what should I look for when choosing a GPS

Make sure it is a commercial GPS, I knew a guy that got an auto one, yeah, not so much....Unlimited map update will be more helpful than trying to save a few bucks thinking you won't need it, trust me I know....

 

my friend and i think rand mcnally sux-he has that and a garmin side by side and garmin will beat the mcnally every time-and i spent 450 on a #### mcnally,i believe the model is 750

 

Garmin DEZL760 It's for trucking.

 

Garmin 560 is what I've been using, Also has the hazmat routing
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I have the Garmin 465T and it did the job, but no lifetime updates. I truly wish I would have went with the DEZL, my opinion. Or at least paid the extra for the map updates.

 

Most are built and modified off of Navteq software. You want to consider functionability, price, size screen you want and accessories.

I've used them all and more of a Magellan fan. Though the Garmin gets better reviews. I don't like Garmin because it's too cartoony if that makes sense. A lot of the negative reviews online are from drivers that are not computer savvy or fail to use other trip planning methods.

One thing you want to consider is screen size. There is a regulation about blocking the windshield field of view. Plus bright lights mess up your night vision by making your pupils smaller. I had mine velcro-ed to the dash. They work off of several satellites and I never lost signal. That said I prefer a smaller one over a larger one. All of them you can dim the lights to improve night vision.

All these have routing by size and hazmat, truck stops/POIs, multiple stops, bluetooth and even logging to name a few. I like the middle one, 5190T-LM (free lifetime maps updates)

http://www.magellangps.com/lp/truckfamily/screens.html



The thing about GPSs is you never punch and go. They are just a tool and don't relieve you from your map reading, calling a customer and just doing a complete trip planning. All of them make mistakes even the trucking ones. You can get by with a regular GPS. A GPS is only as smart as it's user.

Hazmat you are basically restricted form tunnels and metropolitan areas on the interstate system. It's when you get off the interstate you need to know your routes. Even at that state highways boil down to bypassing certain towns. It's not hard to trip plan with hazmat and your trucker's map. When it comes to local information there isn't a better source than the customer.

 

I've got the garmin dezl560 and the McNally 510. McNally has more useful functions but locks up at least once or twice a day. Garmin is faster to calculate and runs smoothly, but doesn't give you as many options. So I use a combination of both, but don't trust anything out there. Always read the signs and plan using all the tools available. Not just the first one you grab. Mapbook, customer directions, company directions, google, gps, and anything else you can find.