Cheap Local GPS

Get a tablet....use google maps....and download offline maps so you can use it without cell service

 

That will work until you hit a Commercial Truck issue... But go for it... Good Luck...

 

Congrats!!! ... Stay Safe!!!

 

I just got copilot for my droid tablet for $10 a month....I tried the 10 day trial and liked it. I am new to pa. And nj. Driving, so I really needed a trucking gps.

Copilot reroutes really fast as the maps are downloaded to the tablet. You can select what region of the USA u want, so it doesn't hog the droid memory.

It keeps me off routes that prohibit trucks, checks bridge height for me, and tells me about traffic delays. Easy for me to use.

I only drive part time, so not ready to spend big bucks on a rand McNally yet.

 

Humm, that is quite a statement. Most back roads local type are not set up for STAA vehicles (53'/102"), changing to Non-STAA (48'/96") usually helps, but if the road is not tagged as either you will not be routed on it. A lot of back roads also have weight restrictions for the road and smaller bridges. They are simply not made to handle the heavier trucks. So it is not a GPS or mapping issue, but a state/county controlled road that may or may not have the ability to handle the heavier type of trucks.

In NC you are allowed on interstates and NC routes, but the county roads not tagged as an NC route you are simply not allowed in a class 8 truck. It is not the GPS or Maps, but stated controlled traffic routing of heavier trucks.

I suggest if you are going to be somewhat local then get the state/county atlas's that will detail the local roads better. Be aware of weigh/trailer length restrictions as they will cost you since they will tag you as Over Dimension and the fines are not cheap.

 

Well, I like CoPilot for several reasons but "truck routing" isn't one of them...

Especially local first/last few miles...

It has routed me on truck restricted roads, towards a low bridge, towards a bridge not rated for heavy big trucks, and tried to run me through Atlanta three times in a week.

I still use it but it is now sitting side by side with a 7" Rand McNally GPS...

Both have Pros and Cons.

 

And it's $10/month??? I bought my App (iOS) on sale for $100 last fall... I guess after 10 months it's now all icing for me... LOL

 

You can get a refurbished RM 530 for like $150-$200 online, when they have them available.

And I just saw that Loves has the RM 730 for $100 off via mail in rebate so it's only $300 now.