PC Miler Navigator 430/GPS

I haved used almost every gps out there, they all have problems, some have a good feature some not, If I could only get one with all features put into one that would be great. Some have features I dont need. Someday a trucker with code writing knowledge will take pity on his trucker friends and finally we will have a great gps for all truckers, Im not holding my breath. Currently using co pilot 11. I run HazMat so the routing for HazMat is nice, not perfect but nice, I use a HP Mini 1030nr net book with built in wi fi, again nice not perfect. The makers of Copilot should fly me up to there office, where ever that is, and sit down with them and get there program right.

The problem is, as with all tech gear, they dont ask the people who will be using it, what do you want and need. The first one to get it right will corner the market and make odlles of dough. But will they, Not a chance. I worked in high tech for 28 years and somehow this idea gets no attention. " Were engineers we know everything".
As long as there attitude stays the same forget it, Just get drivers from every line of trucking together and find out. What could be easier.
Drivingguy.........waiting for the perfect Gps/ software/handheld/whatever.
NOT HOLDING MY BREATH !

 

Amazing........
Truck drivers were able to find shippers and receivers for YEARS before "GPS" units by using road atlas' and phones to call for directions.

 

Yep, payphones, a notebook and "Turn left at the Burger King."

 

Hey, I live in Grand Rapids. I used to work at a place "turn left at the 7-11"....only problem is, there were THREE 7-11s on the same street, all visible in a four block area.

 

LOL, no kidding.

We used to joke that if they ever removed Burger King, many of these folks would never find their way to work.

 

Just bought mine just two weeks ago, Still trying it out but so far am happy with it. Am running my Garmin along with it to see the difference. A few problems but nothing that I haven't been able to fix with the right input. Main thing I got it for was low bridges and truck restricted roads. Only one place so far that hasn't showed up (address) but was able to find it on the map portion and it took me right to it along with the Garmin. Still use my map book and pc miler 20 so its used as a tool

 

Hey.........Im just a techie, love all the bells and whistles, And yes the Atlas is My #1

reference tool, 1 of many, getting lost and going down the wrong road with 25 tons
of acid...not good. My as they say now "driver manager" or lets say Dispatcher. has
no idea how hard it is to find places, and yes from him its turn left at the largest oak
tree on the north side of the last road you were on, totally inept. I usually call and
get actually address, enter it in, and drive right to it. Yes Gps is just one leg in the
tool box, Cb radio is another, cell phone, atlas, plan,plan,plan is the key.

I just worked in the high tech field for so many years (28), as a repair tech, certified is over 100 business phone systems, from the largest Att G-3, to the smallest, so its totally in my blood, But in saying that no Gps unit could ever be perfect, they open new roads everyday across America, and close many more, unless it was updated every minute, with perfect data, which could never be the case, then they can only be helpful thats all. Heck they cant find a way to get 1925 style stop lights systems to work. Im driving at night with 5 other loaded tractor trailers, and we all have to come to a stop for nothing, how much fuel is wasted getting 5 x 80,000 pounds back up to speed. they multiply that by 1,000s of rigs across the US. Computers have not been applied correctly in my humble opinion. Heck a few fish finder type radars set up with a decent data program would solve this crazy fuel wasting problem, No they still use step type switching (1920) style crap. but they dont really want to save fuel, its all just bull crap, sorry for the tangent, I could go on for pages and pages, waste, waste, waste, its everywhere. Where were we?
Drivingguy

 

Yeah you gotta love that huh? Crusing down some US highway with a couple other trucks come up on a town no one in site, but yet the light changes red then right when you stop it turns green. Just stupid. Could be worse though in my town after 11pm they shut the stop lights off and they just flash red so everyone has to stop. They do this to try and find drunks who sit at the blinking red light thinking its gonna turn green.

 

I've had my PC Miler since Jan. Some bugs but over all pretty satisfied. Like some of you have said, just another tool, use it and your head.

 

I've heard from a couple of drivers, old school and newbie wanna be, that you're not a real trucker if you need a gps. Use you Atlas and make a phone call. I have my gps, Atlas, and when all else fails I'll make the call. To my way of thinkin calling the shipper or consignee for directions isn't real professional. Most expect us to be able to get there on our own. They're usually busy doing their own jobs and directions 20 times a day might be a pain. My Atlas is great until I get close and need local street directions. I have purchased a few Thomas Guides for some of the larger metro areas especially when having to make multipal drops in places like Boston, DC, and LA. My GPS usually gets me thru just fine. Even if it can't find an exact address it'll at least get me on the right street. From there looking for the address is usually not a problem. Again, if all else fails I'll make the call. I think most of the drivers that think or say gps's are crap are also afraid of PC's or anything techie. That's cool too, just don't act like you're a better driver because you drive a dedicated route and go home every other night. I don't get lost in my home area either. Also, if you do call for directions, get a guy on the phone, sorry gals, women just don't give good directions usually. (unless it's to the mall) Oh, also, I like being able to see how many miles I'm going to be driving, really helps with trip planning when going somewhere new to me.