Review of rand McNally TND 730

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by John Dewart, Jun 21, 2016.

  1. John Dewart

    John Dewart Medium Load Member

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    when I first bought this, it worked great, but after a year, the charger fell apart on me, I grabbed another one, and ever since then I've had nothing but problems with it. Now it sits in my cabinet with a black screen refusing to turn on. Even after updates it has a hard time getting through cities like Dallas TX. I never got my 50$ rebate on it, and it broke about 3 months after warranty. Lovely. The touch screen is all wrong, after spending 30 minutes calibrating it it still didn't work right. Has a hard time finding destinations in places with a lot of No truck signs. Such as plié branch MS. And it completely spazzes out on a regular basis.
    I just bought the new 7" garmin Dezl, and it's a way better GPS. I don't like the lay out of it, but it's smoother and doesn't skip around.
    I'd give the rand McNally 2 of 5 stars, and would not recommend it. Especially for the price.
     
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  3. TROOPER to TRUCKER

    TROOPER to TRUCKER Anything Is Possible

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    Same here the Garmin is better in all aspects
     
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  4. John Dewart

    John Dewart Medium Load Member

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    it took me a bit of getting used too, I don't like the HUD on the garmin though.
     
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  5. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    Did you know their is a support thread for RM on this same page? You could have PM'd me.

    Mark
     
  6. jmroadhog

    jmroadhog Medium Load Member

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    Grand Forks BC
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    I don't think you can accurately call this a review,it's more just your experience with a product.I think if you had of contacted Mark Kling,who runs the support thread for Rand,you probably could have rectified your problems.I personally think that when your charger broke that you replaced it with one that wasn't proper for the unit but I could be wrong.
    At any rate all electronics have their issues and I would be interested to see how your Garmin does after a year of continues use as there are many reports of their units not behaving well either.
    Just my opinion as Mark has always been able to rectify any problems I have had with my TND's and I have been using them since the TND-700.
     
  7. John Dewart

    John Dewart Medium Load Member

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    Okay, what would you call it?

    And I thought it was out of warranty. Didn't really feel like spending money on sending it there and back, only to be told it's broken... Or spending 100$ on fixing it. It's not like I can send it out and get it back while I'm on the road, so I didn't really have any choice
     
  8. John Dewart

    John Dewart Medium Load Member

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    Hartford, CT
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    I had no idea. I never come over to this section
     
  9. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    But if you looked under the section Electronic Connection and looked at the posts already created you would have seen it on page 1 usually in the top fold.

    I am pretty sure if you had called RM they would have send you a new DC cord.

    Most folks just buy a DC USB cord not understanding there is a current draw difference. Most at the truck stops only are rated for 5vdc@1-1.5amps. This is good for the 5" units, but the 7" units are rated for 5vdc@2-2.5amps.

    If you use the under rated cord then the battery is trying to charge at the same time run a HD screen. You will get white/black screens, lines in screen, etc.

    Kind of like trying to start your truck with 2 batteries instead of 3/4.

    PM me your Name/Address (no PO boxes) and an E-Mail. I will ship you one, No charge.

    Thanks,
    Mark
     
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  10. mstout1981

    mstout1981 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 14, 2017
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    I had a TND 700 and loved it. It worked well and I didn't have any problems, but when I went to the 730, it has been nothing but problems. I contacted support and they sent me a chip to fix the software but that only lasted for long enough to run out of warranty. It freezes several times thru the week and I have to hit the reset button. It will also just not turn on until I hit the reset. I have never used a reset button as much as I have with this GPS. Now to add to the problems it seems that it will not charge unless I play with the cord. I like the screen and multiple stop capabilities when it is working but I am about at the end of my rope and would not recommend a Rand McNally to anyone. Does anyone know if there is a fix for this GPS model or should I just go out and purchase a different brand.
     
  11. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    Okay,, are you going to stay around long enough for me to help or just drop off?

    Mark
     
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