Trucker gps?

I use 2 and have gotten so accustomed to it that I'd rather never go without either. Have to have the RM because it gives accurate ETA, really accurate. Have to have Garmin because it re-routes me for closed roads. Just today had 2 closed highways. Also any traffic backups Garmin offers an alternative route, how many minutes delay the backup is and how many minutes saved by alternate route. The RM weather radar overlay works on the main screen whereas with Garmin you can see the map with radar but the upcoming turns and other info are not visible. Using 2 gives me options on routes as well. RM always gives 2 routes, the mileage and times and you pick one. Garmin only gives 1 route.

 

Where? I've never heard of such a thing.

 

Common sense, your Trucker Atlas, Google Maps, and a phone call will be your best bet!!

 

I use one. I check the route it recommends before I start and sometimes have to adjust it. Best part is having a count down to arrival instead of constantly doing the math. Like most said, its a tool not an all knowing genie.

 

Yes, along with google maps and a phone call if your not sure.

 

Get one. It is a big improvement over Google maps or car GPS. You can just use one of the paid versions of Trucker Path phone app. The paid version has truck routing. The free version doesn't.

 

I use the Garmin OTR700. It has issues if you just plug in an address and go. It also routes longer paths if you do not check it. Many times it will try hard to send me thru the mess in Memphis with the broken bridge until I change my route. Knowing the basic roads helps along with using a paper map like Rands. In the end I prefer the OTR700 as it will help me get out of a wrong turn quicker without having to pull out a paper map that does not show smaller city streets. It is also easy to adjust the route with just a touch of the screen. A few routes I have to avoid a scale, I mean get a sandwich at the casino, and this allows me to touch the screen on two points of a State Highway that avoids the scale. I meant get my favorite sandwich at the casino.

While driving it is nice to see how many miles to the next turn, miles left on the trip, upcoming scales RR crossings and most of all SPEED LIMITS AND CAMERAs. Almost all of Illinois will have speed cameras in construction zones, but occasionally there are new portable cameras out there I was able to avoid.

I also use my phone with Trucker Path running mid day and near the end of my 6-700 mile days to find rest stops and parking for the night.

MOST IMORTANT you still have to check the paper maps and watch for limit signs. With all the bridge constructions mid west many have new lower limits. I still find new signs on known routes that will stay up until the bridge gets updated. Also even Rand cannot show every posted limit. With my OTR i have two profiles for the truck as sometimes I am 13'6" and others around 14' tall. Memphis and Nashville have low bridges on major highways. The OTR700 will automatically reroute me around these low spots. I just have to pick the right profile before starting. Weight wize I can never get it to alert me to varied weight conditions so I leave it at 80,000 even though I seldom go over 65,000 and mostly drive around 53,000.

 

The Qualcomm's GPS is the worst. Real truck GPS are great, but each brand has their errors. Rand McNally doesn't update maps/databases beyond 2 years or after a new model is introduced.

 

I love it when each state sends me a detailed list of turn by turn directions And then hearing your gps freak out on some local roads bypassing construction



But it really comes in handy keeping up with turns. Very useful