GPS helps out again....

[BobBski]

Probably not anything new to you GPS users but, used mine in a way today I hadn't before. I like to stop at a Walmart each weekend and restock the truck...usually wait til I get to a truck stop and search for the closest one. Today I did the "search" while driving and and showed them as normal in order of closest one....the thing I found "new" doing this was that the distances changed as I drove and as I got close to one i'd push the "map" button (I have a Garmin Novi 255) and it would show the walmart location....I was looking for one real close to I 80 as I travelled along....came up with one situated right at the off ramp in Clarion Pa. Anywho...cool feature that really made it convenient...didn't realize that the list continued to update as you drove...figured you had to "search" again ever so often.

Been OTR'ing for 17 years....when they came out said I'd never own one...don't need it to route me...but, it sure helps me find things I never knew were there Tonight instead of eating at "THE PILOT"...did a search for places to eat...found a Cracker Barrel 1/2 mile away...walked and got a little exercise plus a great meal.

[golfhobo]

Does it tell you which ones are open 24 hours? Or have truck parking? The Next Exit does. And it costs less than $20.

But then.... you have to stop to read the book (or plan ahead while getting loaded.) With GPS, you can just keep your eyes on it while driving.

But, if it doesn't get you killed, it CAN be a useful tool.

[LightsChromeHorsepower]

I had a del in Emeryville, right on the border with Oakland last nite. I cross checked the GPS with Google maps, saw they agreed & decided because there were so many weird intersections in such a short distance I would forget about the printed out directions & leave them at home- just follow the GPS. Right as I rolled off 80 it decided to reboot. I tried to navigate from memory while I got it back up. It decided to reboot again. I got a nice little 18 wheeler tour of some of Oaktowns better 'hoods. When it got back up it was trying to send me down streets I knew better than to go on- even with a 42' flat. It was frustrating- I could see the big shopping center sign up there in the sky, I just couldn't figure out how the F*&^ to get there.

I still love the thing, there's no doubt it increases my productivity.

[BobBski]

Does it tell you which ones are open 24 hours? Or have truck parking? The Next Exit does. And it costs less than $20.

But then.... you have to stop to read the book (or plan ahead while getting loaded.) With GPS, you can just keep your eyes on it while driving.

But, if it doesn't get you killed, it CAN be a useful tool.

Got the Next Exit...got 2009 Truck Stop Directory...just another tool...looking at the GPS periodically is no different that changing the channels on your cb, am/fm, sirius/xm, making a cell phone call, eating a sandwich,...or anything else no drivers do that divert their attention from the road.

[golfhobo]

Got the Next Exit...got 2009 Truck Stop Directory...just another tool...

looking at the GPS periodically is no different that changing the channels on your cb, am/fm, sirius/xm, making a cell phone call, eating a sandwich,...or anything else no drivers do that divert their attention from the road.

All of which CAN and DO cause accidents and sometimes fatalities.

I have rarely changed the channel on my CB except in Cali.... and I can count up to 2 clicks between 19 and 17 without taking my eyes off the road.

I frequent only a few channels on my XM and I know where the buttons are. Yes, I LOOK occaisionally. I try my best to avoid making or receiving phone calls while driving. I try to prepare my sandwich BEFORE driving down the road if I'm going to eat it while driving. I am super cautious when I do so. I keep it on my lap, grab it and take a quick bite, then return it and return my hand to the wheel. No one can keep BOTH hands on the wheel at ALL times. I'm no saint. But, my goal every day is to minimize anything that takes my hands from the wheel and my eyes from the road.

My experience with GPS is that it requires MORE attention than ANY of the things you mentioned. But, hey.... have at it. Everyone ELSE out there is engaged in something OTHER than driving professionally with BOTH hands on the wheel!

Please don't take my comments as a personal attack on you Bob. I'm quite sure that you are a seasoned professional driver! Heck, even looking at the scenery (which we both like to do) can be a deadly distraction!

But, as we BOTH know, there are FAR too many drivers out there, both professional and private, who are ONE split second of attention away from a fatality.

Be safe. Enjoy your GPS. Arrive Alive!

[Double R]

Does it tell you which ones are open 24 hours? Or have truck parking? The Next Exit does. And it costs less than $20.

But then.... you have to stop to read the book (or plan ahead while getting loaded.) With GPS, you can just keep your eyes on it while driving.

But, if it doesn't get you killed, it CAN be a useful tool.

Ya it can. There is a free website were you can down load custom POIs(Points Of Intrest) to a GPS. One of them was Wally worlds with truck parking.

[golfhobo]

Ya it can. There is a free website were you can down load custom POIs(Points Of Intrest) to a GPS. One of them was Wally worlds with truck parking.

Well.... I didn't know that. That's interesting and would be very helpful.

But..... do they have a list of truckstops with BARS???

[Rev.Vassago]

Well.... I didn't know that. That's interesting and would be very helpful.

But..... do they have a list of truckstops with BARS???

At least you have your priorities straight.

BTW, I'm at a truck stop right now that has a bar. This is the first one I've ever seen, and I believe it's one of them that was on your list.

And no, I didn't partake.

[BobBski]

Please don't take my comments as a personal attack on you Bob. I'm quite sure that you are a seasoned professional driver! Heck, even looking at the scenery (which we both like to do) can be a deadly distraction!

But, as we BOTH know, there are FAR too many drivers out there, both professional and private, who are ONE split second of attention away from a fatality.

Be safe. Enjoy your GPS. Arrive Alive!

I guess I did take it personally and pride myself in 17 years accident/ticket free....regarding your comments...you and I are on the same page...have a great ride.

[Double R]

Well.... I didn't know that. That's interesting and would be very helpful.

But..... do they have a list of truckstops with BARS???

Not yet. Would you like me to make a request for someone to make one?

[matcat]

I take it you are referring to POIfactory.com, which I do use to download POI's. The must haves are the weight stations, all low clearance bridges, walmarts, and truck stops. I would like to know which truck stop you are at that has a bar?

Most truck stops at least have a bar across the street .

As far as GPS being dangerously distracting, it is like anything else, it is only as distracting as you let it be. When I first started driving I relied heavily on the GPS, but now I know the interstate system well enough that I rarely ever use it except to get me to the address of where I am going, and even then I rarely ever just let it take me there, I usually specify the route exactly how I want to get there. Most times I find myself ignoring the GPS anyway on the big roads, it often wants me to take roads that I don't want to take, especially up here in the north east when I know how to avoid certain tolls, and chicken coups, when the GPS would be much happier with me trolling along on a stretch of road that will cost me $100.

[golfhobo]

I guess I did take it personally and pride myself in 17 years accident/ticket free....regarding your comments...you and I are on the same page...have a great ride.

A "tip of the hat" to those 17 years of SAFE driving! You da MAN! Keep it up!

[golfhobo]

At least you have your priorities straight.

BTW, I'm at a truck stop right now that has a bar. This is the first one I've ever seen, and I believe it's one of them that was on your list.

And no, I didn't partake.

Well??? Are you gonna tell us WHICH ONE??

[Rev.Vassago]

Well??? Are you gonna tell us WHICH ONE??

No.

[golfhobo]

No.

Then I don't believe you! I think you're sitting in your living room in Wisconsin, DREAMING about being a truck driver!

[Rev.Vassago]

Then I don't believe you! I think you're sitting in your living room in Wisconsin, DREAMING about being a truck driver!

yup. you got me pegged to a T.

[Glad Hand]

Ya it can. There is a free website were you can down load custom POIs(Points Of Intrest) to a GPS. One of them was Wally worlds with truck parking.

Everytime I downloaded those free POIs with Wally worlds that have truck parking, more of them were in the wrong spot than there were in the correct spot.