Gonna get me a GPS!

I highly recommend Co-Pilot Truck laptop edition. It'll cost ya 300 and if you don't have a laptop that's another expense. I use it in adition to the atlas as well as google maps. You have to be careful that you put the locations in correctly and if the address doesn't dial in, use the internet maps and find the closest intersection.

You have to learn the subtleties of the gps and how to give it information correctly so that it doesn't send you in the wrong direction. GPS is a tool and it's not always 100% so you still have to be careful and don't rely on it 100%. You've been driving for a long time so you know what you're doing.

Most of the time, when the info is put in right into the gps, it'll take you dock to dock without any isuues. It's great for eta and not missing your turn at night or when there's no street sign.

It has NEVER routed me into a low bridge. But if you happen to miss a turn or get lost somehow, use common sense because it will tell you to turn anywhere to get back on route if you miss something on it's route.

I know what you mean about in town directions. Unless you have a library of town maps for all over the nation, I mean an atlas is only really good for the long routes getting you to a town, once you're in town the atlas is worthless.

It's worth the money and it's for big trucks. 13'6 tall of course with 53' trailers.

 

I use a garmin nuvi 350. I was looking at the garmin 850.

They are not tied to a computer and can be easily moved to the car for a vacation trip as well.


The cost is only about 300 or so.

Since you are using it only to find the street which is sometimes needed. I have had them tell me the wrong direction many times when I called the receiver or shipper. The qual comm also had errors. I always checked the gps directions with the other sources as well.

 

Just grab a generic one. You've been driving long enough to know your way around most of the country, and shouldn't have any issues.

Wal Mart has the Garmin Nuvi 200w (thats wide screen) for $185. It's over $220 in the truck stops, and can be found cheaper in some places.

Just don't get lazy, and start relying on it for everything. Otherwise, you'll find yourself in a jam.

 

Bought the Nuvi350. It worked great. Never any issues (keep in mind that nothing is foolproof and you will still have to read roadsigns regardless of what navigation tools you use). Last year, I went with the Nuvi 680. LOVE IT! It has that weather and traffic stuff available free for a year (dont buy it as it is completely worthless).

Whatever GPS you decide to go with, buy it off the internet and save big bucks (no tax...and shipping was $9 for overnight)

 

If you can hold out until June Garmin is coming out with the Nuvi 465t. It is a truck specific GPS. You put in your height/weight/width restrictions and it routes you accordingly. It also has truck specific points of interests (ie. truckstops/ oil-lube/ etc.) and a preloaded NTTS Breakdown Directory.

I know it sounds like I'm a salesman for Garmin, but I just think this is a cool unit and can't wait til it comes out.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=31541

 

I have a Tom Tom and love it.

 

Which one ? the 730 ?

 

Just don't get to relying on the stupid things... too many people use them as a crutch for not dealing with proper trip planning.

Had one moron at my company follow the directions on a unit that assumed you were driving a four-wheeler run right into a 11' low underpass.

Had the Cobra "for trucks" GPS try to route me down a street in a housing development the wrong way (it was a one-way) and it was only really wide enough for one car - good thing I was paying attention and stayed on the 4-lane 50' away!

 

I love the GPS but it can be really stupid too.

Like Friday I'm coming down I-85 and this thing wants me to take an exit for 40 business to 85 business then back to 85. I say screw that and as soon as I pass the exit it wanted, my arrival time IMPROVED by 5 minutes!

I don't know what it's thinking half the time.