Rand McNally TND 700

Sorry, I did not get back to you yesterday. I was under the weather.

Log book timers - This is a feature that is growing. As with any feature it gets assigned a priority. Rand is working on getting this feature right before it is submitted to the public. It is set up for just daily use right now. In this next version we have given you the option to turn the status change for logs off\on. With this Rand had to make sure that other items that tie into the status changes was not affected. Will it be expanded to show the prior 7 days? Still listed on the feature list.

Features as they are added, are added for the general consensus of drivers. In other words, the TND features are made for the general overall driving populace. This does not mean that what you need is not important, but to write the code costs money along with testing. Features like this are placed on the feature list in priority so that the most needed/asked features are coded first. Rand does have your type of requirement on the feature list.

Remember the GPS records the distance by Lat/Long. It does not care if you have full tread or at the DOT minimum. But, your odometer is usually gauged with full tread. If you put 20" tires on your Honda Civic you would have to re-calibrate your speedometer also.

Weeding out more POI's. You can turn off the general car POI's in your truck settings under preferences. If we ask the developers to keep adding settings to weed out select POI's they will keep sending us pictures of a 747 ####pit. But, it is a thought and I forwarded it up to RM.

Rest areas showing at greater zoom out level. Been forwarded up to Rand.

As for the Hard Wire option. Is the need versus the cost factor there? Rand has to buy in bulk to get a greater discount. Is the need for a lot of these type of connecters needed to justify the storage on shelves? This is what any company has to look at to justify any type of product. If they sell thousand of TND's and only the need for 5 DC cords without the DC plug on the end - would the cost of manufacturing be worth buying a few and making the cost to you reasonable?

Any questions or concerns, Rand would love to hear them.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Any issues, I live in Statesville.

Thanks,
Mark

 

All,
Thank You:
Great thread, you have convinced me to pick one of these up.
But should I hold out for a few months and let RM work out more of the open issues or can they do it on the fly?
This brings me too...

Hi Mark,
Thank You for all you effort to help us make an informed decision and work through problems.

I know I can updated maps but can I update the version on a TND?
Is there any way to find out when the next hardware upgrade will roll out?
It sounds like the processor needs to be enhanced.

 

Things like hardware changes are covered under my NDA, could not mention anything unless it was public information.

Versions are updated via the Internet, on the TND Dock. Nothing more than a Dashboard for the computer.

As issues are found and features added, those show up in version updates. Holding off buying a TND would gain you no ground.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Hey Mark, I think you do a great job on this site.

Regarding the 700, will the concern over "missed exits" be addressed soon? I'm itchin' to pull the trigger on the 700. Really, that's my biggest concern right now. Yes, I still keep my Rand McNally Glossy Atlas by my side for cross reference.

Like another poster stated, missing an exit in a city or highway that has nearby exits can lead to trouble in many ways. Come on McNally, I'm ready to retire the Garmin. In fact, I live 2 blocks from the Garmin World Headquarters here in Olathe, Kansas. Convince me I should shutter my neighbor down the street.......

 

Missed Exits - I am taking this to mean you miss your exit and the next exit goes by before the TND recalulates - esp in city areas.

A few factors are common in most navigation units. If you miss an exit, the navigation unit will not realize you have missed you exit till usually you are just past the exit. It takes into account the Lat\long. Then it will recalcuate, but the TND will recalcuate the entire trip again to include the missed exit and where to get you turned around. This could take several minutes depending on the length of the trip.

If you have a 2000 mile run this could take the several moments you need, as you passed the next close exit. Remember you are traveling about 88 feet a second. At 60mph = 1 mile per minute = 88 feet. a mile is 5280 feet\60 seconds.

If the next exit is a mile away, the TND has 60 seconds to find out you missed your exit, then recalcuate to show you your new route. Sometimes the time involved is just not long enough for the TND to react for your needs.

If their is a A/B exit right together, Rand has lane assist to try to get you into the right path. It should also show you on the top bar on the map screen the ramp you need. If it does not then by all means let Rand know.

Remember the TND is a tool, the same as your atlas. Is it perfect - no, it will have some errors in the mapping database.

I never did like those A/B ramps. A new mapping database is due out with in the next few weeks and hopefully the data missing will be in place. If not let me know.

I am going to info Rand on this to see if you have a route that is x amount of miles and you miss an exit, can we only look at a portion of the route to get you back on track. This will speed up the recalculations.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Thanks for the quick reply Mark. I understand what you're saying. But, are we talking different software systems/OS and satellites for the different GPS companies. I ask, because some GPS units are able to recalculate the route pretty quickly. I'm talking mere seconds on some of the units I've used. Again, I hate to compare McNally with other companies because RM has features these other GPS companies don't. So yes, I know it's not fair to compare every little detail.

Anyhow, it sounds like RM will address these issues in the near future. Are you allowed to give out information on upcoming specials/sales with the 700 unit?

Also truckers.....there are a few companies out there that offer dash mounting pads/ and or bean bags that are universal for most GPS units. Look online at various retail sites. Some of ur big box retailers in ur city will also have them. Really not too difficult to find and most work fairly well.

 

I've had my TND 700 since Friday and so far I love it. The screen is HUGE! I've tried allot of the features and played with the settings a little. I even found out the speedo in my pickup is 4 mph probably because of the 33" tires . I Can't wait to take it on its first long trip!



The only thing I don't like so far is that film that they put on the screen, It's GLUED ON! its a TOUCH Screen lol so it was a PITA to get it off and clean the screen off, I still got some more work to do on it.





American Trucker

 

How it re-calculates is depended on how the code is written, Many factors go into an re-route so to speak. The code still has to look at what is available or not available for routing based upon the criteria you have entered in truck info. You are correct in that you cannot compare apples to oranges.

I cannot give out information until it has been released publicly by Rand.

I will drop hints now and then as to what the newer production version will have the closer they get to a release date.

Rand does field test some of the market items for the TND. I have used a BeanBag and left a TND in it for 3 months,on all the time. No overheating.

Their are other items out there to get around sticking the bracket to your windshield.

If you buy, make sure about the return policy. A truck stop will have a more strict policy on return of funds versus a big box store. So if you go with another way to mount the TND, take the bracket with you so you can test it in the store.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Whoa........

I think you removed too much... their is a very thin plastic (thinner than paper) with writing on it... that you remove... what you removed was the protective screen cover that is supposed to STAY on..

Thanks,
Mark