Truckers GPS?

I started wondering I that was their new business model. To put out hardware that fais after one year and a day.

 

I run an LG 8" tablet for the ELOG and an app called "Smart Truck Route 2". It is subscription based $14.95 per month. It downloads each route so it is always updated. Also has all the parking locations and weigh stations. It has a bunch of features, even IFTA tracking. TeleType is who makes the app.

 

It's alright. But I run it on a top of the line tablet. It has it's own quirks as well. Some times it dont wanna load in immediately, guess downfall of not having maps.downloades. And its nav is not smooth on a note 9 to a tab s4. Routes some times I scratch my head, but I know short cuts I guess that's why.

Out of all the stand alone units and apps I'd say smart truck route 2 prolly best option money can buy. Plus support is top notch

 

Yes. I like the graphics and set up. I have it on iOS. All maps and stuff was under 100$.

Only complaint is lack of map updates. Its sitting on Q1 2018. I ask and ask and they say new updates coming soon as they always say.

Here maps Q1 it wont route me through Columbus to save my life. We have a terminal off Frank road and it wants to take me i270 instead of i71 north to ext 104 Frank road. Pisses me off so I dont use it.

Google maps is what I'm stuck with. But if I didnt run terminal to terminal only I'd use smart truck route 2 no doubt.

 

Got a Dezl-760 in 2014. Bounced thru Texas oilfield first two years hauling tankers.

Still at it after four years. I update it annually.

I always check the overall routing. At the routes end I use a sat pic of receiver. Make sure I know the route I want.

It’s almost always the last few miles where the unit will try and screw me. From which Interstate exit and onwards.

As others have said, it’s best thought of as, “real time information manager”

Time
Distance
Lane
Speed Limit Warning
Etc

For these alone I’d replace it. Routing is from an atlas.

Set waypoints to have it do what you want. In advance of departure. Not the whole route. I set up the legs so they’re at top of “Recent” list.

Then just execute each leg of the drive.

Same with day’s end. Two or more places to park. Separated by HOS time remaining.

Do this on leaving shipper, drop yard, etc. Use it to gauge how the day is going. (I consult Truckers Path for truckstop info).

I’ve learned also to always shut it off at day’s end. Same with an occasional re-set. Have a padded case to store it.

Mines mounted on windshield and screen rests on dashtop.

 

I'm an NYC based trucker and use the Garmin Dezlcam (with built in dashcam). I can't say enough great things about it. It's pricey (+$400) but what's ease of use, safety, insurance and reliability worth to you? I won't review it here as there are numerous in-depth reviews on YouTube already. I weighed it vs. Rand McNally large-screen truck navs. Rand is Ok but I didn't like the gargantuan real estate it eats. Furthermore, Rand works great but IMO is overly complicated with too many things going on simultaneously.

I strongly disagree with the Google Maps recommendation as it's absolutely dangerous (regardless of use common sense) in the NY tri-state area especially. I'm guessing it would be fine in rural Nebraska et al. In downstate NY/NYC, there are many, many Parkways, low bridges, extremely narrow one-way roads, non-navigable sharp turns for trucks, etc. When I first started trucking here, I used Google Maps for 1 week and lost lots of time due to Maps routing me to car routes via Parkways and such. That can be career-ending for the type of trucking I do. Within a week, I went to Sygic (decent). The problem there is (a) it's very difficult to use your phone simultaneously. I also wanted a dashcam as there are routinely idiots acting badly on the roads here.

Dedicated GPS hardware/dashcam has been the best money I've ever spent for this career. To each his/her own. I guess you've got to determine what's important to you.

 

Get customer directions into the place. Use Google maps. If it says take exit 5 but the customer says exit 7. Well go to exit 7. Google maps will recalculate. Its never that far off on directions.

Those truck GPS fck up from time to time. They aren't perfect to trust. I've had both rand and garmin. Google maps works great if you have common sense on how to use it.

If you just set it and go well you deserve to run under a low bridge.

 

Net net: make up your own individual choices based on your own individual needs. I've stated what does works exceptionally for me and my particular needs and what fails miserably. Obviously a well-known, well-established, or well-scouted truck route tops all other methods. If that was available for every destination, we wouldn't need GPS navigation at all would we? Both the Garmin and Rand GPS work great. Neither has ever directed me or any trucker I know into a low bridge (not saying it's impossible). Where they do "f" up often is in whacky localized directions. Specifically, they may take you in some convoluted roundabout path to your local destination. I haven't found this to be an issue on long runs. Again, these are tools. Your eyes, ears and brain are always the best tools available to you regardless of any high-tech gadgets.

 

What GPS is that?

 

It's a Rand McNally. Can't tell the model because the picture doesn't show the case, but I imagine it's a 720 or 730.