Info on GPS

I used a Tom Tom 510, but I also backed that info up with my atlas. It has the enter your origin and ending point feature. I don't think you can zoom in and out like google maps. I haven't used it in forever.

the advantage of a GPS is if you get into a confusing interchange of hiways it will tell you what lane to be in, how far your exit is, etc etc. BUT! ALWAYS double check the route it gives you with your atlas. Thats better than backing 4 or 5 miles with a police escort. It will send you through some crazy areas if you let it.

I was playing with it after I first got it. Was in Greensboro, NC. Put in that I wanted to go back home to Little Rock, AR. It had me routed up through Virginia, West Virginia, over to kentucky, down 65 through tennesee, then 40 to Little Rock. But... you can take 40 all the way across from NC to Little Rock and just cross through Tennesee....

I gave $300 for my Tom Tom at the Flying hook in Memphis. I like it.

 

You can buy the Garmin C330 at walmart for around $160.00 and it will have the same map as the other models but just not all the features (which you probably wont use anyway, so why pay extra for them?). The Garmin brand has the option to stick to truck routes unlike many of the other GPS units so I'd suggest a Garmin. The software is not perfect but it will do a better job of keeping you off roads that you should not be on than most of the rest (from what I've read and seen). I'd still suggest checking your atlas and calling the receiver for directions to make sure you don't get stuck somewhere you should not be. I've used my Garmin around town and I have been very impressed with its performance considering its one of the cheapest options under the Garmin brand.

You can buy more expensive options specifically for semi's but they get expensive real quick. For the bang for your buck stick to the C330 and a truckers atlas and you should be happy.

Cheers,

-Reby

 

I completely agree with Reby, that is a great Garmin unit, the price is right, and Garmin's have the truck route version. It is a great tool, but be sure to back it up with your atlas and brain cells.

 

I think a portable unit will be a little bit simpler than google maps by just inputing your destination. It will automatically figure out where you are. Not sure about Garmin, but I read somewhere that Tomtom can update your maps for dead-ends that have been reported by users and verfied by Tomtom. You can update their maps through the net which I think would be a plus.

I've used DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2008 that was installed in my laptop, the learning curve is a lot steeper than a stand a lone unit, but it safely guided me from Northern California to Houston, without even planning.

 

Yowzers, win98?! Man you really need to upgrade!

I know my C330 came with the 2007 map and when I tried to update it Garmin wanted another ~$70.00 for the 2008 map (btw the update is not just the maps, its Points of Interest (POI), addresses, and phone numbers). I did not bother with the new update yet but I thought I'd mention the fact that you don't get a free map upgrade with the C330 (and one of the reasons for its price discount). In any event, I think a map update every 2 years would be prudent if nothing else to get updated addresses and phone numbers (since most truck routes don't change that often as residential streets).

I hope this helps and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Cheers,

-Reby

 

Another great thread filled with vital info in which all can benefit.

Good job

 

New roads open up all the time. So updating is a good thing. As far as updating my Atlas, about once every 2 years or so. The GPS.. whenever I remember to hook it up to my computer.