Rand McNally intelliRoute TND 500

add Deacon70

 

Ok here's a little something I experienced first hand in regards to RM's commitment and dedication to both their product and their clients: The Truck Driver. Read on...trust me it gets better lol.

If you've been following this thread you may remember a few days ago I posted a question regarding the availability of update software for those of us using Macintosh computers. The unit I had purchased somehow had a pre-production software load on it that presented a number of problems (a few of these made it out, apparently -- an error at the factory. Live 'n learn). But as I was unable to update the software I was presented with a bit of a dilema. Enter RM quality service.

I had made my post in the latter evening last Thu (a few days ago) and after exchanging a few messages with Mark (cc194217) he determined the problem (software) and began making phone calls. After an hour or so he asks if I could stop at a truck stop near Chicago on my way through in the morning as RM could have 'someone' meet me there to swap for an updated unit. He knew through our conversation that I was planning on rolling around 3am the next morning to pass Chicago around 10:30 am. Sure, sounds great!

At 4am I got a text message from someone asking if I were up and rolling so as to coordinate the exchange. When I replied he called me, appologized for the inconvenience I'd experienced and assured me he & RM were committed to making not only the best device but the best experience and service for their customers. We chatted for a few minutes and he let me know he was "out of town" for a meeting and his associate would be contacting me shortly to time our meeting. Ok.

Around 7:30 am I get the call from the associate who says he's already on the way to the truck stop and was going to *wait* for me so that we would be assured all would be well. I got there a few hours later, we met, made the exchange, and chatted for a bit. He asked me what I thought, suggestions or complaints I had...and took notes! We then parted ways and all was well.

Simple enough, right? I've never received that kind of service from ANY company. I was impressed, to put it lightly.

But here's the kicker:

The first text and call I got was from Dave Marsh, Product Director at Rand Mcnally who was calling me on his personal cell phone while in Hong Kong, *CHINA* attending business meetings. The 'associate' who drove out to the truck stop and waited *hours* for me was Danny Sack, Sr Product Manager for Rand McNally. These were not customer service reps or mail-room boys, these are top brass folks at Rand McNally taking time from their busy schedules...nay...bending over backwards to ensure I had a good experience with their product.

I bought the TND 500 because I was unimpressed with other products I had tried. RM was a name I trusted and after seeing what they were doing both with the device and their apparent interest in MAKING it FOR truck drivers...not just selling it to them, I decided to stick with it. My initial experience was not very favorable, admittedly, but was resolved within hours in a very personal way and it's been working very well since then; no problems. Is the unit perfect? Of course not...none are and being their first product in this market there will be growing pains but it's already a great device and it's readily apparent they are working hard to continue to improve it. Can everyone expect Danny to drop by? Probably not lol but this was my personal experience and only demonstrates their level of commitment to driver satisfaction.

Anyway, I hope that wasn't too long but I just felt the need to share. It's too easy to focus on the negative as some have quite aggressively so done here. Every product has it's strenghs and weaknesses. What I see here, however, is a company that wants to get it right and is willing to do what it takes to do so (read: "Tell Rand" feature, Mark here in the forums, my personal experience, etc.). Take it for what it's worth to you...

My 2¢

Happy Trucking!
-Rich

[EDIT: Corrected executive titles]

 

David Marsh - product Director
Danny Sacks - Sr product Manager

 

beside all the BS this unit has...i dont need log reports, state reports, etc i bought a gps unit not a dang laptop.. this unit has nothing on garmin 465T. i get quarterly map up dates on my unit i get software updates on my unit. and how about traffic do u all have it? the customer support is good. it does it its job. i have no problems with my garmin. both units use the same maps and i just prefer to buy or use a gps that is a a true gps. every night i read this thread and just roll my eyes at it.

 

if you buy a laptop, do you write MS and also tell them you do not want all the other added features?

RM build the TND 500 for the Professional Driver, Drivers were asked what they wanted in a GPS. RM put those features in it.

IF you do not want those features, then if you bought the unit do not use them.

RM is not forcing you to use Logs, Timers, MCRA emer. data, warnings, etc etc..

Traffic, did you know that the info you get for traffic is from Clear Channel, and is not highly accurate? I have used traffic in other units and it shows accidents ahead... by the time I get there 20 min later their is nothing... the data is only as good as the source.... unless clear channel clears its data then you will be given wrong information.

RM is in the business mode still on traffic.

I noticed you are really proud of your unit.... does you unit have the support when you need it? or do you have to spend hours on the phone and pull teeth to get answers?

All GPS's are true GPS's. It is the coding and the hardware inside the unit that sets each one apart.

If you are happy with your unit, then enjoy. Try not to compare the TND 500 to the garmin. The two units are different. Each unit has its good points and bad points. It is up to the user to determine which they prefer, based upon their needs and wants.

Thank you.
Mark

 

is it possible to get a breakdown of the the good points of the RM500 versus the bad?

WHAT DOES IT DO GOOD?
HOW ABOUT THE ROUTING ETC. $500.00 DUCKIES IS A LOT OF MONEY TO PUT DOWN IN THIS ECONOMY FOR SOMETHING I CAN GET FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED!
I REALLY HAVENT READ ANY POSITIVES ON THE RAND! AND THATS WHAT US TRUCKERS NEED TO NO!
ITS ALL ABOUT RM IS LISTENING TO COMPLAINTS, AND WORKING TO MAKE IT BETTER. DOES THAT MEAN IT DOESNT WORK AT ALL?

CAN SOMEONE PUT SOME PERSPECTIVE ON THIS PRODUCT? THANKS!

 

If you are happy with your unit, then enjoy. Try not to compare the TND 500 to the garmin. The two units are different. Each unit has its good points and bad points. It is up to the user to determine which they prefer, based upon their needs and wants.


OK! LETS LETS DO A GOOD POINTS VERSUS BAD POINTS BETWEEN THE TWO!

RM500 VS GARMIN 465T


TO ME A GPS IS A ROUTING SYSTEM. I THINK THATS WHAT DRIVERS ARE MOST INTERESTED IN! YOU NO, SHORTEST ROUTE ,FASTEST ROUTE AND ITS ACCURACY .
SO WHICH UNIT IS BETTER?

 

Dieselboss is almost finished with his review. I cannot compare the garmin to the TND. I Beta Test for RM... google Dieselboss out of Albany, OR.. he sells both and can give you a non-company view (RM,Garmin) as a 3rd party.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Dieselboss I noticed you don't carry the garmin 465t and was curious why. Do you not like them?

 

Mark, if I understand stand correctly, the updates you get from RM through the TND dock are for its internal software. I see this as a good way to solve issues with programming and to hopefully allow you to reset state miles after a single trip in the future. But some of the errors I am hearing about are on exits and roads, how are the maps updated, when do you believe the maps will be updated, and will it be free (if its a new SD card, its hard to imagine that would be free). I guess what I am getting at is: RM is taking in all this data about wrong roads, exits, etc., but will they implement changes to the map soon or wait until the next version comes out (TND 501 or something) ?