Garmin dezel 560

Define "bias".

 

If there's bias then garmin created it by not being here.

 

Good, now that we know that you have read the definition from a website (or from a non-virtual dictionary), please explain just how the providers/sponsors of the forum are 'biased' against Garmin.

Only for 4-wheeler applications. I would gently suggest that with regard to 'trucking' GPS units, Garmin has no more experience than Rand McNalley or Cobra, and far less experience than most of the other commercial truck GPS companies at providing a CMV, truck-based GPS; and having used their first generation trucker GPS, I can attest to that fact. In my own assessments, The Rand McNally offerings were far better, as were the other 'trucker' GPS units.

As to the new Garmin "DESL" unit, after trying out both companies newest offerings, I still prefer the new Rand-McNally generation of GPS units. As an example of one small measurement of personal preference, I have seen no evidence of Garmin having a presence in this forum in order to provide a direct 'ombudsman', unlike both Cobra or Rand Mcnally. Oh, and have you tried to provide targeted feedback to Garmin on routing issues, unit failures, or suggestions for improvement? I have, and man, it ain't pretty.

I use a GPS as an assist, not as my main navigational system (can the RM atlas be called a 'system?). For a goodly number of drivers, a regular, 4-wheeler GPS serves just fine as an assist to the atlas. Me, I want something which has tools specific to commercial trucking. I have found that Garmin simply is not as well thought out or as polished as most of the other CMV GPS systems.

My post is simply a personal assessment; my observations are not meant to state that either of Garmin's units are 'bad' units......ALL GPS units have shortcomings. Based on MY personal wants and needs, I have found the Rand McNally a better unit than the Garmin. That assessment is based on some subjectivity and a lot of objectivity, but not on a 'bias' against Garmin.

I still use my Garmin 660 in my 4-wheeler. No bias there, either

 

My answers to the items in your post for what its worth.

a. I don't see this forum as being "biased" on Rand. In fact, I've seen old Mark here take some serious abuse at times. It's just (as has been already mentioned) that they and Cobra (Brian) chose to throw themselves into the public "fray" here by representing themselves publically. I would venture to say that there is at least one Garmin rep (and WorldNav, and TomTom, and PC Miler...) with a close eye on this forum as well. I say MAJOR KUDOS to Rand and Cobra and any other company that gives direct access to its consumers this way.

b. I get a LOT of public interest in the Garmin units (weekly calls on them, if not daily sometimes)

c. Garmin has been in the GPS game for "decades" longer - but not for truck routing. Garmin buys its maps from the SAME place that Rand does. It's ALL ABOUT the street by street truck attribute data that gets laid on top of those maps that sets them apart. And I continue to conclude that if Rand is "the kid" when it comes to that aspect, then Garmin is still in diapers so far. The only company that has actually been in the truck-route game for decades is ALK/PC*Miler in fact.

d. "Not much difference in price?" Well if you consider $50 - $200 not much... then ok.

 

I would love to be a Garmin user again, as their corporate offices are in my home state.

Until they do some serious catching up in the truck market, I will continue to be a Rand product user.

 

I just picked up the RM TND 700 for $150, and so far it is 10 folds better then what I expected. yeah it's not the newest one, but hell compared to Garmin I get better features.

I did compare them in person as well. Friend of mine has a Trucker GPS from Garmin (I cant remember the exact model #) and mine had some features it didn't have perfected. When I find the model # ill post it.