Country Coach Owners Forum Country Coach Motorcoach Forum

First let me start by saying I have sold Laptop computers and GPS
navigation systems for the past 10 years. I only sell what I like > and use myself, and I test just about every new product I can that > comes out, hoping to find something better and cheaper. As far as

am concerned, navigation systems have to be easy to use and very > good at what they do, (bearing in mind none of them are perfect)

as they say in the ad, I never leave home without it.

For me, the best laptop based system on the market is the Co-

At $269.95 including the GPS, it is not the cheapest out there,

I think you get value for the extra dollars. The GPS has a very

acquisition rate and will keep you navigating when others I have > tried lose you. Co-Pilot is by far the most user friendly system

has been chosen by several RV manufacturers for their in-coach > navigation and also by BMW for their cars. If I sell a computer to > someone who needs navigation and does not have a clue how to use

this is the only program I recommend. You can do some very > sophisticated things with the program, but the basics of getting > from one place to another are very simple.

Co-pilot has an "RV" profile as well as automobile mode. On this > setting it will warn of low overpasses and tunnels below 12' 6" in > height and route you around them, also propane restricted tunnels.
It has a "detour" feature when you are stuck in traffic and can

up RV points of interest like dump stations miles ahead of you as > you travel, and also several choices of screens including "driver > safety" where you are not trying to read a map as you drive. Once > you are registered with the company they will offer updates each > year for $99 and most people will do this every couple of years.

If you do not want to use your laptop, the Navman small stand-

units cost less than $400 and work as well as most of the "in-

car and motorhome units, and are easily transfered from motorhome

tow vehicle, these do not have a RV profile though.

At rallies I often have owners of the "in-dash" systems at the

First let me start by saying I have sold Laptop computers and GPS
navigation systems for the past 10 years. I only sell what I like > and use myself, and I test just about every new product I can that > comes out, hoping to find something better and cheaper. As far as

am concerned, navigation systems have to be easy to use and very > good at what they do, (bearing in mind none of them are perfect)

as they say in the ad, I never leave home without it.

For me, the best laptop based system on the market is the Co-

At $269.95 including the GPS, it is not the cheapest out there,

I think you get value for the extra dollars. The GPS has a very

acquisition rate and will keep you navigating when others I have > tried lose you. Co-Pilot is by far the most user friendly system

has been chosen by several RV manufacturers for their in-coach > navigation and also by BMW for their cars. If I sell a computer to > someone who needs navigation and does not have a clue how to use

this is the only program I recommend. You can do some very > sophisticated things with the program, but the basics of getting > from one place to another are very simple.

Co-pilot has an "RV" profile as well as automobile mode. On this > setting it will warn of low overpasses and tunnels below 12' 6" in > height and route you around them, also propane restricted tunnels.
It has a "detour" feature when you are stuck in traffic and can

up RV points of interest like dump stations miles ahead of you as > you travel, and also several choices of screens including "driver > safety" where you are not trying to read a map as you drive. Once > you are registered with the company they will offer updates each > year for $99 and most people will do this every couple of years.

If you do not want to use your laptop, the Navman small stand-

units cost less than $400 and work as well as most of the "in-

car and motorhome units, and are easily transfered from motorhome

tow vehicle, these do not have a RV profile though.

At rallies I often have owners of the "in-dash" systems at the

I have written about my experiences on this subject before. For

much as you pay for the CoPilot software it is a shame it is not

complete as it should be for operators of large diesel pushers.

Over a year ago I purchased Co-Pilot 8 for laptop, MS Streets and > Trips 2005 and DeLorme Street Atlas 2005. I had been using

products for years and was very happy with it until their update

2005. Since I was heading from Florida to Alaska that year, I > wanted two features to be complete. One was street data for

and updated POI's that would identify diesel stops.

Delorme, in the period between 2003 and 2005 had a contract

with their contractor who provided their POI database. Delorme > dropped their contract and used anothe source that was incomplete > and filled with voids and errors. There was not street level data > for Canada at all (it is now supposed to be available in the 2007 > version} and it has never had any identification for just diesel > stops.

After many questions on the phone with CoPilot, I purchase a copy > of the Laptop8 version and the Canadian data file. After

it, I felt that CoPilot had misrepresented the capabilities and > features of it software. I was told that they had specific > identification for diesel stops, they did not. They also told me > that the Canadian data was complete and the best on the market.

was not. After spending a few weeks working with it I made a few > phone calls to CoPilot. I asked why there were no specific diesel > stops such as idifying truck stops. They replied that I needed

truckers version to get that capability. I asked why there were

POI's being reflected on the Canadian routes. They said it would > only show on the map after doing a seach for the specific

If you wanted to locate a WalMart it would not even show all the > Walmarts in the area. I like to be able to set my own level of > POI's and be able to view them while going down the road. The main > problem is that CoPilot would only operate in full screen mode.

would not allow me to multitask and display my VMSpc ECM data

along side CoPilot. While I did like some of the unique features

CoPilot, it did not meet my needs and considered useless. I passed > my concerns in a very detailed email to the owner of the company

they did not even consider a response of any kind to some of my > recommend improvement suggestions. I called and talked to them a > couple of months later and their attitude was that of they could > care less of my opinion or suggestions. I considered this poor > customer service.

The MS Streets and Trips was one of the cheapest software

However, it was suprisingly full of many features. The Canadian > data was complete to many street level details that I was looking > for and the POI's seemed to be extensive. Although knowing POI's

any software are never 100% accurate, The US POI's also seemed to > be complete.

So on my trip to Alaska, I used a combination of Delorme and MS > Streets and Trips. The combination provided most of what I needed > and it worked great along side my VMSpc.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

[quote author=Chris Bradley"

>

> First let me start by saying I have sold Laptop computers and

navigation systems for the past 10 years. I only sell what I

and use myself, and I test just about every new product I can

comes out, hoping to find something better and cheaper. As far

I

> am concerned, navigation systems have to be easy to use and very > > good at what they do, (bearing in mind none of them are perfect) > and

> as they say in the ad, I never leave home without it.
>

> For me, the best laptop based system on the market is the Co- > Pilot.

> At $269.95 including the GPS, it is not the cheapest out there, > but

> I think you get value for the extra dollars. The GPS has a very > fast

> acquisition rate and will keep you navigating when others I have > > tried lose you. Co-Pilot is by far the most user friendly system > and

> has been chosen by several RV manufacturers for their in-coach > > navigation and also by BMW for their cars. If I sell a computer

someone who needs navigation and does not have a clue how to use > it,

> this is the only program I recommend. You can do some very > > sophisticated things with the program, but the basics of getting > > from one place to another are very simple.
>

> Co-pilot has an "RV" profile as well as automobile mode. On this > > setting it will warn of low overpasses and tunnels below 12' 6"

height and route you around them, also propane restricted

It has a "detour" feature when you are stuck in traffic and can > pull

> up RV points of interest like dump stations miles ahead of you

you travel, and also several choices of screens

safety" where you are not trying to read a map as you drive.

you are registered with the company they will offer updates each > > year for $99 and most people will do this every couple of years.
>

> If you do not want to use your laptop, the Navman small stand- > alone

> units cost less than $400 and work as well as most of the "in- > dash"

> car and motorhome units, and are easily transfered from

Jim,

the Version 9 Copilot did correct most of the the problems you > mentioned and included more of the truck features, and I agree the > factory support is often not what it should be. It is very > frustrating for me as a vendor because I have to pick up the slack > for my customers, but that was true when we sold Delorme and the > Microsoft program also.

Like I said before, none of them are perfect, and some users will > feel a certain feature is very important while others do not, so > each individual will have a different report card.

I use Copilot as my main navigation program, I use Trailer life > Campground finder for just that purpose, as it gives ratings and > prices. We use the back of the Wal Mart atlas for their addresses, > as it shows the 24 hour super wallies which are our first choice.
I also have Microsoft Streets and Trips loaded because it only

$25 in Costco and is another good source of information, but it

lousy at navigation, (in my opinion) but is a good map for Canada > and Mexico.

If I was giving advice to a customer starting out with a clean > slate, I would probably recommend one of the new laptops that > convert into a Tablet, with a 13.5" or 14" screen. This is big > enough to be multi purpose and still can easily mount as a flat > screen monitor for navigation and be large enough for office type > use. The 14.1" one we sell, made by Acer, along with all the other > accessories and programs mentioned above would end up costing

$1800. A system such as this would be better value than anything > else I can think of, and you can change or upgrade any program > easily.

Chris Bradley
Affinity 4952

Computer Connections Inc.

[quote author=Jim Hughes"

>

> I have written about my experiences on this subject before. For > as

> much as you pay for the CoPilot software it is a shame it is not > as

> complete as it should be for operators of large diesel pushers.
>

> Over a year ago I purchased Co-Pilot 8 for laptop, MS Streets

Trips 2005 and DeLorme Street Atlas 2005. I had been using > Delorme

> products for years and was very happy with it until their update > in

> 2005. Since I was heading from Florida to Alaska that year, I > > wanted two features to be complete. One was street data for > Canada

> and updated POI's that would identify diesel stops.
>

> Delorme, in the period between 2003 and 2005 had a contract > dispute

> with their contractor who provided their POI database. Delorme > > dropped their contract and used anothe source that was

and filled with voids and errors. There was not street level

for Canada at all (it is now supposed to be available in the

version} and it has never had any identification for just diesel > > stops.
>

> After many questions on the phone with CoPilot, I purchase a

of the Laptop8 version and the Canadian data file. After > receiving

> it, I felt that CoPilot had misrepresented the capabilities and > > features of it software. I was told that they had specific > > identification for diesel stops, they did not. They also told

that the Canadian data was complete and the best on the market.
It

> was not. After spending a few weeks working with it I made a

phone calls to CoPilot. I asked why there were no specific

stops such as idifying truck stops. They replied that I needed > the

> truckers version to get that capability. I asked why there were > no

> POI's being reflected on the Canadian routes. They said it

only show on the map after doing a seach for the specific > business.

> If you wanted to locate a WalMart it would not even show all the > > Walmarts in the area. I like to be able to set my own level of > > POI's and be able to view them while going down the road. The

problem is that CoPilot would only operate in full screen mode.
It

> would not allow me to multitask and display my VMSpc ECM data > screen

> along side CoPilot. While I did like some of the unique

of

> CoPilot, it did not meet my needs and considered useless. I

my concerns in a very detailed email to the owner of the company > and

> they did not even consider a response of any kind to some of my > > recommend improvement suggestions. I called and talked to them

couple of months later and their attitude was that of they could > > care less of my opinion or suggestions. I considered this poor > > customer service.
>

> The MS Streets and Trips was one of the cheapest software > packages.

> However, it was suprisingly full of many features. The Canadian > > data was complete to many street level details that I was

for and the POI's seemed to be extensive. Although knowing

in

> any software are never 100% accurate, The US POI's also seemed

be complete.
>

> So on my trip to Alaska, I used a combination of Delorme and MS > > Streets and Trips. The combination provided most of what I

and it worked great along side my VMSpc.
>

> Jim Hughes

> 2000 Allure #30511
>
>

[quote author=Chris Bradley"
>]
> >

> > First let me start by saying I have sold Laptop computers and > GPS

> > navigation systems for the past 10 years. I only sell what I > like

> > and use myself, and I test just about every new product I can > that

> > comes out, hoping to find something better and cheaper. As far > as
> I

> > am concerned, navigation systems have to be easy to use and

> good at what they do, (bearing in mind none of them are

and

> > as they say in the ad, I never leave home without it.
> >

> > For me, the best laptop based system on the market is the Co- > > Pilot.

> > At $269.95 including the GPS, it is not the cheapest out

but

> > I think you get value for the extra dollars. The GPS has a

fast

> > acquisition rate and will keep you navigating when others I

> tried lose you. Co-Pilot is by far the most user friendly

and

> > has been chosen by several RV manufacturers for their in-coach > > > navigation and also by BMW for their cars. If I sell a

to

> > someone who needs navigation and does not have a clue how to

it,

> > this is the only program I recommend. You can do some very > > > sophisticated things with the program, but the basics of

> from one place to another are very simple.
> >

> > Co-pilot has an "RV" profile as well as automobile mode. On

> setting it will warn of low overpasses and tunnels below 12'

in

> > height and route you around them, also propane restricted > tunnels.

> > It has a "detour" feature when you are stuck in traffic and

pull

> > up RV points of interest like dump stations miles ahead of you > as

> > you travel, and also several choices of screens > including "driver

> > safety" where you are not trying to read a map as you drive.
Once

> > you are registered with the company they will offer updates

> year for $99 and most people will do this every couple of

>

> > If you do not want to use your laptop, the Navman small stand- > > alone

> > units cost less than $400 and work as well as most of the "in- > > dash"

> > car and motorhome units, and are easily transfered from > motorhome
> to

> > tow vehicle, these do not have a RV profile though.
> >

> > At rallies I often have owners of the "in-dash" systems at the > > booth

> > looking to purchase upgrades for their coach or car systems

> moaning about the poor performance, when I ask what it cost

> they will often say "nothing it came with the coach" :-) > > >

> > If anyone needs more information you can e-mail me off the

Chris,

Are you saying version 9 will multitask and is able to share the
screen? Look at the Files section at filename "screen test" and

can see what I am talking about. Can version 9 POI's be set up to > show only the truck stops for diesel? >

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

[quote author=Chris Bradley"

>

> Jim,
>

> the Version 9 Copilot did correct most of the the problems you > > mentioned and included more of the truck features, and I agree

factory support is often not what it should be. It is very > > frustrating for me as a vendor because I have to pick up the

for my customers, but that was true when we sold Delorme and the > > Microsoft program also.
>

> Like I said before, none of them are perfect, and some users

feel a certain feature is very important while others do not, so > > each individual will have a different report card.
>

> I use Copilot as my main navigation program, I use Trailer life > > Campground finder for just that purpose, as it gives ratings and > > prices. We use the back of the Wal Mart atlas for their

as it shows the 24 hour super wallies which are our first choice.
> I also have Microsoft Streets and Trips loaded because it only > costs

> $25 in Costco and is another good source of information, but it > does

> lousy at navigation, (in my opinion) but is a good map for

and Mexico.
>

> If I was giving advice to a customer starting out with a clean > > slate, I would probably recommend one of the new laptops that > > convert into a Tablet, with a 13.5" or 14" screen. This is big > > enough to be multi purpose and still can easily mount as a flat > > screen monitor for navigation and be large enough for office

use. The 14.1" one we sell, made by Acer, along with all the

Jim,

Forgot to mention, there is also an option for "show windows