plastic or paper... THE BIG MAP.

I'm a new guy and I don't have a trucker GPS...they're a lot of money for one, and just haven't felt the need yet. I use whatever else I can though. Qualcomm routing, shipper/receiver directions, The Rand McNally MC Atlas, and Google Maps on the iPhone. I suppose it would have saved me a few headaches by now, but that's how you learn I guess.

Google maps will spit out some interesting routes so I use it but carefully (it thinks you're in a car after all. You have to be awake enough to say "nah nah nah, don't go that way", especially when you get down to the small roads for local P&D or if navigating through or around a metro area. So I'll look at the suggested routes and critique as needed when writing out my directions. Very very helpful to see the satellite view to get a big landmark noted for where you need to make a turn, and you can even zoom in on the intersection to see what the turn lanes look like and whatnot. Occasionally I've have a look while rolling if it's a dark or very obscure one to see if I'm coming up on it, but I try not to do that too often for obvious reasons.

 

GPS is a map ... the satellite is only needed to track where you are on the map. Most people who use and get into trouble with GPS aren't using it effectivley becuase they don't how to use a map to start with.

 

Don't be to hard on the guy ... that picture is rather small. Personally when I saw it just assumed you were a Poison fan.

 

I run a GPS. map, and any directions I can get. GPS is good in town and as a quick reference. The map for a view of where Im going and any restrictions the GPS over looked. Company/shipper/consignee directions for special info like "its not possible to get there off this street but turn past the RR tracks and you come in the back side at the docks." I can see the "old timers" view on GPS but they are useful as for people that use only GPS IMO youre just asking for 1 BIG F%%^ up! but to each their own

 

I only use a GPS as a reference (if it matches my planned route) so I don't miss turns or anything. I always have all my routes, exit numbers, turns all wrote on my windshield with dry erase marker before I roll. Unless I'm going to a place that i've been to a bunch of times...

 

It seems there is always going to be a debate about GPS vs a road atlas. Here's my take:

A road atlas is an indispensable tool to the trucker and no truck should be without one. I use mine every day. That being said, a GPS can be an indispensable tool as well.....IF it is used the right way. For me, I use it as a general guide as it helps to show which side of a freeway your next exit ramp is, and you can set it up to show you your ETA, remaining miles, or remaining time to a destination. Still, the best thing to do besides using your atlas and GPS is to call the customer direct and get directions from them. Using all three of these methods in conjunction with each other will drastically minimize errors in routing.

One other thing I do is use the internet (bing maps or mapquest) and look up the address of my destination, and then go to satellite or birds-eye view and get an aerial image of the property and surrounding area. Believe me, this really helps as you can see what a particular area looks like before you even get there.

 

What a great idea!
And I'll bet it keeps the inside of your windshield sparkly clean too...at least that one spot.

 

I'm a firm believer in my laminated gps

 

Having your directions carefully written out on a notepad (or the windshield, lol) works like a charm, however it can be a time consuming and painstaking process. Sometimes I'll take 15-20 minutes doing it, where as the gps will spit out your routing in about 30 seconds, or however long it takes to punch in an address. That is a definite score for the gps. Time is money and aggravations are already plentiful enough in this game.