GPS for Truckers

I have a Garmin C320 (upgraded to a C330 by adding a $10 sdcard) and it is plenty loud enough as long as the radio isn't blasting. I drive a 1995 FLD120 which is louder than most (all?) newer trucks.

 

I used a tom tom 510 and my big ol atlas. I would map the route on the tom tom and then double check it on the atlas. It got me through alot of spots that I would have been driving in circles for hours if I didn't have it. You have to watch the tom tom sometimes though. I was playing with it when I was in Greensboro NC and it tried to run me up through Virginia to get to Arkansas when its a straight shot on I40... Also if you get off the course it wants you to take it freaks out. I went off course a few times because there was a better route. Once it told me to turn right.. and I was on the middle of a bridge. Another time it told me to turn and there was no road. It looked like someone thought about building a road there in the 1920's.. but there was no road I would take a truck down for sure.
But if you use it smartly and don't rely on it 100% of the time, it will get you where you need to go.

 

Garmins are MUCH better at truck routing than Tom-Tom's. You can tell the Garmin you are in a truck and also tell it to avoid u-turns, dirt roads, and car-pool lanes (and toll roads if you are looking for a go-around). Also it will try to keep you on numbered routes and not take short cuts through residential roads when you set it for "truck". It knows about most truck exclusions but not about low clearances. I am amazed at how well it routes in the more congested parts of NJ! It is - however - real good at getting you stuck at the EL in NYC. That's not really its fault - NYC has lots of truck routes that are low clearance!

 

get the garmin 7800 its targeted towards big trucks and buses I have a garmin nuvi 650 and I tell ya what I wouldn't work a day without it. the only problem is sometimes it will take me into residential areas you just gotta use common sense with it....other than that it works like a gem just make sure to put it on truck mode and avoid unpaved roads under nav options.

 

I thought that all Garmin's were the same with regards to what they are loaded with? What makes the 7800 better than the C340 that I just bought? I thought the only differences between the models were just the bells and whistles?

 

All I can see is Garmon 7500 googling.

These are not a big deal on a motorcycle or car, but really seem essential to have on an 18 wheeler.

 

I can't find the 7800 either - the 7500 looks interesting, but a 7" display?? WOW! Is that going to lite up the cab on the over-nite??

 

Being new to this...don't a lot of trucking companies have GPS in thier trucks? Or is this only to track the truck...not give directions to the driver?

 

It just tracks the truck. The portable GPS units have the maps and directions. The Qualcomm ususally has directions to each stop, but the directions can be questionable.

 

Only to track...