Trying to find a good GPS

used to have the 710, it would try to throw me in a bind every now and again, I now have the 720 and it is better about that. Still like all gps' I'm sure it still doesn't understand that the fastest or shortest route does not necessarily mean best for a truck even though it is a truck gps.

 

I was wondering the same thing. My biggest problem are directions to shipper/consignee. On the qc ill be coming from the west and the directions are from the east or some of the directions read like Russian. If possible ill try to call the shipper or the cosignee but the numbers aren't always accurate. Any advice for this?

 

I use google maps if I'm going to a new place, sometimes google earth street view if I'm going into a downtown type environment that's gonna be tight.

 

Google is your friend. Just yesterday I was trying to drop in a rail yard but the gait was down. I sent in a mac 26 for "directions to shipper" and called the number provided in the reply. Three times and nothing but a busy signal. I then did a google search and found an 800 number that go through to a real person who helped with the situation.

I used that as well when I was OTR. With the satellite view to see the entry points for the shipper and/or receiver.

Mikeeee

 

Yes. THINK.

If the directions are coming from the west and you are heading east it is a good bet that first turn will be in the opposite direction. Get out the map. Look at it while trying to decipher directions. That will give you a better understanding of where you are going.

 

I've called a shipper before for directions coming from the south. She asked me if I knew how to get to the north side and gave me directions from there

GPS is a great tool but doesn't relieve you of reading signs. Anyone who crosses from Port Huron MI into Sarnia ON is probably happy now that they're made some changes to the road there. You've probably noticed the signs telling gps users to tune in AM 1610 also. I tuned in last week and heard the message telling gps users that the road has changed and that they should read the signs as their gps may lead them astray. Not sure why they figure someone who can't read all the other signs telling them that the left two only go to Canada will actually read the sign telling them to tune in to hear that message. Almost every time I go through there I see a 4 wheeler make the turn after the toll booth to go back to the U.S. I wonder if they still have to pay the toll.

I love the guys who say the gps is crap because it's out of date by the time you buy it. I guess the MCA automatically keeps itself up to date

The atlas will tell you things the gps won't and vice versa. Talking directly to the shipper can tell things that neither the gps nor the atlas can for the final mile.

Talking to another driver who has been to the place recently is priceless.

 

As for the question of which gps is better it's like asking if Coke or Pepsi is better.

I used to use a garmin car gps and now use a pcmiler truck gps. The Garmin excelled in many ways but the pcmiler has it's own strengths. I've heard from a number of people to avoid the Rand at all costs yet many swear it's the best. They're all great for eta's, for knowing what road is coming up next, for showing your speed accurately and for finding poi's. Not one of them can be relied on to provide the best or safest route to where you're going. DieselBoss has a good breakdown of the differences.

 

I noticed all the people who don't use or won't give these trucking gps's a chance are old timers.

 

Technology is your friend people. Use everything available to you like a Ninja!

 

Perhaps but anyone that relies on these GPS units as a single source is asking for trouble, I bet many new drivers cannot read a grid map either and a GPS cannot even do that.

Just saying that GPS should not be trusted.