GPS choices

[Baldfacemt]

Hi all,
We are considering adding an Rv or trucking style gps for our Greyhawk 29 MV. We want one that you can program for the size of rig and routes you accordingly.we also like the real time lane guidance with pictures of exits etc. we have looked at 7 inch screens by Magellan and also Garmin.

Has anyone experience with these two? Is a truck style more comprehensive in coverage than and Rv in terms of road info?( hubby thinks so).

What are your thoughts or recommendations regarding gps models for a 33 foot, 11'8 high rig....

Thanks!

[Les7h]

The RV 760 LMT is wonderful - the Jenson in the Seneca is junk and so is it's GPS - I have been to 5 dealers in 3 states and now Middlebury is going to try to fix it ( 9 months of fighting with it is completely unacceptable )

[2nOZ]

We have the Garmin 760 LMT also. It has done a great job for us so far. It's nice to be able to enter your weight, height and length.

[ttavasc]

We've got the Garmin RV660LMT which is very similar in features to the 760LMT including entering your RV specs. The display is slightly smaller display - 6" instead of 6.95". The voice recognition works pretty good and helps keep your hands off it while driving. Looking to add the optional backup camera as well. We do all the route planning using Garmin's Basecamp program and then transfer each trip to the GPS unit when we head out.

[Baldfacemt]

Thanks for your feedback, we just purchased a Garmin!

[vcbice]

When you get your GPS see if it will route you through a twisty road such as US129 in NC or through the Rocky Mountain National Park. Or pick a spot with a low overpass or narrow bridge and see if it will take you there.

Most of the time Garmin's routing information is really good. Sometimes it isn't.

[gravedgr]

Originally Posted by Les7h

The RV 760 LMT is wonderful - the Jenson in the Seneca is junk and so is it's GPS - I have been to 5 dealers in 3 states and now Middlebury is going to try to fix it ( 9 months of fighting with it is completely unacceptable )

I just googled this model and found it sold by BeachCamera through Sears for $409.99. Any reason not to jump on this?

Sears.com

[jkaras7]

You can also buy it on Amazon for $399.99.

[gravedgr]

Originally Posted by jkaras7

You can also buy it on Amazon for $399.99.

Link please? I'm only finding it for $584+ on Amazon.

RV 760LMT

[jkaras7]

Originally Posted by gravedgr

Link please? I'm only finding it for $584+ on Amazon.

RV 760LMT

Gravedgr, my mistake. We bought the Garmin RV 770 NA LMT-S. It is the replacement for the 760. We spoke to Garmin and they told us it is the replacement and essentially the same at the 760. We used it on our last two trips and it worked fine.

Here is a link from Garmin: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/au...g-enthusiasts/

[Murff]

We have owned Tom Tom, Magellan and both were crap. We bought a used Garmin 760 on ePay and it works great!

Murff

[gravedgr]

Originally Posted by jkaras7

Gravedgr, my mistake. We bought the Garmin RV 770 NA LMT-S. It is the replacement for the 760. We spoke to Garmin and they told us it is the replacement and essentially the same at the 760. We used it on our last two trips and it worked fine.

Here is a link from Garmin: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/au...g-enthusiasts/

Thanks for that. Does the 770 have anything the 760 does not, or is it missing anything the 760 has?

[jkaras7]

Originally Posted by gravedgr

Thanks for that. Does the 770 have anything the 760 does not, or is it missing anything the 760 has?

gravedgr, here is the response I received from Garmin regarding 760 vs. 770 (hope this helps):

I have listed below the additional features that the RV 770LMT-S have that the RV 760LMT does not have. I have also included links for more details on the features.

- 6.95 inch screen (RV 760 has a 7 inch screen)
- Glass screen (RV 760 has a matte screen)
- Elevation Profile
- How to use Easy Route Shaping on a created route
- Foursquare on automotive devices
- TripAdvisor on an automotive device
- Update your maps using Wifi
- Camper 770 - Setting Up Watch Link
- RV 770 - Discovering Attractions Along Your Trip
- Live Services such as free traffic, basic weather and more

One of the main differences to consider is the way to obtain traffic on these two devices.

The RV 760LMT comes package with a GTM 36. This cable provides the traffic information.

The RV 770LMT-S receives traffic by using bluetooth to your smart phone. (You must have a smart phone to receive traffic this way.) You will need to download and install the SmartPhone Link from the app store. The device will pull the traffic information from SmartPhone Link app and the traffic information will show on the device. Data will be used from your phone.
Amount of cellular data used by Smartphone Link

[hoppers4]

Interesting comment on the 770 adding the Smartphone link for traffic. My 760 uses this link also.

[gravedgr]

Originally Posted by jkaras7

gravedgr, here is the response I received from Garmin regarding 760 vs. 770 (hope this helps):

I have listed below the additional features that the RV 770LMT-S have that the RV 760LMT does not have. I have also included links for more details on the features.

- 6.95 inch screen (RV 760 has a 7 inch screen)
- Glass screen (RV 760 has a matte screen)
- Elevation Profile
- How to use Easy Route Shaping on a created route
- Foursquare on automotive devices
- TripAdvisor on an automotive device
- Update your maps using Wifi
- Camper 770 - Setting Up Watch Link
- RV 770 - Discovering Attractions Along Your Trip
- Live Services such as free traffic, basic weather and more

One of the main differences to consider is the way to obtain traffic on these two devices.

The RV 760LMT comes package with a GTM 36. This cable provides the traffic information.

The RV 770LMT-S receives traffic by using bluetooth to your smart phone. (You must have a smart phone to receive traffic this way.) You will need to download and install the SmartPhone Link from the app store. The device will pull the traffic information from SmartPhone Link app and the traffic information will show on the device. Data will be used from your phone.
Amount of cellular data used by Smartphone Link

Thanks for that. I'm not a big fan of relying on the smartphone for data (i.e. stealing your phone data instead of providing it with the product), especially since I have moved to a low data-use plan (I stay on wifi 90%+ of the time).

Their usage numbers don't seem bad, but I always worry about optimistic (i.e.. unrealistic) estimates.

[jkaras7]

Gravedgr, understand your reticence regarding using your phone data. It is something to be careful with since we too have a low data-use plan. We do not activate the app unless we are driving through a city/town during rush hour.

[Murff]

On our recent trip to Massachusetts from Seattle, I had the Smartphone Link on at all times. I had to pay $12 each for the traffic and the weather apps for a year but for $1 per month, it seemed worth it.

Traveling through the Midwest, the Garmin provided us with severe weather updates, weather radar and alerted us to any traffic slowdowns that were on our route and how long the slowdown would take. It also offered alternate routes and how much or how little time it would save or cost. My cellphone is through Net10 and it burned very little data for the three weeks of the trip. Several days of the vacation were in a state park with no WIFI and still did not use up the entire 5GB.

Murff

[RAurand]

I have had a 760 for going on 3 years now. LOVE IT. Mine connects to my smart phone for weather but it gets the traffic data from the box built into the cable that comes with it.

[gravedgr]

Originally Posted by jkaras7

Gravedgr, understand your reticence regarding using your phone data. It is something to be careful with since we too have a low data-use plan. We do not activate the app unless we are driving through a city/town during rush hour.

That is a good idea. How do you like the PC app for planning your trip/route? And how good is it at suggesting side trips and sightseeing locations?

Our key reason for getting a TT was to be able to camp more often, with less regard for the weather, while our kids are still young and wanting to spend time with us. We took 2 weeks and drove to the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago. My wife would love to drive up the east coast to Maine or thereabouts to see the lighthouses. This usually means weeks and months of planning for me - looking for places to spend the night, looking for things to do along the route and at our destination.

It might be worth the $$ just for the planning & recommendation capabilities.

[jkaras7]

Originally Posted by gravedgr

That is a good idea. How do you like the PC app for planning your trip/route? And how good is it at suggesting side trips and sightseeing locations?

Our key reason for getting a TT was to be able to camp more often, with less regard for the weather, while our kids are still young and wanting to spend time with us. We took 2 weeks and drove to the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago. My wife would love to drive up the east coast to Maine or thereabouts to see the lighthouses. This usually means weeks and months of planning for me - looking for places to spend the night, looking for things to do along the route and at our destination.

It might be worth the $$ just for the planning & recommendation capabilities.

gravedgr, not complete sure I understood your question. The ability to discover attractions along the way is not bad at all. In addition to our GPS we use a series of smart phone apps for various things;
Park Advisor
RV Parky
ONP Walmart
iExit
Truck&Travel
GasBuddy
Camp & RV
These apps help us in planning our daily routine (we don't plan a full detailed trip) and finding good places to stop for the night as well as the best gas prices in our general area. If I have not answered your question completely, please let me know.