Garmin Vs Rand McNally

I've used both. I like the Garmin more from a regulatory standpoint. It shows you all Ifta miles for each state rather than showing you miles for each month and making you add them up. It auto generates trip reports which is a huge time saver. It has BT connectivity with your phone so it auto updates and shows up coming weather on route as well as displays incoming text messages and email subject lines on the screen.

The Rand McNally is easier to punch in a new location for. Garmin always assumes you're searching in the state you're in so you have to put the state you're actually looking for in. The Rand McNally just gives you a list of Buffalos to choose whether you meant New York or Wyoming. You can also choose between North facing map mode and directional facing map mode from the map on the Rand McNally which I liked as I'd select north facing map mode to get my bearings and then switch back to directional facing map.

The directions on them both were often fairly stupid, but they would keep you away from low bridges and low weight limits generally. The Garmin is a bit better at this as it has the benefit of constant internet connectivity where as my Rand McNally didn't get updated for 6 years.

 

I like the Garmin better myself. Good explanation open deck

 

I use both I prefer the Garmin, you would think that since Rand McNally is the king of maps their GPS would be the best~NOT~some features I like better than the Garmin but for the most part I use my Garmin for directional use. The Rand will put you on some roads that are not for trucks, good example of this is there’s a 10 ton limit bridge in Newell, WV that the Rand will try to put you on along with several others, I’ve updated it with the same results lol

 

I have learned to live with the quirks of Garmin. They have very good customer support, and will listen if you describe a problem, at least related to trucking. There are many times the shortest route is not the best route for trucks. I have had them pull up maps before and show them what I am talking about while on the phone. Then they get it, and turn in a report to the necessary powers. They copy me on my email. They have fixed a lot of problems in two years.

 

True that, I go to a lot of the same places but no matter I still have my Garmin active for the camera usage, might’ve overpaid but it’s worth the money with all the crazy drivers out here nowadays

 

I've had my Rand McNally 740 for almost 3 years. RM stopped providing updates for the maps/database in 2018. There are frequent updates for the unused functions. I baby my RM by putting a sunshade over it and by directing cool air from the defrost. I am pretty well satisfied with it, except for no more updates to the map. If/when it breaks, I will buy a Garmin 770 or whatever is their newest 7-inch GPS.

The RM will only update over a wired USB or WiFi signal. The Garmins receive traffic and weather updates by FM-subcarrier so it doesn't use your phone's data.

Both brands have their minor quirks. If you learn their way you will be fine. My RM very rarely suggests I prepare for a left turn when the signs in front of me are clearly indicating a right turn is upcoming. Every time it has done this it is either getting onto an interstate highway from a local street, or preparing to move from one interstate highway to another interstate highway. I've never seen this type of error navigating local streets. There are a couple of very new roads that are not in the database. When driving on these roads the GPS constantly tells me to make a u-turn. There is also a non-existant HazMat restriction on Atlanta I-285. I pull HazMat and have learned to tune out this warning. I think it's the only false HM restriction I've noticed. Both of these errors are due to out of date maps.

Overall I think most drivers will agree Garmins are more durable and they don't stop "lifetime updates" a year or two after the device is introduced like Rand McNally.

The RM will die quickly if you let it get hot and if you let it recharge 24/7. I turn my RM off every night when I stop for the night and I take it off the mount so it's not recharging already full batteries for the 8-10 hours I'm sleeping. If you baby it the RM will do fine. If you don't baby it, it will die. If you buy it at the truck stops, buy the warranty and then register that purchase as required so you don't lose all of your money if it dies quickly.

 

My RM 540 is always plugged in, and no problems.
Baby it? I just use it normally.

 

I have never had a Garmin, so I can't compare them directly.
From the various comments in different threads on this subject I would say 6 of one and half dozen of the other.