intensive use and testing, I still am confident to recommend the RV Garmin series to all RV travelers.

The 1090 is an awesome unit and can be used in Portrait orientation; my favorite. The mount is a robust suction cup and the GPS mounts with a very strong magnet that also connects the charger. It’s a great unit.

For smaller, 8” needs, the 890 has the same OS.

These are Android-based, which has its own set of frustrations in order to provide increased functionality.

Can’t go wrong either way.

04266832 · 12-05-2022, 05:43 PM

I've bought and used probably every app there is for iOS. I use them on an M1 iPad Air mounted in the motor home.

While I've used all of them in transit, I have three "tests" I use when evaluating:

On the route out leaving my home there are many ways to get to the Interstate that can be tricky for truck routing apps including curves, sharp turns, a roundabout, and narrow roads not suitable for an RV
I route to the KOA in Pigeon Forge which is somewhere we frequently visit. I like to see if apps will take me "the back way" which is a six lane highway that's lightly used or down the main drag with tons of traffic.
I route to Deer Creek Motorcoach Resort in Galax, VA. In Galax there is a truck route that bypasses the downtown area that GPS' don't frequently notice.

I always plan my route using RV Trip Wizard and Google Maps Street View unless I'm going somewhere very familiar because no GPS is perfect. With that said, here are my thoughts on the various apps:

Trucker Path ($249.99 Annually)
This is my favorite in the list so I'll put it first. It's expensive but it has the most useful features in my opinion of any that I've tried. Specifically the readout when when driving gives useful information like the distance to the next rest area, distance and price of fuel along your route, speed, upcoming turns, upcoming truck stops, and more. When trip planning you can easily get a satellite view and there are options to pick your entrance.

It's made for truckers but I've found good comments about how to navigate a truck stop or Harvest Host that I'm plotted to. It has the most consistent routing I've seen.

I don't really have many cons for this except that it is (of course) truck-centric and isn't made to cater to RVs. One con, I suppose, is that it's very late to the game with traffic. A few weeks ago I was sitting at a standstill for 30 minutes on I-40 before it said "Congestion Ahead." Gee, thanks for the heads up.

inRoute ($49.99 Annually)
This one is probably tied for second. The routing is almost as good but the interface is much more clunky. It uses Apple Maps for its map visualization so it feels modern and you can get 3D views which is pleasing to look at.

Searching and setting multiple waypoints is a little strange and when it tries to "optimize waypoints" it seems to scramble everything and reverts back to car directions. I was once running both this and Trucker Path through Memphis and this app wanted me to go waaaay out of my way to avoid a 5 minute slow down. I find the routing to be a bit more inconsistent.

CoPilot for RV (I bought this many years ago. Don't recall the cost)
This is my other #2. I like the customization of the app and routing but the interface feels 100 years old. Searching for destinations is like using the GPS I had in 2005 where you have to know the City the place is in before you can search for a business -- if it can even find it. You're best bet is to know the exact address of where you're plotting.

The UI is clunky and outdated. On an iPad it looks like a blown up version of a phone interface that's letterbox'd and doesn't even use the full screen.

If CoPilot would modernize the UI this would be my #1 hands down.

The only weird routing thing is with the KOA test I listed above. One trip I decided to just go the way I wanted and forget the navigation. Driving down an empty six lane road it told me to make a U Turn and go back to the main drag. It wasn't until I was less than half a mile away that it told me to continue to the destination.

Togo RV GPS ($49.99 Annually)
I like the suite of apps. The GPS is an afterthought. I don't know that this is much better than using Google Maps.

RV Life GPS ($49.99 Annually I think? I bought it with a promo)
Same as Togo. I dislike the mobile app for the entire RV Life suite and stick with the web versions. The GPS doesn't do a great job compared to the others.

Truck Driver Power - Truck GPS (Free)
I want to like this app so bad. This one got nearly everything right and has some amazing features. But they went overboard with Gamification. The routing is great. The features are awesome -- you can even overlay weather and see the potential weather when you expect to be at a portion of your route.

But the app feels too much like a game and the ads and "BOOSTS" are annoying. If you give them your email address you'll never stop getting spammed with progress and scores.

Sygic GPS Truck & Caravan (Don't Recall the Cost)
I bought this app before Google Maps was launched on iOS -- that long ago. I recently re-downloaded it and it didn't last long because it feels outdated and didn't have much to offer over the others.

Hammer (Free)
I like most everything about Hammer except the routing is usually just wrong. I usually have better luck just routing with Google Maps. For example, in the "Deer Creek" test listed above, not only does it fail the truck route but takes me way outside of town down a narrow, winding two lane road that is dangerous for anything other than a car. The only other GPS' that take a more ridiculous route are Togo and RV Life.

3miles · 12-13-2022, 01:32 PM

Does anyone use the Garmin 785 with the dash cam? Does it use the same software as the 890?

Dodge Guy · 12-13-2022, 04:03 PM

I will have to say another Garmin fan here. I tried CoPilot and it sent me through some crazy routes when set for my 55ft length. The first one wasn’t technically wrong, but far from adviseable for my combo. The second routing on the same trip wanted to send me down a road marked only for 30ft length. After that I dropped the app and used my Apple Maps for routing. I just have to double check the way it wants to send me.
Still have my old non RV Garmin and it works great. But next year I plan on getting one of the Garmin RV units.

Love2Roam2 · 12-16-2022, 01:33 PM

I support the Garmin users. We use the Garmin in the RV then take it with us in the Jeep. Nice to have when your in an area with no phone reception!!

Finally_Able · 12-19-2022, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainGizmo

Disclaimer: I serve as a Beta-tester for Garmin GPS.

I’ve used dozens of GPS solutions. Though like ANY of them, Garmin is far from perfect. However, after 4 years of intensive use and testing, I still am confident to recommend the RV Garmin series to all RV travelers.

The 1090 is an awesome unit and can be used in Portrait orientation; my favorite. The mount is a robust suction cup and the GPS mounts with a very strong magnet that also connects the charger. It’s a great unit.

For smaller, 8” needs, the 890 has the same OS.

These are Android-based, which has its own set of frustrations in order to provide increased functionality.

Can’t go wrong either way.

We own the 1090 and like it very much -- the increased screen size makes it easy to view it from either front seat. I made a plywood insert for the console and have attached it to that such that the unit can pivot on the mount depending on whether my co-pilot is with me, rather than the suction cup mount. (I've posted pics on another thread.)