hi, newbie wanting suggestions on which cb, gps & inverter to buy.

Pretty good turns of phrase there actually, steelbutterfly! I'm still chuckling from reading that!

 

I run a Cobra 29 Classic, Astatic boise cancelling mic, Magellin GPS, Rand McNally Large Scale Motor Carriers Atlas, and a 400w Cobra inverter to power my net book and Trippak scanner. Also invested in a Bluetooth headset.

Probably have a total investment of around $500.

 

yes ,cb's have saved lives. about 20 yrs ago a guy was off the road and 200' down an embankment. pre cell phone days, called on his cb for help and people came to get him out of his truck. he could have died down there. couldn't see him at all.

 

Thanks Chompi. Yes, we decided, on purpose and everything, to see if we could make it old school. We used our mcRand atlas & our cheat was mapquest. Mapquest helped a lot but, of course, it's made for cars. I guess we are going to go with the mcRand 720 gps. It cost a pretty penny so I hope it's worth it. As far as I know, I have like a week to return it if I decide I can continue living without it after trying it.

 

Its good that you know how to though because even the GPS for the trucks are wrong and if you don't know what you are doing that will really mess you up. No matter what always double check your trip plan on your GPS with your Motor Carrier Atlas.

 

The GPS's the folks have recommended are very good. I have one more option for you to consider. I run Microsoft Streets and Trips 2013 with GPS on a laptop. $65 out of the box since I use the laptop for other things anyway. While it's not a true "truckers" GPS, I downloaded the Point of Interest file (free, Mega POI) which includes almost every truckstop, Weigh Station, Rest area and most low bridges. It's also very good to use for trip planning as you can see the whole route. This might be a good, inexpensive way to break into the GPS world. You can also get 2011 versions cheaply ($30ish) on Ebay.

Just a thought to consider.

 

oh come on Ev that doesnt mean your sane just cause you been here

 

We run our company's Driver Tech
For GPS and maps backup on my iPhone.
Check the atlas every trip. We also have a
Handheld midland cb, under 30 on amazon
For weather and traffic info
Also have a 1500w yellow inverter to run microwave
And sandwich maker

 

As for inverters and power supplies, I've done a lot of thinking. If I owned my truck (again), I'd go a different route than most. I'd take a page from the boating and rv industry and install a pair of 6v deep cycle batteries (keep the starting bats) and run the inverter off those. They would be charged via an isolated circuit from the engine or APU.
Deep cycle batteries are made to discharge and recharge. Starter type batteries aren't. It wears them out quickly.
In my last truck, replaced my batteries every year. They were just worn out from the inverter. I didn't have abnormal power demands. The largest was my refrigerator and microwave.
It adds a few extra pounds, but a good set of deep cycles should last at least 3 years and the starter batteries should last at least 5.

 

In case anyone is interested... Sapp Brothers has a $30 mail in rebate on the Cobra 29 making the final price $79

What do GPS have against I80... I have a great ap called Truck Routes for my android phone that works great, but on a run to Cheyenne from Ohio it kept trying to route me down to the 70 even after I was on the 80
I have since bought a Rand McNally that also has been working great but now on an Arkansas to Seattle run even though I am on the 80, it keeps trying to route me up to the 90.

I have to follow company fuel stops so have to stay on the 80 to 84 route.