Garmin or rv trip wizard - another gps thread

**Oldcow** · 03-11-2024, 03:46 PM

Is an RV gps really a needed tool? Can RV Trip Wizard with google maos do the trick?

I have neither but swore I would never buy another Garmin as I use mostly user friendly apps when navigating my bikes on and off road. I understand the functionality of the RV GPS. I have yet to use RV Trip Wizard but will download that soon.

Oldcow

**livinthelife** · 03-11-2024, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Oldcow

Is an RV gps really a needed tool? Can RV Trip Wizard with google maos do the trick?

I have neither but swore I would never buy another Garmin as I use mostly user friendly apps when navigating my bikes on and off road. I understand the functionality of the RV GPS. I have yet to use RV Trip Wizard but will download that soon.

Oldcow

I use a combination of Google and Sygic. Sygic is a travel site from out of the US initially set up for trucks, but have added RVs to their capabilities.

**Hoopy Frood** · 03-11-2024, 04:18 PM

I'm not convinced that an RV specific GPS is necessary, but I would hate to be without my Garmin Nuvi 2539. I plan all my trips, input the routes and go. It works well for me. I have tried Trip Wizard and am getting more used to it, but it hasn't replaced Basecamp yet.

**SGT ROC** · 03-11-2024, 06:07 PM

Garmin 770 is all I use. Hasn't put be in a bad spot on the road yet.

**Oldcow** · 03-11-2024, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by SGT ROC

Garmin 770 is all I use. Hasn't put be in a bad spot on the road yet.

The newest version is the 895 and it's over $1K CAD with taxes, yikes.

Oldcow

**Scott'n'Wendy** · 03-11-2024, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Oldcow

The newest version is the 895 and it's over $1K CAD with taxes, yikes.

Oldcow

Wow...I paid something less than $500cad back in Jan '23 for an 890

**traveldawg** · 03-11-2024, 07:31 PM

RV Trip Wizard for planning purposes. A good RV GPS for daily travels.

Google maps will just send you down a road you shouldn't be on. And it will also reroute you to one of those too during heavy traffic periods.

There are some smartphone apps. So you see some feedback on those.

May view is that after spending tens of thousands of dollars on a truck and camper, now is not the time to act cheap and use apps instead of dedicated tools (like an RV GPS).

**poohbear** · 03-11-2024, 07:45 PM

I use the older Garmin 760LMT and it has lifetime updates & I update each qtr. I might use a google map on my phone as a backup but I'm not depending on cell service to be everywhere & it's not , but satellite signal is allways there ( it can be not there for different reasons but rare ) .
When it dies will get another Garmin rv unit

**Oldcow** · 03-12-2024, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by traveldawg

RV Trip Wizard for planning purposes. A good RV GPS for daily travels.

Google maps will just send you down a road you shouldn't be on. And it will also reroute you to one of those too during heavy traffic periods.

There are some smartphone apps. So you see some feedback on those.

May view is that after spending tens of thousands of dollars on a truck and camper, now is not the time to act cheap and use apps instead of dedicated tools (like an RV GPS).

It's more about limiting the number of screens than being cheap. But $1,000 does hurt.

Originally Posted by poohbear

I use the older Garmin 760LMT and it has lifetime updates & I update each qtr. I might use a google map on my phone as a backup but I'm not depending on cell service to be everywhere & it's not , but satellite signal is allways there ( it can be not there for different reasons but rare ) .
When it dies will get another Garmin rv unit

And I probably will as well get a Garmin even though I do not find them as user friendly as apps that can also be connected to my truck screen.

Oldcow

**SkipRD** · 03-12-2024, 04:04 AM

I use a Garmin RV890. I can't comment on other alternatives, but I can say that the Garmin has the range of capabilities that I need:

Large (tablet-size) screen
Length/Height-specific routing
Traffic via phone connections with estimates of delays
Weather radar overlay on route (which is REALLY nice if there's severe WX bearing down on the route)
Database of campgrounds, POIs, Flying Js, etc., with reviews (Trip Advisor) and other information
Warnings for:
• Speed limit changes
• Steep grades
• Sharp turns
• Narrow bridges
• RR crossings, school zones, red light cameras, etc.
Save/recall routes
Search along route and add stops to current route
And lots of other features I'm not thinking of.

...and so on. I suppose it's possible to cobble together apps and websites to get the same range of functionality, but it's nice having everything in-place in a single device.

Skip