The best GPS ever

They both route you the same way, yet Garmin did a "better job"? Can you elaborate? Faster? Which one finishes recalculating new route first when you deviate?

 

I'm running a Rand 510 and a Garmin 560 together, the Garmin is 10 times faster at routing and recalculating than the Rand. The Garmin is faster at everything, but there is only two things off the top of my head that I like about the Rand, the truck stops, etc. on your route, and it shows what mile marker you are at. If the Garmin had those capabilities then it would be the only one on my dash.

 

Run the same test with the 520/720 against the dezl series to be fair. 520 beats the 510 hands down because of hardware changes. Same way as the 465 versus 560.

 

I have 2 new GPS units, the Garmin (dezl 760LM). and the Rand Mcnally (TND720). Both have led me down Residual streets and both have taken me in the wrong direction and both have taken me to bridge height's bellow 13 ft 6 in and yes they are both configured for truck routes and bridge height's above 13 ft 6 in. There are no perfect GPS units.

 

Software (routing code) programming aside, a GPS is only as good as it's base map data (Navteq) and when you consider the billions of options a map database provides for cars by default, and it has to make [much] different determinations and allowances for trucks (of all types and HM considerations), it's a wonder they do as well as they do. (Any of them)

 

How does it beat it? What does the 520 do so much better than the 510?

 

Well there isn't really the best nav unit, they are still evolving.

I came to the conclusion that if I want the best, I would go to a company that makes the same unit that goes into planes and is used by the military - Garmin.

When I had problems, I didn't have to post on forums to get answers or play games with tech support. When there were errors in the mapping data, I send the error to one place and get a reply - that is the company itself who can make the correction.

Taken in account that Garmin has been doing this a lot longer, has solid specs and requirements for their products, it seems it shouldn't be an issue with selecting what tools we use.

 

AS littlereddog said, there is no perfect GPS. That being said, i would hate to be without a GPS unit now. However, nothing is perfect, i expect to put some thought into the routing and the day. I still keep maps in the truck, in case i have any doubts or questions.

 

Frankly, the best GPS is the one between your ears. A navigational aid is nothing more than a tool.