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In Dash GPS vs Portable Unit

Yahoo Message Number: 62638
We will be taking possession shortly of an 05 Inspire. We are trying to decide whether to have an in dash GPS unit installed or just pick up a portable one such as a Garmin. Kenwood makes a unit that also includes the rear and side view cameras. This is our first time RVing so are looking for advice from those who have been there, done that. We do have the black and white rear view camera system that came with the unit. Any advice would be appreciated.

Re: In Dash GPS vs Portable Unit

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62640
Hi David,

Congratulations on your new coach! We have an in dash Pioneer GPS but we only use it for the back up camera. We use a garmin that sits on the dash on a portable friction mount for navigation. The Garmin is much easier to use and I can alter the route while we are moving. The best thing about the separate unit is that it is easily moved to the toad. Another plus for the Garmin is that on long trips I program all of the RV parks where we have reservations in advance at home.

Marta

07 Allure 31501

Re: In Dash GPS vs Portable Unit

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62642
I am sure you will get some good, thoughtful advice here, but I will offer what I have found.

I am GPS poor, with

-a portable Garmin dash top, cigar lighter powered unit, -in dash Kenwood AM/FM backup camera GPS, -Delorme GPS program on my laptops, and -a hand held (as opposed to portable 12 volt plug in) Delorme GIS compatible unit that I use for Geocaching.
If I had just one unit for navigation in both the coach and towed vehicle, I would choose a 4.5" or larger screen (old eyes) Garmin dash top unit. It will enable you to navigate a new town or city like a native in either vehicle, and newer units have a feature I would like, speed limit information at your precise location.
I am not much help for specific product information, as most of my stuff (except the hand held) are elderly in GPS years. You will probably get good specific model and places to buy them here.

This a great group, welcome aboard.

Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue 11527

Re: In Dash GPS vs Portable Unit

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62645
When I ordered my 09 Magna I got CC to send me the model number of the radio in the coach. Mine is a Kenwood and when I did a model search at the Kenwood site , it listed my unit as " GPS Ready ". I then emailed them and they gave me the add-on GPS model number. I then purchased the add-on GPS for about 500$ . It plugs right in at the back of the unit. The GPS antennae sits on the dash by the front windshield. You can slightly separate the dash panel and slip the wire through so that there is really no exposed wire. I have had no problems with this setup as there are 28 or more satellites up there to receive info from. The list price from the factory was 3900$ approximately. You have to tell the radio unit that the GPS is there and it is not hard to program. I suspect many coach owners could do this simple modification and have built in GPS. Hope this helps someone.

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: In Dash GPS vs Portable Unit

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62647
Let me add my congratulations on your new coach. Our dash-mounted Pioneer unit is a radio, cd player and picks up the rear view camera - no navi capability. I have a Garmin Nuvi that I keep in the toad. Great unit - very easy to use. For traveling in the coach, we take my laptop along, which is equipped with Microsoft Streets and Trips software with GPS tracking. We usually plan the trip before we leave, marking in likely camp sites and fuel stops. My wife watches it as we go and gives me directions when we are trying to find our way through urban areas. It has taken some practice, but we have our communication signals pretty well sorted out now. S&T comes with an extensive data base of locations through which we search for fuel stops, campgrounds and other spots. She can decide in route where we would like to stay, look up the campground and call ahead for a reservation. When we need to hit a Wal-Mart or Costco some evenings, we look it up on the web, put the address in the Garmin and find our way to it in the toad.
Everyone has their own special practices for finding there way around. This combination works very well for us. Good Luck.

Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043

Re: In Dash GPS vs Portable Unit

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62657
David,

We have an in dash Pioneer GPS unit in our inspire and we use it for backup camera, radio, CD and XM. we have never used it for GPS since it is hard to access by the copilot and hard to see. We use the portable Garmin units and find they are easy to use and can be moved to the toad if needed. We just bought the Garmin (exchange since the other one freaked out) that is geared toward Truckers (I forgot the number). So far it is really helpful since it does include truck stops, truck services, truck fuel and low clearances. It is great additional information for the copilot - navigator to use as well as all the normal books and maps. I would highly recommend this one to folks. We also decided to stick with the portable since you can buy a new one for almost as much as the updated cd's are for the in dash ones are. Congrats on your new coach and I'm sure you will love your Inspire as much as we love ours.
Safe Travels,
Kathy

'06 Inspire #51782

Re: In Dash GPS vs Portable Unit

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62762
One more Congratulations on your new coach - like so many other coach owners we also have a portable "sits on dash" Garmin. I really agonized over which one to buy and decided upon the Garmin nüvi® 465T built specifically with truckers (ie: big highway rigs) in mind.
(Suggested Retail Price: $ 399.99 USD ) It gives alot of information one might find useful on the highway - Here is marketing literature that describes it's features: Ease your way down the highway with the nüvi 465T ? our first nüvi designed specifically for the over-the-road trucking industry. Featuring a preloaded National Truck and Trailer Services (NTTS) Breakdown Directory, truck-friendly points of interest, and specialized routing options throughout the lower 48 states and Canada, The nüvi 465T also lets you create custom vehicle profiles tailored to what you're driving and what you're hauling. Preloaded with detailed, street-level maps of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, the nüvi 465T speaks street names so drivers will receive turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions, such as "turn right on Main Street." The nüvi 465T also comes standard with Lane Assist, which guides users to the right lane at the right time ? especially helpful when navigating complex highway interchanges. With detailed maps providing turn-by-turn directions that call out streets by name, the nüvi 465T provides specialized routing to support big-rig restrictions in both the U.S. and Canada (customizable by height, weight, length, width and hazardous materials). Simply enter dimensions and load restrictions and nüvi 465T guides you according to your requirements. You even can enter multiple-point routing so you can take a more efficient route between multiple stops along your trip. Know what lies in your path with the nüvi 465T. It displays warning information of upcoming road conditions to make drivers aware of possible hazards along the route such as sharp curves and steep grades. You'll also get lateral wind warnings and notification when the road narrows. It's the safe way to travel down the highway. Put traffic jams behind you with nüvi 465T's integrated FM traffic receiver. Receive free alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route. Simply touch nüvi's screen to view traffic details or detour around the problem area. For hands-free calling, nüvi 465T integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker. Just pair it with your compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free through the 465T while staying focused on the road. Simply dial numbers with nüvi's touchscreen keypad to make a call. To answer calls, just tap the screen and speak into its built-in microphone. Enjoy convenient one-touch dialing for contacts and points of interest.
Thats lots of value for the money and I have been really pleased with the lane guidance system in large cities when things get congested.
Hope this helps with your decision.