Community Forums

Easyrider · 07-20-2017, 05:33 AM

How well does an Ipad work when there's no cell service in the area you're in?

Murf2u · 07-20-2017, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easyrider

How well does an Ipad work when there's no cell service in the area you're in?

Mine works perfectly..

As posted further up, I use CoPilot and iExit, neither of which requires a cellular connection.

Easyrider · 07-20-2017, 05:40 AM

What is CoPilot and iExit? How do they work?

Murf2u · 07-20-2017, 06:44 AM

CoPilot is a navigation software package, basically a customizable database of maps that you download into your device. Because the maps are on the device it doesn't need a data connection to fetch them. There are worldwide maps available and the USA maps are available as regional segments to limit how much of your available storage you consume.

iExit is a really slick little app that is an extremely limited data package, it contains only the information about the Interstate and major highways and what is at each exit along the way. It not only shows you what's there, but it also gives you phone numbers so in the case of say a hotel, you can call ahead. It is also searchable, if for instance you're looking for your preferred brand of gas station, it also shows if they're 'easy on & off' locations. It also shows if the location you are looking at isn't right on the highway, how far in what direction it is. It again is onboard your unit so I doesn't need a data connection either.

If however, like me, your iPad is wifi only, you will need a GPS dongle such as the Bad Elf units I use.

One of the things I really like about CoPilot is that a) the iPads processor is incredibly fast compared to that of dedicated GPS, and b) the data is onboard and doesn't need to be fetched each time, the whole system is incredibly fast and smooth.

trs80 · 07-20-2017, 07:04 AM

Do you use the copilot truck? To me the only reason to give up/supplement Waze/Google maps is the ability to add in height/weight/length for road restrictions.

... And from what I am reading the Garmin/RM doesn't seem to be that great at that. It's the smaller roads (that don't sound like they are included) that get ya.

GEM1N1 · 07-20-2017, 07:06 AM

How often do you guys run into height clearance problems?

I'm still new to this.

trs80 · 07-20-2017, 07:09 AM

Knock on wood ... Not yet. I took my first trip out west this year and California is the one state that made me consider a RV GPS ... And it was more because they have some crazy rules for 40+ft motorhomes and what roads they can use.

In the back of my mind it is also interesting when Waze wants me to get off to avoid 30+ min of traffic and the adventure that could be. Generally I check when it reroutes and if it doesn't save me 15+ minutes when driving the RV I don't even bother.

GEM1N1 · 07-20-2017, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trs80

Knock on wood ... Not yet. I took my first trip out west this year and California is the one state that made me consider a RV GPS ... And it was more because they have some crazy rules for 40+ft motorhomes and what roads they can use.

In the back of my mind it is also interesting when Waze wants me to get off to avoid 30+ min of traffic and the adventure that could be. Generally I check when it reroutes and if it doesn't save me 15+ minutes when driving the RV I don't even bother.

Yeah, my rule is generally stay the course.

Easyrider · 07-20-2017, 05:32 PM

So I'm new to Copilot and iExit, first I ever heard of them. Do these show your vehicle and where you are in relation to the map or is more of a electric version of a paper map, and you estimate where you are in relation to the map?

BuzzWolfAR · 07-20-2017, 05:38 PM

I use CoPilot and my Ford GPS simultaneously. When the disagree I stop and use human logic. CoPilot has the height of my trailer, the Ford GPS doesn't.

CoPilot does track your position like any other GPS if you use the CoPilot GPS version.

Dale & Mark Bruss · 07-20-2017, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easyrider

So I'm new to Copilot and iExit, first I ever heard of them. Do these show your vehicle and where you are in relation to the map or is more of a electric version of a paper map, and you estimate where you are in relation to the map?

You can download a free simple version of CoPilot to your smartphone and get an idea of what is does.

You want to pay for the RV version to actually travel as the RV has more features especially setting the height and length of your RV. That keeps from scraping you AC units off of your roof with a low bridge.

Because of the Android and IOS licensing, you can use CoPilot on multiple devices. I plan my trips on my Note 5 smartphone and transfer the trips to the Samsung Tab a 10 tablets for driving. Each of us uses a tablet, allows for different displays.

I have been using CoPilot since 2003. It is a very good product developed from a major trucking software company who developed routing software that truckers trust.

For perspective, a tablet and the RV version of CoPilot is a lot less than a Garmin RV version GPS unit.

Ramzfan · 07-21-2017, 12:14 PM

I have had two or three GPS units. One being the Rand McNally that ceased to have any sound after one year. It also would send me on routes that were way longer than needed. Bought the Garmin 760 last year and I'm more than pleased with it. Took it on a 3,000+ mile trip and it performed flawlessly. I would recommend it.

cobalt · 07-21-2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale & Mark Bruss

You can download a free simple version of CoPilot to your smartphone and get an idea of what is does.

You want to pay for the RV version to actually travel as the RV has more features especially setting the height and length of your RV. That keeps from scraping you AC units off of your roof with a low bridge.

Because of the Android and IOS licensing, you can use CoPilot on multiple devices. I plan my trips on my Note 5 smartphone and transfer the trips to the Samsung Tab a 10 tablets for driving. Each of us uses a tablet, allows for different displays.

I have been using CoPilot since 2003. It is a very good product developed from a major trucking software company who developed routing software that truckers trust.

For perspective, a tablet and the RV version of CoPilot is a lot less than a Garmin RV version GPS unit.

If you already own a tablet, I think CoPilot is a great option. It's a $40 app and since you download the maps at the start, you don't need a data connection (which is becoming less and less of a problem these days).

And if you are using the app and tablet already you can augment that with additional apps for traveling like iExit, RVParky, etc. And, I downloaded all my RV's schematics and drawings from Winnebago on to the tablet so I will always have them with me.

V3600 · 07-21-2017, 02:30 PM

Google Maps in my Samsung S6 phone has been getting me around the country with no issues. I'm not going to spend lots of $$$ on a GPS when it's free in my phone.