PC Miler gps or other

First off, as my GrandDaddy taught me ...

“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”

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So, given that ... the PC*Miler Nav 430 was the original unit introduced by ALK in Nov 2008. Initially, there were power button issues as well as software issues. ALK and Noetic teamed together to solve those issues and introduced the PC*Miler Nav 440 some 8 months later. The Nav 440 is the basis and foundation for all the subsequent advances in the PC*Miler Nav line-up.

Approx 1 yr ago the PC*Miler line was upgraded to the X50 series ... featuring the 450, 550 & 750 units. All 3 offer very fast processors, the latest in technology and UNLIMITED map upgrades at least once a quarter, via MapSure.

The x50 series features the latest version of PC*Miler mapping ... PC*Miler has become the routing software of choice for many trucking operation in North America. Also, The US Dept of Defense uses PC*Miler for their routing issues also.

As far as ease of use and basic features, as well as reliable truck routing .... the PC*Miler Nav x50 series fulfills those requirements.
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Now remember, that you'll only be getting a 90 day warranty with a refurb ...
vs a 1 year warranty with a brand new unit.

Remember what my GrandDaddy taught me ...

 

I agree with BRG, with a couple of additions.

1. Another issue you will run into with 430's now is that the batteries are pretty old in them now and will either keep only a minimal charge, or in worst case, will stop charging altogether.

2. 450R with 2-year extended warranty = $218 Best choice given the requirements you mentioned.

 

Ask and you shall receive --> [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2hdRpICzjA"]PC Miler driving views demo on YouTube[/ame]

 

Less just means less people on here use it.

I have the 450 and would suggest you check the following threads. Like anything there is good and bad to it. Had I known some of the bad I probably would not have bought it but it has been reliable in what it does. I just wish it did somethings better and/or differently.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...tronic-connection/119933-p-c-miler-450-a.html
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-connection/120640-pc-miler-450-oddities.html

 

You will probably find more issues are reported for the Rand units due to the fact that I am here on the forum assisting drivers with their questions/issues/problems.

Poor mapping - What you see on the road does not mean it is on the Truck navigation unit. Maps from the two major mapping companies are bought and placed on the navigation units. Rand just happens to use NavTeq. Construction does take time to add, up to a year sometimes. Error or bad data is on the database. Truck restrictions are incorrect or missing. Rand works constantly to correct any truck restrictions and to pass up to NavTeq any road errors. More times out of not most roads will not have any signage up to give you the restriction. So a driver will go on that road, is it legal - no, but to a driver when the navigation unit will not route him he now thinks the navigation unit is wacky. Any navigation unit will take truck restrictions and mapping into account when routing you. How well the data is corrected is up to the company.

Understand that when you buy a navigation unit no matter what brand their is a learning curve involved. I have seen units returned with less than 300 miles on them. You have to take the time to look at all the screens and see what has ease of use for you.

I usually give new users about 30 days to start to understand what the navigation unit can do. Think outside the box when trying to do things with the navigation device.

You will fight with the navigation unit daily until you and the navigation unit come to an understanding.

Thanks,
Mark

 

I would suggest you read the review and based upon your needs decide.

http://www.dieselboss.com/truck_gps_review_features.htm

This is a decsion no one can make for you. What works well for one driver may not work well for another.

After you buy a navigation device, support would be your next big selling point.

Each navigation device has pros/cons.

The Rand works well for many as so do the other brands. Stop by a truck stop and play with the units on display.

The Rand does require you to have a computer to do updates if you are on the road a lot. Updates are passed via the internet, but versions are about every 4 months and POI's/Construction you can get by about once a month.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Their might be some confusion here. Software updates for the Rand are free; as in version, POI, construction, and Global POI's.

Map updates are a one time cost. If you buy the current 510 or 710 they come with the latest maps. These are the same maps that are for sale for other Rand Models currently.

Thanks,
Mark