Quote:
Originally Posted by tim.enright
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crackaces
And while tooling along at 60 MPH there is a bus stopped on a two lane highway .. a one second distraction maneuvering a mouse .... bang .. 7 lives are ended, -- your life and a family is forever changed.
After using the Laptop 4 Co-Pilot for Truck for four months I decided that an ergonomic screen touch (Street Pilot) is enough distraction let alone the horrible UI desgin of Co-Pilot.
I do plan to use the navigation products from the drivers seat but DO NOT plan on taking my eyes off the road while moving. I was planning on using voice navigation while in the drivers seat. Did you attempt this when you used the product? I know the voice thing can get a bit clunky.
The voice thing vs. glancing at a screen was not the problem. The problem was maneuvering around the screen and changing the scale while in motion.
Let me set up a scenario.
Directions from the Qualcom are totally incorrect. They go to a place that has been burned down for 5 years. Call the number for the consignee and they do not know what you are talking about. (Let us say you have been given a central number to call that does not know about this plant. Not so far fetched as it might seem look at my journal..) You put the address into Co-Pilot -- let's say 1265 Main St and you get [100 - 9000] meaning that the software has no clue about 1265 Main St Yourtown USA. What it does know is that Main street has an address range of 100 - 9000. That could include addresses where Main Street starts and stops.
The first thing I would like to do is quickly expand range to see what streets are around me . does Main St dead end? Ok I would like to set the range for more detail quickly. An easy task with a Street Pilot .. not so easy task with Co-Pilot.
OK I am tooling down Main st and I would like to build my confidence and look ahead. Maybe stay at the same detail level but just move the map ahead a mile or two. Again, not easy with Co-pilot while moving down the road. One quirk is that the scale always returns to a default level while moving. Now this task is really really easy with my Street Pilot.
BTW) The routing portion of Co-Pilot adds very little real value. For example at least Pro-Miles will let you easily find a truck stop or rest area to take a break and adjust the itenerary accordingly. Co-Pilot requires you to set a mandatory break time and assumes a fixed time for that break. Pretty hokey for $300 software.
So I did not get a good value from the routing software and the GPS software is just too hard use. In fact, since I have been bitten by the trucking bug .. I am looking at the Street Pilot 7200. It has integrated XM radio and GPS with a 7 inch screen and really big lettering. (OK $1499 retail .. but it will come down)