First off, what is a GPS system, and how does it work? The GPS unit that you have in your car, truck or RV is actually one small part of a much larger system. Your unit receives signals from several satellites orbiting the Earth, and calculates the time it took to receive those signals. The signals also contain information about the satellite, where it is, its orbit, speed, and other items. Inside the GPS unit in your car or RV is a small computer designed to process that information and display it in an easily read format, like a map or written directions. By calculating the time for the signal to travel from the satellite to your unit, the GPS can tell location, and in many cases, altitude as well.
GPS units can often be packed with additional information, like points of interest, medical facilities, restaurants, auto services, shopping malls, and more. This makes them especially useful for RVers who are often traveling to new locations. The GPS program itself can be loaded onto your laptop, but many people prefer the dash-mounted units, which can be exchanged between vehicles. Handheld units are also available, which can still ride along in your car, but are very nice if you like to go hiking, since they can go along with you.
If you're considering a GPS unit and you use an RV, there are a few factors to consider when comparing units. A big one is the screen size. A larger screen may not seem like that big a deal when you're in your car, but when driving an RV or a large tow vehicle, you'll be farther away from the unit than normal. Yes, most units have voice navigation, where a pleasant voice reads directions to you ("in 500 feet, turn left"), but most people like to glance at the map to see what the road looks like ahead or if there are any services.
What coverage comes with the GPS unit? Sometimes the packaged software covers a very limited area, and you need to pay for anything extra. Look for units pre-loaded with the coverage you need, and additional maps for free or at a very minimal charge. Also, make sure updates are easy to receive (often now by downloads) and free or for minimal cost. Roads change frequently, and using an outdated GPS program is like using last year's map.
Another feature that can be of great help to RVers is a "truck mode" or "commercial mode" on the GPS system. Very few models have this, but if you can find one, that mode should give you routes via roads that are allowable for commercial vehicles, like big rigs. Also, not many GPS systems take clearance heights into consideration. The WorldNav Truck system from TeleType GPS and the CoPilot RV program for laptops both offer clearance information, but they can also be a little more expensive than the standard GPS systems. However, if you drive a big Class A motorhome, it might be worth the investment to avoid having to backtrack, or even worse, skim the edge of a low overpass.
One other consideration is reception. Because of the greater mass of any RV over a standard passenger car, some people have reported problems with reception. The GPS unit can either find the satellites only intermittently, or not at all. This can be remedied by the installation of an external antenna, which is also sold by most RV dealers. Many of them have easy self-mount installation, or you can pay for a dealer installation that should make it look like an original part of your rig.
GPS systems are a huge help to navigation, but remember that they don't take the place of your attention to the road or good driving habits. If you're interested in purchasing a GPS unit, read reviews in RV magazines and online, and talk to a knowledgeable dealer, preferably in an RV-related store. After narrowing your choices down to two or three models, contact customer service at each of the manufacturers and ask questions. Does the unit have a "truck" or "commercial" setting? If so, what does it do? How often is the system updated, and how are updates handled?
Finally, talk to other RVers about their units. See how they like them and what, if anything, they would change. Then you can make an informed decision and have a GPS system that will serve you well for years to come.
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