Question Garmin RV 890 setup for towed vehicle?

[TJ&LadyDi]

Hi, new to the Forum.
We too have a Garmin RV 760 and have grown to like it.
But I'm interested in the RV890 and would appreciate any input that you current users may have.
What I like about the 760, and my other current and previous Garmin GPS models, is the right-hand "side bar" or "dashboard".
I like to have displayed, the next via point time of arrival, plus my destination time of arrival.
It appears that the 890 has that information displayed (albeit smaller) along the bottom of the screen,
and instead displays upcoming "points of interest" on the side bar.

Is that correct?
Can the 890 be configured to display like the 760?

Thanks!
LLOYD S

@Lloyd S, I updated our RV890 maps today and, in the process, remembered your questions, so looked around in the unit a bit for some answers.

If you are asking about the "up-ahead" sidebar, yes the RV 890 also has that capability. You just need to enable it in settings menu. With it enabled, you can display/hide route time and mileage, upcoming services and attractions and upcoming turn distances. It looks a little different than on the RV 760 LMT, but serves essentially the same function. And, yes, the 890 displays mileage and arrival time at the bottom of the screen as well. I don't think you can hide that info bar.

We're still on the learning curve with our 890, but consider it a significant improvement over the RV 760LMT that we were using previously. The larger, brighter (which is set table) and better resolution screen is a huge upgrade. And, while the 760 was pretty configurable, the 890 is even more so.

The ability to update maps and software wirelessly (by connecting directly to a WiFi network) is a great feature! One tip here, however; buy the Garmin "AC Adapter Cable Kit" (P/N 010-11478-02 that allows you to power the 890 (or the 760 and a bunch of other models) from a 120VA-to-12VDC power adapter. On major updates, the internal battery in the 890 wasn't sufficient to finish the download and installation without help from an external power source.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003N73S9M/?tag=rvf01-20

And, if you want to upgrade the 890 via a computer, you'll need the adapter cable kit as well. The provided USB-Mini USB data cable isn't able to supply enough power to the 890 and, I kept getting "insufficient power" error messages and the installation would stop. I was able to get around the problem by using a 12VDC power supply I have that has a cigarette lighter socket, allowing me to use the dash power cable. Once I got power to the unit, everything went well. I have, however, already ordered the adapter kit mentioned above.

There are many more "bells and whistles" that can be enabled, but suffice to say I think everything that could be done in the older versions can be done with the RV 890 and then some.

TJ

 

[Jim]

I've been fighting with myself on this purchase but this morning I made the plunge. My new RV 890 will be here on Tuesday. Amazon was having a holiday sale and I got it for $399 (Reg $499). Had a bunch of points built up so it seemed like a great time to use them, so GPS was -0- to the credit card.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089DMTQFT/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[Lloyd S]

TJ:
That's great info! ... And I think you almost answered my main question.
You said:

"If you are asking about the "up-ahead" sidebar, yes the RV 890 also has that capability. You just need to enable it in settings menu. With it enabled, you can display/hide route time and mileage, upcoming services and attractions and upcoming turn distances."

What I really want to know is, can that "up-ahead" sidebar display my next via point arrival time, and my destination arrival time,
RATHER THAN having that info display at the bottom of the screen. I really don't care about seeing the "upcoming services".

I already have the AC Adapter Cable Kit, as I use it for our RV760 (as well as our DriveSmart 61 which we use for the toad).
From your experience with "wireless updating", it sounds like that process is better served being hardwired.

Thanks for your insights, much appreciated!
LLOYD S

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I've been fighting with myself on this purchase but this morning I made the plunge. My new RV 890 will be here on Tuesday. Amazon was having a holiday sale and I got it for $399 (Reg $499). Had a bunch of points built up so it seemed like a great time to use them, so GPS was -0- to the credit card.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089DMTQFT/?tag=rvf01-20

That's an awesome price for an RV 890, @Jim; congrats! I think you'll like it a lot. It does take some time to try out all the features and decide which ones are important to you and which are not.

TJ

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

TJ:
That's great info! ... And I think you almost answered my main question.
You said:

"If you are asking about the "up-ahead" sidebar, yes the RV 890 also has that capability. You just need to enable it in settings menu. With it enabled, you can display/hide route time and mileage, upcoming services and attractions and upcoming turn distances."

What I really want to know is, can that "up-ahead" sidebar display my next via point arrival time, and my destination arrival time,
RATHER THAN having that info display at the bottom of the screen. I really don't care about seeing the "upcoming services".

I already have the AC Adapter Cable Kit, as I use it for our RV760 (as well as our DriveSmart 61 which we use for the toad).
From your experience with "wireless updating", it sounds like that process is better served being hardwired.

Thanks for your insights, much appreciated!
LLOYD S

I will have to look specifically for what information the "up ahead" sidebar displays, but I think it is arrival time and distance. We don't use waypoints, so I'm not sure if that info will also show up there.

As for hiding the bottom bar information, I'm pretty sure that's not possible, but I'll see what I can find on that subject. I'll need a couple of days to get around to doing that, however. In the meantime, "Happy Thanksgiving."

TJ

 

[CaptainGizmo]

TJ:
That's great info! ... And I think you almost answered my main question.
You said:

"If you are asking about the "up-ahead" sidebar, yes the RV 890 also has that capability. You just need to enable it in settings menu. With it enabled, you can display/hide route time and mileage, upcoming services and attractions and upcoming turn distances."

What I really want to know is, can that "up-ahead" sidebar display my next via point arrival time, and my destination arrival time,
RATHER THAN having that info display at the bottom of the screen. I really don't care about seeing the "upcoming services".

I already have the AC Adapter Cable Kit, as I use it for our RV760 (as well as our DriveSmart 61 which we use for the toad).
From your experience with "wireless updating", it sounds like that process is better served being hardwired.

Thanks for your insights, much appreciated!
LLOYD S

Lloyd,

The 890 ABSOLUTELY gives you the sidebar info you are looming for!

It’s called the TRIP DATA panel. And, you can customize every pane by tapping on it and selecting which data field you’d like to be displayed.

This panel will actually change, based upon whether you are actively navigating or not. So, you can have a set of fields relevant to just “driving” around vs. navigating somewhere.

 

[NWIP]

Welcome back @CaptainGizmo seems like it’s been awhile. Thanks for your input as I remember correctly you beta tested.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Lloyd,

The 890 ABSOLUTELY gives you the sidebar info you are looming for!

It’s called the TRIP DATA panel. And, you can customize every pane by tapping on it and selecting which data field you’d like to be displayed.

This panel will actually change, based upon whether you are actively navigating or not. So, you can have a set of fields relevant to just “driving” around vs. navigating somewhere.

Thanks, @CaptainGizmo; you forced me to go back into the RV 890 and explore some more. I don't find the interface particularly intuitive, but when I finally figured out how to change the individual panes, I was amazed at the flexibility. I didn't realize I could change the bottom-row data panes as well as those in the Trip Data side window. Apparently, you can't change the top row in that side panel (Trip A and Trip B) but you can change the lower four panes. And, I couldn't find a way to change the "Upcoming Turns" and "Up Ahead" panels at all. Maybe I have missed something here.

I found this link useful in understanding how to customize the data panes.

Customizing the Trip Data Fields on the Map Screen for an Automotive Device | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

Lots of flexibility and I have pretty much reconfigured the 890 screen to show what I want while navigating. Thanks for the info.

TJ

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Yes, Jim...there ARE some panes and fields you can’t change. In case you haven’t found it out, though, you can’t assign a data field to another field of it’s already been assigned. Dumb, but you’ve gotta remove that assignment before assigning it to another location. ?‍

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Yep! Ran into that issue of not being able to assign data fields to more than one pane. In getting things organized on my screen, I initially assigned a bunch of data fields that I didn't want to use. That way, I could replace them without running into the duplicate fields.

TJ

 

[Jim]

Got mine today. Spent about about 15 minutes with it and love the simple, straight forward approach that I've become accustomed to with Garmin products of this kind. Leaving for Florida (again) in a couple of weeks and will enjoy using it.

 

[ARD]

OY VEY! Okay, ya'll are a bunch of troublemakers. So I upgraded from my 770 to the 890. Thank you very much. ? It has only taken me 2 days to install the updates. Who knew you had to turn OFF Bluetooth for the Wifi to have a data connection even though it was connected to my router. Aaaargh.

I've just started playing around with it, but I found it odd that when I searched truck stops, I got a different list (and a more complete list) than when I went to "truck stops" from the PlanRV Services menu. I love the big screen. ? I also like the new features of showing the elevation and mile markers on the bottom. I also find the "up ahead" feature on sidebar (when you are viewing map) It is much easier and safer than having to go to another menu to enable it like I had to do on my 770. Looking forward to hearing about everyone's "discoveries," hints, etc. Ohhhhh and anyone going down or up the Oregon Coast, I am most interested how the Garmin behaves when you get to that tunnel near Florence. ?

 

[Jim]

So I upgraded from my 770 to the 890.

It's cool, isn't it? My dogs like that it shows the next rest area on the screen. Now they just walk up to the front of the coach and see how far it is instead of constantly having to ask.

 

[Neemer]

It's cool, isn't it? My dogs like that it shows the next rest area on the screen. Now they just walk up to the front of the coach and see how far it is instead of constantly having to ask.

Ok. Now I’m sold. This feature will keep my spousal unit happy too.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

...anyone going down or up the Oregon Coast, I am most interested how the Garmin behaves when you get to that tunnel near Florence.

Ah yes, the one marked 11'6" right? I see a major reroute scenario being "suggested" by Garmin...in a loud, shrill voice! "STOP...STOP...TURN AROUND...GO BACK...GO BACK...I'M OUTA HERE!!!"

For those that haven't been through "Heartstop Tunnel," its not that big of a deal once you understand how to handle it. A local guy talked us through it the first time; just drive down the middle, straddling the centerline. Only the curved upper edges on each side are 11'6" and the center is about 14'. It is a relatively short tunnel, so you can see if there's a vehicle entering at the other end and the local folks are good at checking before they enter. We followed right behind one...just in case.

TJ