Best GPS unit?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by acsmith937, Jun 1, 2014.

  1. mattbnr

    mattbnr Road Train Member

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    Does copilot for trucks do weather, traffic, fuel prices etc?
     
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  3. Skydivedavec

    Skydivedavec Medium Load Member

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    Gee, I don't even know the answer to this Matt. I installed the Copilot app, the hardware and hit the road with it six weeks ago and haven't had any down time to really get familiar outside of normal use. We (co-driver and I) run really hard, ten hours on, ten off constantly, OTR for weeks at a time.

    For weather tho I downloaded Radar Now on the tablet and switch on the wifi, touch the RadarNow icon and boom, almost instant weather picture. Those are the only two things I ever use my tablet for, Copilot and weather radar. The wifi is never turned on unless I need a weather radar picture, then I turn it right back off, as it isn't necessary for navigation of course.

    Occasionally I will unplug the tablets power source and run battery only until drained and reconnect just to cycle the battery. When away from the truck it is powered down and hidden for security , or goes with me, so although it remains on quite a bit sometimes it gets a break. I'm uncertain about the claims of not being built to sustain constant use and would like more conclusive info on that.
     
  4. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    http://www.ebay.com/gds/What-is-the...ad-NiMH-and-Lithium-/10000000002033731/g.html
     
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  5. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    copilot does traffic. through a internet connection.

    it shows a weather forecast. if connected to internet. i use the weatherbug app.

    fuel prices. there's a free app for that. but i think i saw it in there one time.

    i use copilot for gps. all other needs. i have apps for.
     
  6. mattbnr

    mattbnr Road Train Member

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    I understand that but my gps already does all them in one unit. If I don't need a separate app for weather and another for fuel prices and another for traffic I don't see a benefit to the copilot. Unless that routing is way way superior I'm not seeing a plus here cause I'd have to spend another $200-$400 on a tablet plus $150 for the copilot app.
     
  7. Skydivedavec

    Skydivedavec Medium Load Member

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    My post was more intended for 'true blue' who asked for recommendations on a navigational aid. If your all in one unit is satisfactory for you then don't spend the money. I laid out 423 bucks with tax for a Dezl GPS that performs poorly, then an additional 600 for the Tab2 with mount and Otterbox, providing me with two navigational aides.
    It must be mentioned here that no GPS device should be relied upon solely without true diligence in proper planning, other resources such as satellite images, and most of all just good common sense and a readiness to ignore the electronic voice that can without notice put you in an undesirable place or situation.

    Edited to add: I haven't yet purchased the Copilot for trucks. On the advice of Dieselboss I loaded the version for four wheelers to use as a trial , 10bucks I think I paid, and because it isn't my end all be all for finding my destination it has been more than adequate, so far. I may or may not buy the truck version. I own a Rand Atlas.
     
  8. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    well, when you consider you paid that already for a gps unit. and when it dies, you buy another gps unit for that much or whatever.

    copilot is a one time fee. you probably already have a phone. if the tablet dies, they are cheaper to replace.

    copilot doesn't need a seperate app for traffic, it's included. neither of my truck gps's did fuel.

    routing is far superior. very seldom do i question it and pull out the atlas. it knows where it's going.

    i wouldn't dream of using a car gps for trucks. i took a road one time. went 5 miles down before a bridge popped up. this particular road had no signs to warn trucks. and it was a state road also.
     
  9. Skydivedavec

    Skydivedavec Medium Load Member

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    I understand, and I wouldn't dream of relying solely on a gps device to find and reach my destination. Maybe you missed that part of what I was saying. Honestly to me they are just toys, gadgets that are not to be totally relied upon. My company supplies a routing suggestion and with CoPilot I'm able to bend, or drag and drop the route to match the company supplied route.
    Time to roll!
     
  10. Tyroneharris

    Tyroneharris Bobtail Member

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    I have the Trucker Tablet GPS and i run it everyday for at least 11 hours at a time. Used it since i got it back in early april. I also use the DailyRoads Voyager dashcam app and have that running too. One thing i did notice is it does heat up so when i need to cool it down i just hit the window defrost and set it to cold and it cools it down nicely but this is only when it is in direct sunlight.
     
  11. jtaran06

    jtaran06 Road Train Member

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    Copilot for ios and android is due for major update in sept is what support told me via email.....
     
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