rand mcnally good but...

A quick phone call to the shipper/reciever is usually a good thing too. Some will have automated phone systems that will provide you with all the directions you'll need. I've never trusted gps so I've never owned one. Google satellite images is also another great way to verify you're going to the right place, zoom in, you'll be able to see other trucks. In my opinion a good old map and a smart phone is all you need, and something most people already have.

 

use my 720 after checking map book, after checking with directions from shipper and if i remember checking with company's recommended routing. mainly use it to find parking and or p stops/30 min break stops.

that said, it had a love affair with the George Bush Turnpike in Plano today. it was determined that i was gonna get on that road no matter what i wanted to do. it was beyond comical. i'm sitting in the shippers yard it routed me 10 miles to get on to 75, including GB Turnpike when i could see 75 two lights down the road. oy.

 

This truck routing app uses Google maps but it's not free....
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teletype.smarttruckroute

 

when i first came out on the road. i started with rand. my last trip was vegas to phoenix. i was still refreshing myself with the maps and knew nothing about the 93. rand wanted me through flagstaff. but i took the road into prescott. it was dark and i didn't catch the signs in time for the 17 but followed rand. thinking it knew another way. i ended up right into the neighborhoods. going around and around. after 15 minutes i used google on the phone.

traded my rand in for pcmiler. been using ever since. beautiful machine on the west. i have no problems following blindly. but in the northeast. sometimes it thinks it's comedian. now i have to stay alert.

 

I google satellite every where I go
to have a pic in my mind where to go
company gps will take me to the address
but many times it is the office not the truck entrance

I thought the RM 520 and 720 only difference was the bigger screen
updating helps a lot on my 510

 

We used a Garmin for a year that was for cars. Used the shippers directions, Road atlas, etc. It was not truck friendly, but was better then nothing at the time. I think the Garmin was easier to scroll in and out of to look where the roads were at and the overall picture than the Rand.

Husband now has the Tnd 710 (upgraded after the previous model died). It has it's malfunctions somedays and it will get in a loop and want to stay there, and you do have to watch it. I use google maps from home for him. Google maps give you the overall picture, you can see what exit numbers you need to get off on and have that in your head, etc. With all the cloverleafs and exchanges in the roads now it is handy to use a GPS as long as it let's you know in advance when you are going to be exiting. He defers to the shippers instructions in most cases as to the final route or exit in and go from there. When unsure in places like Hunt's Point, I have googled and zoomed in to look at overpasses to see if they were posted with low clearance, etc just to be on the safe side.