Rand McNally’s launches GPS device built for truckers

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by rookietrucker, Aug 21, 2009.

  1. jeepskate99

    jeepskate99 Road Train Member

    That seems #### good.

    I used the Nuvi 5000 and loved it if for nothign but the following.


    You tell it the route you want to take and since it knows speed limits, it's pretty good with ETA's. But, with the traffic receiver I would be aware of heavy traffic and construction REAL TIME so I never got caught in stuff that I didn't want to be caught in. Granted most of my use with it was just a truck and car trailer, but it still worked.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

    8,805
    9,197
    Apr 23, 2008
    Nana's empty nest
    0


    We just wanted you to read the thread. :biggrin_25525:
     
  4. Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

    8,805
    9,197
    Apr 23, 2008
    Nana's empty nest
    0

    Like Kenmar said the units are varied. We use it more as a prompt especially at night. Ours will plan the route but most of the time we must reprogram it for the route we have chosen from the maps or from our dispatch.

    Every driver is different and thus they desire to use differing tools. As you said it's not a "right or wrong" issue in my opinion. I certainly don't think someone is wrong for not using a GPS just different from our decision.

    If you want to pm me the address of your coop I can tell you if it's on our GPS LOL:biggrin_2559:
     
  5. DocHolliday

    DocHolliday Bobtail Member

    First off, I DO pull a tanker, and some of the dairies and other places we have to go, are out on small backroads, with limited access. I agree that one should, and MUST be able to trip plan, using a map, with a pencil and paper. BUT, a tool such as this can be quite helpful.
    3 years ago, I might have also scoffed at the thought, and said things similar to you. I had seen far too many "dummies" in the industry, who couldn't read a map to save their lives. Nor, could they follow specific, accurate directions, given to them by a customer, dispatcher, or other driver, who was giving good, proper directions.
    Back to the 3 years ago time frame. After many years of driving good cars which were always carefully considered, to meet my wife's and my needs, I finally decided to break down and buy a nice luxury car. Still being the cheap curmudgeon that I tend to be, I did buy used, so it was not "spec'ed" according to my specific needs. We bought a Cadillac STS, and while it had all the needs, we needed in a car, it had a few amenities, which we didn't require. One of which is a built in GPS navigation system.
    The following summer, we took our vacation, as usual, traveling across this great country, and decided to try out the capabilities of the GPS. It turned out to be quite helpful, in locating our anticipated stops, and places we were interested in seeing, even though we had been there before, sometimes, for me, MANY TIMES before. Having had this experience, I could see the benefit of this technology, for a truck driver, IF someone could come out with truck specific routing. Now that there are more than a few out there, and especially since one is out, from Rand McNally, with truck specific information, I think it is time to consider one, for me, even though I am nearing the end of my career.
    I may be very familiar with many of the places I go, but, often, when I go somewhere, that I haven't been to in some time, things have changed, or my recollection is changed, and I find myself referring to the map too much behind the wheel. If I have good accurate mapping, being read out loud, to me, or have a display, on the dashboard, where I can glance at it, while keeping my peripheral vision on the road for those few seconds, it can also be beneficial from a safety standpoint.
    If you, personally do not choose to use one, that's fine. It's not necessary. It is something to be used in addition to the tools we should already be familiar with, such as an atlas and a ruler and pencil/paper, and phone. But don't knock those who see it as a helpful tool. We just must not allow it to become a crutch, and only source of information. I believe the more information we can glean, from as many sources as possible, makes us all better and safer drivers.
     
  6. DocHolliday

    DocHolliday Bobtail Member

    According to the claims of the new RandMcNally, yes, it does. It also claims to have the National Truck Stop Directory built in and searchable. Both of these could be helpful.
     
  7. DocHolliday

    DocHolliday Bobtail Member

    I am an Amateur Radio operator. I scoffed at the idea of some of the newer ham related technology, like APRS and D-Star. I considered them to be just a couple more "electronic leashes" that I didn't need or want.
    That is, until a week ago, when I was laid over in the truckstop in Osseo, WI, and met another trucking ham, who showed me the advantage of APRS. With thousands of frequencies available, on a dozen, or so different bands, with several different modes of transmitting (SSB, FM, AMTOR, PACKET, AM, CW, Digital Voice, etc), and HF propagation being near non-existent in the current cycle 24, most of the time I am going down the road, I am either talking to locals, for a short period of time, via an FM, VHF or UHF repeater, or listening to the national simplex calling frequency, and hearing next to nothing.
    With APRS, not only is there the ability to see who is in the area, one can communicate with those who are near them, and moving in the same direction, so that a lengthy, intelligent conversation can be held, without tying up the usual channel 19 crowd, who always seem to want to complain, if an intelligent conversation is occurring.
    D-Star has the same advantage, but, since it is totally digital, and connects via VoIP, to any other D-Star repeater in the world, you have tha capability to talk with friends back home, or in any location, around the world, with VHF/UHF or microwave D-Star repeater capabilities. And, these radios are still capable of conventional FM, VHF/UHF communications. Both of these systems require the use of a GPS unit, for locating purposes. D-Star, uses a small unit, that installs inside the radio itself, whereas, APRS, requires a 3rd party GPS unit, like a Garmin. Now, I am ready to plunk down the $600, for a new D-Star capable mobile, and may invest in setting up a D-Star repeater, to give me a portal, at my home. So, yes, technology, GOOD!!!
     
  8. creekrd

    creekrd Light Load Member

    62
    5
    Oct 12, 2008
    Timmonsvile,SC
    0
    So back too the topic plz!! thank you.....
     
  9. monster28

    monster28 Bobtail Member

    22
    1
    Aug 24, 2008
    santa maria ca
    0
    • 5" screen with big icons
    • Truck-specific routing in U.S. and Canada; 35% more than the leading data provider!
    • Enhanced text-to-speech and driver configurable warnings
    • 3D Junction View
    • Roadwork™ construction updates
    • Searchable Trucker's Friend® National Truck Stop Directory®
    • Truck dealer locations and CAT scales
    • Quick planner - determine profitability and drive time for an upcoming route
    • Toggle to car mode
    • Multi-stop route optimization
    • Calculator with Standard or metric units
    More Than Just a GPS!

    • State/Province mileage breakdown
    • Commercial-grade address book
    • On duty & driving timers
    • Cross-reference to the Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas
    • Smart Time - Calculate arrival time at destination
    • Free PC application to back-up and update your device


    • Storage: 4GB
    • Display: 5.0" TFT Widescreen, 480X272 Resolution, anti-glare
    • Dimensions: 5 3/4"(W) x 3 9/16"(H) x 3/4"(D)
    • GPS Antenna: Internal SirfStar III
    • Audio Output: Built in 2W speaker with earphone jack
    • Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
    • Map Coverage: Includes U.S. & Canada

    thats what i found on it
     
  10. crabby125s girl

    crabby125s girl Heavy Load Member

    764
    309
    May 11, 2009
    0
    Love this comment and also I wanted to know what GPS you use and if you like it. I'm in the market for one for my bf when he gets out on his own. His trainer doesn't believe in it and he's getting plenty of practice planning routes but when you miss a turn in an unfamiliar area a GPS can uaully get you back on track quickly. That's why we want one.
     
  11. Pawnd

    Pawnd Medium Load Member

    346
    143
    Apr 8, 2009
    Chasing wind
    0
    I use and will continue to keep MS Streets and trips with GPS. I have to check the route for restrictions, but, if I am where I can't get GPS I still have mapping software that is very up to date.

    AND I ordered this one today, besides the GPS; it tracks my IFTA mileage.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.