Best GPS for truckers 2010

Edit: answered already

 

I have on my laptop Microsoft Streets&Trips (who is not for trucks). The software itself is just another Microsoft failure. Year after year they offer for sell a new version but unfortunately EVERY SINGLE ONE has minimim a bug.
The 2010 version (has a bug ...obvious) but I learned how to ignore it and I guide my everyday work based on this software.
I would quit years ago to use it but there is an add-on sold online that makes the S&T look good(at least in my eyes). I wont say the name of the product coz I don't know how is the rule here and I don't want to break any of them. If I will be aloud I would name it because in my own oppinion is so usefull.
That add-on is the only reason that makes me to still use S&T today and I would recomand it to anyone.
I have to mention here that the product I'm talking about has no relation to me or my family or my friends. I don't get any money if I do marketing and honestly I don't have time to do that thing. I'm just a truck driver, an ordinary "Joe" that get his money driving trucks.

If someone from the board will give me the OK I will post my own review about S&T and of course about the add-on I was talking about.
I'm using S&T since 2005 and every ear I bought the product hoping that they will finally make a version that will worth the money. So after 5 years of very heavy using Microsoft S&T I think I can dare to write my own review.

I need just an OK from someone that takes in care of this forum.

Drive safe there

 

Hey Judge, I also use Streets & Trips too. If your company supplies you with a truck specific route at the time of your dispatch, just plug in this truck specific route into Streets & Trips and you are good to go. There is no need to spend $500 for a truck GPS, although at one time I almost did. I bought a DC refrigerator with a freezer instead.

Probably the best feature of Streets & Trips and the one feature you can't get with standalone GPS device is the Bing map feature. I use the Bing map feature all the time, which provides aerial photos of the maps displayed in Streets & Trips, to find and locate my shippers and consignees locations before I go to them. Once I locate them via the aerial photos, I then use this feature to precisely place a pushpin on the map in the precise location of the entranceway to each shipper or consignee I go to. I then create a route to the pushpin. In this way, I can get precise voice guided and visual turn-by-turn directions directly to my shippers and consignees entranceways, which has totally eliminated having to hunt and search for them. It just doesn't get any better or easier than that. If you are not doing this already, try it. It will make your job far easier and less stressful.

By the way, I believe I know which add-on you are talking about because I also used it. It is the Truck Stops Plus template and it makes searching and routing to truck stops a breeze. I mean if you can mention Streets & Trips, Garmin, Rand McNally, PC Miler, Cobra, etc. you ought to be allowed to mention the Truck Stops Plus too, and I agree it is well worth the money and I also recommend it too.

 

That I was talking about but I didn't want to bother no one here doing "marketing". I love that add-on and is working great with my needs. I always know where to stop and where to go if I need to buy things when on the road.
I use Google Earth to locate customers coz I found Bing is not that updated and not that clear as GE.

Nobody gives me routes coz I work for myself. But with what I have I manage quite well the directions. Microsoft S&T suck, but I got used with and I just use it for the TruckStop Plus.

 

I bought the 465T. Actually I traded in the 7700 Cobra after using it a few days for this one.
I did the free map update on the 465T and the unit performed poorly after that IMO. I had it set to fastest route and going south through Cincinnati Ohio on I-71 it made several attempts to put me off the interstate and right through the middle of town although my destination was further south into Kentucky continueing on I-71.
Not knowing how to undue the update I just decided to take it back and traded for a fresh model without the update. Of course when going through areas that are under construction and the routes change, it lacks that information. After 6 weeks of use, the unit shut down on me and rebooted itself a few times. Then on the 45th day it shut down and would not come back on. Pilot gave me a new (I thought) unit even though I was 15 days past their policy for taking it back for exchange. I tried registering it but Garmin said it has already been registered. Someone must have brought this one back to pilot after they registered it is all I can think of. I'm trying to work that out now through customer support if and when they answer my email.

 

Do any of you truckers use special truck GPS'? If so, what is the best one?

 

Which is best? Ford or Chevy?
Everyone has a different need and preference. They are all strong in one area and weak in others.
Make a list of what you want, then ask specific questions.
For instance, if you don't ever run hazmat, why would you care if it did the special routing needed? But I would, be cause I run it.
Or if you do multiple drops or picks, a feature routing, then perhaps quickly changing routing sequence for each pick might be very valuable.
See what I mean?
Make a list, then ask question.
BTW, check out http://www.dieselboss.com/truck_gps_review_features.htm
for some comparisions.

 

Well, I am only 2 weeks until my graduation and the start of my low paying driving career. I want to buy all the extra tools I will find useful and time saving while on the road. I own a expensive laptop but I cant see myself carrying around a $3000. laptop in a truck. I picked up a Samsung net book for use on the road I have maxed out the memory at 2 GB. It seems to work just fine for surfing the web and watching videos. I am now looking into a GOOD GPS system of some sort as a backup to using a map. Money isn't a concern when buying a GPS system and I know that all GPS systems have problems and shouldn't be trusted 100%. I don't however want to spend $500-$600 on a unit that doesn't work 95% of the time. My question is this..... all and all which GPS seems to work the best for use in a truck? Again cost isn't a concern to me. Also, will those laptop GPS systems work on a net book with 2 GB memory and a Atom CPU with windows 7?. Thanks for all the advice!. I am ready to buy my GPS from one of the forum sponsors!

 

In light of the that ... IMHO, the PC*Miler Nav 450 offers the most reliable routing and mapping ... and offers FREE map updates every 90 days ... till atleast 2011 !! And the map updates are via the web !!

Speculation is that the FREE map updates will go well into 2011 ... but that is only speculation. (info provided from a very reliable source ... )

If you are interested in a netbook/laptop application .... unless you have an external cd/rom drive for your netbook ... I'm confused as to how you will load the software. I am not aware of ALK providing an on-line download of CoPilot Truck for laptops. But yes, the new version of CoPilot Truck (available soon) will work on Windows 7 - (32 & 64 bit)

 

I'm on my third 465T Garmin. The first two had fatal defects. The one I have now I just picked up today in exchange for the second one that went down on me within 8 weeks. I refuse to believe I am special and they saved the best for me or that I am the only one that has had a problem with this unit. If this one fails, it's gonna be a very nasty phone call to Garmin to see if they have some kind of answer that will cool me off for the investment I made.