Rand McNally intelliRoute TND 500

What about map in RAND GPS,do I need to buy extra RAND atlas for some reason
or can use GPS map as well?

 

What are you asking exactly? Your questions are a little vague...thanks..

 

I just checked the RM site and the unit is available for purchase and says it's "in stock" which to me means you don't wind up on a waiting list to get it as in it's not actually ready yet. Site says 60 return policy full refund. I think I'm going to go for it and surprise the hubby. I'll let you know what hubby has to say about it after he's had a chance to use it for awhile.

 

Based on my own conjecture, and Rand McNally's reputation, I pre-purchased one, on Sept. 7, from an internet retailer, to remain unnamed.
Sept. 14, I got a call from that retailer, describing all of the features, and advantages of it, telling me I was going to be very happy with the unit, once it shipped. But, shipping would not take place until Monday 9/21.
In the mean time, I received my credit card bill, with the charge on it, for this GPS (my first GPS). I paid that bill, in full. Based on the retailer's information, I expected delivery Friday, 9/25/09. As of tonight, when I went to the retailer's site, I entered my invoice number, and it still shows "PENDING". Apparently, it has not yet shipped. Due to this, I am so far quite disappointed with the "roll out" of the new Rand McNally TND 500. They should have had better coordination, with their retailers, to get this done right. This is a very uncoordinated roll-out, and one in which I am very disappointed. It may well be the best GPS out there, for commercial drivers, but it's difficult to tell, when one has a difficult time obtaiing one.
Come on Rand McNally and your retailers, let's be a bit more accurate with the details, and give people something they can count on. If their routing information is as accurate as their estimate of when the item would be available, they ought to be routing me from Dallas to Austin, by way of El Paso (to paraphrase Waylon Jennings).
I am not very impressed, so far.

 

Why your retailer charged you for the unit before he shipped it was wrong. Most retailers when they take pre-orders do not charge till the product is shipped. As to their specifing an actually ship date, again they took the liberty and told you a date. If you had gone to the RM web site you would have seen the shipping date was approx Oct 5th as of a few days ago. Yes, the release dates changed a few times, but their is a lot in the background than simply putting something in a box and selling it. Your retailer should have been in contact with RM as to a final release date. I think by the dates you gave that your retailer simply went to the RM site and looked at the dates. I am sorry your first experience was a little shaky. Do not let this get in the way of you enjoying your RM TND 500. It is a solid product. Just think how many times you went to a store to get a product to find it not in stock, but when you called they looked on the computer and it said in stock. BTW.. As with any store, they do not have any control over the resellers. Have fun with your unit and I do wish to hear anything you may find that could be improved. Thanks, Mark

 

I m asking how good is map in this GPS...Can I find everthing in it,or good thing to have Atlas too for easer driving...

 

The maps are excellent... but a good driver never rely's on just the GPS.. I would suggest you have an atlas in case. RM has done the best to make sure all the roads are included, but they may not be listed due to new construction, renaming of streets, etc... but if you do find these type of situations then by all means let RM know so the mapping can be corrected.

Thanks, Mark

 

Just got email from RM that my unit has shipped. We will see if this is a good as it appears

 

I would most certainly would like to hear your comments, good or bad. If you feel something needs to be improved by all means let me know. I know all of RM Beta Testers worked hard to make this unit the best on the market for Professional Drivers. I hope you are happy with your unit and it meets your expectations....thanks, Mark

 

Received my unit. Is the computer inter-phase only limited to updates? If so how to do the IFTA miles and routes? How to use the logging? Seems the logging is only total hours.

Would have liked to use the laptop to enter routes/trips. Can the reports be printed out?

Can the smart entry be by passed? First town entered was not in the data list. Was able to enter using the map. Okay if I know where it is, like my home terminal. Not so good if I don't. Can see that S&T will still be used for now.

Routing from house planned impassable streets, admitted not restricted, but they are impassable to a semi. Not sure how this could be corrected if ever.

Will be in the truck from PA to CT today. I didn't put a regular sat tracking because of the implied capabilities of this unit and the reporting capabilities. And yes I did read most of the manual. Will see how this works today.