Best GPS for your van?
#1
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.
I was thinking of getting something really great like OTR truckers might use… But I don’t actually know what features they have.
#3
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.
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.
#4
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.
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.
#5
#7
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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#8
#9
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
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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