GPS question

In my truck I have my Garmin and the Qualcomm. I follow the Qualcomm as it is supposed to follow routes that are available for truck traffic. If you are on a restricted route it tells you to turn around. I have my Garmin because it updates on the fly and I can see the the map several miles ahead. It also will show me what lane to be in at an exit. If I miss an exit it will let me know how far ahead the next exit is that I can turn around at. The Qualcomm takes forever to do the same thing.

 

I use an outdated PC Miler(7 yrs old) and an atlas, if the GPS ever quits I'll buy another PC Miler.

 

Road atlas... I like to know where I am going... GPS are killing this industry.. Guys can't tell you where they are .. Where they are going.. or how to get there... Low Bridges everywhere hate gps.. too

 

I used the one in the qualcomm to find the customer, but for routing purposes, Road Atlas and common sense, and sometimes directions from the few other drivers that would answer the CB when I asked for assistance.

 

All of the above. I check the Qualcomm route given to me by dispatch, confirm it on a Rand McNally atlas, then plug the destination into my GPS. Take the extra 5-10 minutes to do so before each trip. You will not be sorry.

 

Qualcom is quite flawed since it doesn't know what your current weight is and if you change trailer configurations. It also wont allow you to play with it while your driving. I use rand mcnally primarily, but sometimes like the qualcom routing better. GPS are good to get you most of the way, but ALL of them sometimes fail on the local part of the trip. ALWAYS check with your shipper/ cosign for local directions. Low bridges/ low weight bridges are always reported to the GPS on highways, but not always on small in town streets. Always be carefull and observant when you get off the highway. A GPS is a tool that for the most part will keep you out of trouble, but it is not a replacement for common sense, observation and a little bit of route planing.

I like that the rand mc will lt me know where my company approved fuel stops are (custom POI added). It aslo shows truck stops and rest areas on route.

 

I also use my iphone before i start driving to see the local streets you wont be able to see on an atlas. This helps get an idea of what the shipper is talking about in their directions.

 

pcmiler. it's never failed me yet.

truckstops and rest areas. there's an app for that. for free.

 

Pretty much this. Qualcomm will occasionally send you on a restricted route and I use the Tom Tom to see approaching turns and the distance to them so I can be in the proper lane early enough instead of having to make a last minute adjustment. I never rely on it for directions especially if the local directions I received from dispatch don't match the GPS. If I get in a bind following the local directions that's a more valid excuse than saying the GPS routed me that way.