Best GPS for over the road driving in a semi.

I loved my Rand RM740, but it is not durable. Other drivers love the Garmin OTR770. I did not like my Garmin 770, even though the screen is beautiful, the hardware is very durable. IMO any truck GPS from RM or Garmin is miles and miles better than any car GPS or Google Maps. If I wasn't sure which to buy I would pay for the lowest cost version of Trucker Path (only the paid versions have truck routing, the free versions give car routing only) until I could decide.

If you get a RM treat it like a sick child. Keep it out of the sun, unplug it during your 10 & 34 breaks, and never let it fall. I took extra good care of mine and got almost 5 years out of it before it died. RM promises free lifetime updates, but my experience is that 2 years after they introduce a new model thay stop giving map or database updates. Garmin seems to really give free lifetime updates.

Don't use a car GPS.

 

Understand that even 'The Best' truck GPS unit is not infallible. Always scrutinize any route any GPS unit gives you.
I was a former GIS professional (GIS, Geographic Information Systems is the technology underlying how GPS programs determine routing) and cartographer and understand in detail how routing programs work and how and why they choose the routes they do. But, they all do it with computer logic and are fallible. Often they get it right, but not always. It is important to always examine it yourself and use your human critical thinking skills to determine if they get it right or not. It is common enough that they do not give you the best, most efficient and expeditious route. And, on occasion can simply give a route that isn't going to work for a truck. Fortunately, as the technology has matured it has improved and such errors are less and less common. Regardless, always check the route it gives you and don't blindly follow any GPS routing device.
That all said, I have a Garmin OTR800 and am mostly happy with it. Haven't used any RM devices, so can't say how it performs against them.

 

I have the garmin LMT - S. It's the last step before the garmin otr models. It works great for me. It was around 500 bucks but i got it free with pilot points. I carry my trusty rand mcnally motor carriers atlas for any questionable situations. It has a wealth of information in the front section. Do your research though because the newer otr series garmins are supposed to be coming out with final destination satellite imagery which will be really cool. I use my phone for satellite imagery now. Heard a garmin exec being interviewed about the new technology one day. Cool stuff but the only way to stay current is to buy the latest an greatest every couple years or so.

 

I have more than one. Garmin diesel 800 is good.
I also have trucker path. Use it with satellite view. Is very useful on final destination. I’ll often get wrong or misspelled addresses. Trucker Path labels the business name on the building. So I figure it out for sure. Can look around. See what I’m seeing in my windshield. Very useful

 

Has anyone heard of SPOT ? My business partner among other things has four on my vehicle . He hands me two , and he hides two and thinks I don't know about them. They are good he can tell me what parking spot I am in. Or which lane on highway. I hope this is the right url to read about them.
SPOT Satellite Communication Devices | Saved by SPOT | US stay safe everyone.

 

I didn't use spot. Can't remember the brand but I started placing trackers on company property to curb theft. We were able to jail a number of theives. I ended up on all the local TV news programs, and even saw my name online in places like London and Nigeria. True story

 

Navigation resources from worst to best:

0. Anything any customer tells you.
1. A truck specific GPS device.
2. Your own eyes.
3. The Motor Carrier's Road Atlas.
4. The routing information your employer gives you.
5. Actual road signs.

 

Atlas’ are good kindling a fire, that’s about it
When the internet goes out they’ll be handy again..

 

Gotta add one.
6. Your own previous experience (when available).