Somebody needs to do a Love's rewards point calculator lol

I am that guy who doesn't understand why a paper map is supposed to be more accurate than a quality device that is supposed to get frequent updates from the manufacturer.

Garmin and Rand McNally both have respected business in the navigation world. Yet we often hear Rand's device does not have stuff the Trucker Atlas does.

Or major events like a road washing out that won't be in the paper.sp but in theory should show up with an electronic device update.

Ok... Putting soap box away

 

It isn't more accurate. That's the point. It gives you the route from A to B, but you don't trust it to give you 100% information, which means you actually have to think, not just put your brain on autopilot and wind up stuck so bad halfway up a fire road that they have to fly the rig out with Chinook helicopters while you stand there sputtering, "But...but...muh GPS...!!"

A map and a GPS are both useful tools. But too many fools use the latter as a substitute for thinking.

 

Just small examples.

They rely on road spotters to relay/input road information for databases. Apparently, sometimes some very inept ones.

I-80 through I forgot what entire western state telling me no trucks for almost nearly a year

I-78 about 1/4 to 1/2 state of PA I believe, showed nothing but low bridges for whole lenghth for 6mos (they were inputting what was on SHOULDER height signs. LOL

** Yes, they are regularly updated.

Being shown some convoluted crazy mutiple street way back to highway, when I'm looking at entrance 1000' foot in front of me.

Wish I could find pic former student sent me shortly after he was on own of being shown to follow every single petal of a cloverleaf to get on highway.

The countless cases of individuals following to logging & fire roads, golf cart paths (yes...), multitudes of other crazy things.

I could go on & on & on........ tons of GPS screw ups to relate.

Thing is, the data is only as good as the individuals whom are responsible for it's input.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of completely clueless folks out there inputing data.

They have their place just to assist, but you also cannot completely trust. I'm sure you have at least seen some stories.

There is no substitute for old school doing it right.

No mater what, it always falls back to your responsibility.

For what it's worth, I do old school road atlas & front section, run a Garmin & google maps all at once. Google satellite view is indispensable.

Also, look at NASTIC recommended routing since that is my fuel program.

I look at all the above & THEN decide how I am going to route myself. Many times, it is a mix of a bit from them all. Sometimes it is plain old "my own way", from past experience.

 

Rand stopped updating anything except the built-in & unused ELD program on their flagship GPS 1 year after it was brand new to the market. They'll probably keep updating the ELD inside the GPS for 20 more years. It doesn't help.

 

The road database in the RM product is supplied to RM by a contractor. When that contractor stops supplying updates to RM the lifetime updates don't reflect the current roads. Ask me how I know.

The GPS does have street-level maps everywhere, unlike the MCRA. But the GPS doesn't show you the state-specific info contained in the front of The MCRA. A professional uses the appropriate tool for the task

 

Updates are only good if you download them. Unlike other electronics, a GPS doesn't download updates until you connect it to the internet and tell it to update the map database in it's memory.

 

Tried Rand in past alongside my Garmins, but could adjust to them & did not like.

I rack this up more to a lifetime of Garmin use & not being able to adjust to Rand UI & layout.

Garmin is has been pretty good with lifetime updates. I've had some pretty old units still get updates. Think I was able to update a 10/15yr old car one I gave to a buddy years back.

I would believe Garmin might get updates from contractors, too, but no idea due to situations I mentioned above.

Speed limits incorrect a large part of time. Bridge heights, truck allowed/not allowed on secondaries, weight limits really cannot be trusted at all.

Saw you mention Rand updating in past.

What a raw deal. Lifetime my ###!

 

Updates also need to contain accurate data........ something they seem to struggle with.

 

No doubt, I can't count how many times I went across US35 in WV after they completed the 4 lane all the way from the OH line to I-64, the GPS showed me driving across no mans land instead of a road.