GPS- what do you use?

[Mountain Flyer]

Howdy,

I searched the forums for "GPS" and for some reason come back with "zero results"... I know darn good and well that topic has been discussed ad nauseum on this forum, so why I can't find it,,,, dunno...

Anyhow.

I am using a cheapo Garmin TomTom and on my laptop, Microsoft Streets and Trips. I am planning to give the TomTom to my sig other for Christmas, and get a new unit for the truck.

What are you guys using, recommendations?

Thanks all..... Mountain Flyer

[Aufgeblassen]

I've got a Garmin, that my kids got for me for Father's day, 3 1/2 years ago, back when they cost $800 bucks. Works great, but some of the directions you have to take "with a grain of salt", and use common sense. After having it about 2 or 2 1/2 years, the hard drive died (I guess from all the vibration of the truck?). But I send it to Garmin, and they sent me a brand new one free of charge.

[rank]

Tons of very good GPS discussions here:
http://www.classadrivers.com/forum/t...s-truckers-32/

I'm sure you know this because you already have one, but for the ones that don't, there are four parts to what people generally refer to as GPS.
1) The postitioning system.
2) The maps
3) The routing
4) the GUI

You have to do the routing yourself no matter which one you choose.

BTW, I use MS S&T.

[possum]

With any of them you have to watch yourself they all will got you in trouble if you don't watch it. I have a copilot on my laptop but for most things I use the Garmin streetpilot c340 it works good.

[BanditsCousin]

Garmin 350. My Dad has one too and loves it. Gotta take the directions with a grain of salt, but beats Mapquest like a redheaded stepchild

[Malaki86]

I use CoPilot v9 and iGuidance. Again, follow the advice and take any of the directions from any gps system with a grain of salt. Even though CoPilot is truck specific, I don't trust it at all. I let it give me a general route, then drive the way I know I need to drive. It'll reroute as I go.

[Mountain Flyer]

Sounds like you all are doing pretty much what I am doing. I used Microsoft Streets and Trips to layout the route before I go, but use the dash mounted GPS to help me with spaghetti bowl lane changes on the freeways, etc.. Between the two, it is working pretty well. Streets and trips is fantastic, WHEN IT WORKS... it will lose it's bearings or lose satellites for no reason...or suddenly the Port the GPS is plugged into will quit working (again for no reason)... and usually, at the worst possible time.... so the little Garmin up on the dash has been a lifesaver. It never goes offline, very reliable.

I have heard that some of the other Garmins are better for truck route specific, I just don't know which models. I will check out some of your recommendations. On Garmin's website, they say they don't have any which are specifically for trucks, so I don't know.

The one GPS I found online which IS truck specific, I think it's a Worldnav 3600 or something like that, gets terrible reviews...

[Malaki86]

Sort of makes me wish we drove in Europe. There's a mapset available from NavTeq (NavTeq Transport) that's specific for trucks. It has the ability to go by gross weight, axle weight, number of axles, height, length, Hazmat, etc. I've seen standalone units with it (again, for EU drivers) and it looked incredible.

[RostyC]

Garmin 660, but after it got me in trouble once, I learned that it's best to call the S/R office to get the best truck route in. I also use a hard map to plan. the GPS is good for letting me know I'm close to my dest.

[rank]

Streets and trips is fantastic, WHEN IT WORKS... it will lose it's bearings or lose satellites for no reason...or suddenly the Port the GPS is plugged into will quit working (again for no reason)...

I don't think I've had that happen yet. 2 years now. It will delete the route on my when I press the wrong key, but that's operator error. Are you using the free add on "S&T keys"? Did you download all the Wal Marts?

[Copperhead]

ALK has the new Co Pilot Navigator 430 GPS out now. It is going for about $300 at Petro and Love's when you can find it. It is a true truck specific GPS with a lot of programmable features for haz mat, oversize, 53' or other trailer, practical route, short route, etc.

Have not determined yet if I am going to get a GPS, but this one would probably be my choice. I have been using DeLorme Street Atlas and my Rand McNally for years now with pretty good results, so am not sure about getting a GPS. I like to play a lot of "what if" routing that my present set up allows.

[Malaki86]

That standalone unit runs CoPilot v11, which is crap.

[JR OTR]

Used to use the Garmin 660 until it started to lose track of the satellites, then I bought and am using the larger Garmin 5000. The 660 is a much slicker device with a nicer (though smaller) screen.

As others have mentioned, use a GPS for general directions and your eyeballs for the specifics. If I run across a low bridge or no truck route it is no problem to turn away and let the device recalculate a different route.

Jim

[Copperhead]

That standalone unit runs CoPilot v11, which is crap.

Thanks! Now I know that I will never waste my money on a GPS. I primarily run in the midwest and never had a need for a GPS anyway. Was considering the ALK one that just came out, but now will even give up on that idea. Will stick with my DeLorme Street Atlas on my laptop with Rand McNalley to compare. I don't think any GPS would have been much help as I am averaging less than 2% out of route for the year.

[Bug]

I have the Tom Tom One for a few years now for the most part im happy with it. Just make sure not to rely on it 100 percent.

[harleypiper]

Co-Pilot 9 for trucks. I don't actually use the GPS though. I downloaded the software, haven't really had the need. Our company doesn't complain about the miles so I can run any route I want so I stay on major highways per Randy McNally. I use the software to get some ref.. points before I get there. Our instructions on the travel orders for the most part and good.

[luckyky00]

I have a Garmin Nuvi 330. Sometimes I feel like throwing it out the window, but I've yet to do it. For the most part, it does great. If I were driving a car, would be perfect. It has a truck setting but sometimes when I see the low clearance ahead 12'9 or weight limit 10 tons..I just want to scream. But like I said, for the most part it does great. Just every now and then puts me in really awkward places. I don't use it that often, just use it for arrival time and mileage.....

[slodsm]

I always used a plain jane Garmin Nuvi 200 I picked up in a truck stop. I put in my route, got turn by turn with the atlas to make sure it's legal and go from there.

It's never let me down yet although the dang atlas did in Indianapolis with a 10'6" bridge dangit.