Best GPS For RV Users Reviews & Buying Guide (2022)

Top 05 Best GPS For RV Users reviews

How To Choose The Best GPS For RV Users?

With a variety of GPS's in the market, it might turn out tedious, especially while looking for the best GPS for RV users. Either way, no one is ready to compromises on quality at any cost.

To be on the safe track while purchasing a GPS for RV users, you should have in-depth details on the key features that you should look for. That will not only simplify the search process but also guarantee an item worth for the money.

Or are you ready for a fragile item that does not even serve its purpose? I guess not. Without further ado, go through this users guide until the end.

• Screen

The screen is the primary interface between the users and the GPS. Consequently, a little compromise will lead to stressful GPS operations. Without any doubt, that is the last thing you could expect while on the wheel.

What should you consider to get the best user experience of the GPS?

First, the screen display should be comprehensive. That is to ensure that the images fit well in the screen for better viewing.

To add, the screen resolution is also critical. A higher resolution guarantees theclarity of the maps and any other images.

Lastly, if you have interacted with a broken screen, you can attest how unpleasant it is.

What am I driving at?

The screen construction should be quite sturdy, and if possible, with extra protection to prevent it from cracks in case of unforeseen impacts. 

• Interface

Imagine having a GPS which you will take ages to navigate through its settings. That will reduce the reliability of the GPS, and worse, in an emergency, it will not serve you well.

This is my point-

The interface of the GPS for any RV users should be quite user-friendly.

The settings performance should be possible at minimal expertise. Also, its responses should be speedy and very accurate.

Which is the strategy that you can apply to check on the GPS interface?

Simply, before purchasing the device, go through its dashboard, settings and check if you can perform them with ease.

• Updates

How does the GPS receive the updates? Is it by use of real-time or near-real-time method?

A real-time GPS, also known as active GPS, gives the immediately-current updates.

As the name suggests, for the near-real-time GPS, it gives updates that occurred in the past few minutes or hours, but not on a real-time.

Which is the best among the two types?

Personally, I would prefer a real-time GPS.

This is my reason:

A real-time GPS gives updates of current happenings. Thus you can easily change the route or make instant decisions.

However, real-time GPS turns out to be expensive.  Thus, when dealing with a limited budget, near-real-time GPS can be a better option. 

• Installation process

Different GPS have different installation process. Luckily, most manufacturers provide an installation manual which is likely to simplify the process.

Nonetheless, there exist GPS that takes a lengthy installation process. Besides, some of them may require expertise leading to the hiring of a professional. Needless, to say, that is an extra incurred cost.

Further, you should check on the booting time. The best GPS should have a short time boot-up process.

• Durability

Above all, for any purchase I make, I always check on its durability. That was after purchasing an item that short-lived my expectation. Not to talk of the extra cost I incurred to acquire a replacement.

The main parts that you should check on GPS to guarantee durability are the screen and the case.

This is the point-

The screen should be quite sturdy to prevent cracking. Ideally, screens with a screen protector are much preferred.

Further, the case should be sturdy to absorb intense impacts.

• Price

The pricing of GPS is the most debated factor.

Why?

That is because of the famous market slogan that you get what you pay for. Subsequently, conclusions are that expensive items tend to be of high quality.

However, that is not always the case. As a matter of fact, there are favorably priced GPS's that give the best user experiences. Now, your question might be how to get them.

This is the trick, first, identify the features that you need in the GPS and check the available market options for the intended purchase.  Then make a comparison of the available choices

• Smartphone compatibility

Lastly, GPS for RV users with smartphone compatibility is highly recommendable. Why is it so?

The smartphone compatibility makes it possible to operate the phone via GPS. Consequently, it supports functions such as hands-free calling.

Such GPS's have either Bluetooth compatibility or a free app.

How Does RV GPS Work?

Global positioning system, abbreviated as GPS, is a navigation system that sends signals. A GPS receiver listens to the signals and calculates the distance from the earth satellites to determine the current location.

To understand how anRV GPS works, we will have first to understand its components and their functions.

Components of a GPS and their functions

GPS is consists of 3 major components. They include satellites, stations and receivers.

• Satellites- also referred to as space, are the stars in constellations which send signals to the earth. Scientist work with the fact that they know how far the satellite should be at a specific time.
• Stations- they are also called ground control. It refers to the humanmade setups that control activities such as operating and trackingthe satellite movements and monitoring their transmissions.
• Receiver- is the user equipment that receives and transmits the signals. A receiver is the GPS device or even the phone.

To the main deal;

How An RV GPS Work?

An RV GPS works by trilateration.  A GPS device receives the signals sent by satellites that go round the earth.

To get the specific location of the user, the GPS device reads the signals from at least four satellites.

On each of the satellites that send the signal, a circle is drawn and the radius measured from the device to the satellite.  On the four circles created, the location is taken to be the intersection of the four circles.

Types Of RV GPS.

There are three major RV GPS types. They include street navigation RV GPS, sports GPS and handheld RV GPS.

Street navigation system

This type is recommendable when visiting absolutely new places. It offers functionalities such as when-to turn instructions, the mileage covered and the expected arrival time.

Due to its detailed instructions, most of the beginners prefer it

The user installs this unit in the dashboard, or if you prefer it to be handheld, you can remove it.

Sports GPS

Are you a sailor, boat captain or a lover of sports? Then sports GPS is remarkably recommendable.

Its constructions equip it with the ability to work in marine conditions as well as fit in the sports watches.

However, this type of GPS requires frequent programming and comes with a small screen display

Handheld GPS

Do you need an RV GPS that you can install in the vehicle and use while walking around? The handheld GPS has a compact design such that they are lightweight and can fit on an adult palm.

Benefits Of An RV GPS.

RV GPS is indisputably a powerful tool that can be handy in almost every industry. First, it was only used by militaries, but later it was made available to every civilian.  It is a standard tool for tourists, miners, agriculturalist, scientist, pilots and boat captains.

But what are the main benefits of having an RV GPS?

• Getting locations

Have you ever been in a predicament that you have to approach a stranger to inquire on a route or restaurant to visit? If you are anincredulous person, you may be left wondering what if you approach a robber. And it goes without saying that it creates an awkward feeling

However, that is a thing for the past. With an RV GPS, you will not only have a suggestion and map of the route to use but as well as of the best available facilities. 

• Fast navigations

What I love most about using an RV GPSare the fast navigations.

Using the screen display, it indicates all the possible routes that are available to get to the destination.

Consequently, you are at a position of selecting the best route that is not only short but also with good infrastructure

• Accurate time calculations

Time is a significant factor in our lives. And as the adage has it "lost time cannot be recovered."

Regarding that, the RV GPS not only gives the route distance but also provides the approximate time needed to get to the destinations.

Consequently, you will be at a position to plan the travel schedule accurately such that you will be in your destination right in time.

• Timely emergency response

Let me explain this by an example. Imagine, while nearing a road intersection, where the two available routes can take you to the target destination. Assuming that the route with the highest preference has traffic or an accident has occurred, a real-time RV GPS will give you an earlier notice.

Consequently, you can timely avoid it and choose a better and safer route.

• Fast transportation

Do you remember that most RV GPS has access to a database? Perfect!

Now with the use of the data from the database, it can identify the routes available in the area.

Consequently, by comparing the route's distance, you can efficiently compute and get the fastest route for fast transportation.

• Access to the best routes and sceneries

An RV GPS not only give the current location but a step farther, it will also provide suggestions on the best routes available and sceneries.

How?

It has access to a database which contains all the available sceneries and routes in the current location. Consequently, by use of algorithms and feedbacks, it is at a position of identifying the commonly used routes and the frequently visited sceneries.

Do you get what that means?

How To Use An RV GPS?

Learning how to use anRV GPS is not a brainer thing. Nonetheless, here are some tips to help you get it done with ease and faster.

Step1; purchase the best RV GPS

You might be wondering why I highlighted this step, and it is an obvious thing. But there is a reason.

This is the point

The installing and usage experience of the GPS depends on the item you purchase. Getting an item with a poor user interface will leave you frustrated.

Besides, while purchasing the RV GPS, you should ensure that it has user documentation or manual that explains in details how to operate the tool.

With that said, let's get to the next step.

Step2; read the installation manual

Before getting your hands dirty with the installation process, I would advise that you go through the installation manual.

Get to understand the different parts of the RV GPS machine and their functions.

Still, read through the installation process trying to visualize the procedures visually, until every detail is apparent.

Step3: install

Now it is time to get things done.

Hold yourRV GPS device and install it on the vehicle's dashboard per the instructions available in the manual.

The installation is easily detachable such that you can take it from one RV to another without any struggle.

Yes! It is as simple as that.

Step4; use the device

Congratulations! You just installed the RV GPS device all by yourself. I hope you are energized to learn how to operate it.

But as you could guess, it is simple, just like its installation process. 

Conclusion

In a nutshell, purchasing the best GPS for RV users is not easy. Will the GPS suggest the best camping sites? Will it give updates on real-time? And many more questions leave the buyers in a dilemma.

But I got good news for you.

You don't have to keep stressing on a mediocre crafted GPS. This article highlights the top five best GPS for RV users. Nevertheless, it gives a detailed buyers guide and beginners-level guide on how to use it.

FAQs

Do I really need anRV GPS unit?

In my view, I will not hesitate to recommend an RV GPS unit. 

This is the reason; it gives access to the various available routes, restaurants or tourist sceneries. Subsequently, you can perform a comparison and get the best choice.

To add on, most of the RV GPS has time calculation software. Thus you will not be only aware of the distance to be covered but as well as time to be spent behind the wheel.

Do these RV GPS units ever cause any issues?

If I would say no, I would be lying.

That is by considering that an RV GPS is a humanmade device, hence not immune to mistakes.

One of the common issues related to RV GPS is constant freezing after being on for a lengthy time.

Will these units update themselves when new roads are built?

The answer to this question can be yes or no.

Who are the road builders? Is it a permanent road such that the national highway authorities are aware? If so, doesn't appear on the current map of the state or country?

If it appears, you can be sure that the GPS unit will update it.

However, to make the newly built roads available on the map, you will need to update the map.

What warranty options do I have once I buy a GPS unit

The warranty options available depend on the GPS brand.

The common warranty options are yearly warranty, limited lifetime warranty, or a lifetime warranty.

The terms and conditions of the warranty depend on the manufacturer.

What are good RV GPS brands?

The top three RV GPS brands are Garmin brand, TomTom brand and Rand McNally brand.

They are respected due to the quality items they avail as well as professional customer services.

Do GPS systems come with lifetime updates?

The lifetime of maps in a GPS also depends on the manufacture. For example, the lifetime of Garmin maps is 24 months.