Laptop based GPS navigation software instead of small self contained unit.

Forget it. It won't suffice.

We all have that stuff too, but you need a unit on your dash; you've already got enough to do just going around turns and dodging Dodge Calibers without also looking over towards the laptop. Get a truck-suitable GPS off of Amazon. Oh, and regarding Waze et al, they're fine, but only until you get yourself a truck-suitable GPS.

(Cue follow up post from "expert" who insists that, in his day, "we all relied upon paper maps")

 

I use a Garmin 465 LMT. It’s not about the size of the screen for me (which I can see just fine), it’s about the info it gives me. GPS and some smart phones use satellites to show you where you are, I don’t know of any computers that receive satellite signal. And full time wifi data use, I thinking that’s gonna be expensive. Good luck.

 

Garmin had a great product called "Garmin mobile PC" but it has been discontinued.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/digital/prod13484.html

This came with a mobile GPS "puck" that you plugged into your usb port for the gps portion.

I assume this is what you are looking for?

Now to find one that isn't discontinued. Let me do some digging and get back to you.

 

Not to disappoint, in my day we all relied on pigskin maps scratched onto the hide of a live pig. That was an upgrade from 'buffalo skin' maps as there wasn't a lot of room to shift with a live buffalo in the cab.

I have nothing against dash mounted GPS units if they do the job for you.

Personally, I prefer to plan my trips from start to finish and I use my laptop with Streets & Trips for that purpose because the large screen makes it easier on my old pharte eyes. I note the final stages of the trip (from interstate exit to destination) on a steno pad in large printing with a Sharpie. I've considered replacing the pad with a GPS system and may do so. Not taking advantage of available tools doesn't make any job easier.

As to whether a driver "needs" a GPS unit, I'd have to respectfully disagree with seamallowance. I think it's a 'nice to have' tool but, in my opinion, if you need it to navigate the interstate system, you may have chosen the wrong career.

Gotta go find my hog.

 

Co pilot live looks like it might work and it has a truck version with PC Miller routing. This has a version for laptops also.

http://copilotlive.com/us/

 

Here is a link directly to the laptop software purchase page:

http://copilotlive.com/us/store/laptop.asp

It doesn't seem to many companies are interested in laptop gps anymore. It seems they have all switched to "app" based software for mobile devices.

 

Thats for I phone and I pad. Were talking notebook computer.