Navigation tools

Nice story. Glad Mom is happy..lol

 

Yep, I've gotta get my eyes trained well to catch all the signs.

 

I'll look into the PC miller. Thanks for taking the time to post.

 

Geez, some people just can't take any humor.

 

I carry a few navigation tools.

Laptop with mobile hotspot: Microsoft Streets and Trip w/GPS. $60 at local Office Depot. Very handy when matched up to company directions. Street level maps of all cities US/Canada. Add Mega POI file (free download) to show all truckstops, weigh stations and most rest areas. This is my primary planning tool and backup GPS. Also, I use Google Earth to get an idea of the last couple of miles and yard layout.

TND 520 GPS (Rand McNally): Primary "enroute" tool.

Old Fashioned RM Atlas: to cross check the routes for restrictions (learned my lesson the hard way running WA129 near Lewiston, ID). NEVER COMPLETELY TRUST THE GPS!!!!!!!

Smart phone as last ditch effort.

Brain: never let it go into sleep mode......

 

I hate when im going to a city for the first time and rand mcnally will be like recalculating what the hell there is no shoulder to stop and i don't know where im going, there is one thing i know for sure if you going to a place and you miss an exit or a turn rand mcnally will recalculating and give another road trust me if you are in a city the next turn may not be a truck route that happened to me in NJ and in Mo and i know that and i always check the route when rand mcnally recalculate it

 

I promiss you can do better if you write your direction down and check your map and keep your heads up for signs then be like a steering wheel holder following a gps and ended up on exit ? to northern parkway ny lol

 

Is that what makes a steering wheel holder?

Seriously, I can say that I write down (or memorize) the directions. The GPS just tells me how far to "Market st" so I can concentrate on traffic instead of looking for the (tiny) road sign...

All tools are useful when used properly. I can swap an engine using box end wrenches, but a socket set sure is nice...

 

Road Atlas. Contains all you should need. I never use GPS, but pull smartphone for backup. When I first started I would sit and plan route and tape notes to dash, then follow along. Still do now with unfamiliar routes.

 

how about a good road atlas? Never lies or lets you down. And you can call where you have to go, and get directions when you get near where your load goes. GPS etc is a tool to assist you.. They have a burned up airplane in San Francisco ,Ca from people depending to much on computers and electrical equipment. As for detours.. They are normally well marked.