Navigation What Do You Use?

[silverta16]

Just got home from a 1400 mile cirlcle from KY to Iowa thru Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and back this week. We didn't have a planned route just a final destination and sight seeing thru the country side, we stayed off the interstates and took as many country roads as possible. We had a Big atlas with us as well as My ipad with maps and wifi. GPS seems to be good when you have a final address destingation in mind but is useless when your wanting to stay off the interstate and see the country. I really like the ipad maps with the ability to zoom in and out and most importantly the little blue dot that shows your location. This is ideal but if you lose wifi it loses your location. I was wondering if they make any software or GPS enabled apps or programs that work similiar to this? The IPad worked really well and I like it. Wasn't sure what you guys used. Thanks in advance.

[Hattie]

Please check the other APP threads noted below. However, my favorites (see bullets) have URLs in #1 below:

• WAZE: advises of traffic issues (but be aware many post false info "just for fun")
• Good Sam Trip Planner: even allows planning to include rest stops and attractions

1. Is there an app? http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f2...app-26582.html
2. RV Apps: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...pps-28609.html
3. Towing apps: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...pps-23866.html

[tnchuck100]

I use a Garmin nuvi 2597 w/Lifetime maps. I also use the BaseCamp software for planning trips. Then load them to the nuvi. I never let the nuvi plan trip routes.

[CarlB]

Garmin RV760 with subscriptions for enhanced traffic and weather.

I also run Waze at times to get more direct info about traffic issues and road hazards.

[Hattie]

In chatting with some Aussies in a campground, they also have in the navigator's seat a spiral-bound laminated-pages road atlas. They then use white-board pens to mark routes and attractions - yet wipe it clean when necessary. Their GPS was great in providing step-by-step directions but concurrently they wanted to see the larger view only a physical map provides. I wish I had taken a closer look, and am now trying to find something like they use. Would appreciate links if anyone knows what I'm seeking. Update: $39.99 + CA tax + $6.95 shipping = $50.94 at 2016 Deluxe Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas - Rand McNally Road Atlases - Atlases

[norty1]

I use an old Garmin2720 that has served me well but is getting old and outdated. We are looking at the new garmin rv760 or something comparable.

I do like those laminated maps that hattie posted. My wife likes to have a map in her lap.

[Hattie]

Originally Posted by norty1

I use an old Garmin2720 that has served me well but is getting old and outdated. We are looking at the new garmin rv760 or something comparable.

Ohhhh, this looks interesting, a RV-GPS: TripMaker® RVND™ 7710; their Trip-Maker is the Good Sam app. We got a new truck and it comes w/GPS so we'll stick with that one.

[Scoutr2]

I use my Android phone with either the Verizon VZ Navigator or the Google Maps with navigation. I prefer the Google Maps because it is the most accurate. I have a cradle that sits on my dash and with my Bluetooth earpiece, it gives me verbal directions that are easy to hear. But I have an older Garmin that I use sometimes, too, but I quit paying the ridiculous annual fees to keep the maps up to date. the Google maps through my phone are always up to date and I'm already paying for that service.

In my Chevy Equinox, I have the on-board navigation built into the car (not the OnStar turn-by-turn). I LOVE that! And whenever I get a newer truck, it will have that, as well.

[silverta16]

I wish they made a touch screen GPS that you could pinch and zoom in and out like on an Ipad or android tablet. You can zoom out to main highways or all the way in to county roads. Very good for getting a birds eye view or where you want to end up.

[dmward]

I use Navigon (from Garmin) on my iPhone. It is entirely offline, doesn't require a data connection. Important for Canadians traveling in the U.S. to avoid data roaming charges.

You can set it for different kinds of routing (fastest, shortest, avoid tolls or highways, etc.).

It's served me well for a few years now.

[SmokerBill]

Road atlas for me. I used to have a GPS but had an argument with the voice giving directions.

[Nighthawk 96]

Like Scoutr2 I have a Verizon phone with Google maps and a 7 or 8 year old Garmin, which is mostly ok. Am planning a cross country trip next year and will probably get a new fairly cheap Garmin, just to have something to look at which I keep on the very lower left hand side of the windshield. We also have a 2016 Large Scale Atlas.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by Hattie

In chatting with some Aussies in a campground, they also have in the navigator's seat a spiral-bound laminated-pages road atlas. They then use white-board pens to mark routes and attractions - yet wipe it clean when necessary. Their GPS was great in providing step-by-step directions but concurrently they wanted to see the larger view only a physical map provides. I wish I had taken a closer look, and am now trying to find something like they use. Would appreciate links if anyone knows what I'm seeking. Update: $39.99 + CA tax + $6.95 shipping = $50.94 at 2016 Deluxe Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas - Rand McNally Road Atlases - Atlases

You will find these on the shelf at most truck stops, paper, plastic coated, and LARGE PRINT for us with short arms.

[Murff]

After just finishing our 2nd 5400+ mile trip in two years, I'd recommend the Magellan Road Mate 9200LM. Lifetime map updates, 7 inch screen and a suction cup mount that sticks like glue to the roughest dashboard surface. Got it at Best Buy last year on clearance. Not sure if still available.

Murff

[Seann45]

I have a Garmin and it has 3 settings in it. Fastest, Shortest and scenic. But I find the best way is to look at a map and add a town 50-100 miles down the road then follow the gps there then add the next town... that is if you are not staying on the interstate..

[us71na]

Originally Posted by silverta16

We had a Big atlas with us as well as My ipad with maps and wifi. GPS seems to be good when you have a final address destingation in mind but is useless when your wanting to stay off the interstate and see the country.

Most Garmin GPS units have a setting for things to avoid. You can set it to avoid toll roads and highways and it will take you down the back roads. Sometimes you can also use the "shortest" route setting instead of the "fastest" and it will also use the back roads.

[namusmc65]

I tried the "shortest" option once on my Garmin and it took me down some hairy dirt roads. You can get in a predicament really fast using that option with a big rig. Don't ask!

[Lifespalette]

I use a DOT Truck Driver's Atlas........it has all the roads classified in it that are DOT rated for a tractor-trailer rig. Even the back country roads. That's some good info...especially if you're pulling your 5th wheeler or driving one of those full size Class A's......there's some roads you don't want to discover the hard way that there were size restrictions.

Just sayin.

[KYCAMPER]

I've been use a Garmin NUVI 2555 and a road atlas. My new truck has a built in navigation system which I haven't had the opportunity to use yet but the Garmin has worked very well. I bought my Atlas at Walmart and it included a free digital version so I put on the DW's Ipad. No pages to wear out, no need for long arms because you can zoom in & out. I use Waze and Google maps as needed also.

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

Road atlas for me. I used to have a GPS but had an argument with the voice giving directions.

Me too! My Garmin has taken me down some subdivision roads with low hanging trees and dead end streets but for some reason I kept using it. This past Spring, it "did me wrong" again. I stopped the truck, pulled it out of it's cradle, dropped it to the ground and stomped on it. I'm not a violent guy but I can only take so much. Now, I'm not tempted to use it anymore