Best GPS system ??? Need opinions

Thanks Asphalt Pilot - I ended up ordering him the above-mentioned GPS. One issue is that they don't have a 7". All the posts I read varied in regard to likes/ dislikes for various units. I still keep going back and forth between the dezl and the Rand 710...help!! I haven't seen anyone who has experience with both and the functions seem very similar.

Thanks to all that have posted along the way... Keep your wheels turning safely...

 

We didn't think you couldn't. Honestly, dude, we believe you. You don't have to convince us you are a rock of navigation know-how. Are you looking for reassurance or maybe fishing for a compliment?

*smart-_ss off* Whew, sorry about that. I flipped the switch to on accidentally. My bad.

 

I've been wanting to get a gps. Right now I have the co-pilot in my laptop. I've had it for awhile and I'm not really that impressed with it. From what I've read it seems to be a toss up between Rand & Garmin. I've read complaints about pop-up advertisements on the Garmin. Any comments??? I'm old school. Been out here for 38 years and I can read a map and know how to use the phone but, I'm still interested in the new stuff. Things are tough and times are hard and I've got to stay tight with my money. I appreciate reading the comments and replys.

 

I ran the dezl and 500 side-by-side and 500 was faster at routing and moving through functions. Screen a little clearer and Trucking POI was much much better.

Routing was the same. And all have issue with last mile but this is more cities/towns taking for ever to update maps.

And the 710 that I have now blows the 500 away. Very fast, clear and a bunch of added features that make trip planning and route planning easier.

 

Are you kidding?!? You clearly have never seen the difference between a truck specific GPS and a consumer GPS? Why is it so offensive to pay for something of value?

 

I agree,, Truck Navigation Devices have to take into account so much more.

You see a road in front of you, did you know that their are many pieces of the puzzle to determine if your truck can be on that road segment.

height
weight
width
trailer
cargo - hazmat
STAA/Non-STAA

The mapping database is made of road segments. A car will basically go anywhere. You now add all the truck attributes and the routers have to look at each road segment to get you to your destination while still going by your truck attributes.

Everyone knows times are tough right now, but I have heard of drivers saving their points from fueling to help offset the majority of the cost.

Thanks,
mark

 

i tried the rand. it has no business being in existence.

i tried copilot on my phone. along with 2 others. my phone don't like running gps from memory card without rebooting. but i liked the copilot.

i've since traded my rand in for pcmiler. also made by copilot. it's the cheapest unit you can buy. and it always routes me the same as truckmiles.com websight. i've been very happy with it.

i've only been back on the road for a short time now. but i've only had to call one time for directions. that was becuase i was at the address. in the middle of some hills with nothing around. turned out i was still 8 miles away.

in today's world where no one speaks english. my gps has very quickly paid for itself. i work for a very small company. we don't get much information to go on. sometimes we get an address to pick up. sometimes we get nothing but a phone number to which i will call for an address ONLY. the load papers will have delivery address.

#1. gps will get you there. no need to right down directions. and no need to interpret spanish.
#2. gps tells you how many miles and how much time to destination. comes in really handy when you want to take a nap anywhere. you know how much time you can spare.
#3. gps takes 5 seconds to input destination and show you the route to adjust according if you don't like.

people always talk about maps and planning your route and what not. but maps only get you from city to city. they can't tell y ou how to get out or get in.

for all you people that don't like gps. how much time do you spend planning and calling for directions??? and trying to figure your way out of town and into town?????

it sucks having to pay more for gps. but your paying for the valuable information that is provided compared to cars. and it saves you from taking a road you shouldn't be on. or can't turn on.

i don't think i'd do this job without gps. i also have more time to sleep.

 

Hey BigBadBill~ I changed mid-stream and ordered the RM TND 710 for my husband and I'm not quite sure what to think anymore... If you look at some of the support threads for RM there are a lot of drivers weighing in with a lot of issues regarding the 710 among others. I hear there is a way to look at different routes when calculating a trip, yet I can't find in in the TND Dock manual and he has been unsuccessful out there in the world. His company routes using practical miles and though he uses the TND as a back up guide, it would sure be nice to see a route that's in sync.

Does anyone know of a good, dependable GPS for trucks that routes using practical miles or has that option? I don't think a GPS, especially new, should have the problems being associated with RM.

Mark has been a huge help, but it does not take away the hassle... too many similar problems!!

 

Not sure what RM product you looked at but speed, routes, POI's and clarity are hands down better than all the units I tried.

I would never trust my GPS for last mile. Even the best GPS in the world can not tell you what drive to turn into, you have the corparate address and not shipping address, this road is legal BUT this is the easy way in, etc.

Would never run GPS from phone. I make calls on it while driving and use GPS for directions while driving. Seems to me only one thing at a time can happen.

Not sure if I was a company driver making what amounts to minimum wage that I would buy the higher end RM unit. You can find the 500 at a reasonable price.

But if you are a pro then the 510/710 is a must have tool THAT IS USED WITH other tools, not to replace.

 

Yes I have looked at the support threads and you have a handful of drivers with issues.
I GPS is not going to be perfect and is a tool. Mine gives me practical routing and at times more “practical” than I would like. It is all a balance between what information is needed and what isn’t. What format to provide the information in and how is that information viewed.
The TND has the ability detour a road in the route to generate another route. I wish a GPS would allow you to have an easy what to enter a route or portion like you can do with internet based maps. But none do this.
In the end, this is another tool for your husband to use. Along with his map book and routing from the company.