GPS- what do you use?
 

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

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. :smokin:

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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...

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.

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.

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?