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Best GPS for your van?

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Old 02-27-2018, 01:51 PM
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Best GPS for your van?

Hi everybody, my Garmin died this morning. And now I’m in the market to replace it. I like a big screen that’s easy enough to decide on… But I’m just wondering what you all have for recommendations. Back up cameras, brand-name, longevity of life, etc. Please answer fast I’ll be buying one soon.

I was thinking of getting something really great like OTR truckers might use… But I don’t actually know what features they have.
 
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Old 02-27-2018, 05:34 PM
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Research first. AKA, look before you leap.
 
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Old 02-27-2018, 06:30 PM
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I use my laptop with a GPS receiver. You got to buy the receiver but it's all free after that.
You can download the state maps of your choice. But it does not show every MD & DD and gas station location by name. There is just good GPS and a few features like routing...
It's called Navigator 14. Think there is a Paid version too but I can't speak to what features that has. Just Google it. Can't remember what Receiver brand I bought. Pretty sure it works with just about any current receivers on the market today. Think I bought mine a Staples Store. It fills the whole screen of my 15 inch laptop so it's pretty big screen. No back-up camera.
 
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Old 02-28-2018, 07:55 AM
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I use Google Maps on my smarty-phone with a $15 holder from Walmart. Generally works well. The only reason I'd want a OTR Trucker GPS system is if I needed to avoid roads the van can drive on, but since my van is titled in PA as a "station wagon" it's usually not a concern.

We have also used CoPilot GPS which does have some interesting options as well as RV and Truck versions (for additional cost) It also doesn't rely on a data connection like Google Maps. Supposedly has a trip planning feature, but I'm not sure how well it works. When I used it, we had it loaded on a PDA with routes loaded from a laptop (pre-smart phone era) and a Bluetooth connected GPS receiver.

In theory, a Bluetooth camera hooked up to a laptop could serve as a back-up camera, but you would probably have to manually activate it when you shift into reverse.
 
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Old 02-28-2018, 12:22 PM
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I had Co-Pilot. I ran it on a small laptop with an attached GPS dongle and it was great!
Now I use a smart ph...but then that eats "data"....
I'm not sure anything replace Co-Pilot.
 
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Old 02-28-2018, 01:34 PM
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This is what you need! Scroll down and watch the little commercial.
Navdy Navdy
Whoops! Sorry, the went bankrupt last November. Cool unit though.

Try this one,
 KIVIC KIVIC
 
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Old 02-28-2018, 01:43 PM
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I've used Garmin for years and would recommend it (make sure to get lifetime traffic and maps), but haven't used my dedicated GPS unit (Nuvi) in quite a while due to Google Maps and Waze on iPhone. I find them much easier to use (location search, etc.), and the social collaboration on Waze is very helpful (po-po warnings!). I keep the garmin in the van for backup (out cell service range), but haven't needed it in quite some time (i.e. two years or more).
 
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Old 02-28-2018, 04:50 PM
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I should’ve clarified, I insist on having a separate GPS because I use my phone way too much. Last 24 hours I’ve been navigating with my phone and it is complete bull crap trying to do that with all the other things I have going on.
 
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Old 02-28-2018, 06:04 PM
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Guess I should clarify too. The Free Navigator 14 does NOT require a Data feed or Cell phone ...
It's a direct link to the sky/satellites. The free version does have route planning. And they are constantly updating the maps. I believe that's done by the advanced users of the system. And I only post about it because you mentioned a large screen wanted. 15 inch laptop screen is pretty large... DDT
 
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