Best Truckers GPS

Dezl760 Garmin

 

same here. atlas gets used for informational purposes. once in a blue moon. have yet to actually use it for navigation.

only time i get into trouble. is when i do my own thinking.

 

I use the RM 520, up from the 510 last time.
It is fairly reliable, but it does have issues - sometimes.

I like it for many reasons, but I always check the route it gives me with my company provided fuel route.
Many times the company route is better, sometimes not.

A GPS is a tool, and that is all.
It will allow you to determine a good approximate ETA, it can route you around mistakes (like missing a turn or having to reroute because of construction or accidents).
But learning mapping skills cannot be ignored by trusting in a GPS system.

 

GPS should be only to be used for reference, and verify what you already know.

You should already know your route and have directions before you started moving.

If you blindly follow the GPS you'll get into trouble. Many examples of trucks going onto non-truck routes or low bridges cause they followed the GPS.

A recent example is the I69-I94 in MI that at the end going north east, splits left to local roads or split right to bridge for Canada. Then about over 1 year ago, it swapped and became fork left for Canada and fork right for local roads. Few drivers not paying attention to the signs, well yeah ended up on bridge for Canada.

I love using GPS though, but mainly use it for instant total mileage updates while going down the road, so I can tell if I'm on schedule. No longer have to add up segments of highways miles from paper maps for total mileage like in the old days. Still, paper maps very good to have, and a map program (and Google Earth) on laptop for when you get bad directions or going to new customer with no directions.

Other uses would be knowing when your exit is coming up in 5 miles, or 1 mile, etc. This can be handy when there are no exit numbers or mile markers. Also if your lost and off the interstate, it can help you find your way back to the big roads sometimes when its night and nobody around. Still though use common sense.

To sum it up, GPS should only confirm what you already know. Do your home work in advance! And don't leave home without the GPS