The best GPS for truckers

I bought my RM 710 in December '11. I'm having to send it back because it will not power on now. The maps were over 2 years old when I bought it. I'm using a garmin for a car and it's more update than the RM 710 is. I am very disappointed with the 710 because is was sold with a name not quality in mind.

 

I knew this woud hit a nerve with someone. You can disagree, I still hold my opinion. As for IFTA, there are many other approved ways to keep track of miles besides a GPS, and of course then there's the out of route miles that you don't get paid for.. your GPS counts every single mile, remember?
I agree with you that none are perfect, but I also always try to get the most value for my money, and when one of my drivers uses a car GPS and gets better routing, live traffic, and more addresses found using a small car GPS costing around $100, it makes me feel as if I got ripped off!
Not trying to force my opinion here, but we all have certain ways to do certain things, and that's the way we like it, that's the way we're comfortable with it.
More than one way to skin a cat, eh?

 

Not sure what the your point on the out of route and getting or not getting paid has to do with this. Sure plenty of other ways to get approved IFTA miles but that is time and effort compared to what I get from my GPS. It took me less than 5-mins to get IFTA miles on 2 trucks.

I have NEVER seen a car GPS that will tell me what MM the next TS is at. I can look for a specific TS, ones with large lots, truck wash, service centers, etc.

More of a chuckle than hit a nerve. Was just talking about this this weekend. A driver said he thought they where a waste and was given one. Now he would spend money on one without hesitating.

Value is rarely a pure monetary measurement. So until you have used one all you can do is compare a feature list.

You really should try one out. A TND 710 is only $299. Find one at a place that has a 30-day return policy and give it a try.

 

Bill, I never said I don't have one, I have tried 4 different ones.
My drivers and I have a list of best and cheapest T/S on our regular routes. As for the not so regular ones, the internet along with my FleetOne listing for cheapest fuel. Our list for best repair shops is a life saver too.
Good planning, and execution are vital tools for success.

My IFTA miles takes about 1-2 minutes per load each day and two clicks on the pad at the end of the quarter.

You have your way, I have mine

 

Does the rand 710 track state miles for IFTA?

 

yes it does

 

co pilot now has free software you can download onto your phone. and it has truck settings. there are other options that you can buy. the most expensive being $20. but if you want ifta. then an actual truck model is the way to go. and you won't have to leave your phone lit up and burning out. i'm sure tablets would also have the same problem. much like laptops.

one you thing you don't want though is sole reliance on one specific unit. becuase there WILL be address that it can't find.
my phone has always come through for me though. not once have i had to make a call for directions. which would be useless anywasy becuase i don't speak spanish.

 

Martin,
Any more thoughts on the Garmin? Now that you have more miles on it, I'd like to hear a recent update.
I have been considering the 560LMT.
Currently using a "car" GPS, (TomTom XXL) but I think a "truck" GPS would be better.
Thanks.

 

Now I have heard both good & bad on these.
My company pays me by thier PC Miler program so I was thinking this would keep my out of route miles down. But the Qualcom they installed has Co-Pilot which I have heard is powered by PC Miler & I don't care for it much at all. It's always freezing up, ETA is off, & sometimes tells me I am on restricted roads when it is not.
Anymore feedback would br greatly appreciated.

 

I bought the cobra with the 7" screen. It was a toss up between that and the Rand McNally. I am kicking myself now. I basically use it as a speedometer since the one in the truck is kind of guesswork at times. It also gives me a rough ETA so that I can plan appropriately. I have it muted most of the time. The voice is grating and it gives some of the stupidest directions. It has no problem routing you through the center of a major city when there are perimeter highways that would be much easier to drive on. It will also add in bogus turns on the highway. It will tell you your next turn is in X miles, but when you get there you find out that it is just going to tell you to not take the exit, just stay on the highway. Usually a rest area. And when you get off the highway at a scale house, that it has in its memory, it yells at you. multi-point routing is almost impossible. When I save up enough pennies I am definitely going to go with the newest RM with wi-fi and the ruggedized case.