Yahoo Message Number: 14786 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/14786)
I am in need of help, we have 2003 Intrigue, it has a gps on board, I have yet to get it to work, Can anyone be of help, Garry
Yahoo Message Number: 14799 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/14799)
Garry, Do you know what model or manufacture it is? Does it do anything?
Ron
Innovative CoachWorks Inc.
Yahoo Message Number: 14821 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/14821)
Garry:
Our '04 Intrigue has the Pioneer 90AV unit. I would guess you have the same. You didn't offer much information, so I may insult your intelligence some......sorry.
The unit is controlled by the remote. Be sure the batteries are good in it first. The documentation is not really user friendly, so it will take a combination of reading and experimentation to get the hang of it.
We were traveling for 7,000 miles last summer and it took all of that to get fairly used to it.
I've been away from it now for nearly 4 months, so getting a bit rusty. You need to select the "navigation band" with the button on the radio unit. The one that allows you to select radio, CD, etc. As I recall, it's the "source" button.
Once you get into this mode, the rest of the setup is via the remote.
If you can get this far, let me know and will take another step.
Roger Uhlich
2004 Intrigue, 11699
Yahoo Message Number: 16894 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16894)
I use Microsoft Streets and Trips. Inexpensive, you can get it at Sam's. I find it more user friendly than Delorme. I didn't care for Delorme, it was a bit cumbersome for me. The new Streets and Trips did have a few problems with routing but easy to get around and may be fixed by now.
I have used the GPS on the laptop for years, but we now have a Garmin 2620 and I really like it. The Garmin software has a lot more points of interest than many of the programs. I like it because it has golf courses.
Linda
Intrigue 10678
Yahoo Message Number: 16951 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16951)
I am looking at getting a GPS unit for my coach, and wanted to see what the opinion of others is.
I want audio, so I don't have to watch the screen, and I want portability so I can move it to my toad (or carry it while hiking).
I am looking at the Garmin Streetpilot 2620, but I have gotten some input lately about the TomTom Go 300. It runs around $800, while the StreetPilot is over $1,000 with accesories. Is the StreetPilot worth the extra money? Has anyone else experience with the TomTom, and if so, what do you think of it? Or is there another brand that I should look at?
Al
2000 Intrigue 10979
Yahoo Message Number: 16953 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16953)
My dad has a Garmin 2610 and absolutely loves it. They are down to $500-$600 now. Check Ebay.
Mike
Yahoo Message Number: 16954 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16954)
I went with the Garmin 2620 about 6 months ago. I liked the display, but had a lot of problems with the unit. While heading west on I-90 I suddenly found myself in Taipai Taiwan ....... After turning south on I-79 I ended up in the Channel Islands. Later in the trip and about 30 miles from home on I-85 it kept trying to turn me around. I took the unit back and purchased a Cobra. The Cobra was rated very high and had a terrific display and was much easier to program than the 2620. About 6 weeks ago I drove to NY with the unit in my Intrigue.
As you know, an Intrigue has a pretty smooth ride .... but not smooth enough for the Cobra. The hard drive kept making a lot of noise and locking up. While in NY I took the unit back to "Best Buy" and received a replacement. The replacement lasted about 2 hours on the way back and locked up. When I got home I went back to "Best Buy' and was told they had been discontinued due to hard drive problems.
I replaced the Cobra with the new Garmin "Streetpilot C330" This thing is amazing. It has a 3D display on a touch screen, 5 million points of interest and programming even a total moron can handle. I have taken it on 2 trips and the thing has operated flawlessly. It is very small, and at first glance will make you wonder if you will be able to follow it while driving. I have had no problems so far. It does take a bit to get used to the 3D, because rather than your position tracking on the map, you are stationary and the map rolls into you.
Whatever you end up buying ..... Good luck. I wouldn't be without one.
Jay & Stephanie
04 Intrigue Ovation #11821
Yahoo Message Number: 16955 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16955)
Al,
you might also look at the unit Webasto sells it is fully portable and Audio only .
It is called the Voice Command. Retail about $1500. However some of us have better prices.
Ron
Innovative CoachWorks Inc.
Yahoo Message Number: 16956 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16956)
I presently have a Pioneer unit in my Intrigue. I wouldn't buy another one. It has several glitches: Wrong destinations plus an occasional command to leave the freeway when I know it's incorrect. Don't know what is happening. Secondary roads are almost non-existent.
In my Honda Accord is a terrific factory system. I don't know who's software they use. The greatest advantage in the Honda is the touch screen. It has lots of secondary roads also.
If you find a good unit with a touch screen, that would be a bonus in my estimation.
Larry
Intrigue
10762
Yahoo Message Number: 16964 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16964)
I also have a Pioneer that came with the coach, new last fall. In my opinion it's not very good. It gets lost and routes you on u turns.
Basically, if you put in a waypoint along the way, the unit just circles you around until it can find it's way out again rather than routing you back to your route. It also only gives you .7 miles notice for turns. That's not enough to make many lane changes in a coach with toad. I've contacted Pioneer's customer support, who couldn't seem to care less, and all they do is refer you to tech support, who aren't much better. After three calls to them about similiar problems, they finally agreed to "let" me send them the problems for reference....that was nice wasn't it...????...I also talked to the Pioneer guys at the Moultrie rally and personally about all that they gave was a bunch of lip service about how the unit wasn't a Garmin and that it was designed for cars. ??? I guess it's ok for cars to get lost and make u-turn and make quick lane changes etc....
I've also notified Country Coach about the Pioneer problems with similiar results....oh well....
I do have a Garmin 2620 that does a nice job and for me has yet to get lost, although it sometimes can be frustrating to get it programmed like I want it...It is portable and we use it in the toad as well....good unit overall.
Ray and Rue
05 Allure 31176
Yahoo Message Number: 16975 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16975)
Al,
I have the Garmin 2610 and it is great. I also have an older Magellan handheld, not as many features but works on direction and major highways.
You mentioned portable to carry with you, the Garmin 2610 or 2620 is not handheld portable. Go someplace like Bass Pro shop and look at the GPS there, they have the best display of GPS. If you want to carry it, it must work off batteries so that is something you would want to check. If it has a color screen the batteries will not last as long as a mono screen. So think about your actual use and time when on batteries.
I was so used to having it handheld that when I was shopping for a new one it was hard. I decided that using in the auto was most important and went with the Garmin 2610. Garmin does have the IQUE that is GPS in a Palm Pilot, it is really nice.
I can tell you that Garmin and Magellan are both wonderful if you call them and ask questions or if you have problems. Calling the tech lines and telling them what you want to do might be good. That is what I did with Garmin when I was trying to decide on the 2610 or 2620.
Linda
Intrique 10678
Yahoo Message Number: 16979 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16979)
Altho I use the built-in Pioneer GPS Nav unit constantly in our '03 Magna, I can't recommend Pioneer either. First of all, they offer poor technical service. Second, the newer units available from other Mfrs like Garmin have more storage, cost less, and can be moved to your toad. Hopefully, their map data can be updated at less cost than the $400 it costs for an updated disc from Pioneer.
Ours recently started to fail losing the current position. This made it re-compute and give invalid directions. Pioneeer tech support wasn't much help. The GPS display showed that it had contact with enough satellites, but the signals were too poor (regardless of type of terrain, weather, etc) to navigate . Tech support advised returning the unit for diagnosis & repair. They shipped it back charging an hour of labor, found nothing wrong, and provided no more info/suggestions. Calling Tech support always reaches a low-level tech who might be able to help a novice learn to use the unit, but not diagnose any problems. The Pioneer tech contact provided me by Country Coach was unreachable.
12v power was OK, so I figured the only other thing that could have failed was the antenna. I ordered a new one and it fixed the problem.
I figure the coax cable from the unit to the roof antenna must have been pinched or compromised in some way.
Paul Thomas
'03 Magna #6239
Yahoo Message Number: 16981 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16981)
Al, I have the Garmin 2610 and just love it. The 2620 has the built in hard drive with the entire map included. The 2610 requires a compact flash card that you load up. Considering that the 2610 may be cheaper and someone indicated that there have been problems with the hard drive I would be inclined to look at the 2610 if you can find one. As for where to get it you might try www.gpscity.com (http://www.gpscity.com). They were inexpensive and extremely efficient - they 2-day fedex everything. I was very impressed.
Jim 2004 Ovation 11719
Yahoo Message Number: 16982 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16982)
List Members:
Our in dash Panasonic (CQ-VA707WEUC) cd/radio/lcd monitor seems to be on the blink. The radio/cd player works fine but the LCD display will not extend. Pushing the extend button results in getting the three warning beeps but the display just does not come out (no motor sounds at all). Having to replace this unit seems like it would open a real can of worms.
Has this happened to anyone on the list? If so were you able to find a Panasonic service center to fix it?
Thanks,
JimC
2002 Intrigue #11446
www.al7rv.net
Yahoo Message Number: 16984 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16984)
I agree with almost all of the assesments so far. I would just caution you about the updates for any of the Garmin products. I have been using Garmin (Streetpilot) for about 5 years, everytime I plan a long trip I like the most up to date info avail. Map updating for Garmin and probably every system is expensive and lags significantly behind the real world. You will find yourself driving across and open field (according to the GPS of your choice) but there will actually be a 4 or 6 lane highway before you. The updates for Garmin maps runs about $180.00, which I do about every two years. The upgarde for the progam software is free. The other method I use is to do the route planning and then check with AAA or other organizations that have current info and plan from there. Garmin is still the best GPS for MH and Toads, I have come across. Greatest bang for the buck and I believe that Bass Pro has them on sale for about $700.00. Good luck.
John Bicknas 97 Magana 5416
Yahoo Message Number: 16985 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16985)
I'd like to thank everyone that provided me with input. I have decided to go with the Garmin StreetPilot 2610. In addition to the positive feedback on this product, it has the ability to specify road preference, which the TomTom does not. Also, Garmin appears the leader, and more likely to be supported in the future.
Thanks again to all.
Al
2000 Intrigue 10979
Yahoo Message Number: 16986 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16986)
Good point John,
Delorne gives reasonably accurate update every year for less than $40.
Fred Kovol
Yahoo Message Number: 16987 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16987)
We had the same problem with our Panasonic a year ago. We were in Eugene and went to Junction to solve the problem. They were too busy to remove it, so we pulled the unit out and brought it to them. They gave us an address in Illinois to send it for repairs. We told them that was not satisfactory. They went looking and found one that they had sent in for repairs. Paid them $300 and exchanged the rebuilt one for ours. Installed it and the unit has worked fine since, but we no longer retract the unit into the dash. There are limit switches that are either out of adjustment or have failed on your unit. Calling the factory for the repair facility is the cheapest route unless you are in a hurry. You might find one on ebay. Good luck!
John 2002 Allure
#30702
Yahoo Message Number: 16995 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16995)
I'd like to say thankyou also. I'v been thinking of getting a gps and the info that has come from this thread has really been so helpful. thanks again. buzz and trouble on the road.
Yahoo Message Number: 16996 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/16996)
We have different unit (AVIC-N1) but it had an issue a while back where it acted similarly. It would not eject the CD. Since our is always powered on, I pulled the fuse, waited a few seconds, and then reinserted the fuse. It worked fine after that. This may not work for yours but what have you got to lose.
Bob
'05 Intrigue LE #11872
Yahoo Message Number: 17000 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17000)
Bob, I have the same Pioneer unit on my Allure 05. I talked to Country Coach about it running all the time and they supposely have engineering working on a solution. However, that's been five months, and frankly, I got tired of waiting, so I added an "under dash" switch, between the fuse and the unit to turn it off when not in use.
It's not difficult to do if you chose to add it.
There are two 12v power sources to the unit. One is "always on power" to keep the memory working and such. If you remove that power source, then the unit has to be reprogrammed upon start up. The other 12v power source, however, can be switched on and off thus shutting down the lites and motors without any ill effects.
CCI chose to leave power on both sources for some reason that I can't figure out. I guess because of the back up camera????...
Anyway, just a thought for your info....
Ray and Rue
05 Allure 31176
Yahoo Message Number: 17345 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17345)
We had a thread here recently over my request for opinions on a good GPS unit for my coach. As a result of that discussion, I elected to buy a Garmin Street Pilot 2610. I now have it and it works great!
I put a 1.0 GB flash card in it, there was one post earlier that said the 1.0 GB card did not work, but it works fine for me. It will not, however, hold the entire US map. Unfortunately, you do not find that out until it spends an hour and a half indexing the maps, after which you get a message that there is not enough memory to do what your are trying to do. I ended up removing every single major metropoliton area (plus some areas I figured I would never go) from the US map, then I was able to load it, it took about three hours. I figure if I want to head into a city, I will use the 256 KB flash card that came with the Street Finder to load that city's map.
Yahoo Message Number: 17355 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17355)
I have a 2620, which has all the maps built in, but I still load data from the Metro Guide program that I have ... better rural road data.
The fact that Garmin uses USB 1.1 and not the newer and faster 2.x really cranks me.
This is really dumb. It takes forever. When you spend that much money, you should at least get the latest, fastest, data transfer protocal.
Great unit however. You will be suprised how much you use the remote control. I thought that was kind of silly until I used it. Your copilot can use it too for searching for places without having to reach up and touch the unit.
Good choice in my humble opinion ...
John and Terry
2005 Affinity #6453
Yahoo Message Number: 19218 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/19218)
We are the proud owners an '06 Inspire. We picked it up last Saturday at our dealer. Is it possible to get satellite in the bedroom without getting another receiver for the bedroom? or do we have to get another receiver for the bedroom? Any help would be appreciated.
Yahoo Message Number: 19227 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/19227)
You should be able to direct the sat tv signal to the bedroom with the redirection box switches. We do it all the time.
Kary
05 Inspire 36'
#51499
Yahoo Message Number: 19228 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/19228)
It seems to me that I have to use the VCR input to the rear TV to get satellite. Select "SAT" for the VCR input. Put channel "L1" into the VCR channel select, and select channel 3 in the bedroom. Changing satellite channels must be done at the front of the coach.
(This is all with a DirecTV high definition receiver and MotoSat HD antenna.)
It is convoluted as all get out, but works.
Jay
05 Inspire DaVinci 51457
Yahoo Message Number: 19231 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/19231)
Both of the previous answers may be right. It depends on how your sat receiver is connected to the distribution box. In our case I have the composite video outputs of the Sat receiver connected to the DVD recorder to get the best signal when recording from the Sat receiver.
I have the RF video signal from the Sat Receiver connected to the SAT input of the distribution box. To get Sat in the bedroom I just have to select SAT on the TV2 on the distribution box and set the bedroom TV to channel 3. My alternate approach is to set the TV2 distribution box to VCR, set the VCR (DVDR) to IN 1, and set the bedroom TV to channel 3. I know this sounds convuluted but it does depend a lot on how you are hooked up.
Bob
'05 Intrigue Ovation #11872
Yahoo Message Number: 19255 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/19255)
I have the King Dome (not in-motion) and can get satellite on both TV's. I have a switchbox in a front cabinet to change from satellite to antenna.
While on satellite with bedroom TV, you have to be watching the same channel as the living room.
Ree
2003 Allure 30852
which will be for sale within a month or so
Yahoo Message Number: 21778 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21778)
OK, after being on the road for about 3 months and having survived 35 years of "assistance" from my co-pilot reading maps while out and about, I have decided to get a GPS and try to make our 41st wedding anniversary. You guys know what I am saying. So I thought I would get some feed back from current users of GPS'S. I am very familliar with the basics, but want to have the following capabillities.
1. Portable, for use in other vehicles
2. Large color screen, don't want to use my glasses
3. voice prompts
4. Ease of operation
Any info and suggestions would be appreciated.
Yahoo Message Number: 21782 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21782)
jake nancy,
We have a garmin streetpilot 2720 and love it. It is easy to use and your copilot will have a remote for it as well. We like our so much we call her "Petunia". She is quite bossy though.
We been on quite a few trips in California with it and she was only wrong once. The restaurant was closed. The price has dropped and there are many online places that are reputable with great prices.
Good luck in the hunt!!
Kathy
'06 Inspire #51782
Yahoo Message Number: 21783 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21783)
Hate to tell you this, but even a GPS device cannot be intuitive or perfect. I drive solo and use a Streetpilot 2720. I love it and couldn't be without it, however I always have a backup cheat sheet/card on hand because it can take you places you don't want to go. I look over the route the night before and put bullet points on a card on my dash. The mapping info is always about 2 years behind. It can be very wrong in rural areas where mapping is weak. Garbage in Garbage out.
That being said, I totally recommend the Garmin Streetpilot products.
The 2720 is easy to use and portable. I use it in my tow vehicle as well. Couldn't live without it now...
Rosemary
2000 Magna 5798
Yahoo Message Number: 21784 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21784)
We also have the Garmin 2720 and like it very much. We use it in our Saturn Vue toad and in the MH. She talks to you well ahead of the turns and even thought the screen seems small I haven't had any trouble reading it. We like the remote control and the "find the nearest fuel station" capabilities. Generally a great little device.
Allen
'02 Allure 30694
Yahoo Message Number: 21785 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21785)
Garmin will do the trick for you, my copilot is not a navigator and I've always had to do the driving and the navigating. The Garmin has made it so much easier....definitely better than stopping now and then to check out the map when in a new area. I use mine in the motor home and in the towed vehicle.
Ray
2000 Intrigue
Yahoo Message Number: 21790 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21790)
We have a Garmin 2620 that's really great. Has the ability for you to tell it that you "are" a bus, truck, car etc and it'll route accordingly. Ours is named "Sally Mae". We use it in the toad as well, but don't like to leave it on the dash when we leave the vehicle, so we ordered a travel bag that allows us to carry the unit with us. The 2720 is the upgraded, voice unit of the 2620.
For reference we also have the Pioneer that came in the coach. Nice unit with big screen and extras, but it's not portable. Also the navigation software is not very good. I've talked with Pioneer several times but their attitude seems to be "oh well"...The fact is that the Pioneer WILL get you lost and WILL take you places that a motorhome should not go.
And it's not user friendly.
Regards
Ray and Rue
05 Allure 31176
Yahoo Message Number: 21791 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21791)
I use a laptop with Delorme StreetAtlas USA and a Microsoft GPS USB receiver. I have used it for 4 years and been very happy with it. It will provide turn directions (visually and with voice prompts) and can even be controlled via voice commands. Easy to update the software and program routes (the entire USA map can be installed on the hard drive).
Using a laptop with a 14" or 15" screen gives you a very large screen to view the routing - when in GPS mode you can have a split screen which shows 2 different resolutions. You can do some really neat things like put markers for all the rest stops and Wal-Marts along your route. Even put it in 'radar' mode to alert you when gas stations are coming up ahead of you. If you get off the route, it will calculate and show the route to get you back on track. I can take the laptop with me in the toad if I want it for navigation while tooling around. And with a Wi-Fi card in the laptop, you even have a ready-made e- mail/communication set-up.
John and Linda
Lollipop (6 lb. poodle that is firmly convinced she is just a very fuzzy person)
2006 Inspire DaVinci #TBD (on order for May delivery) 2002 Saturn toad
Yahoo Message Number: 21794 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21794)
We have a Garmin 2720 as well. Seems like they are very popular with our group. I agree with everything the others have said. Ours, affectionately named Abby (as in ask Dear Abby) can do incredible things, but she is quite bossy as someone mentioned. Try going your on route when she wants to go hers and she will not quit nagging you to turn around, take a left, take a right, etc. Finally she gives up and recalculates, usually the way you want to go. As Rosemary said, don't think for a minute that any GPS will be without error. Abby and Gertrude (the Magellan we had before in our old coach) will sometimes do strange things and put you in places you don't want to be. They are just doing what the mapping source says is correct, but the map may be wrong or the streets may not be in place yet. Some neat features of the Garmin are that it will tell you what lane to be in before a major split in the highway. This really helps when you are in the big cities and need to make lane changes way ahead of time due to your size and the cars not wanting to let you over. It also tells you the street names instead of just "take the next left" . When streets are close together this really helps. The "home" feature is really cool. When we get to a place we are going to be for a while I just make it "home". Then when we are out away from the RV park, I just push "home" and it takes us right back. At the East Coast Rally in Florida I made our RV slot "home". When we went to downtown Ft. Meyers one night for dinner, I just pushed the button for home and it took us right to front door of the coach. Ft. Meyers was hard to get around in, especially at night. Not having to look at the street signs and a map at night is fantastic. Abby never failed. She also works great in the toad. I had a built in Magellan in my old coach that was not up datable. The Garmin, in my case, is much better due to the portability and being able to update the data. If you don't mind buying on line, you can save a ton of money.
R. D. Vanderslice
Rockwall, Texas
06 Allure 31294
06 Honda Odyssey
Yahoo Message Number: 21796 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21796)
John what Delorme version are you using? I am using 2003 and have used an earlier version before but Delorme seems awfully buggy to me but maybe there is a later version that works better. I have used Microsoft Streets and Trips and it seems to work well too.
Ron 98 allure 30185
John Walton wrote:
Yahoo Message Number: 21797 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21797)
No one has mentioned Garmin service, unless I missed a message.
I have been using Garmin units since my GPS40 ... a long time.
Twice I have sent it a unit for repair substantially past the warrenty period. Both times (latest, my 2620) Garmin took care of me no charge.
They actually sent me a brand new 2620 when my hard drive card failed.
I plan on rewarding this level customer service by both remaining a loyal customer, and spreading the word whenever possible ... like now.
John and Terry
2005 Affinity
Yahoo Message Number: 21807 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21807)
John and Terry
We agree - Garmin service is outstanding! We also have sent a GPS in for repair, an in return got a brand new one.
Bo and Kathy Lee
2000 Magna
2006 Jeep Unlimited
Yahoo Message Number: 21813 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21813)
I am using StreetAtlas USA 2006 but I have 2003 (used it extensively in 2003 then went to 2004 when it came out). In what regard is yours buggy? If you would like to contact me off-list, I will be happy to talk with you more extensively either my e-mail or phone (send me an e-mail with your phone number if you would like for me to call you).
The only 'bugginess' I recall had to do with using a Magellan Gold GPS as the receiver for the laptop. In my case, the Magellan Gold had an RS-232 interface and my laptop only had USB so I had to use an RS-232 to USB converter. If you didn't start things up in the proper sequence or you let the laptop go into hibernate, then the interface got confused and locked up - but that is the only problem I recall.
If anyone is interested in the sequence that I used for reliable start-up, just let me know.
The other thing that I have seen some folks be 'not happy' about is they don't like the routing that the program selects when they enter just a start and stop. I usually enter a start and stop, let the program calculate a route, and then start adding whatever Via's I need to force the route to be where I want it to be.
John and Linda and Lollipop (a very fuzzy person) 2006 Inspire DaVinci #TBD (on order for May delivery) 2002 Saturn
Yahoo Message Number: 21831 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21831)
No doubt Garmin is the best out there. I have two units, one for my motorcycle and one to use in my car and RV.
Yahoo Message Number: 27480 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/27480)
I have had a Garmin StreetPilot 2610 for a while. I liked it, but had two issues with it: Even with an upgrade to a 1.0 GB flash card, it still won't hold all the map info for the US, so as you travel you have to be downloading new map information. Second, and even worse, it would occasionally lose satellite reception, usually at a crucial time when I was depending on it for guidance. In my toad it would work fine, but in the coach, even with an external antenna, it would lose reception.
Anway, I went and got a StreetPilot 7200. Comes preloaded with the entire US and Canada. HUGE 7" diagonal measure screen, and 3D map display (which is cool), voice description of street names before turn, and (without an external antenna) NEVER loses reception. Plus you can get optional traffic warnings. You can configure it to put the audio output to your FM radio, and you can download music and audible books to it to listen to and watch video on it! My 2610 now stays in my toad.
I got it, brand new, on the internet for $900.
Al Colby
2000 Intrigue 10979
Yahoo Message Number: 27483 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/27483)
Please let me know abourt the 7200 you bought I have some interest in same or the 7500 Thanks again
Charlie & Lorraine Zecman
2002 Magna # 6162
Florida