Schneider chat room - Closed see new thread linked in the last post

Not worth it, sir. Use a GPS unit in conjunction with the other tools, i.e., ATLAS, state truck laws, and so forth. Hope this helps.

 

I hear ya. Been in those same situations. In fact, I'm about 99% sure I took that same road in MD. curvy, hilly, had to take both lanes on some corners, then that bridge. Eff that road.

I think it is. It's nice to have a different opinion. Atlases are great, but not so much when you're off the main drags. Don't buy one if you don't readily have the cash for one though. It's not that important to have, but rather just a great convenience.

 

I don't see any reason to buy one. They usually cost $300-700 and for that price you can buy a lot of other things that are useful and still spend less.

I usually just go by the Navigo route provided unless it's something stupid like what I was talking about earlier. Then I'll go my own way. If I'm ignoring the Navigo route I'm usually taking major highways and don't even bother hitting reroute until I get closer to the company route again. I don't need the GPS to tell me to drive on the same interstate for 400 miles, I can usually figure that out on my own.

If I'm taking a completely different route and will be needing turn by turn directions I have Microsoft Streets and Trips on my laptop as well as a USB GPS receiver. I just put in the route I want to take, and check it against the atlas for truck routes along the way. My laptop sits next to me while I'm driving in Navigation mode and has complete voice announced turn by turn if I want. Total cost for that since I already had the laptop was $25 for the receiver and $40 for the software.

There's also Google Maps which is 100% free to use. I use it quite often when first looking at a load to know the general direction I'll be heading and start thinking about where I'm going to be stopping along the way. I also know then if I need to add any additional time to my plan ahead of time so I can call and let them know if I'm not going to be able to make it.

All you really get out of the Truck GPS is maybe a few little tools like having it find truck stops and stuff along your route which I can do with Google Maps in a few minutes or using the book. you would also have it for local routing if for some reason your Qualcomm fails and you miss a turn.

Honestly, with the Navigo already providing you truck specific directions and that are mostly accurate and the few other tools you have access to there is no reason to waste the money.

If all else fails pickup the phone and call the customer. Ask them how to get to them. If they are out in the middle of nowhere I'm sure you wouldn't be the first person to call and ask. If the phone number doesn't work call the company and ask them to get in touch with the customer or provide you with a working number.

 

Totally disagree with previous post. Truck specific gps are with the price. And as of lately they have been coming down in price. They add more then just truck specific pois have better routing with specific truck routes by weight and height. Also you get newer updated maps. Also no one mentioned don't buy just any atlas get the Rand McNally trucker Atlas preferably the laminated ones which run about $30 a year. And do remember you can write these of your taxes if you do dedications which you should be doing.
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<----anti-gps

 

Yeah, what he said.

 

I do enjoy having a lifetime of map updates. I like being able to set my route in the GPS. I like that it'll show traffic anywhere on my route, and picture/diagram of on/off ramps, etc. I enjoy watching my elevation changes, and having the speed limit of what road I'm on being displayed. I like that when I miss my turn, it'll reroute fast.

I am not anti-GPS. I don't see any real need for it on highways and interstates, but the last place I want to have issues with is the side roads... the ones atlases don't help you with. Also, I'm glad I have my truck GPS now because Roehl doesn't have them on their Qualcomms, but rather some typed out routing which isn't the easiest to understand. I'll figure it out though. I should finally start with them here next week.

 

Sorry navgo doesn't give you truck specific directions ive been routed thru streets that say no trucks allowed ive been down streets not built for trucks making wide turns etc...
Also some times it will route you off an interstate for 5 miles only to have u go right back on that same interstate and it also likes to avoid toll roads
quad core project butter smoothness

 

Navigo can be silly at times. I was told though, once, that if you use the geocode method of routing, you'll always (as much as you can count on "always" I suppose) be routed via the safe-for-truck way. Take that for what it's worth like I did, though.

 

IMHO, the point is that no one tool satisfies all routing requirements. They all work together with one tool having usefulness over another depending on the moment. In the end, we drivers have to use our good judgement in determining our routes, to reach our destinations safely and without harm or damage. Does that make sense to everyone? GO GIANTS ! ! !