Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: TomHanlon on April 13, 2014, 06:46:10 pm
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I just got back from a four day trip to Williamsburg, Va. My current Garmin GPS is getting a little small and hard for me to read every thing on the screen. It also wanted me to use the HOV3 lanes and go through downtown Washington DC. So I am looking into getting one of the newer RV type units with a 7" display. I have used and like Garmin but I am open to any of them.
Do you use an RV GPS?
What brand?
Do you use a 7" display in the PC?
Where and how is it mounted?
Thanks for your input.
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I use the 7 Inch Garmin RV 760, I installed it on the left lower corner of the windshield. I can see it very well and does not get in the way of anything.
Jim
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Tom,
On our previous PC we had a Kenwood radio in dash mount, installed with Garmin GPS and back-up camera. Super system. It also had the Sirius/XM radio. Would not be without it. On our new PC I had PC install their source in dash radio with Sirius/XM and the Rand McNally GPS system which is designed specifically for RV's. You can look up the system in Google search and see their intro video. So far it is a good system. Also as I said on another write-up, no more hitting my head on the back-up video hanging from the ceiling. One other function I like is to be able to select the back-up camera while underway for visibility around the back of vehicle and able to select different lens views, such as normal or wide angle.
Bob
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I use the 7 Inch Garmin RV 760, I installed it on the left lower corner of the windshield. I can see it very well and does not get in the way of anything.
Jim
Jim, how did you install it? Did you use the suction mount or something else? The Garmin RV 760LMT is my leading choice right now.
Bob I am concerned about putting one in the dash as I tend to replace techie stuff more often than RVs. I know that it is hard to believe but it is true. I would not want to replace the whole dash radio just to replace the GPS unit.
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Tom:
We have the stand-alone variety of Rand McNally GPS - Model RVND 7725 LM (the Good Sam unit). I really love the thing. I've looked at others and found this one to have the features I need and only one failing: the 7" screen display wasn't as crisp as other 7" units. We used TomTom, Garmin and the Stock Ford varieties in the past.
We have found that a good location for us is between the driver and passenger, allowing either of us to view or fiddle with it. If we put the suction cup mount on it, it will fit in the cup holder...although not truly securely. We also have a cup holder mount that works very well and holds it securely. It slips into the cup holder, you turn a dial to make it expand inside the cup holder and then mount your device with suction cup to the flat top of the holder.
Link to the holder: http://www.amazon.com/Bracktron-Mount-Universal-Cup-Holder/dp/B001VJ5W0C
Here is an FYI project for making your own cup holder mount which seems simple and effective....
http://www.instructables.com/id/GPS-cup-holder-mount/
- Mike
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We have a Magellan Roadmate 9250T-LMB. It has a stand alone mount that I put on the flat dash area where we can both see it easily. We really enjoy the "lane assist" that clearly shows the upcoming lanes and have live traffic as well as lifetime map updates. The lane assist function has saved us a number of times. It also has Bluetooth allowing our phone to work hands free. Even our contacts will sync through it and we can access addresses and make calls to our phone contacts hands free. Our in dash navigation in our ford escape is nice, but they want $200 to $300 for a map upgrade. Won't be doing that.
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I use the suction mount, it will come down in real hot weather so keep an eye on the suction mount, it will start getting loose then just drop off. No problem most of the time unless you are driving down the road.
Jim
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Thank you all for the information.
tymote
I have ordered a Garmin RV 760LMT from Garmin store and from "Ram Mounts" a cradle and a mount that screws onto the dash. Both should be here in about a week. I plan on mounting it just to the right of the center of the dash on the top. This way my wife can enter stuff while I am driving and I can still see it. A friend's wife keeps theirs on the far right of the windshield and I would never be able to see it way over there. On the far left she would not be able to enter any thing.
I am not very happy about having to put drill holes in the top of the dash but I have had problems on hot days with suction cups and stick on mounts on smaller GPS units. I will be holding it where I think it will go and having my wife do the same to make sure it is in the right place before drilling holes. If anyone has other ideas about how to mount it, please let me know.
I will let you all know how it works when I get it.
Ram mount cradle: http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045072079076045071065053052085/Default.aspx
and Mount: http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049051056085/Default.aspx
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We use a Garmin Nuvi 1490 in our PC that sits on the dash in a Friction Mount (010-10908-00). Works great for us. No screws required.
The mount is the second one shown at this link:
http://g.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/19425/Garmin-Dash-Mounts.html?cid=12153&chid=1600
--Bruce
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That is the same mount I am currently using on my Garmin but I am not confortable using it for a 7" Garmin. Who knows, after I get the new one I may change my mind and use it.
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Anyone use the iPad app from Rand McNally? It looks interesting, but the few reviews on iTunes aren't exactly glowing. Just wondering if anyone here can give us their thoughts from first-hand experience.
Thanks!
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As promised earlier here is a pictures (I hope) of the new Garmin RV 760LMT and Ram mount.
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Looks about perfect to me! Much better than trying to fool with the suction cup on the windshield, or the cup holder mounts. I'm careful (picky) about permanent type installations, but it's in the right location for me, and out of the way of most of the other 'stuff' like radio, fan switches, etc. Yup...gunna hafta do this!
- Mike
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I use the Garmin Portable Friction Mount: http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=GRPFM10908&ref=PLA&omid=103&CAWELAID=230005120000249652&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=230005120000251447&cadevice=c
Easy to switch to the tow car. Also, I always move it to the floor when leaving the PC so it’s not visible from outside.
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I use the same mount for my 5" Garmins but it is to small for this new 7" one. The GPS pops out of the new mount so I can hide it also. With a 100 lbs German Shepherd inside I don't have to worry with him on guard.
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We replaced the standard Ford double-DIN (4 inches high) radio in our 2007 E350 rig
with a Kenwood DNX9960 radio with GPS, based upon advice from a couple of fellow
Forum members. We get the ability to play our CDs, our iPods, etc. The DNX has a
7-inch screen that covers its whole front face.
As a bonus, we were able to hook up (with the help of a *really bright* local technician)
the back-up camera display to the DNX, so the rear view appears in the dash. No more
head-bumps on that screen dangling from the cockpit ceiling!
I'm very pleased with the results.
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how about using a weighted mount i ordered off of internet and woeks good. i use a lite film of vaseline on suction cup doesn't dry out as fast
ED