GPS systems -good and bad

GPS is a good tool just don't TOTALLY rely on it. There are a few brands of GPS that are geared specifically for truckers. I know Garmin makes one and not sure on the others.

 

You just have to remember the GPS doesn't drive the truck for you. You have to have the common sense to look for little things like bridge clearance signs and one way streets while you use it. If the GPS tells you to go under a bridge and there is a sign ahead that says 'Bridge 12' 5" then who are you going to believe? I once had a GPS route me to the back side of a Werner drop yard and into a residential neighborhood while the entrance was just off the interstate. GPS is just a tool and you have to know how to use that tool properly...

 

Everything everyone else has said,but,I have a Garmin nuvi,and really,I could not do without it....

 

I have the Garmin Nuvi as well with truck route. It has been doing great so far.

 

Rand McNally here. Beware though it will try to get you to drive in places a goat can't go. I was going to seed place for a live load and the GPS tried to have me turn down this dirt road and I see the destination is still 7 miles out. No Way. So I thought hmm well I will just go up 2 miles to the truck stop and figure this out. Once I got there the GPS now said I was .08 miles away from final destination. Crazy.
Had a fuel stop at J corner of I-15 and I-80. GPS says get off here and take back streets for 5 miles to get to J when all one has to do is get off the exit 17 and boom there it is.
About half the time when arriving at a place it will clearly state the address in on the Right (or Left) when the opposite is true.
Many times has tried to trap me in residential streets with little old grannies shaking their shaky fingers at me.
Told me I had arrived and all I see for miles around is open range. Luckily another driver knew where I was going and told me to follow her on CB about 4 miles away. I never would have found the place otherwise.
Let's say your heading north but shut down for the 10 and when you resume your trip good ole GPS tries to get you to take the south onramp.
I just mute the volume and look at it when I'm getting close. Also nice to see my speed as it's on the dash near the windshield sorta like a heads up display. It keeps track off all miles I drive and which states, toll roads, splits it up by quarter or month and can be uploaded to the computer in a nice spreadsheet format.

Over all I recommend it because they can be invaluable. They can save time on trip planning. The company sends the general route to get there and the actual address which 90% of the time the GPS can find without help. Otherwise the Qcom has options for fine tune directions. You can use the nearest truck stop or rest stop features to help you get closer to your 11 hour driving days whereas in the past after about 10 hours it was wise to shut down and look at a map before going any further. Be careful with that too though lol I clicked on a truck stop that was arrival time just minutes before my 11 ran out and when I got there - only 3 truck parking spots, I got the last one.

 

this is an off question.

how is google navigation with respects to reliability?

 

I think its decent, although I have found more than a few errors on their maps and that is just purely local.

 

I don't recommend a GPS for any new trucker. Learn it old school.

My opinion though....