Can I use my car GPS for trucking?

I confess...I bought a GPS unit. I came out of the cave and gave into the 21 century! I am not going to completely give up on mapping but I have to admit it is pretty cool!

But how long does it take to get good at this thing? I admit to being a rookie at the GPS.

 

I also have a RM 500 and LOVE IT!...It has saved me so much time as the routing it gives me is usually much shorter than my QC routing...I REALLY REALLY love the feature that shows me rest areas and TSs, especially when I have to pee or need to sleep as it keeps me from having to pull over and check my paper directory...I also don't need to write down how many miles I've driven in a day or in a state as it tracks that for me...

That being said, if you're not, become proficient using the maps first, basics are required when the technology fails....

 

If you got the Rand McNally, it'll probably take you a week or two to figure out all the tricks and stuff to make it do what you want.



American Trucker

 

If you bought a Rand McNally. Follow the URL's and see where they will be. They will give you a class on what you can do with your TND.

Thanks,
Mark

 

If you already have a laptop and internet access in the truck, it isn't really necessary to spend another $450 ,or so, for a stand alone Trucker's GPS. For the last 10 months I've been using MS Streets and Trips ($24.95) coupled with Truck Stops Plus ($39.99). Both programs reside on the computer hard drive, so most of their functionality is always available. Real time tracking can be added with a [ame="http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver/dp/B000PKX2KA/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1309878118&sr=1-15"]GPS locator [/ame]($35.00) plugged into the laptop. Even without internet access this set-up is very useful, but with the internet you can jump directly from the programs to Google maps or Bing and view satellite photos of the shpr/rcvr locations, rest area and truck stop layouts, even check Wal Marts for truck parking. Truck Stops Plus lets you jump directly to each states current list of restricted routes and low clearance obstales specific for your planned route. There's a moderate learning curve, but for about $100 one can have an extremely effective navigation tool while making use of the hardware that most here already have.

It's worth spending a few minutes to check out the above links. Both programs have free demos: MS Streets & Trips, 60days; Truck Stops Plus, one state only, indefinetly.

 

What if you don't have a laptop? How much is it then?

Also, I haven't tested the configuration above in its "2011" iteration. Does this configuration use truck-legal routes nowadays?

 

Same price.

 

+1 on this setup, it is what I have been using since 2007.

 

You missed your calling...

 

Hey! I resemble that remark!!

I use the standard Garmin but still buy a truck atlas (last years edition) for low bridges. I may upgrade to the trucker GPS later on but for now it is working for me.

And as everyone here knows, the unit you buy today will be considered obsolete tomorrow. And those maps require a magnifying glass when you get older and they are tuff to read while going down the road.