Community Forums

NealC · 03-04-2017, 06:17 AM

Hello,

I have a 2017 Newmar Ventana 4037 on order. I don't know what NAV system is in it but as a pilot and geek I'm wondering how good it is. Is it sufficient or would buying a Garmin RV 770 LMT-S be worth adding, not only because it may be better but because I'd rather not look down and right at my nav but instead keep my eyes on the road and have the Garmin GPS more in line of where I'm looking while driving.

Interested in any feedback and experience of the Newmar Ventana navigation system and whether it's worth it, or a waste, to also have a Garmin.

My 2009 Honda Pilot for example has a built in nav and it's sufficient but I do miss the detail and information Garmin displays.

Looking for any opinions on nav systems in my new RV coming late May early June.

Thank you.

redcolorado · 03-04-2017, 06:34 AM

I also do not like looking down and to the right. I have the Garmin RV 660LMT. It is mounted on a bean bag mount directly in front of me in my line of sight, almost like a HUD. I have factory nav systems in my truck (toad) and car, they were standard equipment. The cost of updating each of my installed nav systems is more than I paid for the Garmin with lifetime updates. If an installed nav system is a +cost option I will pass, my $.02.
Congrats on the new rig.

sbleiweiss · 03-04-2017, 06:47 AM

I just got my first car with built in nav. I was shocked to find that you can't program it while driving. Of course I know this would be dangerous for the driver, but what about the DW? It is so stupid and big brother to disable the feature for fear the driver will use it. Cuts the value of a built in in half at least as far as I am concerned. I agree, if it is an extra cost I would forgo it.

JMonroe · 03-04-2017, 06:59 AM

When we placed the order for our LA we purposely left off the in-dash nav. More difficult and expensive to update, typically not as many useful features, and outdated/superseded by newer and better technology long before the coach is worn out.

I'd definitely recommend a good "RV specific" portable unit. They're easy to update, typically for free, and you'll be able to replace the unit several times over the years for the cost of a built in.

TomandGloria · 03-04-2017, 07:09 AM

Neal, mine has the Clarion NX-405. It is not an RV GPS, and during our PDI that was stressed to us. We use the RM 7720 and have always received great service from it. I will have to figure out how to mount it on my Ventana for use.
Tom

NealC · 03-04-2017, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomandGloria

Neal, mine has the Clarion NX-405. It is not an RV GPS, and during our PDI that was stressed to us. We use the RM 7720 and have always received great service from it. I will have to figure out how to mount it on my Ventana for use.
Tom

Great to know! I'd hate to show up at the factory and have no GPS to get home :(

I'm thinking of a RAM mount, I have one for my cell phone at times when I travel and rent a car. I'm interested to hear what others may use for GPS mounts.

JMonroe · 03-04-2017, 07:23 AM

I use a rubber mat style GPS mount, sticky on the bottom (like post-it notes, sticky, but easily pulled up and moved), place in the top center for your suction cup mount to stick to. Got it at Best Buy years ago, now using it in the second motorhome. Looking at photos of the Ventana dash you'd be able to put it just to the right of the steering wheel within easy view and reach.

TomandGloria · 03-04-2017, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe

I use a rubber mat style GPS mount, sticky on the bottom (like post-it notes, sticky, but easily pulled up and moved), place in the top center for your suction cup mount to stick to. Got it at Best Buy years ago, now using it in the second motorhome. Looking at photos of the Ventana dash you'd be able to put it just to the right of the steering wheel within easy view and reach.

Thanks Jay. Appreciate the quick response. Much different than our 07 Suncruiser we are coming from. We are enjoying it here in Florida and looking forward to start traveling in after the weather warms up.

jrwitt · 03-04-2017, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealC

Great to know! I'd hate to show up at the factory and have no GPS to get home :(

I'm thinking of a RAM mount, I have one for my cell phone at times when I travel and rent a car. I'm interested to hear what others may use for GPS mo unts.

Hi Neil,
As someone else already stated, Newmar uses a Clarion GPS in the Dutch Star and Ventana lines. There has already been a lot posted about this unit. On IRV2, go to the top of the screen and click on the drop-down menu "Owners Forums." From the list, select "Newmar." It will be in the far right column. Scroll down list to the date of 12/02/2016. There is a topic there called "Clarion's refusal to update ...." Read through this topic and there is a lot of info about this unit. Apparently, at some point Clarion started supplying units that are made for RVs, but refuse to update any older units.
BTW ... There is lots of Newmar specific info in these Newmar owner's forums. Read through them and you will learn a lot about your new coach. This is also a good place to post your questions about something that is specific about Newmar products. Most of the people on this set of topics are Newmar owners or previous owners or, like me, wanna be owners. Someday I hope.

Good luck,
Jack

NealC · 03-04-2017, 08:13 AM

Jack, thanks - I believe you are referring to this thread. It's good info and I'm curious to see what will be installed in my coach, however, this thread is more about using a built-in NAV/GPS or using an external. External for more functionality and RV specific features such as the database and additional functionality but also safety in not having to take your eyes off the road to look down and right at the NAV for traffic info. Having something you can keep your eyes on the road and view the NAV....is this what more people are doing or recommending? As a former pilot this is the safety I learned, looking at your map with your eyes up vs. down at your lap. So it's not really a coach specific question, more of a RV "style" question in what people are using. Regardless, that thread was interesting but even if the Clarion unit installed is the trucker edition I'm still wondering if a Garmin (or other brand) external is recommended and what people are doing.

Thanks!

redcolorado · 03-04-2017, 08:31 AM

This is a photo of my setup. The bean bag mount is held to the top of the dash by a strip of Velcro and has not moved in 35,000 miles.

Fred and Bonnie · 03-04-2017, 11:05 AM

I don't rely on beanbag mounts, simply, they move. If you have a larger unit, say 6-7" you need a permanent mount. Rand McNally has a permanent mount for suction cups.

Fred

harleyjt · 03-04-2017, 11:13 AM

I have no experience with the Newmar in-dash GPS per se, but I have to believe it is typical of other in-dash units. In general, in the automotive world, I have found the in-dash units to be inferior to stand alone Garmin units. They are expensive to begin with, tend to not have as many features, are expensive to update, and expensive if they break. I just ordered a new Jeep Grand Cherokee for the wife and did not order a NAV system on it for just those reasons.
jt

**TonyDi** · 03-04-2017, 01:02 PM

Forget the in dash GPS. Expensive, hard and expensive to update, and can be a distraction from driving as you have to look down. I have a Garmin 760 LMT that is mounted to a bean bag and it stays put. Plus it allows you to re-position if sun glare is a factor. Plus voice recognition is pretty good so I don't have to fiddle with the settings.