Are you in the process of buying an RV? You're going to need an RV GPS to ensure that you can get to your destination on time and more importantly, without getting lost. These days RV's tend to come with GPS units built in, however they are often poor quality and don't work well.
A GPS unit will also help you find new places that you have not been to before and explore the countryside, however before you buy yourself a gps unit you need to answer one questions - What's the Best RV GPS Device?
When you're buying an RV gps unit, which we must point out at this stage is a very different beast than a trucking gps which has been design specifically for trucks, you cannot simply pop down to your local retail store and pick up a cheap import as you need to be able to customize the gps unit to suit your specific RV to ensure that your gps does not send you down any local streets that you either cannot fit down because of a low bridge or worse still send you into any restricted zones that could lead to major fines.
For this reason you need to buy a gps unit that has been designed specifically for your RV. The other benefit of buying an RV gps unit is that it will come with an RV specific points of interest database that will not only contain the usual ATM's, Gas Station and Restaurants, but will also contain sites such as camp sites and BBQ sites and park's an places to get outside into the countryside.
Best RV GPS Unit 2021
Magellan RoadMate RV9145
- Crystal Clear 7-Inch Screen
- Turn-By-Turn Directions
- Easy To Use Interface
- Over 6 million POIs
- USB and SD slots
- Lifetime Map Updates
Garmin RV 760MT GPS
- Crystal Clear 7-Inch Screen
- Turn-By-Turn Directions
- Voice Navigation
- Back-Up Camera
- Smart-Link Compatibility
- Great Value For Money
8 Features You Need On Your RV GPS
The good news is that RV’ers now have access to GPS Models that have been made and designed specifically for RV’ers, with maps that provide routes that take into account your length, height and weight whilst directing you to your destination and at the same time providing you with a points-of-interest database that has been specifically designed for Rv’ers.
If You're Buying an RV GPS Device, You Need To Make Sure You Consider The Following:
- Screen Size - Your screen size is larger than 5-Inches which means that you can easily see your gps screen from far away.
- GPS Customization - You can customize your device by entering your RV’s Height, Weight and Length.
- Directions - Your gps gives you both turn-by-turn directions, and difficult junction images to make sure that you don't get lost and reach your destination on time.
- RV Points Of Interest Database - Your RV GPS comes with an RV’ers custom points-of-interest database.
- Custom Routing ideally with a choice of routes. (quickest, scenic and avoiding tolls)
- Traffic Alerts - To keep you out of the traffic which is the last thing you want when you're on your holiday.
- Voice Command to Control your RV Unit from a Distance.
- Updates - Free Lifetime Updates and Ideally Traffic Alerts
Once you have considered all the above, you then need to have a think about what you consider is the best RV GPS Navigator to help you get to your destination on time. Below we have outlines our top three RV satellite navigation devices that we think you should consider. The choice is up to you, but if you don't buy one of the below, make sure that you buy yourself a brand named gps unit as they will perform better over the longer term. Yes a brand named rv navigator will cost more, but it will work better and not cause you problems in the longer term.
RV GPS Reviews
Garmin RV 760MT GPS Unit
- Fantastic Crystal Clear 7-Inch Screen
- Great In-built Speaker For Voice Navigation
- Integrated microphone for Hands-Free Calling
- Voice Activated Navigation
- Back-Up Camera
- Smart-Link Compatibility
Con's
- Very Sensitive TouchScreen
- Quite Expensive
- Very Bulky Device
The Garmin RV 760MT is the best RV specifc gps unit on the market right now by a long way. We do like a few other RV gps units, however if you're going to buy a navigator then buy yourself this Garmin and save any problem you could ever have. The RV 760LMT comes with a massive, super clear, high resolution 7-Inch touchscreen that provides crystal clear viewing whether you're in direct sunlight or pitch black at night.
When you're ready to go, switch on your gps unit using the on-off button and the unit quickly powers up to show you Garmin's super easy to use menu platform that allows you to choose what area of the gps you want to access first. As with all RV gps unit's, you need to set it up correctly and enter in your RV's dimensions to ensure that it will take you down routes that your RV is suitable for. To do this, simply pull up the full QWERTY keyboard and enter your dimensions. You can also use this full keyboard to enter your destination either buy the full address or just the zip code.
Like all the latest Garmin GPS Units the 760LMT comes with the latest maps for the US and Canada that include RV-related restrictions such as bridge heights and weight restrictions and because this gps comes with lifetime map updates, if there are any changes in the road layout, your gps unit will know about them. Free Traffic updates mean that you will spend more time driving and less time stuck in traffic jams. Directions are fantastic and the device uses Garmin's new "Real Voice" which means that you're more likely to hear, turn right after the traffic lights, rather than take the first left and if come across a difficult interchange, the unit switches into a different mode where half the screen shows your directions and the other half, an image showing you which lane to be in.
Extra features include, Voice Commands which work well even from a distance, a high definition speaker to give you easy to understand driving instructions that will guide you like a friend using recognizable landmarks and traffic lights and an "Up Ahead" service that contains millions of points of interests such as restaurants, stores or RV specific Gas stations along your route.
Magellan RoadMate RV9145-LM
- High Resolution 7-Inch Screen
- Easy To Use Interface
- Integrated microphone for Hands-Free Calling
- Over 6 million POIs
- USB and SD slots
- lifetime map updates
Con's
- Not LifeTime Traffic Updates
- Terrible Battery Life (20 Minutes At Best)
- Very Bulky Device
The Magellan RoadMate RV9145-LM is part of Magellan's latest range of gps units that are much improved over previous gps units and really add some competition to the brand named gps units of Garmin and TomTom. Yes it's our personal view, however we think that the latest range of Magellan gps unit are slightly better than the TomTom range, but not as good as the Garmin range of gps units and as a result, this Magellan RV GPS is very good, but not quite as good as the Garmin above.
The RoadMate comes with a fantastic 7-inch, glass touch screen to help you view your gps unit in both day and night. Switching on your gps, the gps powers up quickly and easily finds the satellites needed to calculate your route and the easy to use menu interface allowing you to find everything you need within your gps unit. Your first point of call, should be your RV's dimensions where you can choose how long or wide your RV is and therefore allow routes to be calculated around restricted zone.
Entering your destination is quick and easy as the unit has "QuickSpell" which narrows your address and city searches, as you type, making finding your destination entry easy. Directions are fantastic and the unit gives you spoken street name guidance which means that you hear street names and directions for a clear understanding of when to make the next turn while you keep your eyes on the road
Extra features include and A/V Input to view movies or attach the Magellan Back Up Camera, 6 Million Points of Interest to include gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, coffee shops, and much more, Auto Night View which automatically adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing and Premium Maps of the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada with all the maps you need, pre-loaded on your device
Watch This Great RV GPS Unit That We Found Online