Best GPS for truckers?

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Apple Maps, Garmin Dezl 710, Google Maps & Google Earth

Apple Maps
- most always gives a more direct route
- ability to add way points so I can check mileage over different routes while also being able to use color variations to determine potential climbing slow downs.
- constantly updated route options with times combined with color coded traffic zones to locate and avoid congestion
- if I click on web or app based directions it interfaces and displays the route in Apple Maps
- interface is much easier to work with

Garmin
- alerts when on a route and approaching a road that has a weight, height, width or length restriction
- ability to set different vehicle profiles (hazmat vs non-hazmat) based on different restrictions
- ability to set a top speed so arrival time is closer to actual time since Apple Maps is based on posted speed limit which at 75 or 80 is faster than my truck moves on flat land

Google Maps
- to check distances on alternate paths without having to reset the route on Apple Maps
- to see what is near a planned stop

Google Earth
- to determine entry and exit routes to an unfamiliar site
- to compare parking layout at truck stops to help determine if I’m going to stop. (Ex If I know I’m going to arriving at a truck stop when it’s beginning to fill I want to make sure I don’t have to blind back into an angled parking spot it’s why I chose the Flying J in Beaumont, TX over the Pilot on the other side of the Interstate tonight)
- to locate potential parking spots if planning to go straight to a customer site and spend the night vs spending the night at a truck stop and driving in later.

I’m sure I’m leaving something out. But more importantly I wanted to show that there is no best truck GPS. Each serves a different niche. The key is figuring out the different capabilities of the different platforms and determining which of those you find beneficial.

 

Use them! Primarily the gray matter!

 

When it comes to using a GPS in the truck I have found Co-Pilot to be a solid choice. I also use the Active Traffic subscription @ $9.99 per year. A couple of years ago Trimble took over and changed their search function which made everything so much more user friendly. Now, when searching an address it functions like Google Maps.

I use Co-Pilot on my phone and on a 10" tablet mounted in the truck. When you first download the app and set it up you have to set up a vehicle profile based on what you are driving. It is pretty intensive at first but once you set up a vehicle profile the routing will be based on the size and weight of the truck and will only allow routes that are available based on this profile. I have found it to work very well for me over the years.

Once I program my address in Co-Pilot, I open Google Maps and the street view function or satellite view to verify my entrance and exit. Once this is done I always call my shipper or receiver and verify where they want me to enter the property and if their is a certain route they want trucks to follow.

Use your big brain and your driver-## common sense and you will be ahead of the game.

 

I have a Garmin GPS on my boat.
While on the road I still use a road atlas.
I use google satellite maps to see the place I need to get into( mostly chemical plants, airports or fuel distribution centers)
That I haven’t been to or it’s been a long time.
I see way to many drivers get into trouble blindly following a gps.

 

Does it still tell you to stay on the current road because the road turns right? Meaning exit. That was pretty annoying in Oregon. Rand didn't have that problem when I tried it. It was straight miles to the actual turn or exit.

 

My Rand still won't recognize the Lincoln, NE bypass, it doesn't even show a road.

 

My Garmin doesn’t either. But Apple Maps found it.

 

I have to plot the latitude and longitude.
And set a waypoint.

 

A company I know is transitioning and it has been a nightmare. Current navigation provider routes on interstates, which is what they prefer, Copilot is using residential streets and smaller highways... even routed to in front of bridges. Takes an average of 7 days for them to resolve any issues, and most of the resolutions from Copilot staff are basically "your drivers are stupid, just follow the navigation!"