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After a year with the Garmin DEZL 560LMT

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Bigfoot62, Jun 19, 2014.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jun 19, 2014 #1
    Bigfoot62

    Bigfoot62 Light Load Member

    92
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    Oct 29, 2011
    Louisiana
    0
    First, let me say there is much that I like about it.
    Love the display. I really appreciate the way it shows the next road name at the top of the screen.
    I like the trip odometer and driving/stopped time information.

    BUT, there's a BUNCH that I don't.
    I HATE the way it shows roads to be restricted that are NOT restricted. They might have been when Reagan was President, but not in the last few years. :(
    I wish there was some way to see the current time AND arrival time simultaneously. I don't wear a watch, and that would really be nice.
    In "truck" mode, many of the rural roads that I NEED to see simply don't show up. Even some state highways aren't listed. (I haven't bothered to check and see if they even show up in "car" mode)
    The car charger quit today. Bought a cheap USB charger and will use the cord that connects it to my computer instead. I refuse to pay Garmin $80 for the one that is supposed to be for my unit.

    I drive mostly short haul. Dump trailer or log trailer. Sometimes I need to go down rural roads to deliver rock, or get to a log set. A GPS that doesn't show the road you need is as bad, if not worse, than not having one.
    This unit might work for some OTR applications, but it really doesn't work for me. I would have been better off to spend 1/3 as much for a "car" unit and just read the traffic signs.
     
    Bigfoot62, Jun 19, 2014
    Bigfoot62, Jun 19, 2014
    #1
    25(2)+2 Thanks this.
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  3. Jun 19, 2014 #2
    Skunk_Truck_2590

    Skunk_Truck_2590 Road Train Member

    2,094
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    Feb 16, 2007
    Stonewall, LA.
    0
    I have an old garmin nuvi that I bought back in late 08'. Worthless POS. One day when I decide to buy another GPS, it won't be a garmin. I'm getting interested in the Rand McNally ones. But I just spent $60 to replace my 5 year old map that had finally had enough so a GPS is off the list for a while. I just my garmin solely as an aid to my local directions.
     
    Skunk_Truck_2590, Jun 19, 2014
    Skunk_Truck_2590, Jun 19, 2014
    #2
  4. Jun 19, 2014 #3
    Bigfoot62

    Bigfoot62 Light Load Member

    92
    29
    Oct 29, 2011
    Louisiana
    0
    I hear you.

    I realize that no navigation aid is perfect, but I expected so much more from a unit that was made for truckers and cost this much.
     
    Bigfoot62, Jun 19, 2014
    Bigfoot62, Jun 19, 2014
    #3
  5. Jun 19, 2014 #4
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,750
    45,476
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
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    At the risk of getting some involved, I still feel it is worth relating this story.

    Fella I know, who is now retired, said that anyone using a truck only GPS, should also have a good car GPS for when you end up going off the truck route grid, like when forced off by construction or delivery to a place not on the grid.

    I am seeing more drivers that have figured that out, almost every day I'm out here.


    I don't know that switching a truck GPS to car settings will show up the roads, all I do know is what my acquaintance told me, "When the truck one stops being useable, you can immediately see where you are at and other things with a regular GPS."


    Nothing beats experience, as even good directions fall down when roads and streets are detoured for any reason.
     
    25(2)+2, Jun 19, 2014
    25(2)+2, Jun 19, 2014
    #4
    Bigfoot62 Thanks this.
  7. Jun 21, 2014 #5
    Bigfoot62

    Bigfoot62 Light Load Member

    92
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    Oct 29, 2011
    Louisiana
    0
    10-4. I use the "Map" feature on my iPhone for that. Also, it's good sometimes to see where the other end of the road comes out, etc.
     
    Bigfoot62, Jun 21, 2014
    Bigfoot62, Jun 21, 2014
    #5
  8. Jun 21, 2014 #6
    Bigfoot62

    Bigfoot62 Light Load Member

    92
    29
    Oct 29, 2011
    Louisiana
    0
    I was reminded of one more thing . . .

    The little symbol that stays on almost constantly, alerting me that there is "No Truck Information For This Road." REALLY??? This past week I noticed there was "No Truck Info" on US171. (major 4-lane divided highway that runs between Shreveport and Lake Charles, LA. From I-20 to I-10)
    Again, I might as well have a "car" GPS
     
    Bigfoot62, Jun 21, 2014
    Bigfoot62, Jun 21, 2014
    #6
  9. Jun 22, 2014 #7
    quatto

    quatto Medium Load Member

    588
    980
    Mar 9, 2013
    The Bluest State
    0
    I have the 560LMT and have used it for about 7 months. I agree, it's a pain in the southern hemisphere. It's slow to startup and update. It gives way too many warnings--one is enough! It crashes often and loses satellite reception on cloudy days or in hilly areas. Programming a new route takes too many steps. Garmin is, in my opinion, way overrated.

    I now run a low-end TomTom along side the 560LMT . The 560 gives me traffic and warns me of coops and non-truck routes while the TomTom usually gives me the shortest and best route option. I compare the two and make the decision on the fly. If the 560 is going to route me 50 miles out of my way I listen to the TomTom.

    Actually, I've found my Android Google app to be more accurate in routing than both these guys....and it was free!
     
    quatto, Jun 22, 2014
    quatto, Jun 22, 2014
    #7
  10. Jun 22, 2014 #8
    Bigfoot62

    Bigfoot62 Light Load Member

    92
    29
    Oct 29, 2011
    Louisiana
    0
    10-4.

    I use my phone app as well, if I can get a signal.
     
    Bigfoot62, Jun 22, 2014
    Bigfoot62, Jun 22, 2014
    #8
  11. Jun 22, 2014 #9
    GenericUserName

    GenericUserName Road Train Member

    1,543
    13,065
    May 17, 2014
    Santa Monica, CA
    0
    The rand mcnally is converterable to car gps in settings.
     
    GenericUserName, Jun 22, 2014
    GenericUserName, Jun 22, 2014
    #9
  12. Jun 22, 2014 #10
    TAfool

    TAfool Medium Load Member

    631
    850
    Dec 8, 2012
    0
    Agreed!

    You can switch to car.mode.

    Go to "Tools"/"Settings"/"Navigation". Select the mode you are using then select "Map Data Layout" then select "More". Go back to the map view and you will see four data boxes on the right side. Press and release one and the menu will come up. You can now select what is shown for that spot. Repeat for each box and you can get your current local time and the ETA.

    Same as above but choose "Map Detail" and select "More". Also, the closer you zoom in, the more roads will show up down to dirt roads.


    That's all you need to do....unless you want the traffic function to work. The expensive.part is the receiver built into the cord.
     
    TAfool, Jun 22, 2014
    TAfool, Jun 22, 2014
    #10
    Bigfoot62 Thanks this.
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