RV Life GPS or Garmin RV780 - Preference?

[embeleco]

Hi. I know that probably this has been discussed in the past.. but can't find it specifically for comparison between RV Life GPS and Garmin RV 780. I bought the RV 780 from Garmin... but the thing is bouncing everywhere on my Alante dash... I can use the RV Life GPS with CarPlay on the Sony radio included with the Alante... just want to be sure I'm comparing apples to apples...

I have a few more days until I can return the Garmin and I want to be sure...


Comments?

[Suprnova74]

Originally Posted by embeleco

Hi. I know that probably this has been discussed in the past.. but can't find it specifically for comparison between RV Life GPS and Garmin RV 780. I bought the RV 780 from Garmin... but the thing is bouncing everywhere on my Alante dash... I can use the RV Life GPS with CarPlay on the Sony radio included with the Alante... just want to be sure I'm comparing apples to apples...

I have a few more days until I can return the Garmin and I want to be sure...


Comments?

If you are talking about the RV Life GPS via the phone app, then hands down the Garmin. I used both and RV Life was horrible in comparison. The pathing it wanted to take was subpar and the interface is very clunky. They did update the voice so that's a (very) minor plus. It initially sounded like the voice of the computer from Wargames.

Find a mounting solution that works and you'll be fine. I'm thinking of 3D Printing a replacement for one of the Ford 450's useless cubby hole (the slot with the change holder behind the radio on the Greyhawk, for instance) that instead has a flat spot for the suction cup. For now, I suctioned mine to the rear view mirror since it's pretty useless other than for looking at the kids.

[RAurand]

I have been using the Garmin 890 and love it. 2 years now.

[Jacjayco]

X2 WHAT suprnova said. There are a lot of mounts available on line. You should be able to find one that works for you.
I've used Garmin GPS systems in boating and in the rv. Garmin is the go to nav instrument IMO.

[SloPoke]

Go with the Garmin...

[Topperace]

I use both RV770 and RV LIFE PRO routing just to double check... also,
I have yet to be able to Get the RV770 updated map wise...very hard to do over cell connection, and really no good wifi anywhere recently...it's a pain getting the update for the Garmin, so having to use RV LIFE PRO - it works via Car Play on my Trucks display.

[Big1]

I have and use the garmin RV785 gps.

[Stan&Sharon]

Originally Posted by Topperace

I use both RV770 and RV LIFE PRO routing just to double check... also,
I have yet to be able to Get the RV770 updated map wise...very hard to do over cell connection, and really no good wifi anywhere recently...it's a pain getting the update for the Garmin, so having to use RV LIFE PRO - it works via Car Play on my Trucks display.

X2 RV Life. I have not used the Garmin so I can't compare to that, but I can say RV Life has had many updates this last year and since their membership is growing so much, I would imagine there will be more upgrades as long as they are so popular.
I have Android Auto, as well as GM Navigation in my truck. There are some spots in mid-Florida where Android Auto and GM Navigation were both showing directions that didn't match with reality... we also saw trips that took us off in the wrong direction with U-Turns back to the right direction. Crazy paths.

In all cases, RV Life was always correct... and we really like their website navigation planning.

[Alante31V]

Garmin RV 780 for $300 on Amazon.

Have Yellowstone trip planned out TO/BACK.

Garmin RV 780 GPS Navigator with Traffic

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QFG179N...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[embeleco]

Originally Posted by Alante31V

Garmin RV 780 for $300 on Amazon.

Have Yellowstone trip planned out TO/BACK.

Garmin RV 780 GPS Navigator with Traffic

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QFG179N...ing=UTF8&psc=1

Wow.. I bought 30 days ago for $400 on Amazon... now you got me thinking if I start a return lol.

[embeleco]

Originally Posted by embeleco

Wow.. I bought 30 days ago for $400 on Amazon... now you got me thinking if I start a return lol.

Amazon did not want to price match after a post sale... at least not this time around.. so I ended starting a return on the one that I have and buying the product with the 25% sale discount. I guess they don't care paying again for the return shipping label.

[hawkmaster]

Hi all,
We bought Garmin RV 785 & Traffic about a year ago. I also had a hard time with it staying on the dash. I came up with this fix.
Before our trip to Key West this winter i added a compass and tmps.
We used the Garmin, RV life, Trucker path and google (yes my DW is a navigation wizard) The Garmin helped most with navigation and RV life helped more with campsites and site seeing.
Enjoy!!

Pete

[JK31]

What are the dimensions of the plexiglass? Please include thickness.
Thanks, JK

[hawkmaster]

I used 1/8" thick plexiglass, its 4" tall and 26 1/2" wide. I had it cut that size to accommodate the screws at all edges. I took a close up, you can see the ribbed part of dash.

Pete

[Alante31V]

We use a weighted base;

This one is 3 lbs

Bracketron Nav-Mat Portable GPS Dash Pad, Converts Windshield GPS Mount into Dashboard Mount, Weighted Beanbag and Friction Base

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U5TUWE...0T1DNGK2YSBAWJ

[The Gordens]

We use both GPS units. We compare the routes on both and pick the way to go. Both GPS units have come up with strange routes at times and by more than a hundred miles difference between them. Garmin sent us down a path with an 11 ft bridge even though we list our unit at 13 ft 9 inches. Trailer life gave us a turn to avoid that which Garmin did not. I like the Trailer Life better for finding places also, much better. I have spent a lot of extra time hunting for places with the Garmin. In the end we have both and will continue to use both for various reasons. Good Luck on your search.

[TomB2]

[QUOTE=embeleco;1043533]Hi. I know that probably this has been discussed in the past.. but can't find it specifically for comparison between RV Life GPS and Garmin RV 780. I bought the RV 780 from Garmin... but the thing is bouncing everywhere on my Alante dash... I can use the RV Life GPS with CarPlay on the Sony radio included with the Alante... just want to be sure I'm comparing apples to apples...

I have a few more days until I can return the Garmin and I want to be sure...


Comments? I screwed the Garmin to the dash of my Jayco Precept. I used double sided tape on my TPMS monitor holder. Both stay in place while driving down the road.

[mrlarson59]

We put our TPMS monitor in our sunglass drop down holder which is located in roof of our 2016 Ford F-250. We can hear it if there’s a problem and take it out to look at monitor if need be. I have enough monitors on our dash. We bought the sandbag type monitor holder for our Garmin and place it where the cup holders are located which still allows enough room for 2 drinks. We have 4 cup holders in our console. I am the navigator so it’s more important for me to see than hubby. He can still see it if he needs to. And it helps me stay on top of his speed. I’m the speed police. 😂

[hamerjk]

I use Garmin Rv 890 and love it. I also use RV Trip Wizard which is RV Life. Just to let you and everyone else you can download your route into the Garmin and use the Garmin. Have done this many of times.

[embeleco]

Originally Posted by hamerjk

I use Garmin Rv 890 and love it. I also use RV Trip Wizard which is RV Life. Just to let you and everyone else you can download your route into the Garmin and use the Garmin. Have done this many of times.

Which software you used to import the RV Trip Wizard route into the Garmin unit?