GPS Alternative

I was just thinking of when I got my first job in 2008. I got a Microsoft Streets and Trips software kit that turned my Laptop into a GPS because it included a sensor that plugged into a USB. I just kept it setup on my passenger seat with a bungie holding it in place.

What I liked about this setup is it responded to the Mouse and I could easily click and dragon the route line and constrain it to the path Trucks can take or drag the line to mark my fuel stops. It was also nice getting the reported Mileage that I could use to estimate trip time.

Today this is much more convenient with a Tablet, but maybe for some hobbyists converting an old Laptop with one of the USB GPS sensors could work. You could use Google Maps or a Mapping Software like MS Streets & Trips. Or these days, there might already be a Map App in Windows 10.

For a while, I even used this with a tiny HP Mini Netbook. For something as small as a Netbook, it might be possible to dashmount it.

 

Welcome TruckOrTreat. Tow and I are very glad to have you join are little thread here.
we will try to keep things polite.

 

there is one piece of software that i know of that will work on a laptop, CoPilot makes one for the laptop. I have never used it but i have heard its pretty good. the problem with using Google, streets or anything like that is it doesn't know truck routes and with the ever changing rules of low clearance, where we can go and when we can its important to have something that is as up to date as possible to get you where you are going without an issue.
Smart Truck is updated constantly not only by the programmers, but by direct feedback from drivers out there. If you driving down the road and your route is taking to an exit that has just been closed for construction, you can let Smart Truck know and almost right away they will fix the routing so the guy behind you gets a re-route around that exit. Can't get more up to date than that.

 

TruckOrTreat

How do you verify closed ramps, etc.
You don't rely only on drivers reporting. Do you?

 

Google maps.

 

Tablet landscape mode. Can you tone down the top and bottom bars. A bit too big.
Also can have option to turn off odometer compass and speed?
When I set a way point can I have option to not have it show distance to? I just set way points to force a route I don’t need to see how many miles and time arrived. Takes too much of display up
Smooth animations option does nothing. Still choppy.
Alternative routing where it gives you 2-3 routes to choose from?
Street names larger front? Kind of hard to see when it’s mounted on dash and you glance at it from a distance.

 

It has it. Nothing is perfect but as tow614 said their customer support is top notch. I71 in Cincinnati tunnel was routing me with hazmat through. I texted support and bam. Issue fixed. I pull hazmat regularly and so far that’s my only issue and was fixed immediately.

 

> I would love see more options for the bottom bar where we can customize what we want to see and Don't want to see. The odometers do nothing for me, and if I have a way point I don't need to see the time to each point at the same time, maybe give me an option for it flash between the 2 or off?
I do like having more screen and less bars of info i don't need.
Oh and one major last thing. as i get close to my destination, have the map zoom in more, way more. I would like street level at that point with out having to do it manually

 

> Ok i tried making my font smaller and I still have a huge top bar and the bottom is maybe a little smaller
just how small do i need to go on the font?