GPS choices?

This is what my wife got me for Christmas... It's large for a reason!

 

Ya, I can't remember how many years ago I bought this one. I'm thinking at least 5 years.

I'm currently driving local and the trucks have Rand McNally GPS/Elogs running off of the same device.

I recommend them because the 510 I have and the current company issued device have generally been good.Very rare occasion to have a issue. The 510 came with free lifetime updates where you plug it into your laptop for the update.

I will have to check and see tonight what version the company I work for has. I believe theirs a support thread on here for Rand McNally that a guy who works for them will answer or try and solve any issues with it. @Mark Kling

 

For the most part I'd really only use it for identifying side roads. Typically I look at a Google map catch a quick peek at what route I'm taking and from there on I'm just running it out of my head. However, when you get into town is when things get a little more interesting knowing which way to turn down which street to get to your destination Etc.

 

I'm sure it's not a requirement. How many years of trucking existed before the invention of GPS? I'd also hold off on buying an atlas although at that price it's not a big cost but I know that some companies will give you an atlas at orientation.

 

Get the Rand McNally Motor Carrier Atlas, paper or laminated. I'd suggest paper since it takes up less space, it's cheaper, and you won't be tempted to keep it forever.

The Rand McNally 730TND is probably the top-of-the-line GPS. It costs between 299 - 399 depending on whether you get a rebate. You can save up your Truckstop Reward points to pay for it. GPS is definitely a supplement, not a requirement. You'll be tempted to use it as co-driver, which is a bad idea. You should be suspicious of everything it is telling you unless what it is telling you confirms what you think is the right way. "But officer, my GPS said to turn here" will not get you out of a ticket. Even a cheap car GPS can be useful while you are earning Reward points for fueling your truck. You can use Google Maps to look at street-level maps before you get to the customer. A cheap GPS can give you the street names on your way in, which should match what the customer has given you over the phone. You directions from your Qualcomm should also be suggestions until it proves they are accurate.

 

I got a tablet and Copilot for trucks app on it

 

My Samsung Galaxy s6 active and Google maps works great just look for the signs that say no trucks low bridge and bridge weight restrictions. I have a lamanated road atlas and it is about 15 years old. I was going to replace it a few times I seen the truck stops try and give them away for a few bucks a couple times a year but never felt the need to replace what is working. Just need to think about what you are doing people been doing it by written directions and maps since before Columbus set sail.

 

I'll second this. With that said I have a Rand currently. It takes me more convoluted routes to places than I can begin to explain. I'm not talking about because I'm a truck I mean because it's just insane. When in area I know I catch it doing it, so I'll ignore it and when it reroutes it will typically shave 10+ miles of my trip regularly. The other day it had me routed back to my shop and I was quoting me 120mi, So I ignored it went past the road it wanted me to take and withing about 5mi of it trying to turn me around I was 70mi from my shop. It's nuts. To be fair I have an older unit (520) but the maps and software are up to date. About a year ago or so Rand fried these things with a bad software update and although the fixed it it seems it's never been the same since. I borrowed another drivers Dezl while he was off and intentionally went to certain places with both GPS's running and the Dezl routed me the way I'd go when I ignore mine. Used roads mine avoids at all costs etc. I've verified it's not settings off in mine, it's just a little goofy upstairs. I plan on replacing it with a Dezl once I can spare the cash.

 

Something worth watching for GPS users.