"Best GPS For Dash And Laptops?"...

Just off the top of my head the name escapes me, but I will give some points if you are just starting out regarding this matter.........

First you can do a search on this site, this has been discused a couple of times.

Next, some states are putting laws into affect to be against the law for truck driver to have on, use and operate a laptop while vehicle is in motion. So consider that as you look.

Next, when deciding on any program consider this.........Gps programs are for four wheelers. Their are a handful that have truck restrictions loaded on them and that is what you need most. Their are countless situations, stories of drivers following gps systems to the letter and recieving fines, accidents, or getting stuck.........Thses programs that are sold to the public does not have this information. However a couple of the companies are able to download this info from the net.

Their is one really good program for laptops that does not operate on the net but it has an external gps antenna that plugs in usb that is specifically for trucks................Low clearance, Bridge weight limits, Restricted roads, Trip planning, etc............darn, sorry still brain fart........I will look it up and add later..........

Good luck and be careful on your new journey............

 

OK, I remember now it's called Co-Pilot.......

If I remember correctly the program with the antenna is about $299.00

Their are a couple of truckstops that offer the program without the antenna and you can get it for about $50.00

But again the information is vital if you are planning a trip.........

 

I use microsoft streets and trips with the truck stop plus add on shows all the truck stops, weigh stations, rest areas, and walmarts. But it does not show low clearances or restricted routes, so I have to plan against my qualcomm directions, and my atlas. I got a buddy who just bought a window mount gps for trucks called copilot as well just got it and is testing it out to see how good it is. One thing I like about gps on my laptop is a bigger screen and is very nice for trip planning the night before or what have ya. Another nice thing is that it tells you how many hours are left on the trip basing it off your speed, very nice to know at the glance of an eye instead of trying to figure miles in your head. But you cant always go by what gps plans ya cause sometimes it will try to send you down some little city road or something, so you still gotta use your brain but atleast you can see where it is your trying to get to and point yourself in that direction if you get messed up or miss a turn.

 

I like my Garmin Nuvi. It has the 4.3" screen, and is very readable both day and night. And it also has via points, so I can add multiple addresses without having to reroute after my first stop. I tried the laptop way, and it was a pain in the arse. Always in the way, and some states will ticket you for having one that is open and running within reach of the drivers seat. I would stick to a dash or window mount GPS. They finally have one out now with truck routing. I saw it at a TA the other day.

In regards to trip planning, I just Google map it, as I forget the routes too. The main reason I like my Garmin is that, like all other GPS units out there, it gives me my miles to go. My main reason for having it, it makes it much easier to plan my stops and wake up calls.

It is also nice at night, especially in areas that I have never been. A real life and money saver to know that my turn is 100 feet ahead, and the street sign is not visible or not there at all.

In regards to directions to a customer, call them and use theirs. Or call dispatch for the right way into a shipper. DO NOT depend on your GPS unit to get you into a shipper if you are in a big city. I have run allot of Chicago freight, and if I would have followed my GPS routing I would have wound up moving an overpass in many situations.

GPS tech is nice, but it does have its limitation$. And it is not always right like Brink said above, you still have to use your brain.

Mike

 

a gps is good but you still need to check map book for low clearences, and restricted routes. there is a new model coming avavailble next year that will offer dock to dock instructions strictly for truckers but like anything else when new to market will be very costly

 

I second that statement.. GPS is a nice option.. but it can't replace common sence.. You should still should route yourself with a trucking software (PC miler, ect.) & it dosen't replace a good old fashioned phone call to the shipper or receiver..

The customer usually likes to know your ETA, and can give you local routing better than GPS or PC miler. It also is better for customer relations.. That equals more loads, more money and a secure relationship with your customers.. Communication is just good business. U would be suprised how many trucking companies loose customers because of poor communication.

I know good old Landstar no longer pulls for 1 customer because of this... They used to just show up on jobsites expecting to get unloaded.. no pre calls. See what I mean??

 

You are, much cheaper than the laptop route, not that you should not take your laptop with you. I use mine (laptop), well I used to, well I still do, when I was bidding loads on the road. It is nice to know the exact mileage and routes. I use Google maps, its free and accurate. It gets me there just fine.

If you want to spend some money on tech gear, shell out $700 for the VueQube sat system. Nice to have DirecTV in the truck without screwing with a dish. And a flat screen lcd tv, and don't forget the iPod and XM radio!

Mike

 

The way I have been doing it is, I get my directions and address for the shipper/receiver. Then I go to MS streets and maps and map it out, see what it says, then pull out the atlas and make sure that route is okay for the truck, then I zoom in on the addresses and get a visual and try and commit to memory the roads where I am going, and compare to directions on qualcomm. What I use the GPS on my dash for is mostly mileage and time. The ETA function on it is great, and fairly accurate with my driving. And its great when directions say go to next road, cause it will say 1.2 miles or whatever so I have an idea of when I will be turning. But I never trust it, just use it as an aid. Most help I have is the streets and maps, zooming in to the address and seeing exactly where I will be going turn by turn before I even start the trip, I have gotten lost a couple times, pull over and pull it up and see exactly where I am and where I am going.