Looking for advice on equipment

I recommend Microsoft's Streets & Trips. The 2014 version is not available as a package with a GPS receiver, but they're cheap enough (but not required). No application allows dispensing with checking routes with the Rand McNally Truck Driver's Atlas, so there's no sense in paying $200+ for truck-specific apps.

 

Stop being cheap and buy a truck GPS.

 

(more characters) Why...?

 

First, the GPS chip in the phones is not very robust. It's a simple matter of physics; they have very little room for it. The dedicated GPSes work a lot better in marginal signal areas. As it turns out, these marginal areas are where you really need the GPS... like in cities.

 

Second the use a dedicated GPS for driving use. A tablet or laptop mapping app is fine for the end of the day and you're trip planning in the sleeper or motel room but for actual driving you need a dedicated GPS that does not require a data cellular signal and mounts optimally within view and is easy to operate with simple touches. Having a Qualcomm eLog unit AND a tablet mounted within easy reach and view, without obstructing view is next to impossible.

Use the better and correct tool for the job.

 

I would have to agree with STexan, I plan to use all the tools available to me when trip planning and cross referencing but your best bet is to have GPS for reliability (signal) and ease of access and mounting options.

 

I also agree that a dedicated GPS with truck routing is the best.

As others have said you should also have a Rand McNally Motor Carriers Atlas for checking your routes but I disagree that getting a truck GPS makes no sense if you have an Atlas. The more sources you have for trip planning the better and an Atlas cannot remind you of upcoming turns while you drive. I would program the GPS to follow the route you come up with using the Atlas, Microsoft's Streets & Trips, Google maps, MapQuest, Google Earth, and wherever other sources you use for your trip plan.

If you do want a phone, tablet, or PC solution I would look at CoPliot (http://copilotgps.com/us/truck/) as it has a truck specific version and is available for iPhones/iPad , Android, and PC devices. I do not have it but many users do seem to like it a lot and it would be what I would look at if I didn’t already have other devices.

I do like Microsoft's Streets & Trips and I use it a lot but you need a PC to use it and you should also get the Truck Stop Plus add-on (http://www.truckstopsplus.com/streets_and_trips.htm) if you want truck specific routing.

 

The atlas is great...doesnt do any good in most cities. It'll get you from city to city but finding the address is impossible with an Atlas.

 

I carry a laptop. So I have Co-Pilot Vers 9. It is mounted on a under the seat laptop mount. It has a BU-363 GPS receiver that uses a USB port. Where did I get all of this wonderful gear. Why at DIESELBOSS.COM Dieselboss the trucker's friend and a sponsor of this forum.

I am being funny, I think, but that is where I got the stuff and I could not be any happier. My laptop survived a crash that destroyed my Pete 379. In fact, I was playing free cell on it while the fire department cut me out of the cab.

The maps on CoPilot are Rand McNally so they are very accurate. My laptop is a 17 inch so the screen is very easy to read. It is great for pretrip. The ver 8 software had a way to track you fuel taxes by state which is not in the vers 9. As a company driver that is not a big deal.

I also use the Garmin 760LTM. Why both? I am ex Air Force and we pilot's like our pretty toys. I like backup plans. The Garmin would be fine alone but working with both platforms is just one of those little things that make me a SUPER TRUCKER.

I do not have a dash cam yet but that is probably my next purchase. I want one with a quick erase feature just on the off chance that I can come up with a better story about the crash then the camera would show. I can see no value in a back up camera. Blind spot cameras might be okay but a some point you get over techy.

The copilot runs on tablets.

I use eclipse logbook for my logs. I also have the Bigdog log ap. I love Fog line software Truck'n Pro 7. The man is very helpful. And I carry a HP 7250 scan fax copier printer. I file my paper work from the truck and it makes tax time easy.

Also a hotspot wifi.

What was the question again.....