Community Forums

Bigfin · 02-03-2022, 08:57 AM

One of the irritating realities experienced by me and others using various GPS apps, are the apps nature NOT to follow the exact route previously plotted by the user. Recently, users plotting RVWizard routes, then downloaded to RV Life app, we’re given an option to choose “follow exact route”. I reported to tech that “follow exact route” did not work on an iPhone, tech replied a fix was forthcoming. Seems the “fix” was to eliminate “follow exact route”. My question now is: will RV Life app now follow the exact route I plot in RV Wizard or will I continue being frustrated by mysterious changes to my chosen route and therefore need to double check every route segment with hard copy maps?

Jaro11 · 02-09-2022, 06:34 PM

We use RV Trip Wizard as back up to our Garmon. We like the turn by turn feature now available on the wizard and given that we use it as a back up, i usually choose the option to allow changes. I'm not sure the advantage, but if it has new information about road closures, i want to know.

The trip we just did (PA to Florida) was pretty straightforward and we did not notice it made any changes to our route.

As a matter of fact, despite choosing this, it has never made any changes.

Interesting. I'll check back to see the update!

Bigfin · 02-10-2022, 09:49 AM

Glad you are happy with RVTW and RV Life app combo. The problem, experienced by me and others and noted in my OP in this string is that your preplanned route can “mysteriously” change and not for the better. Those concerned about such surprises were delighted to see the “Follow Exact Route” option, expecting to experience a level of confidence in the system. Now with that option deleted, I will be resorting to back up the route with “old fashioned maps”. Seems fixing what is broke would be great customer service! But then again I am not a programmer and maybe a fix is not possible? If something is not possible, why go down that rabbit hole in the first place? To be clear, I am not grousing, not unhappy, just a little disappointed. A little communication from the “wheel house” would be a nice thing! Cheers!

Jaro11 · 02-10-2022, 11:37 AM

I do have an update that I have not installed. I still have both options. Yikes. Doesn’t sound good!

Bigfin · 03-19-2022, 10:24 AM

Knock, knock! Any update regarding enabling the “follow exact route feature”? Thanks

svcattales · 05-16-2022, 06:38 PM

I have planned a major trip from Florida to Idaho and we are close to our destination. I really like trip wizard for planning and I like the concept of downloading a planned route to RV Life app. We prefer to use secondary roads, but often we use a combination of secondary roads and interstates. Most GPSs will not handle this combination very well, but the "route drag" function in Trip Wizard is a great way to give me the route combination I need. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of confidence in RV Life navigation right now. I did have a couple of successes with following exact route, but now it doesn't work at all. I get some error message about not having an "end point." Also had a couple incidents where the exact route transferred accurately and then after a rest stop, it did a recalculation and took a different route that made no sense at all. We will be leaving Idaho in mid June for Canada and Alaska. It would be really nice if you can fix the system by then. I'm using an Android tablet (Galaxy Tab 7 5G).

Bigfin · 05-17-2022, 07:19 AM

Sue, of RVTW, shared that “follow exact route” had been fixed. I am on my third trip since the fix and all seems well, at least on my iPhone. She did say that an update to the app was needed on both iPhone and Android formats. Cheers!

svcattales · 05-18-2022, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigfin

Sue, of RVTW, shared that “follow exact route” had been fixed. I am on my third trip since the fix and all seems well, at least on my iPhone. She did say that an update to the app was needed on both iPhone and Android formats. Cheers!

Thanks Bigfin. I'm happy to hear that "follow exact route" is working for you. I'm using Android, so I don't know whether the fix has been been made yet. I'm curious to know if "follow exact route" works for you when you don't have cell phone service? I have downloaded the appropriate state maps to my device, but is my "exact route" downloaded also? I'm in an area of weak cell service so good band-width is limited. Greg

Bigfin · 05-20-2022, 07:13 PM

Sorry for the delayed response, we have been in an “internet free zone” on the Oregon coast. If the respective state maps are downloaded, the app seems to work fine without connection. Follow Exact Route needs to show up as an option on the app. Would be great if more folks were testing this thing out! For me, seems to be working.

svcattales · 05-21-2022, 09:02 AM

Hi Bigfin, I found out from Sue that my RV LIFE App was out of date. I downloaded latest version and "exact route" seems to be working. I'll test it when we leave Yellowstone tomorrow. Like you said, it would be nice if other campers would test this capability. Greg