Community Forums

**TonyDi** · 11-19-2020, 09:29 PM

I seems like all the GPS manufacturers are constantly coming out with new models with features most of us will never understand or use. I have a 770 and it does everything I need a GPS to do. I understand it and don't want to have to learn a whole new system just because Garmin decided to make a new, enhanced model. My two cents worth

NitroxAZ · 12-19-2020, 07:39 AM

How do you mount this to the dash? Is there a protective case for it that I can't find?

bpu699 · 01-23-2021, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDGoose

I buy the discontinued or refurbished units at usually 50% of 'new'. I only buy with lifetime maps and traffic updates.

I have yet to see or hear about any install dash GPS with the features my RV GPS has. Why would a 3500 truck not have software that can account for height, length and weight for routing?

And most folks I know do not pay the $100 or so to update their installed GPS.

Anyone have such a source? $400-500 for a gps seems way more than I wish to spend...

Tombsy · 01-23-2021, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitroxAZ

How do you mount this to the dash? Is there a protective case for it that I can't find?

I found a cheap pouch type case for it online, sorry I haven’t found the link yet.
For the mount there weren’t any aftermarket solutions yet, it comes with a suction cup and a screw down base. I definitely wasn’t going to use the suction cup or drill holes in my dash so I made a flat disc out of lexan to screw to the bottom of the screw down mount and used 3m Mounting tape to attach it to the dash.

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wayfarer2021 · 01-24-2021, 04:01 PM

I use the included suction cup mount and have it attached to the windshield. It sticks really well. Rock-solid so far.

TriMoot · 03-19-2021, 01:15 PM

Hey Folks, getting ready to pull the trigger on this Garmin 890, anyone care to report back and let us know if they would change their minds after having used it for a while?
TIA!

**NLOVNIT** · 03-19-2021, 03:14 PM

I just now saw this thread. I've had an 890 for 2 RV seasons & really like it. The big screen is awesome. Unlike other GPS units I've had (Magellan, Rand McNally & a Garmin 780) I've not had trouble with any glare on the 890. The picture is clear. I use the suction cup base attached to a beanbag ring that has plastic in the middle for the suction cup to adhere to. As has been previously posted, it has extra options I haven't used & may never use. In areas where I'm familiar, it has, on occasion, sent me a different route than what I would've taken in the coach. Not necessarily a bad route, but sometimes a longer one. I do always verify its routing (have done so with ANY GPS) via Google Maps on my laptop & to this day, I still carry a paper atlas of all the states.....just in case.

I also use it in place of the outdated nav system in my 9 year old car. I refuse to pay the stupid several hundred dollars to update the software for it.

rcharrette · 03-19-2021, 11:34 PM

We’ve had our RV890 for about 8 months now. I’ve used it to drive from Colorado to Florida and the Florida to California. Overall I really like it. It’s easy to see. When approaching exits it gives you a picture on the screen and you have peace of mind your rig dimensions are in it.
That said it’s not perfect ( none are). This unit is always going to push you onto main roads that it knows are “truck routes”. I’ve noticed if I’m on a residential street or similar I have a “?” In the bottom and it says something like follow local signs. We always double check our route with google maps. A lot of times they don’t agree and it’s because google wants us to cut through on a secondary road. Where as the Garmin wants us to stay on highways.
Also, one specific example of it letting me down was going to McDowell mtn in Arizona. I got about 5 miles from it in a residential area and the Garmin just told me to make a U turn. It had no idea where to go. Again, we always run Google maps in the background and we just switched over.. not saying this to deter you, I really like the unit overall. We’ve had google maps be wrong as well. Just have a back up running on a phone.

TriMoot · 03-20-2021, 07:10 AM

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I went ahead and ordered it. Now I’ll have to figure out how to use it. And I agree, will probably have google working along side it.

DKRITTER · 03-21-2021, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriMoot

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I went ahead and ordered it. Now I’ll have to figure out how to use it. And I agree, will probably have google working along side it.

We have the 780 and really like it. I have always used Google Maps in conjunction with the 780.

I think the traffic and issues on the road are better and more quickly updated on GM. Also we use a tablet for GM and being able to switch to sat view before we get to a truck stop, rest stop, RV Park, intersection and everything else is IMO invaluable.

TriMoot · 03-21-2021, 11:26 AM

Thanks DK, appreciate the input.
I agree and will use GM as well.

Persistent · 03-21-2021, 12:16 PM

I have a slightly earlier version of the 780. I like the bigger screen. I like the voice instructions. I like the expressway exit views.

This things may or may not be important to you:

It has very little battery capacity. It is not useful except for brief periods of external power off.

It has two modes. One is the "car" mode. It plots routes similar to previous Garmin models. It can plot short route, fastest route, etc.

The second mode is the "big rig mode". It is initiated using profiles. I have a small rig, but I have entered dimensions and a speed limit. In this mode, shortest route is usually not the shortest route and fastest route is not the fastest. As far as I can tell it does not use the profile speed-limit when calculating travel time.

Instead it first tries to use Interstate highways. It will go miles out of the way to use a short stretch of Interstate. Second, it tries to use Federal highways. Third it may recognize state highways. County or municipal roads and streets are not recognized except at start and end of trip. They usually do not show on route editing screens. I don't know if it knows about municipal truck routes. It may just be using Federal highway routes through cities.

I have methodically tested the Navigation Settings to try to get it to select shorter routes and lower speed routes that are short. No joy.

I have used the edit route functions to try to force short routes using State and County roads. The edit interface is better than most. It is a painful process to force it onto county roads. It will plan much longer routes unless a way point is put on each county road.

I maintain two profiles. One with the travel trailer and one without. When navigating back country or off main highways I switch to "car" profile and it does a better job of choosing routes I prefer. Of course I must watch manually for low bridges and bridge weight limits.

I had to turn the "Curve Notification" off because frequent useless notification on Wisconsin roads overwhelmed other relevant notices. I began ignoring important messages.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

TriMoot · 03-21-2021, 08:59 PM

Wow....that’s a great write up. You should send that to garmin to see if they are aware of that. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Persistent · 03-22-2021, 07:55 AM

You are welcome.

Garmin maintains a very good expert and customer forum. All this and more has been discussed on the forum. I don't think there is a summary like I posted, but at one time or another it has been covered.

It is possible the big rig routing issue is due to truck route ordinances. Semi's are required to stay on truck routes. They may use local roads only if the destination is located on a local road. They must take the shortest route from the truck route to the local destination.

This info is second hand, obtained from a trucker many years ago.