GPS Alternative

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by tow614, Jul 17, 2018.

  1. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    The problem with current gps manufacturers is that technology is moving faster than they are.
    Times are changing and the need for the $500 dash ornament is coming to an end.

    The end for me came last year when the Rand McNally 720 that I purchased when first introduced and was touted to have "lifetime" map updates was determined by Rand McNally to no longer be eligible for the map updates because the unit could not run the new maps. To them I was now supposed to drop another $500 on the latest and greatest dash ornament that would probably last a few years until I would have to buy another.

    Problem was my 720 still works great it's just the maps are greatly outdated. I have learned that by the time Rand McNally releases a map it is 3 years old.

    This prompted me to find a more affordable alternative, preferably an app I could install on my own tablet.
    I have tried all the truck specific gps apps available and have found the Smart Truck Route II is by far the best app available. I have been running it on a 7" tablet I purchased at Walmart for $59 for 9 months now and have found that I actually prefer it over the Rand McNally products.
    This app is overlayed onto google maps and has everything I need.
    It has live traffic and voice navigation which is free. All the truck POI as well as Google POI.

    You can change to satellite view or classic view. Many customizations available. And costs $59 a year or $129 for a 3 year subscription.
    Their customer service is awesome. They give you a number to correspond via text message and respond very quickly.
    They are constantly taking driver suggestions and working to improve the app and the map updates come quickly through the Google marketplace.
    One note is that it does need to be connected to the internet. I tether it to my cellphone and use about 1/2 gig a month. I don't use the live traffic.
    I could go through all the features but it would be best to just download the app for free and experiment with it.

    I must ask that those of you who have recently figured out how to use an Atlas to please take your comments elsewhere.

    A gps is simply a tool to assist with our daily trip planning. If you are the type of driver who just types in an address and takes off without trip planning then do so at your own peril. Nothing takes the place of proper trip planning. This is why we see so many trucks parked on ramps and shoulders.
     
    74Chris, djoh615893, tscottme and 3 others Thank this.
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  3. Coover

    Coover Road Train Member

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    Nothing wrong with using an atlas. You can supplement it by using Google maps to zoom in on your destination, and for traffic updates, and road closures.

    Regardless, paying attention to road signs and such is still important and often overlooked.
     
  4. Oldironfan

    Oldironfan Road Train Member

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    How about hazmat routing? And height warnings?
     
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  5. jammer910Z

    jammer910Z Road Train Member

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    My Garmin Nuvi is 10 yrs old and I've not updated it one time.
    It shows me driving into rivers where new bridges have been built...
    Thru fields where the highways have been reconstructed, and/or diverted...

    I've not found the need to upgrade to an expensive new model, or even pay for new maps because as a general rule the surface streets in metro areas don't change. Only the urban, expressways grow rapidly.

    I need the Final Mile direction to Bubbas Ottoman Reupholstery shop on 5th and Vine.
    I can find my way across the new i70 bridge they opened.
    There's a great big green sign.
     
  6. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    Yes,
    Just like any gps you set your truck preferences and hazmat type if any and it only routes you on legal routes.
    It is preset for sandard 13'6" 53 ft . But you can change it to what you need.
     
  7. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    With a lot of the new construction in major cities many of the ramps have changed. Also, not all surface streets allow trucks plus there are a lot of areas that have truck restrictions during specific times of day which this app has.
     
  8. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    My point for that comment was to ward off those who simply want to argue and berate those who like to use new gadgets to assist them.
    There was a time when there was no Atlas and the drivers of the time would berate you for using a map.
     
  9. jtaran06

    jtaran06 Road Train Member

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    Multi routes coming as well as a bunch of other new features. Constantly updating app. Rand can’t compare and I have tossed the Garmin 580 as well. I use it full time on a Walmart tablet as well. I hotspot it to phone but I don’t look at data as I have unlimited. No issues even in my least favorite place to go. The fuken northeast....
     
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  10. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    Customer service comes through again.
    Had a glitch with routing in Bolingbrook Illinois and reported it via the text number and the fixed it already.
    Got a message from them thanking me and letting me know it was corrected.
    I checked and it is...
     
    Louie from wisco and 74Chris Thank this.
  11. wheelman666

    wheelman666 Medium Load Member

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    First let me say thank you to to Tow614 for starting this thread. both of us have been on the Rand Mcnalley support thread which has pretty much died, along with their products.
    I now have Smart Truck 2 running on my Tablet for the past 4 months and love it. But i do have to say i have come across several routing issues, that i have reported so far, that are just insane. For example yesterday it wanted me to go around the block and then turn onto the main street rather than just go up 2 block and make the right onto the street I needed to. and the "round the block " streets were small. Why in the world it wanted me to do that i can't figure out. I did report it along with several others odd route issues i have seen and so far have not heard back on anything.
    Do you find that reporting via text is faster and better then through the app?
     
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