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

Co-Pilot just came out with a gps stand alone version of the laptop program. I would pick that up instead of any laptop program. We have too many laptop Idiots out on the road now all over the road because they are playing with it while going down the road. The laptop at your side is a bad habit to get into.

I've never playing with any version of Co-Pilot but I guess it is supposed to keep you out from under low bridges. This is not a problem if you trip plan properly to begin with.

I use a Garmin Nuvi 350. It is a step up from the Nuvi 250 but in my opinion doesn't offer enough to offset the higher cost. It keeps you off of Parkways but in general does the same as a 250. Garmin Nuvi 250 has come down in price enough that

1)It is a useful tool to trip plan with.
2)Give E.T.A's within seconds of a "when are you gonna be there?" phone call.
3)Get a good idea of what the best route might be but still enter a routing point to alter course as you see fit.
4)Most importantly in my mind, being able to see street names (or in my case with a 250-350 hear the street names as well) on your gps before you would ever be able to see them in real time out of the truck if there even is a sign out there.

Most of the time I pull up customer directions from the Qualcomm and compare them to the final lines of the gps directions. If there is a discrepency I put in a routing point on the gps to attempt it to lead me in the way the qualcomm says. If it doesn't like the routing point. I write down my final set of directions and follow the written directions knowing that my gps will at the very least be showing me street names.

 

laptop with ms streets is all you need. Yeah im the laptop idiot you see swerving all over the road. Wrong I set my route and only look at the screen for a quick second when I get close too the customers. You can actuly get directions from the map program and right them down on paper too that way your not staring at the screen. I know where most of my customers are though so honestly i really dont need it just use it so for preplanning.

 

This is what i do now....i get my load assignment, i pull up MapQuest, I can get exit numbers from it, i jot down my fuel route on my window, and have my laptop set up to where I can quickly adjust the map as i go, or use it to glance at how far till my next turn.

What I am going to do, is get SOMETHING with GPS, so it moves as you move and you dont have to monkey with it like MapQuest. The question is whether i'll go with Microsofts version, sounds really reasonable, but i dont think it has that 'GPS' navigation/movement like a TomTom or somethin. Or i will go with just that, a TomTom. I spoke with another driver who uses it, and we both know it dont account for 'truck routes'. Besides, even a Trucker GPS will goof and lead you down a low clearance bridge route. BUT as far as using a 4-wheeler version, atleast you can see what the streets are that you're coming up to at night without the distraction of having to look all around for a stinkin' street sign, as every town/city posts them differently.

BUT if you are dead set about getting Co-Pilot, i would suggest waiting a few more weeks to a month. I hear they are coming out with version 12, and it has more bells and whistles than V.11, and it is the same price.

 

Microsoft streets and trips has gps movement follows you as you roll, have a couple different views you can do, also can zoom way in so you know exactly how close you are to your next road or zoom way out so you can see how much farther you got to go.. By far the most reasonably priced gps program at 70 bucks or so and comes with the gps receiver, compared to co pilot at 300 or so or tom toms at 200 to 300. So if you already got a laptop then for 70 bucks or so you can have gps cheap.

 

There are 2 truck routing GPS systems currently on the market that I am aware of. I do not own either so I cannot speak to their quality or reliability.

The first is put out by ALK Technologies. They offer 2 programs. The first is the most commonly known one called "Co-Pilot 11" which is a program for laptops. It does have an optional GPS function if you buy the antennae to go with the program it will cost around $300.00.

The second is a brand new release called PC MILER NAVIGATOR 430. This is a newly released stand alone unit from ALK Technologies which is supposed to retail for around $350.00 and uses the same programming as the laptop based "Co-Pilot" software.

The next company is called "Teletype." They offer a stand alone GPS unit called the "World-Nav." They have a 7 inch display on their World-Nav 7100 which retails for $600.00 (they have a blue tooth 7200 model for $750.00) or a smaller 3.5 inch version called the World-Nav 3300 for around $400.00

The good thing about truck specific GPS systems is they have a set up screen where you can enter the size of your vehicle such as 13' 6" high and the system will avoid low underpasses. They also offer Hazmat routing solutions as well.

I am sure you can google either company to get further details about these systems.

 

I have used Co-Pilot Laptop and Garmin Nuvi. Here's my $0.02:

I liked the Co-Pilot for my laptop, but the routing wasn't always the most direct. No other complaints other than having to look at the laptop while driving every now and then. The Garmin Nuvi really is for 4 wheelers and I wouldn't go that route personally. I just ordered the PC Miler GPS unit that mounts on the window and I think that will be the right combination. As with all the other wisdom offered here, use technology wisely. Sometimes the radio or phone or Qualcomm are best. And from both boating and driving experience: NEVER try to replace a good mapbook with a GPS!!!