RV Navigation and Much, Much More
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Lug_Nut’s view of a growing technology. Earlier I wrote about the adaption of using an Apple iPad in an RV for its application of a glass dash. If you missed it here’s a link In addition to using this for instrumentation and of course navigation, there are other great features that RVer’s might find of interest.
There are times when we are exposed to harsh or adverse weather conditions from heavy rain, snow threats or even tornado activity. In many cases our only window to the weather is what we can see while speeding along the highway. Well, there is a way that we can really know what’s ahead, 5 miles, 50 or hundreds. We are talking about weather radar. A clear and easy way to view precipitation throughout the country, all in real time less, 10 minutes. This is a great iPad app (Application) that lends itself well to the RV traveller, and it is just one of what may be many. The one-time cost of this application is $1.99. This application requires WiFi to retrieve.
Travelling with large class A coaches or RV tow combinations can present some challenges for stopping along the way. Travelling on the interstate highways can provide the manoeuvring required a each rest stop. These rest stops however, can be found at random distances making it difficult to determine how far you must travel to the next. The iPad offers the answer with an app containing every rest stop in the U.S. Using its built in GPS system, this program can instantly tell you the next rest stop with both the mile marker and the distance. This operates as a stand-alone requiring no WiFi or 3G cellular connection. This application can be had for $0.99.
Similar to the rest stop application, there is an app that locates truck stops. This will provide instant distances and mile markers to service stations including Flying J, Loves, Husky and more. Again this one-time $0.99 app operates as a stand-alone method with no need for WiFi or cellular service.
So, you like to boondock at a Wal-Mart on occasion. But, sometime as the day fades to night, it can be difficult to locate one. iPad has the solution for that too. An app specifically designed for RVer’s will instantly tell you where the next one near the highway is. It also tell you if no overnight parking is in effect. Again $0.99 is all this will cost you to download the data base. This too needs no WiFi or other outside aid. The GPS give all the information it requires.
Now, how about an app that will tell you where camping and RV parks are in relation to your current location? That’s exactly what $3.95 will buy. It also operates without the need of cellular or WiFi and displays sites in the U.S,, Canada and Australia. You can ask it to show all camp types or just one, like RV parks only.
One of the remarkable things about the iPad is the speed from turning it on to getting the needed information. Unlike a laptop that requires time to boot up, the iPad is instant. Literally in seconds you have your information.
Anyway, these are but a few other great applications that may help you if you have or get an Apple iPad.
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One big issue with these apps is the reliability of the information along with responsibility for updating. There is nobody watching or requiring the accuracy of the data.
John, That’s probably true for many new softwares. The thing is, if you buy a GPS navigation device you get what you get. If the programming is not working in the manner you like, you have little options. With the iPad you can up date it, replace it with another program, etc. Also the add-ons like campgrounds, rest stops and Walmarts may not be available on them. Thanks for your comments.
i use 2 devices a gps and a netbook with ms streets and trips
one tells me near term on lanes and turns the other gives an overview and has my preplanned route with any notes( it can function as a directional gps also). both are adequate for most info mentioned by you. granted an ipad would be as good maybe even better but at a much higher cost.
the nice thing about ms s&t is you have a track route feature that records where you travel and this is nice for later review when you are thinking about how much fun you had on that trip
Good information… but what are the names of the apps for IPAD?
Lug_nut, Good subject! As usual! Please pursue it. I’ve been anticipating your assessment since you announced you’d be doing it. I had the same question that John had, but clearly, Garmin and Streets N Trips, both of which I use, have the same issue. All of them do, but it’s not a hardware issue, necessarily. They all seem to subscribe to the same mapping software companies. So John’s issues are level with all of the software producers, not the hardware producers.
I’m looking forward to more of your findings with the hardware as well as the software available on it. The software shouldnt be much of a big deal, though, until you test it. Thanks.
BTW, Look out for a sour dude on this site named “Les”.
Best of luck on your blog,
Tex
Now that the major vendors are charging for data by usage I wonder how much it will cost for the real-time GPS data downloads when using it full-time while traveling.
Dedicated GPS units do not charge for the usage of positional data.
I loved the idea and the thought of the other apps. Thanks for sharing it!
Mel
Where can you get an RV dashboard mount for this Apple iPad?
How would you connect nthis iPad to Wi-fi if you are moving?
Interested, but don’t want to buy if it won’t do the job for RV’s.
Good article but why didn’t you NAME THE APPs you were referring to? Are we supposed to guess which ones?
Seriously!? You review five specific apps, going so far as to tell us the cost of them but don’t even mention their names much less provide a link to them. But you do provide a link to Walmart.com. ???? Yeah, very helpful. Not.
Tom, Here is a link to all the apps. http://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/mobile-software-applications/id6010?mt=8
Three of the ones I showed are “Rest Area”, “Pro Truck Stops” and “Over Night Parking Walmart”
Bob wrote “Good information… but what are the names of the apps for IPAD?”
This is the way to ask for this information.
Thanks Bob for your courtesy and input on this topic.
Byron, said..Quote: “Where can you get an RV dashboard mount for this Apple iPad?
How would you connect nthis iPad to Wi-fi if you are moving?
Interested, but don’t want to buy if it won’t do the job for RV’s”
. Where can you get an RV dashboard mount for this Apple iPad?
Here’s a link to one of several companies that are preparing to market an automobile iPad mount http://www.worldcarfans.com/110050425992/apple-ipad-gets-solid-dash-mount-video
Many iPads apps operate on GPS only and require no outside 3G or WiFi. You may also buy the iPad with 3G availability or use a wireless router.
Thanks for your interest in this topic and your input.
.
Great Article!!!
Everything you mentioned is also on the iPhone. Just go to the App Store/Navigation and begin your search. You’ll find lots of stuff you’ll love, but didn’t know about, and can’t believe exists.
If you can’t get to the App Store go to iTunes. It’s all there as well.
I have a PC laptop, GPS, and iPhone. I’ll never buy another Trailer Life paper or CD Directory, nor upgrade my GPS. The iPhone/iPad is the only economical and constantly updated way to go. You also get live traffic reports, if that is of any interest.
Data charges, if it happens, will be nothing compared to everything else you’ll save.
If you’re a golfer get “Golfshot.” It’s only $29.99 for life. It’s “Skycaddie” for peanuts.
In defense of the writer. . . This world is changing so fast, listing web sites/program names would be counter productive. It would be old news before you got the email. Except for Golfshot, lol. App Store, iTunes… go there!
If you have a Droid or one of the other wanabes, I can’t help. you.
Glenn, Thanks for the support and for the great information. I’m glad you liked the topic and thank you for your very valued input.
■Mel Mashman. No, there are no ongoing charges for many iPad apps. GPS operates at no additional cost. Thanks for your input.
True, no cost unless you want an update.
Toyota wants $199.00 to upgrade my Prius navigation system that is 4 years old. And, I have the “opportunity” to upgrade every year. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Prius. But, an iPhone/iPad makes much more sense. It upgrades for $0.00.
My dilema is, Why did I buy the navigation system in the first place? I’m a techie. My grandson, who is 5 years old, will probably get the Prius. I’ll probably spend $199 just to get him to take the Prius.
Think about it! Why pay $199.00 compared to $0.99 to buy, or $0.00 with regular updates?
Built in technolgy makes no sense. GPS Systems that don’t upgrade for $0.00, and don’t give yolu massive info, make no sense.
We just bought a Garmin nuvi 465 T. We bought it because we have a 40ft MH with a trailer. My husband wants to avoid tight spaces and low bridges. After reading your article, it sounds like the IPad might work even better for us. What do you think? Thank you Lyn
Linda. The garmin nuvi products are great for the motor home application. Some have truck routes and bridge heights. I have not seen an iPad app with these features, though I’m sure they will come along soon.
I would go with what you have, it’s a great unit. By the time you need a new one the iPad, or other solution, will be even better and will cost much less. Thanks for your input on this topic.
Lugnut, what I have found about the ipad gps is that it is cell tower based which is a real problem if you are on the road and have no cell signal as is so often the case. Also, the continuous data update as you travel would incur lots of data downloaded. Unless you have an unlimited data plan, this may be costly to use as a gps device. But I love the display size. Do you know of any apps to allow the ipad to be used as a monitor for say a laptop resting out of sight safely away from the cockpit? Any apps to allow use of a gps antenna to get real time data as you travel, as with all strictly gps instruments, without using the cell tower based data download?
Thanks for your post.
The Ipad/iphone have available many great app’s but are tied to a single carrier I do not like. The android based devices now have the same or near the same app’s for navigation and other very usefull travel and RV functions. I use Sprint Nav for example with an HTC Hero phone and get better nav / traffic etc that i got from my late model Garmin. There are still places we travel in the western states where there is little or no cell / data coverage, where the Garmin Nuvi still shines.
For an $89 one time fee you can get a Garmin update up to 4 times a year for life (one unit), for the latest info available, using Navtec mapping sources, which, along with life time live traffic updates on my Nuvi 265WT pretty much covers the range of possibilities .
Weather apps are also available for my Blackberry from the Weather Channel, for FREE, and will give you anywhere/anytime conditions, as well as up to one month forecasts (hmmmm?). Blackberry’s app for marine weather was just assessed the best available for marine forecasts, by BoatUS, but B’Berry also has land based weather apps that I just downloaded, for free!
Hey, I’m very cool with Apple, writing this on my iMac, but I sometimes have issues with the hype that comes with all Apple product releases. B’Berry is is still the industry standard for most everything that isn’t considered “play” stuff. And I have a problem with signing up for life with Apple when other systems will work as well.
I’m running Windows7 alongside my OSX right here on my iMac, using Parallels.
Can’t stack all your eggs in one basket, eh?
Great forum for discussion, thanks very much. So, hope we keep at it and find the “perfect” answer. There is one, right?
I have a tall Entertainer coach (13′6″ high) and would like to take some back roads on occasion. Normally we stick to Interstates because of bridge heights. I heard that Garmin has a “Trucker’s Version GPS” that has bridge heights, but does it really have them all? I don’t want to take a route to find that there is a bridge too low for our bus and have to turn around and backtrack (or worse, hit it). Is there an App that will list all bridge heights on all routes, even State Roads? I know marine charts ALL have bridge heights, but where can I find that info for RVing? Or, will the right GPS give me all the info I need so I can look at and analyze the entire route before I decide to take it?
Didn’t mention Weather! I have an ap (free) on my droid that shows the radar weather at a touch of the screen!. Go to Market and search for Radar Now Also gives present temp, humidity, Barometer, dewpoint and wind.
Hello Lug_Nut,
Have been on the road since Oct 2010, sorry about the late response to your always great articles!
Happy New Year to you!
Just happens that I bought my wife an iPad for Christmas. The apps you mention in this article are right our alley as I’m sure they are for many RV’ers. I see Dr. Mike Fryer asked about apps for height clearances. I don’t know of one but have this to say……. never, ever, trust a map or app for clearances. You must always be familiar with the height of your coach and pay attention to posted height signs. You never know when a road has been repaved or when snow or ice buld up may change that value. Bottom line is………..pay attention, only you are responsible in the event of a low clearance contact. Measure your hieght and label it on the inside of your windshield or on your instrument panel.
Keep the great articles coming, please.(eh)
Cheers,
John
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Money Savings Expert
Check out the Allstays apps for IPhone and IPad. They show all campgrounds, rest-stops, and even low clearance bridges, Walmarts, and other locations of interest to RVrs. Also RV Park app is similar.
There is a new product called AutoNet mobile that turns your Truck or RV into a wifi hotspot even as you drive along. This gives you access to the internet for your ipad all the time. Does anyone have that in their rig yet?
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