Best Truckers GPS

Went through several GPS and love TomTom, forgot which model number but its 5" screen one, few years back $200. Bought it online.

 

I've used MS Streets/Trips with a GPS via the USB port and RM 520.

Streets is great and is still my route planner. It did a good job of showing the route and up coming turns. Weakness was no lane assist. Using the Mega POI updates helps a lot with route planning (all truckstops, weigh stations, rest areas, etc.).

RM 520 is fantastic. Great tools, excellent routing, good display, no major problems. Minor issues are you should do monthly updates and RM gets confused on new freeways such as the new US 395 south of Reno, NV. I Use it with Google Earth by looking up the customer and spotting the best entrance, mark it with a pin, then type in the lat/long. Makes it directions right to the driveway.

 

This is way to easy. Laminated RM is a nice thing to have. Pull my record, Never missed a delivery. Rand Mc Nally & do it, made the difference.

 

I use a GPS for reference, NOT for navigation (except rarely when other options are not available for the last mile). That said, it still comes down to personal preference(s) and you really have to use them each a week or so before you'll understand the strengths and weaknesses of each for you. What's important to you may not be important to the next guy. Garmin Dezl gets my vote after running the bigger PC Miler and Rand McNally's prior.

 

I haven't looked at atlas for probably 4 years. I type in address in GPS and go and adjust on the fly. It's never steered me wrong yet. Know when I get lost? When I think I know routes better then the GPS. Keep it updated and the latest maps and your good. If ya get a rand gps it has all the info the atlas already has plus more.

 

Unless your getting new map databases you won't ever get new roads.

This is the #1 problem with people using gps. They don't get new maps and they use a car version. Then they ##### about how gps aren't reliable. Kinda like trying to pound in a nail with a pair if pliers then getting mad at the pliers.
Use the correct tool for the job. Car GPS is for a car NOT a truck.

 

That's the thing regarding actual streets, roads and highways data ... they all use Navteq for the base map data. RM has a fairly efficient "reporting" feature but it's more or less useless in terms of map data. Navteq will do what Navteq does when they get official data from the jurisdiction in question or enough requests from users, then push it to the various GPS builders. Google may soon begin to intervene in this regard .. they have their own things going on and are the first to know about road changes. Maybe they will soon push Navteq out and improve this aspect. Garmin probably publishes the most frequent updates (map and/or application) to users but again they are at Navteq's mercy

 

I use google maps and the navigation feature on my phone. I look at my route ahead of time either on the phone or computer using satellite view so I can see where the entrance and dock is where I'm headed. Its not perfect for the truck but I haven't had any issues yet