Rand McNally intelliRoute TND 500

I got mine in the mail yesterday.
There were a bunch of updates downloaded then. I will check again tomorrow, before I head out to an Orientation to make sure there are not more.
I have previously used GPS units made for 4 wheelers, and I have had no real issues with them, since I check everything before I head out on my route anyway.
If the route it gives is not the one I want I will add in a few VIA points to fix it.
I am also really big on getting directions to shippers/ receivers well before I get to them.
This way I can check the directions I am given with the ones on the GPS unit.
If they are not the same I write my directions down, and follow them. Eventually they will match if they did not when I started.
A GPS is only as good as the address given.
Many docks are not on the same street as the address to the facility. They will get you close though.
One thing that I have used a good bit that helps is to use google earth (if I do not have an internet connection), or if online google maps. With these many times I can see the facility in a satellite view and see where the dock entrance is located.
Using all tools at your disposal is always useful, and a GPS is a tool.
The best thing about a GPS is that you can use it to get a very good idea of when you can arrive at a location, even several days out. Even if it is just from your location to the center of the town you are going to this is a help.
Plus as a driver you have an idea of where you will get slowed down in-route and be able to adjust the time accordingly. Barring a road closure or breakdown you should be able to have a fairly accurate idea of your arrival 2-3 days out.

What I wanted the truck GPS for is the addition of truck routes, low overhead clearance and info on parking areas, as in truck stops and rest areas. Having this info already in the unit can really help to speed up the initial planning phase of a trip.
As I notice things that are not right on the unit, at least this company has a way to send this info to them via the unit. So as travel centers are added, or bridges are re-classified for weight, people using the units have a way to send this info to Rand McNally and get it updated.
Bridge weights are being changed allot in the last few years after that collapse. Many will not get changed in the atlas for at least a year after the change. With this unit you can help to get it updated sooner.

I have no illiusions that this unit is perfect. What I am hopeing is that the users of the unit will send issues they find with routes to the company. I know I will. This way we can help to get it right.
Garman does not give that option.

 

Awaiting your first feel and touch responses of the unit as you head back out..

Let me know of any issues also..

Are you an O/O?

Thanks
Mark

 

Our shop is at exit 233 and then about one mile south of the Home Depot on Three Lakes Road. Let me know when you are coming through and I meet you over there.

 

No, I am a company driver.
Been laid off for 4 months and decided I could not keep waiting for them to get rolling again, so headed to a new company.
I have Orientation Monday-Wednesday, then on the road. I am on this forum a good bit and I will be running Ohio regional, so I should hit all those hard to reach eastern and Midwest places lol. I know most areas well East of the Mississippi from Chicago to Maine and down to about GA. So the GPS is more of a tool for drive time than anything else.
My wifes old GPS died, so she took mine.
Since I needed a new one anyway I figured I may as well go all out.

 

Thanks Diesel, I have been to your shop before, I bought my Copilot and Laptop stand from you. Im the guy that showed up with another guy, we were both riding Goldwings.

 

Takes 2 Goldwings to pull a 53'?

 

Only one...the other is a Pilot "bike"...lol

 

Are any of you guys going to be in the Tulsa, OK area Oct 23-24th? Rand is going to be at the Big Rig Expo, with the TND. I believe that it's free admission to the show.

 

Ahh yes. I remember. Usually the old man is running the warehouse but I was actually over there that day. You're part of a Gold Wing club too right? Give me a call when you are coming in first so I'll make sure to go over there with my TND so you can poke around on it for a bit. Plus we have some other new stuff to consider in these "gps wars" as well.

I'll ride the Harley over so you can make fun of my lack of windshield, gadgets, bags, stereo, and all the other creature comforts on your machine.

 

Sounds like a plan.