Peoplenet GPS smartphone app??

Its intended purpose is not as a gps device. Whatever....the fine for using a cellphone the wrong way is 2750 bucks. Not taking that chance. They arent gonna care why you where using it, just that you are. I may or may not get away with using a gps device. You wont win in court with the "but your honor, with this here app, it aint no cellular phone" argument. Your distinction about it being handheld or not may save the day on court. But cell phonesb by their very nature are designed to be handheld. Not worth the additional risk in my humble opinion. I'll stand by my earlier statement that if you want to use an app on your cell phone, use it to verify your gps route, while parked. I wouldnt advise using just a gps app in place of a gps unit.

 

I do exactly that with Google. I also run a Garmin 770 right beside my phone mount, like about 90% of the other guys.

 

I have a Garmin mounted on my windshield. My cell is mounted onto my dash. My company’s device is mounted on the dash. I never hold any of them. I feel this works fine and is distraction free.

 

And don't forget, they relaxed the windshield mount rules a few years back
FMCSA updates regs for windshield-mounted safety devices

 

The best thing about the Garmin is the speed display (although you can buy them now at Amazon for $40). Keeps you from having to look down all the time. Much safer I believe.