| Author | Message | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 656 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.114.3.22  Rating: N/A |
I was wading thru the archives but seems most of the info is going on 10 years old (or i should search better) Anyway, what are you using as a nav device these days? I am not at all happy with my older unit I use for work. i find where i should go but pick my own route due to traffic and having a commercial vehicle and not allowed on parkways.Most of those issues are me not updating but i see alot of off route trucks stuck under bridges also. I am thinking something working off the laptop. Any real experience and advice would be appreciated. i am still a map junkie and probably always will be but my wife "Scout", cant read a map under pressure haha. Thanks | ||
| Sean Shanks (Outsider)
Registered Member Username: Outsider Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2011 Posted From: 209.188.35.11  Rating: N/A |
I am using my phone for GPS. It is an HTC smartphone using the android operating system and the default software that comes on the phone. It works fine but the screen is a bit small 3" and the software can be slow at times. I use a 10$ generic suction cup phone mount. Once I'm on the way it works great. -Sean | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 2172 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.89.179.225  Rating: N/A |
Bigger money, I have a Garmin Nuvi 465T, as I do some charter coach driving and dabble in big rigs. I program it so that finding that low bridge the old fashioned way is avoided. I still use a combination of maps and the GPS, they are only as smart as the person using them... I held out for as long as I could, but the customer responsibility now ends at providing an address, whether across town or across the continent. As a service provider, and a professional, you keep up with that or perish. So, it is just another tool in the arsenal. I have many hundreds of dollars of maps and Gazeteers, and continue to purchase more, and still use them along with the GPS. Don't doubt for a minute that in a time of national crisis, the GPS system will be shut down, exactly when you may want to be getting out of Dodge. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| les marston (Les_marston)
Registered Member Username: Les_marston Post Number: 429 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.151.225.213  Rating: N/A |
David I wont tell you what kind of GPS to get but I will suggest that you sit down and make a list of the features that you NEED and the ones you WANT before you start looking. I want mine to show the complete route as well as turn by turn. I also want it to be able to calculate alternative routs. I know that some of the newer technology can also calculate using road reports to send you around congestion or collisions . I am not sure that I need this in our coach because we like to travel the road less taken at a time less likely to encounter heavy traffic. Be prepared to invest a reasonable amount of money if you want "the bells and whistles" A number of our boater friends use laptops with a charter/plotter. In a boat traveling at 7 or 8 knots it is fine but in a coach at highway speed I think you would want something a bit more attached and stable. Make sure your co-pilot can run it, you don't want to be driving and trying to input information at the same time. That can end so badly. Good luck and let us know what you decide | ||
| Kurt C Wagner (Kcld)
Registered Member Username: Kcld Post Number: 8 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 174.59.247.170 Rating: N/A |
I use my tablet PC (laptop without a keyboard) and DeLorme and iNAV/iGuidance software. I really like the large screen as I can see approaching turns and surronding roads quickly. I would like to find RV or truck specific software though to avoid low bridges and parkways. I also use my HTC Android smartphone in my other vehicles with less space for the tablet. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1433 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.52.189.221  Rating: N/A |
I use MS Streets & Trips in a Dell laptop. I have a mega add-on that allows me to add low bridges (several height options) as well as waterfalls, train museums, numerous different restaurant chains, business, rest area, state parks, COE parks, campgrounds, etc. It is my option which will be used or not used and can be changed at any time. Anyone coming to Arcadia Rally, I will be glad to show it to you. Downside to my method is no touchscreen function. For me, biggest positive is a LARGE screen and ease of selecting my own route, whether to the next county or all the way across the country. JMW, YMMV Jack | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1634 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 97.227.21.240  Rating: N/A |
Co-Pilot still offers a version for truckers....Co-Pilot Live V-8 for Laptops. (alk.com) I use an older version for planning, but seldom take it on a trip. Used to be a good program on the road, with laptop. FWIW RCB | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 1318 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.224.107.24  Rating: N/A |
Like Sean, I used my htc android phone's gps and map routing software and it worked great but since upgrading to Verizon's iPhone 4s, the mapping software us even faster and better than the android! What I like about it is the phone can still function while your using the gps or vice versa! Other than that, I still use my trusty garmin that shows eta, speed, idle time, mph, etc. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 2208 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
I use a Garman 660 for routing. I'm going to get a laptop and add streets and trips with the mega files. Sometimes, the small screen doesn't cut it if you want to look at the big picture around the selected routes. I like to visit sites and roads less traveled, plus track train routes for spotting and pictures. I wouldn't go without the gps however. I use it to listen to hours of audio books on sd cards.A 15.9 touch screen would be nice on the lap top. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1330 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 184.12.185.137 Rating: N/A |
I plug my Tom Tom into the lap top or plug my wifes I phone in the 15 inch screen easy for me to see lol good luck | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 657 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.114.3.22 Rating: N/A |
thanks for the replies everybody. I have the phone option but its too small a screen. The DelLorme was the goto unit awhile ago so i will check them out. Jack i will take you up on that since you might have a little extra time this year!!!! i will do some digging and check out the MS streets and Co-Pilot. I am sure i will cheep out for this trip and do nothing but we are hoping to hit the road next year and hope they are Different roads! I will check on updating my Tom Tom and see if it plugs into laptop. Thanks again This would make a great seminar to have at the rally hint hint. That and resizing photos to post. haha | ||
| Sam Summers (Greyghost)
Registered Member Username: Greyghost Post Number: 117 Registered: 4-2011 Posted From: 166.182.3.179  Rating: N/A |
Like Kurt, Sean, Ace, I use my Android phone or tablet. They get the signal from the satellites not the cell towers, have turn by turn navigation, traffic congestion, all the bells and whistles. Plus it's your phone and why do I like them so much, because this is what I sell at my store. Sam | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 1319 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 166.248.68.209 Rating: N/A |
Why must you look at the screen? Every one I have seen or used has a voice that tells you when your next turn is coming up and which way to turn! Even my iPhone with the small screen it tells me where my next turn is! Just saying! | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1636 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 97.226.24.206 Rating: |
Well, ACE....some of us just are,,,,well...obstinate!....wish I were different; so does my wife!!  RCB | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1331 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 184.12.185.137 Rating: N/A |
I like the screen in areas on roads where I have never driven before set it on 3D it will show the curves and dips you are approaching neat feature good luck | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 812 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 75.91.200.113  Rating: |
Ace, Even without the GPS or Laptop or cell phone I have a voice to my right that is always telling me where to go. | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 751 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 71.59.230.13  Rating: N/A |
I have used Garmin, Tom Tom and everything in between. The best tool I've used was on our last 2800 mile trip a little over one month ago. I used my Android X for navigation and it worked great. I have the speedo App and I can hear the directions when the speedo is shown. It proved to be very accurate all along the trip. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1332 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 184.12.185.137 Rating: N/A |
How can one GPS be better than others they all use the same 24 satellites and the same mapping ? | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 488 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 173.166.209.1  Rating: N/A |
Luvrbus, That's like asking how can one radio be better because they all tune into the same stations... Well... I don't like to use the word "BETTER" anyway... they all have the same basic function, telling you where you are. Beyond that it comes down to the features and screen size and graphics. And the features are what makes one fit your needs over the others. Just find the one that has the features you want and get that one.... . | ||
| Edward J. Sommers (Sommersed)
Registered Member Username: Sommersed Post Number: 77 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 148.63.161.138 Rating: N/A |
Delorme, but with TOPO maping Ed | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 710 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 76.4.16.189  Rating: N/A |
Ed, is there a Delorme module that plugs into a laptop and displays on the laptop screen? I'm confused. Thanks, BH NC USA | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1434 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.52.189.221 Rating: N/A |
I have Delorme Street Atlas, it is a software that loads onto the hard drive of my laptop and an antenna that plugs into a USB port. The laptop then becomes the GPS. I split screen and run MS Streets 7 Trips and Delorme simultaneously. i also have Delorme Topo that I use when planning kayaking runs. Jack | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 713 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 76.4.16.189 Rating: N/A |
Thanks, Jack - that is a very clear useful answer and it's just what I wanted to hear. | ||
| Edward J. Sommers (Sommersed)
Registered Member Username: Sommersed Post Number: 78 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 148.63.161.138 Rating: N/A |
I use TOPO just as I do a regular street map, which it is, but with added features that enhance everything. I especially like that it identifies BLM land, in addition to other public land. That's a real benefit here on the west coast, not so much on the eastern seaboard. See http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?forge_prod=-4aAC4CsVaQitr_nZe5GwQ Rm%3AS&item=30465§ion=10742&forge_prod_pses=forge_prod%3D-4aAC4CsVaQitr_nZe5GwQRm%253A S%7E Ed |
