GPS laptop or stand alone model ?

Yeah right! I can buy Streets & Trips 2010 at staples today for $14.95, which contains the new maps, and I paid $90 to update my maps on my standalone GPS device, which I hardly ever use because after I waste all my time configuring the routes I want to take, it reroutes the minute I go off route for anything. Do the math; unless you are using some sort of Democrat fuzzy math, they are not the same thing. Using a standalone GPS is exponentially higher.

As for my laptop taking a dump on the floor, it has never been dumped on the floor and it won’t. However, my standalone has been spilled on the floor several times when I didn’t secure it to the window good enough or when I didn’t re-secure it. Moreover, since I use a laptop to cruise the net and to watch movies on, I will have a laptop regardless no matter what. A GPS standalone, on the other hand, was a luxury and as it turns out pretty much a waste of money and my time, since I hardly ever even use it. In fact, thanks to this thread, I’m going to give it to my wife when I go home.

With respect to a laptop stand, I built one with ½ steel pipe via instructions I found on a website. It cost me about $25 to build and it does an excellent job and keeps the laptop perfectly secure. It’s also very easy to remove and re-setup as well. It’s kind of hard to dump your laptop on the floor when it is always secure.

Plus I like to know when I receive emails so I can check and respond to them at my next stop.

Finally, I would never trust a car GPS to reroute me safely around a detour or anywhere else, for that matter, without checking to make sure the roads I’m going to drive are legal for 18-wheelers beforehand, but that is me. You can do what you want.

 

None are going to be easy to update. You'll need access to a computer and possibly a high speed connection.

DVD updates can be had also, reducing the need for the connection.

The best one you can get, is the one you can afford. Even though Airhose and I disagree, the one thing I'm sure he agrees with...ALWAYS keep a map on hand. There is no GPS or mapping software that is 100%.

Garmin Lifetime updates $119.95

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=33379&ra=true

There is NO such animal as a truck only GPS or mapping software. Aside from PC Miler mega dollar software. Even 2010 hard maps that are sold in truck stops are NOT up to date.

Our biggest difference (along with the posters) is the knowledge pool we have to draw from.

With 20 plus years, I pretty much know most of the routes already, so I ignore any bad routing given to me by any device.

 

Still doesn't answer my question. I am willing to spend up to $1000. for a good unit. I just cant find any for sale in my area. I too like my laptop and wouldn't leave home without it. but I prefer a stand alone 7 inch GPS like the 700 but again they just don't seem to sell them in the stores. very frustrating!

 

In any event, regardless of what you guys end up using, even if you don't plan to use your laptop for navigation, I would highly recommend Streets & Trips, because Streets & Trips is far faster and easier to use than a MCRA for planning trips and checking miles.

As for Matsukes, you need to wait until you finish your training, you are still too green and wet behind the ears to make an intelligent decision. Moreover, you need to learn to use a MCRA and pen and paper first before you become too dependent on technology.

I agree with danc694u, after you do this for awhile and repeatedly pass on the same roads, you begin to know which roads are legal and which ones or not, but you won't get to that point until you drive for at least a couple of years, and he is right there is no such thing as a reliable truck specific device. In fact, until you get a couple of years under your belt, I'd recommend you stay away from them.

 

For simplicity's sake. You can go with just about anything. But, due to the nature of this business and you experience level, I would recommend one designed by someone who caters to truckers.

Namely PC Miler or Rand McNally.

Google Rand McNally TND700 Truck GPS It can be bought for about $500 and has a 7 inch screen.

While PC Miler is the "standard" for most. Rand McNally is responsible for the standard, and has been around a hell of a lot longer. Their hard maps and routing ARE the industry standard, and they have this pool of information to include on their GPS.

 

I went with a TND 500. Reason being is I did not want a big laptop sitting on my dash blocking my view. Also did not want to have to look at the passenger seat to see the route. Futher more did not like how bright the streets and trips was at night. Even in night mode. There is still while parts on the screen that are blinding at night. Such as the next turns list. And do you really want to spend the money for a stand for it. At that point you would be at $500 just for a good netbook and the stand. If you really want to compare the stand alone units I will post a link below to do so. These are for the trucker stand alone GPS. Not Car.
http://www.dieselboss.com/truck_gps_review_features.htm

But those were my reasons to go with a stand alone unit. I still have my netbook. So i can still google map aerial views and drop my guy on the street to read the signs before I get to the shipper or consignee. I personally love my TND 500 cause I can press 2 buttons and see all the walmarts and truck stops in my route. I can also find the closest cat scales and all that jazz. Also It frees my netbook up to do what it was bought for which is posting on here, myspace, and surfing the web.