Truck GPS units are making my head spin!!

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Pop, May 8, 2013.

  1. twalk

    twalk Bobtail Member

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    Feb 24, 2013
    Charlotte, NC
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    I have a Garmin GPS for my car and it works great. I believe after watching your UTube video I'll just get one for the tractor with a 7" screen sense I'm already familiar with the software.
     
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  3. pcfreak

    pcfreak Heavy Load Member

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    Apr 22, 2007
    Alberta, Canada
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    Just be careful. I just replaced a Rand McNally TND720 with the Garmin Dezl 7" unit. As I have only been using it out of the box, the truck routes are not quite perfect in cities where I've gone with it since. I wanted to update it, but the new maps are 4.2 gigabytes in size, which would eat heavily into my data plan.

    It is also not sure of a lot of weight restricted roads, which could also be helped by the new maps.
     
  4. k7tkr

    k7tkr Medium Load Member

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    GCS (Garmin Customer Service) told me that thier GIS department said a lot of the restriction issues will be addressed nearer towards the end of the year. This was in response to questions regarding weight issues along I80 in Nebraska around Kearney. RM devices are not immune from these same sorts of issues and usually, they only get corrected when users like us inform the manufacturers of such issues. Very very important that we have our vehicle parameters correctly entered as well as this can go a long way to fixing a lot of restrictions issues. Otherwise remember, things change constantly in the real world. Map datum and restriction overlays are always behind the curve on staying current- always. A year behind is not unusual.

    Mark
     
    chimbotano Thanks this.
  5. Pop

    Pop Light Load Member

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    Jan 19, 2012
    Garnerville, New York
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    I bought the dēzl 760LMT, so far I'm happy with it!
    Thanks for all the help.

     
    Big Don Thanks this.
  6. tomarjr

    tomarjr Bobtail Member

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    Mar 3, 2013
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    Why the change from Rand to Mcnally ? Just curious im trying to decide between the two
     
  7. Jabber1990

    Jabber1990 Road Train Member

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    Jan 10, 2013
    Jackson, MO
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    I dont have a GPS, and to be honest.....I dont want one

    every time I get lost by following their instructions I just send a freeform mesage saying "local direction macro got me lost"....they CANNOT get mad about me being late that way
     
  8. k7tkr

    k7tkr Medium Load Member

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    I think that mostly there is not much difference 'tween the two devices. RM gives you a little more control over routing and has better restriction database whereas Garmin has better premium features and a smoother interface and operating system. Can't say which one is the best because that depends on what you like. I have both, I use both, and I am comfortable with both. Both will, more or less, get you where you want to be but do it from different user approaches. Really, the best way is to buy one or the other and take it for a test spin, see how it works for you because you are the only one it needs to work for.

    Mark
     
    Pop Thanks this.
  9. frago

    frago Light Load Member

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    May 26, 2008
    NW Iowa
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    I think they are all garbage but most will never even know how bad. If you follow the thing blindly , meaning you have no reference point in your head from doing the job without one for years you never really know how big a waste of money a "trucker" gps is. I have to ignore mine much of he time because I know better than it does. Now if you dont have that luxury , any will do really, but know that they all suck as a standalone. The major problem I hve witnessed arises in precisely the part that makes them "trucker" gps's . If you turn off the Trucker part they work pretty #### good , it is the trucker part that messes them all up.

    bol.
     
  10. Palazon

    Palazon Road Train Member

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    Feb 5, 2009
    Tacoma, WA
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    Any tool (GPS, Atlas, whatever) is only as good as the hand/mind that guides it. Only a fool would blindly trust ANY product. That said, they can be a good assist.
     
  11. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Utah's DIXIE!
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    Of course they can. It is ALWAYS "The Driver's Fault" (because he is too dumb to know better. . .):biggrin_25513:

    sad, but true. . .
     
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