HELP me help him! What GPS do you use?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Hadherway, Dec 1, 2011.

  1. whosedog

    whosedog Medium Load Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2009
    Messages:
    626
    Thanks Received:
    213
    Location:
    fair lawn nj
    0
    You're right it was late and I was headed to bed,anyway that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
     
  2. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2007
    Messages:
    10,935
    Thanks Received:
    4,216
    Location:
    Statesville, NC
    0
    Rand only makes a truck navigation device.

    Thanks,
    Mark
     
  3. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2007
    Messages:
    10,935
    Thanks Received:
    4,216
    Location:
    Statesville, NC
    0
    And I asked you to ship it to me. If it does not respond in a minute or two then it is hung up. I suspect you have corrupted files.

    I send you a shipping label, you could drop it off in any FedEx box at any truck stop.

    We could go on for days, but until I get your TND to look at please realize you will have issues.

    Thanks,
    Mark
     
  4. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2007
    Messages:
    10,935
    Thanks Received:
    4,216
    Location:
    Statesville, NC
    0
    Semi versus Firetruck.

    When was the last time you picked up a load (41,000lbs) on the East coast and had to drive 2500 miles to deliver on a set appointment time on the West Coast?

    Firetrucks usually do not need to go very far.

    Thanks,
    Mark
     
  5. kajidono

    kajidono Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2009
    Messages:
    6,422
    Thanks Received:
    4,659
    Location:
    Streetrat
    0
    And I'm still out on the road. you know that. It was still locked up this morning, btw. That reset my odometers for the week to 150 miles for no apparent reason.
     
  6. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2007
    Messages:
    10,935
    Thanks Received:
    4,216
    Location:
    Statesville, NC
    0
    What you are seeing is not the normal function of a TND. Until I can examine your TND and determine the cause of your issues, please understand that your TND is not the norm.

    Thanks,
    Mark
     
  7. Dieselboss

    Dieselboss Technology Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2009
    Messages:
    1,648
    Thanks Received:
    1,365
    Location:
    DieselBoss.com
    0
    AND, when was the last time that you saw a fire truck pulled over for not being on a commercial truck route that was calculated in "30 seconds with 5 minutes to get there?"

    Not being insulting LSAgent - just saying that it isn't an applicable comparison or substitution for what the thread-starter is asking.
     
  8. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2011
    Messages:
    4,875
    Thanks Received:
    22,139
    0
    Could be many reasons:
    • Shipper with multiple locations near one address
    • Local road routing may be bad via GPS
    • Might be a company reason to use a certain route
    • The supplied GPS may not be truck-specific
    My advice is: you have to be smarter than the GPS. They're great for calculating ETA and some have advanced views that help with lane choice on complex interchanges. The trucking specific models take into account designated truck routes, clearances, and so on. But they can't think for you. Sometimes a look at local roads on Google maps or equivalent can be a lifesaver. Satellite view is excellent for figuring out in advance what driveways to look for and possible obstructions or dead-end roads.

    A recent example where GPS was not smart: My new driver needed to make a short trip through the NE Atlanta suburbs. GPS was routing him on the "fastest" truck route. It didn't look right to him so he called me. I'm familiar with the area and there was nothing fast about that route (local roads that happen to be truck routes). Had he followed the GPS, his 10 minute trip would have easily taken an hour.

    For what it's worth, I've bought two Garmin dezl560LMT units and am pleased with them. I chose Garmin as I own a number of their other products and the quality has been consistent. I would expect that the Rand and other similar products to be as good or better. I bought my last Garmin on Walmart online as they had the best price at the time. That particular part number includes lifetime map updates. However, there is still a small subscription fee to update the NTTS database (helps you locate nearby truck service facilities).

    Sometimes the best solution is the low-tech one: use your phone to call the receiver and ask them for local directions. That'll get you there, even with the crappiest of car GPS.
     
  9. LSAgentOZR

    LSAgentOZR Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2011
    Messages:
    2,043
    Thanks Received:
    1,354
    Location:
    Nashville, TN
    0
    Touche sir. You make a very good point. Thanks for the insight.:biggrin_25525:
     
  10. usa4freedom

    usa4freedom Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2011
    Messages:
    14
    Thanks Received:
    2
    0
    (IMO) From what I read, it seems the Rand Mc 710 has more and better features but seems to lack durability.
    The Garmin 465T seems to be more durable but lacks many of the features that the 710 has..
    (that being said.. I have had 2 Garmin auto GPS crap out on me.. for what seems like no reason.. over the past 5 years.)

    What to do..??

    Thanks in advance for any and all advice..