GPS

Garmin routes best, is simple and reliable. It's like the Jitterbug phone for old folks, big buttons, simple layout, etc. Rand Mcnally tried to design a rocket ship on a shoestring budget or something. In theory Rand McNally has a superior product, but that's if it worked as intended which it does not. If I was about to take a load to NYC and could only choose one it would be the Garmin, hands down.

That said I really enjoy the RM and they are working on it. It has so many features and cool graphics, real time fuel prices, it's just really really robust. But it doesn't route very well, at least the 1.0 version that I have. They released a 2.0 in June but I have yet to hear from anyone that has purchased it.

 

I settled in on Garmin years ago. I am in no way saying they are the best out there, I am just comfortable with Garmin. Occasionally there is a glitch in the routing, but for the most part Garmin does a pretty good job.
The most glaring issue I have had is when the GPS runs me past my exit, then turns me around at the next exit, and brings me back only to get off at the exit I just went passed ! Never could understand that.

 

There are plenty of awful reviews on Rand’s new products. My next unit will be a Garmin.

 

Im partial to the rand mcnallys for a variety of reasons, but it feels like only 1 in 3 units is functional. When you finally get a unit thats working, itll last for 6 years or longer.

I have a problem though, i enjoy playing with new electronic toys, so ive bought every iteration (sometimes multiple times) and im trying to keep myself from buying the 750

For simple functionality, an atlas + google maps is probably the way to go.

But i like being able to pull ifta miles off the gps rather than doing it longhand.

Size, i find the 5 inch models too small, 8 inch too big and 7 to be just right

Run screaming from anything calling itself a "tablet"

I use probably 30 % of the functionality of my rm 740, but its more than enough as long as i dont blindly follow it.

Every gps will come up with occasional routing stupidity, its on you as the driver to figure out when its dumber than you and when its smarter than you

 

There is a huge well of untapped potential in the trucker GPS market. I get the impression many just want directions, and that road is well paved. As a former engineer gone trucker, I like to see a weather overlay, a section showing the elevations up ahead and behind, the forecast for my destination and anywhere along the way. I want to see what restaurants are at the upcoming truck stops so I can decide where to stop while driving. I want to know which upcoming restaurants have truck parking. I can think of many more potential features that really add a lot to the experience.

Trucking, for me anyway, is so much richer experience with all of that. When crossing Vail Pass on a snowy highway in white out conditions, seeing that I'm passed the highest peak on my elevation section brings relief. I get most of what I want presently by using the Garmin and RM both, which I do, but what I really want is the Super Truckster 2000 but no one has made it yet. With as many trucks as there are on the road it is surprising to me it doesn't exist. The RM Overdryve, if they ever get it fully functioning, is pretty darn close though.

With so many industries being ruined and turned into just another indoctrination factory and human warehousing facility, like many offices, governments, and corporations are becoming, trucking remains a pretty fine occupation. Super fancy GPS units are the icing on the cake imo.

 

I started using RN when the 710 came out... upgraded to the 720 when it 1st came out.... use about 3 years.... got a free upgrade to the 730 at the Louisville truck show...

Just upgraded to the NEW overdrive 8 pro II last month. Happy with it so far

 

Blech, hated the 730, my 720 is still running, though its certainly slower than the 740