Garmin Maps update

[topgun2]

While working on my travel plans for 2025 I found that Garmin had an update for my 890.  In addition, they have an update for "Garmin Express".

Both of these updates took longer than usual.  Initially I was simply using WiFi to perform the map update but since that seemed to be taking longer I switched to using the Garmin Express.  The update to Garmin Express took about 10 minutes and the maps update (still going on as I type this) is forecast to take about an hour and 10 minutes.

Bill

Edited December 19, 2024 by topgun2

[jd1923]

We have Garmin in Kenwood receivers in two of our vehicles. I’ve been getting update warnings and have to figure out how to do so. Hope I don’t have to pay a license fee.

[rideandfly]

John, Have not had to pay for updates on our Garmin Nuvi or RV-780 GPS units.

Updating our Garmin RV-780 right now with Garmin Express.

[Patriot]

4 hours ago, jd1923 said:

We have Garmin in Kenwood receivers in two of our vehicles. I’ve been getting update warnings and have to figure out how to do so. Hope I don’t have to pay a license fee.

@jd1923 https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=KqHtldqkm2A5cwtmJiZvF9 this might help. 

[Patriot]

6 hours ago, topgun2 said:

While working on my travel plans for 2025 I found that Garmin had an update for my 890.  In addition, they have an update for "Garmin Express".

Both of these updates took longer than usual.  Initially I was simply using WiFi to perform the map update but since that seemed to be taking longer I switched to using the Garmin Express.  The update to Garmin Express took about 10 minutes and the maps update (still going on as I type this) is forecast to take about an hour and 10 minutes.

Bill

Thanks Bill, done! The RV890 has served us well!

Edited December 20, 2024 by Patriot

[topgun2]

13 hours ago, Patriot said:

The RV890 has served us well!

Yep - me too.

I recently had occasion to use iOverlander app in the 890 for something other than finding boondocking spots. 

My source of potable water near Buffalo, WY was closed and in the search for a replacement I took a look at iOverlander "services".  There were several water sources listed there and that led me to taking a look at https://ioverlander.com/ .  On the website they not only list locations (via icons on a map), but, if you click on an icon you will get additional information from people that have used or stayed at that very spot.

Bill

[Patriot]

2 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Yep - me too.

I recently had occasion to use iOverlander app in the 890 for something other than finding boondocking spots. 

My source of potable water near Buffalo, WY was closed and in the search for a replacement I took a look at iOverlander "services".  There were several water sources listed there and that led me to taking a look at https://ioverlander.com/ .  On the website they not only list locations (via icons on a map), but, if you click on an icon you will get additional information from people that have used or stayed at that very spot.

Bill

What a valuable link, I like being able to see reviews. A very intuitive site. Thanks! 

[Trailblazers]

Thanks for the heads up, doing it right now.  

[HDRider]

Has anyone purchased a new Garmin?

 

I got the Garmin DriveSmart 66 a few months back.  Very disappointed.  It only has two navigation calculation modes.

 

The old Garmins had

 

The new ones only have

 

A person would never use straight line in a vehicle.  All the new ones want to get you on the interstate as fast as they can.  I am told all new Garmin only offer these two calculation modes.  Very disappointed.

 

[topgun2]

On my Garmin 890 there are three calculation modes - "faster time", "Shorter Distance", and "Off Road".  

Plus, there are a bunch of "Avoidances" and even "custom avoidances". 

The only one I don't see is "Less Fuel".

Bill

 

 

[HDRider]

On 1/12/2025 at 12:27 PM, topgun2 said:

On my Garmin 890 there are three calculation modes - "faster time", "Shorter Distance", and "Off Road".  

Plus, there are a bunch of "Avoidances" and even "custom avoidances". 

The only one I don't see is "Less Fuel".

Bill

 

 

The 890 is old.

It had

I think the new one is RV 895

 

[topgun2]

1 hour ago, HDRider said:

The 890 is old.

Me too.😢

[John and Debbie]

On 1/12/2025 at 10:27 AM, topgun2 said:

On my Garmin 890 there are three calculation modes - "faster time", "Shorter Distance", and "Off Road".  

Plus, there are a bunch of "Avoidances" and even "custom avoidances". 

The only one I don't see is "Less Fuel".

Bill

 

 

What's the best tool/app to use to avoid roads that might have low overpasses or road conditions that we need to avoid?  I don't have a Garmin.

John

[topgun2]

John - 

Hopefully other members will chime in with suggestions.

I've never really worried about height issues and have never run into a problem other than a couple of gas stations that seemed to have very low canopies over the pumps.  And, now with my two year old Garmin 890 I have never had an alert or routing problem due to height.

There have been a couple of times that the Garmin has re-routed me due to traffic.  The first time I refused to obey that nice little lady inside the Garmin because I was very confident that I knew where I was going.  While I was correct in knowing where I was going I simply wasn't going there very quickly with all the traffic stopped on a six lane interstate.  Once I started listening it was like she placed me on a magic carpet and got me moving again.

Good luck!

Bill

p.s.  there are (of course) other ways to get traffic data such as Google maps and Waze, but the "height restriction" issue with towing can be a bit of a "problem"

Edited January 14 by topgun2
added detail

[rich.dev]

59 minutes ago, John and Debbie said:

What's the best tool/app to use to avoid roads that might have low overpasses or road conditions that we need to avoid?  I don't have a Garmin.

John

RV Life’s TripWizard map service has the avoid low overpasses option based on your TV/RV size, but it requires a subscription. 

[jd1923]

9 hours ago, John and Debbie said:

What's the best tool/app to use to avoid roads that might have low overpasses or road conditions that we need to avoid?

What me worry? 🤣

According to OTT specs the Oliver Elite II is "Outside Height to Top of A/C is 9' 8." This is not an Oliver consideration. We had a Class A RV well over 12 FT, still not a highway consideration. ALL RVs are of lower height than the common 18-wheeler truck.

Are you worried about your garage height? Talk to @Geronimo John!🤣
From what I understand he has a storage unit at right about 10 FT!

Edited January 15 by jd1923
Added picture

[HDRider]

We were trying to get off the freeway and got on a highway in Massachusetts that had height restriction below our Ollie height.  It was a restricted access road and we did not see the sign until it was too late to turn around.  We got off as soon as we could. 

[Geronimo John]

19 hours ago, jd1923 said:

What's the best tool/app to use to avoid roads that might have low overpasses or road conditions that we need to avoid?

 

19 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Are you worried about your garage height? Talk to @Geronimo John!🤣

I like using my Garman RV satellite GPS for that.  There are several different models depending what you need or can afford.

That said, I don't use a Satellite Navigator to navigate our Ollie into the barn for storage. 

But I do back it in and out very carefully.  the barn floor is about a foot above outside area grade.  So I had to move a bunch of dirt and gravel to create a compacted 20 foot long flat spot in front of the 10 foot AFF clearance beam at the entry.  Something to keep in mind if you think the storage facility could give your Ollie A/C or antennas a BUZZZ hair cut.

JD:  I didn't know your picture was on the cover of Mad Magazine.  You are famous!!

GJ

Edited January 15 by Geronimo John
Gotcha JD! :-)

[topgun2]

13 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

JD:  I didn't know your picture was on the cover of Mad Magazine.  You are famous!!

OUCH!