Found a few threads on this but very old. I am wondering about whick GPS system is the best for a CMV. I have a garmin but it's for 4 wheelers and will route me to restricted routes without warning. I know that the products and quality change a lot on these so thought an updated thread would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance
Best GPS
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by rxhorn, Nov 4, 2011.
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the one in my mind,
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http://www.randmcnally.com/
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I ran GPS in the truck way back before truck specific units were even thought of. In those days I had co-workers who used to tell me that my GPS was going to cause me to snag my trailer on a low bridge or land me a ticket for driving on restricted roads. My response was always the same. Maybe it would cause YOU to get tickets or snag bridges, but I would be just fine thank you very much. And I was absolutely right. I never had an issue but I'm quite sure they would have. Its all about knowing what the GPS can and cannot do. If you're unsure of that, it should only be used as a secondary source of navigation at best.
Beyond that I can give this piece of advice. Way back when I ran automotive units because thats all there was. More recently I ran automotive units because the truck units are pricey and I'm cheap. But a few months ago I bought a truck specific unit (garmin dezl 560). After seeing the difference I can honestly say I will never go back to using a car unit in a truck. Truck units cost more but they're worth it.
As far as which truck unit to get, I'll say this. I went with the garmin for two reasons. 1. I've used garmin car units for years and I'm comfortable with the garmin way of doing things. 2. Garmin is far and away the leader in portable GPS so the company isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
I've heard good things about the Rand McNally unit but Rand McNally isn't really in the GPS business. GPS is the only thing garmin does. That's what did it for me, but I don't think you would go wrong with either units. -
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I do local LTL with a tandem truck and a 53 footer most days and go to multiple places in certain cities im not familier with. I have been using a garmin nuvi and it gets me where I need to go most of the time. I will say it does want me to go under low bridges around durham and raleigh, but I always work around them somehow. It wants me to go down dirt roads on occasions and does some silly stuff quite often. If I could justify 4-$500 on a truck gps I would definately do it, the garmin has got me into quite a few bad situations. None so bad that I had an accident or had to call a wrecker but Ive had to back out into alot of streets, over alot of curbs and sidewalks and grass etc. Its fine for interstate only use but you get in these "older" cities and you better have atleast somewhat of an idea on how to be smarter than the gps and not get in bad situations because I gurantee that it will get you in a situation that you do not want to be in.
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Personally from my experience with the rand mcnally gps, it doesn't always route the most direct but it does have good information. Often the company's quallcom gps is more accurate, and I normally use a motor carriers atlas and the gps on my phone. When you use your head and combine the best sources you got. Then I think you have a system. Even that won't be perfect, but it will keep you out of trouble.
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