'programmable' GPS. It exist?

Good plan. I've been driving for 4 years and got my first GPS last week. It is like a toy. I don't need it, but it's fun and the truck stop finder is handy.

 

I agree 100% about having to be able to read a map, and route suggestion.

On the other hand, a truck GPS isn't a toy. My GPS has been extremely valuable for things other than telling me when it's time to take a left or right. A truck gps can really help a new driver in becoming familiar with where things are. When I start my day, or load, I get my map out, outline my route, write down the route/fuel suggestion, input route into GPS, then I can tell that a particular TS is 600 miles away that I'm going to stop at at the end of the day. If I'm 300 miles into my day, and need to stop for whatever reason, I can tell that a rest area is 33 miles away. Rookies just need to understand that their GPS cannot make all of their decisions, or bad things will happen.

If I'm at a shipper, and getting loaded with 44k, and need to find a scale to weight out, in a matter of seconds, I know where the closest scale is. If used correctly, a GPS is an awesome tool to have. I use it as more of a reference point than I do an actual GPS.