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Old 06-22-2021, 05:38 AM   #1
jfaberna
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RV trip Wizard vs. Garmin RV GPS

I've used Rand McNally (Good Sams) RV GPS for 8 years but they quit updating the maps so it's time to make a purchase. I know that Garmin makes good RV/Truck GPS' but they are expensive.

Before the Covid 19 shutdown, I had the RV Trip Wizard app and used the RV Life app on my Android phone to use the GPS function while comparing it to the R-McN GPS. I didn't have much time to play with it before the shutdown.

If I understand it right, the $49/year for Trip Wizard includes the ability to use it on my phone that has the integrated GPS function. How well does that work??

I didn't play with it much when I have the subscription, so I couldn't compare it well. But with the GPS's costing $500, you could get 10 years of RVTW including GPS routing for that.

If you learn to use RVTW GPS correctly is it a good replacement for a real GPS?
 
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Old 06-22-2021, 07:19 AM   #2
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Jim, the RV Trip Wizard is a great program. I use it for planning all of our trips. For routing in the car, I use a Garmin with lifetime maps along with built in GPS on the dash. The Garmin allows me to also put my RV details into the unit as well and we use Waze on the big screen. It also has a lot of features such as warnings of game trails, curves, etc. The game crossings identification is good to know where we live. I also believe there is an additional charge for offline access to the maps and we do not have good internet.
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Old 06-22-2021, 07:44 AM   #3
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Correction, the RV Trip Wizard Pro at $49 per year does include the offline storage. I think highly of the RV Trip Wizard software and as long as you have plenty of storage for the offline maps it should work great. It would be nice if it is eventually added into Apple Car Play and Android CarPlay.
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Old 06-22-2021, 08:14 AM   #4
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When we pull the Monty, we have Waze on the phone to get the latest travel info and Rand McNally GPS to make sure there are no low bridges on the path we have chosen. We compare the Waze and the R-M GPS to see if they differ and try to double check any concerns with the large laminated R-M Truck atlas which is the bible for truck routes. Our 2014 Ram 3500 has no GPS builtin and I'm not replacing it since the Cummins 6.7 isn't even broke in yet with only 90,000 miles.

On the way to and from the MOC Rally we might try to test different solutions. I can drive to Goshen with my eyes closed so there is no real need for any GPS, but after the Rally we will be exploring and having the right solution would be good.

The R-M/Good Sams GPS still knows where the Pilot/Flying J's are as well as the rest areas so it sill does a good job on the Interstate system and major truck routes since they don't change much. My wife's phone will have Waze on it. I was thinking I could have RVTW GPS on my phone and compare them.

I do hate having all the devices on the front windshield. Because I also have TPMS and a wireless camera display on the back of the RV.
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Old 06-22-2021, 08:19 AM   #5
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I also use RV Trip Wizard for planning. Sadly, the algorithms in the online routing are not the same as their mobile app, which can change your routing to avoid things you want to avoid while towing. While I subscribe and use the online planning tool (the best tool I've found so far) I am disappointed when the different versions of their software don't match. A trip that you plan online that shows a 4 hour drive may change to much longer in the mobile app in order to route you around something. It doesn't really happen much but the disparity is a bummer. I've spoken to their tech people and it doesn't sound like they plan to change that.

As for the Garmin, when I bought my 770-RV I bought it used on eBay at a much lower price than one of the newer models. It's in great condition, works well, and still gets the updates. I don't know what you gain with the pricey newer models that I don't have in my 770 but I still have up-to-date maps for safe RV routing. Just a thought...
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Old 06-22-2021, 08:25 AM   #6
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We took our first trip with the Garmin RV 890 last month. I have it mounted on the passenger side for the DW to control. We saw some real bad weather in the distant horizon. I was able to overlay actual radar returns of the storms and adjust our course as necessary to remain safe. I will also have carplay/waze pulled up because I like the road hazard warnings, but i dont put in any address.
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Old 06-22-2021, 08:27 AM   #7
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If Waze adds a truck/RV routing feature you can throw all the rest of the GPS's away. However, Waze's biggest problem is it will not tell you why it picked a route. It could be because of a wreck or it could be a mistake and you won't know until it's too late.
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Old 06-22-2021, 09:07 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carlrx7 View Post
We took our first trip with the Garmin RV 890 last month. I have it mounted on the passenger side for the DW to control. We saw some real bad weather in the distant horizon. I was able to overlay actual radar returns of the storms and adjust our course as necessary to remain safe. I will also have carplay/waze pulled up because I like the road hazard warnings, but i dont put in any address.
One of the problems I have with Garmin is they say they have traffic reports but it's only for certain cities where you wouldn't want to take an RV anyway. I've only had that work in Atlanta where I don't want to take an RV every again.

The weather feature seems nice, but I guess that depends on your smartphone having coverage where you are when the weather is of concern.
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Old 06-23-2021, 05:26 PM   #9
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RV Life / RV Trip Wizard app update 3.0 announced today included CarPlay. I haven’t tried it yet. Hopefully it’ll work.
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Old 06-24-2021, 07:26 AM   #10
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Garmin for us.
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Old 06-27-2021, 12:35 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jfaberna View Post
One of the problems I have with Garmin is they say they have traffic reports but it's only for certain cities where you wouldn't want to take an RV anyway. I've only had that work in Atlanta where I don't want to take an RV every again.

The weather feature seems nice, but I guess that depends on your smartphone having coverage where you are when the weather is of concern.
I have found that the traffic function works anywhere we have traveled with our Garmin 760RV. However, you do need cell service and you have to have the Smartphone Link app connected to the GPS and running on your phone.
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Old 06-27-2021, 02:52 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jfaberna View Post
I've used Rand McNally (Good Sams) RV GPS for 8 years but they quit updating the maps so it's time to make a purchase. I know that Garmin makes good RV/Truck GPS' but they are expensive.

Before the Covid 19 shutdown, I had the RV Trip Wizard app and used the RV Life app on my Android phone to use the GPS function while comparing it to the R-McN GPS. I didn't have much time to play with it before the shutdown.

If I understand it right, the $49/year for Trip Wizard includes the ability to use it on my phone that has the integrated GPS function. How well does that work??

I didn't play with it much when I have the subscription, so I couldn't compare it well. But with the GPS's costing $500, you could get 10 years of RVTW including GPS routing for that.

If you learn to use RVTW GPS correctly is it a good replacement for a real GPS?
I use both. Trip Wizard is for planning, the latest model RV Garmin is for driving. I buy latest RV model every few years.
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Old 06-28-2021, 04:22 PM   #13
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So I got the Garmin RV 890. It didn't come with a case. Anyone recommend a particular cast that isn't too expensive. I need to protect it when it's stored in the console under the arm rest.
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Old 06-28-2021, 04:29 PM   #14
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So I got the Garmin RV 890. It didn't come with a case. Anyone recommend a particular cast that isn't too expensive. I need to protect it when it's stored in the console under the arm rest.
Why do you need to store it, just leave it on the window. I stopped storing them quite a few years ago, maybe even 20. Nobody steals them any more, the kids today use the phone. If you must store it, I think Garmin sells a case, just go to the model and click on the accessories tab. It's part # 010-13103-00
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Old 06-28-2021, 05:02 PM   #15
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Thanks
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Old 06-29-2021, 06:20 AM   #16
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So I got the Garmin RV 890. It didn't come with a case. Anyone recommend a particular cast that isn't too expensive. I need to protect it when it's stored in the console under the arm rest.
To answer your question. I found a mini iPad case fit just fine from Amazon. I store my 890 screen when no in use as well.
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Old 06-29-2021, 04:54 PM   #17
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To answer your question. I found a mini iPad case fit just fine from Amazon. I store my 890 screen when no in use as well.
My wife came up with a nice solution. She made a foam padded quilted bag.
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Old 06-30-2021, 09:20 AM   #18
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After some help offline I was able to get some pictures of the case my wife made for the Garmin RV890. They are in that post above.
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Old 09-19-2021, 12:04 PM   #19
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Tablet vs computer for trip wizard

Hi
I’m a dinosaur when it comes to electronics.
My computer is not good. Thinking about getting a tablet to use for rv wizard. Does anyone know if u can use a tablet for accessing the same rv wizard stuff as with a computer?
Thanks
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Old 09-19-2021, 12:08 PM   #20
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Joanne, we use an Apple iPad almost exclusively. I recommend matching phone and tablet -Android/Android or Apple/Apple.
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