GPS Units

[herb5943]

I have DeLorme's GPS unit for my laptop computer. I also have Microsoft Streets and Trips. But neither of them have the size of my fifth wheel considered when planning a route.
Can anyone tell me about the Copilot Live 10 GPS for laptop computers? I've noticed it has a choice of 12'6" or 13' for height. Is this program user friendly? I've also tried Trailer Life's program but found it wasn't very user friendly. The easiest one to use is the Microsoft Streets and Trips. I sure wish they would have a place to put in the size of your unit encluding height or 13'. I'm pulling a 33RL Denali that is 35' long with a Chevy 3500 CC long bed.

[earljan34]

Herb, I have the copilot-9 in my laptop use it all the time works well but remember all GPS systems are only a guide, Also have the Trailer-Life one and that works also. When you installed TL on your laptop did you down load the service pack? Mine did not work right till I did this.

Earl

[herb5943]

Earl, I installed Trailer Life 2006. It has two disc and I installed them both. Is there another program for a "Service Pack"? Neither of these two mention a service pack. It does let me put in the size of my unit and a place to choose between a motor home or trailer. Planning a trip from camp site to camp site is okay but I have trouble getting it to plan a start point from other than a camp site. I have only had TL for about a week, I'll have to go play with it some more. I don't have the GPS antenna for it as I do for the DeLorme and Microsoft programs.

Thanks for your reply.

Herb

[earljan34]

Herb, I use the GPS ant. that came with the copilot it works on the TL and S&T. You should be able to do the same. As for the service pack I down loaded it from the web I will look and see if I have the site and get back to you.

Earl

[earljan34]

Herb, Here is the site www.undertowsoftware.com/support/tlcn2006.htm

let me know how you make out. I had to use service pack #2 you will have to see which one you need.

Earl

[herb5943]

Earl, I downloaded number 2 but it looks like I'll need number one also... started to download number one and it said it would take 3 to 4 hours on my connected speed so I'll wait until I can get on a WiFi DSL connection someplace. Thanks for your help, I may have to go ahead and get TL2007 for it to work correctly.
We left Oakdale California this morning, currently in Bakersfield California. Tomorrow we will be in Las Vegas Nevada then on to Idaho. It's been awhile since we have been home in Iowa. We left last October. Plan to be home in April in time to file taxes... ugh...

Thanks again,
Herb

[garbageman]

I recently purchased a laptop to take on our travels and thought I would purchase CoPilot for the laptop rather than purchasing a Garmin or TomTom. Do you, Herb and Earl, feel the laptop GPS performs as good as the other stand alone GPS? What laptop program offers the best performance, gets you pointed in the right direction better?

I would apprieciate your input.

Thanks

Paul

[herb5943]

Earl, I finally got onto a WiFi connection and downloaded the number one and two. TL2006 is now working great... Thanks again for your help...

Herb

[herb5943]

I prefer the LapTop because I can use it for email and searching the web as well as doing my trip planning. I don't know about the CoPilot Live 10 other than what I have read. But I do have the Delorme GPS and Microsoft Streets and Trips and now Trailer Life 2006. TL2006 allows you to put in the size of your unit which I do like over the other two. All three are a big help in planning my trips. Microsoft Streets and Trips is the easiest for me to use but then I back that up with the TL2006 for the size limits. I used the DeLorme GPS from Las Vegas to Oakdale California and it showed me the way. It did take me over some of the desert that I would not have seen without it. I had put in for the shortest route and I went on some dirt/gravel roads and then up through Yosemite NP to get into the valley of California. On the return trip I stayed on paved roads by putting in a few more points to go through. I prefer the laptop trip planners with GPS over the had held but that's just my opinion. :)

[earljan34]

Paul, Like Herb said the laptop is a much more convenient way as you only need the one unit and the screen is a lot larger than any stand alone. As with any guide it can make mistakes up here in New England if you cross under a highway you just got off it tells you to take the next exit all stupid stuff like that, I don't know if the stand alone does this also, Just remember that they are only a guide and they will do the job for you, I also take the laptop in the toad when in a new area has always got me were we wanted to go and easy to read.

Earl

[garbageman]

Thanks for the input. The two of you both summed up the reason I'm going to use a laptop. Now I just need to figure out which program. I will use this not only in the MH but for work also.

Thank you again for your input.

Paul

[herb5943]

Earl, my gps unit from Microsoft Streets and Trips does work with Trail Life after I put in the correct com port in the TL program ... :confused: ... Thanks again for all your help.

[earljan34]

Herb, Glad I could help. By the way I'm jealous you are camping as here in NE most everything is closed, But spring is only around the corner I hope!

Paul, Good luck with your laptop.

Earl

[dbtuffy]

This is my third version of CoPilot since 2000 (new maps). Since I am "the copilot" while traveling as fulltimers in our MH, I can sit in the passenger chair with my legs up, the notebook computer on my lap, and watch and hear the route, speed, elevation, etc. I enjoy using all easy the features of CoPilot 10. Each new version has more and more features, fuel stops, restaurants, rest areas, medical facilities, etc. I plan my trips (one leg at a time) ahead of time customizing the routes, save them, then I can open the trip and go knowing that I will be on the route I want.

[herb5943]

Sure sounds like CoPilot Live 10 is a nice program. I may have to pick one up before I start out again. I tried to find a place on Microsoft S & T yesterday and couldn't find it. But I was able to find it with Google Earth and I knew it was there. Take care and happy RVing to you and yours.

Herb

[lawhite]

I puchased the DeLorme GPS a few weeks ago, but have not used it because it was somewhat difficult to use. Also, I can't find a place on my MH dash to safely secure it when driving. I also use a Jeep and there is no room except in the wife's lap to put it. That being said I am thinking of get a Garmin C 350. How do you guys secure your laptop when driving? Any tips woulb be appreciated.

Larry

[earljan34]

Larry, My MH has a flip out desk on the pass side and we use the nonskid matting under it. We also have a Jeep and the only way we can use it there is in the wife's lap! You can also make a stand for it in the MH on the dog house a lot of people have done this just pipe and plywood that's it very easy from what I have seen.

Earl

[herb5943]

Larry, I've also found DeLorme to be an unfriendly program to use. The one I found to be easy to use is Microsoft Streets and Trips but it does not have the size of your unit considered. It does have the voice guided GPS though.
As far as where to put a laptop my copilot puts it in her lap when looking at it. We program the trip before hand and then on the trip we just use it to get and follow the route directions. The Trailer Life GPS program seems to be easier to use than the DeLorme program and it also has a place to put in the size of your unit. So far I'm empressed with it.

[ladylapidary]

I have been running Garmin18 with my laptop for about 3 years and like it because of the POIs but just got CoPilot 10 for this trip. We have plent of room in our coach so I have a laptop stand purchaced from Staples for $50.00 that works like a charm. It is made simular to a food stand used in a hospital.
When traveling I put the stand across my seat, I"m copilot, and away we go.

I am finding that 10 is as good as garmin now with some features I like better. I run both at the same time, since I already had them and what one can't find the other usually does.

Wendy

[ladylapidary]

I have been running Garmin18 with my laptop for about 3 years and like it because of the POIs but just got CoPilot 10 for this trip. We have plenty of room in our coach so I have a laptop stand purchaced from Staples for $50.00 that works like a charm. It is made simular to a food stand used in a hospital.
When traveling I put the stand across my seat, I"m copilot, and away we go.

I am finding that 10 is as good as garmin now with some features I like better. I run both at the same time, since I already had them and what one can't find the other usually does.

Wendy

[daver]

Funny, I have the TL 2006 CD's and never noticed it worked with GPS. I have no receiver. Does anyone know of a USB2 SiRF Star III USB Receiver that works with the TL software and the S&T software?

Still trying to see if getting the TL 2007 CD are worth it.

[herb5943]

I bought an older version of Microsoft Streets and Trips off of eBay that came with the GPS reciever. The GPS reciever works great with my TL and S&T program. I could not find a place to buy just the antenna and by getting an older version it wasn't as costly as a current edition of S&T. I already had the newer software so the older version program disc I just tossed.

[daver]

Well, I have seen the SiRF Star III advertised. I, too, have S&T 2007, but no GPS receiver. The SiRF Star III is a very good improvement this year. I sent the TL software people a question asking what version III USB2 receiver they suggest that has been tested. I will reply here when I get a response.

P.S. Does TL give turn by turn audio directions?

[esfjyf]

i bought a garmin 330 very good unit

[daver]

i bought a garmin 330 very good unit


Well, I have a Teletype Worldnav 3100. It is good for the price, and does have the SiRF Star III. Since we have the laptop with S&T and TL 2006, I thought I may as well have a receiver as well. The TL software shows campgrounds and reviews them. Not sure if Garmin has RV Parks listed. We were looking at the Nuvi 660.

[golfgal]

We have the Delorme program and although it's not the easiest to learn, once you get it down pat, you'll love it. We down loaded all kinds of POI from the net. Even told us all the Passport America Campgrounds, Wal-Mart and of course for us, golf courses. If you have a phone number, you can put that in and it will take you to their door. You don't even need to know the exact address. Spoke with them on the phone about finding a way to keep us off roads with less than 13' clearance. That's one thing, to my knowledge they are missing.

[mmstevens]

I'd go with a lap top. More flexibility (multiple purposes and much larger / easier to read graphics). Complaint with what I have now is that roads change, RV campgrounds are updated and basically, I think it is pretty poor customer service to require that I pay over $100 bucks for upgrades especially when I paid nearly a grand for the initial unit....:cool: rolleyes:

I took a real good look at co-pilot software at a truck show a year ago and recommended that they really market the RVrs and they have! Would like to hear more from others on this application but I'm convinced this is next on my wish list....

[jconnor55]

I have a Garmin Que3600 palm pilot combo. I love it. I haven't had to use it while towing the new TT yet, but in the route preferences, I will set it for "truck route", and "no U turns" this should keep me out of any tight spots.
I have used it with the car and found it to be very accurate.
Jim

[daver]

So, do you have the Delorme software AND the GPS receiver? Which version? I did not know they had CampGrounds!

We have the Delorme program and although it's not the easiest to learn, once you get it down pat, you'll love it. We down loaded all kinds of POI from the net. Even told us all the Passport America Campgrounds, Wal-Mart and of course for us, golf courses. If you have a phone number, you can put that in and it will take you to their door. You don't even need to know the exact address. Spoke with them on the phone about finding a way to keep us off roads with less than 13' clearance. That's one thing, to my knowledge they are missing.

[herb5943]

Golfgal, what was their response when you ask them about the 13' clearance? I asked them that same question two years ago. I was told there was RV/Trucking gps programs for that... It is a good program with that one exception. I used it to go from Las Vegas to the San Juanquin Valley of California. It took me through Nevada and accross some dirt/gravel roads that I would never have taken on my own then up through Yosemite NP on 120 to the central valley. I'm just glad I didn't try to get to Yosemite Valley, there is a few 10' tunnels going that way with no room to turn around. The 13' clearance options would make DeLorme hard to beat. Also throw in a place to put in your length and width and if propane bottles are restricted.

We have the Delorme program and although it's not the easiest to learn, once you get it down pat, you'll love it. We down loaded all kinds of POI from the net. Even told us all the Passport America Campgrounds, Wal-Mart and of course for us, golf courses. If you have a phone number, you can put that in and it will take you to their door. You don't even need to know the exact address. Spoke with them on the phone about finding a way to keep us off roads with less than 13' clearance. That's one thing, to my knowledge they are missing.

[golfgal]

When we spoke with Delorme about the 13' clearance we were told at present they didn't have that set up in the program, but they were looking into it. That was the beginning of last year. A computer guru who works for my husband down loaded all kinds of POI from the net into the program. We belong to Passport America and have those programed. Just need to put the phone number in and the phone number alone will find the address and take us right to the door. It's not an easy program to use but once you learn it, I think it's better than most.

[golfgal]

Yes we have both the program and the receiver. You can download all kinds of places from the net. Phone numbers will take you door to door.

[daver]

Great, I will look into it. OH, do you have the 2007 version?

Thank you.

Yes we have both the program and the receiver. You can download all kinds of places from the net. Phone numbers will take you door to door.

[golfgal]

No, we have the 2006 version but I think our computer guru in the office down loaded some updates. We put 8,000 miles on the coach last summer and it was a blessing having this program. Our Guru put all the Passport America's, Wal-Mart and diesel truck stops in for us. It was so nice planning out our daily travels along with the golf courses in the areas..

[daver]

Great, I see there is a Street Atlas 2007 Plus DVD set...TWO DVD's. I can not imagine what they have that has two dvd's worth of data! It must even tell you what to have for dinner each night!

[thejoco]

I have a Garmin Que3600 palm pilot combo. I love it. I haven't had to use it while towing the new TT yet, but in the route preferences, I will set it for "truck route", and "no U turns" this should keep me out of any tight spots.
I have used it with the car and found it to be very accurate.
Jim

I have a Garmin Quest and love it. I also bought the plug in antenna for it and if I lay the antenna across the dash towards the winshield, the quest can rest on the dog house without loss of satellites, and the voice instructions are enough to get us where we are going. It is a great device. I also use it a lot for geocaching.
One person mentioned the cost of upgrading the Garmin maps maps and I agree it is costly but well worth it. I usually upgrade every other year. My co-pilot has a Garmin 60CS purchased for geocaching but now she uses it as our guide and the Quest takes a rest.

[cb5300]

I recently purchased a laptop to take on our travels and thought I would purchase CoPilot for the laptop rather than purchasing a Garmin or TomTom. Do you, Herb and Earl, feel the laptop GPS performs as good as the other stand alone GPS? What laptop program offers the best performance, gets you pointed in the right direction better?

I would apprieciate your input.

Thanks

Paul

Paul, I've used my laptop as a gps, and I here to tell you that having a seperate gps unit worked better for me. The lap top was just to big to use in the truck (17" screen), while the Garmon unit is easily moved from truck to motorhome. The best thing to do is just see what works best for you...Happy motoring!

[tiggerv9l]

We bought a Lawrance Iway500 before leaving on a trip from Vancouver Island to Florida and back across the center of the united states. Pulling a fith with a pickup limits the room for toys, that is why we went with the stand alone. You don't see a lot of these units most people have garmans. The reason we went with the Lawrance is because we use their products on our boat. We have always found them reliable. This unit was user friendly right out of the box. While on our trip we found there was an upgrade for it and Lawrance sent the disc to us UPS to an rv site we were staying in. The screen on this unit is much larger then any other gps we looked at. After your trip is laid in you just let the thing tell you where to go. A pleasing female voice. She has lovingly been given the name Gini. She can play music and store photographs as well. The down side of this unit is that it is pretty heavy. However it comes with a dash mount and we find it not a problem. It was great value for the price $495.00 canadian. But always remember don't rely on any gps device as your soul source of navigation. These things sometimes plot in some rather unusual ways to get to places. We like to use google earth then print out a directions list from that. We then compare with what Gini has plotted along with a rand mcnally, we are sure of our route that way.

[danndi]

Hi.
We have enjoyed using our Lowrance GPS, but you are correct one should not rely entirely on GPS systems. Especially when going around a mountain!
"Gini" goes crazy, and sometimes when looking for a particular road she won't find it! Also it is heavy, I usally have it in my lap as it is hard to read (for me when attached to the dashboard of our RV.

It did steer us correctly through LA which was quite an experience after driving down from Seattle and putting out all the rest stop.

It does take a long time though downloading the updates. I think we have had two and the disc.

Sincerely
danndi:)

[sayersaa]

I have DeLorme GPS and I work with as back up, a Truckers Atlas to make sure I can get down the road I want to drive. A Truckers Atlas will mark in yellow roads trucks can go down and get pass. Semis must have no less than 13.6' to get under. If you don't know how tall you are you had better get out and measure it. GPS is only a guide and is totally outdated as far as updateng every turn on a road that has been changed, or new roads. Drives you crazy being told your off route. I run alone and need some way of just glancing at the map without stopping. So I use my DeLorme GPS and it gives me info I need. But I have the sound turned down. I would have to be dead sure I could get down a road before I start down it. Turning around on a country road is not my idea of fun. Road in mind is K county road coming out of Sencea, MO mid-way in that is a 11'6 railroad overpass but day after day trucks try to go down it. No signs until your about mile from it. Besides DeLorme will take you down the most gush awful way you can possible find. So I check out every road, turn and city to make it easier on me before I leave. Word to the wise do your homework know where your going.

[shipwreck429]

Just want to say that I have used the Copilot Live 9 and upgraded to the 10 when it was offered. This GPS works as good as or better than some of the stand alone units. What I like about it is the fact that you can put the height of you vehicle in the program and it will direct you around overpasses lower than 13' or 12.6'. In addition it has a setting for propane restricted areas guiding you around them. I like it and will continue using it in my motor home. The stand alone Garmin C330 is what I will use in my car.

Rick

[tgreen]

I have DeLorme's GPS unit for my laptop computer. I also have Microsoft Streets and Trips. But neither of them have the size of my fifth wheel considered when planning a route.
Can anyone tell me about the Copilot Live 10 GPS for laptop computers? I've noticed it has a choice of 12'6" or 13' for height. Is this program user friendly? I've also tried Trailer Life's program but found it wasn't very user friendly. The easiest one to use is the Microsoft Streets and Trips. I sure wish they would have a place to put in the size of your unit encluding height or 13'. I'm pulling a 33RL Denali that is 35' long with a Chevy 3500 CC long bed.
We now use Microsoft Streets & Trips and quite like it. However, we are thinking of getting a smaller GPS unit, so we can also use it in our car rather than dragging a laptop around. There are so many brands out there which can be confusing. If you compare units in the same price range, are they pretty much the same?