Android trucking apps
For years I've used my laptop in the truck (laptop in the sleeper with a 7" touchscreen on the dash). Well, the constant vibration and hard bumps is starting to really take a toll on the computer equipment. So, instead of buying all new computer equipment, I went the cheaper route and bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1" android tablet. The car dock is enroute to the house now, but I've already got the apps installed and running on it. Here's a list of the ones I'm using:
Bigroad: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ad.ttb.android This is simply the best DDL app I've ever seen. It's 100% free (doesn't even have ads in it). It allows for editing of the time/location/notes. When the log day is completed, you simply email it out to be printed (it'll be a PDF file). The only thing really lacking is the ability to sign the logs before emailing them out. They're promising adding that to the next version. CoPilot Truck: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ad.ttb.android I've used CoPilot for my trip planning & navigation for quite a few years. In the past few versions, the data is much better and I've had very few problems with it trying to route me illegally. The truck version is $149, and well worth it. If you'd like to somewhat "try out" CoPilot without spending the money, you can get their basic version for free. It WILL NOT have truck specific maps or POI's, but you'll get an idea of what it's like. The link for that is: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...=search_result Trucksmart: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...=search_result This is the T/A & Petro app. It'll let you see what your loyalty card balances are, fuel prices, locations and how many parking spaces are available. This app is 100% free. MyPilot: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...=search_result Pilot/Flying J app. Shows your loyalty card balances, locations, fuel prices, etc. 100% free Loves Connect: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...=search_result Same as the T/A & Pilot app, 100% free. Blue Beacon Truck Washes: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...=search_result The Blue Beacon Truck Wash locator will help you locate, map and navigate to the nearest Blue Beacon. Roady's: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...=search_result With Roady's Mobile Directory you can now search the entire list of Roady's Truck Stops and their amenity information- right on your smart phone! Truck Stops: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...=search_result App contains truck stops, rest stops, Walmarts, weigh scales, and diesel prices. This is the Truxster truckstop application. Internet connection is NOT required. Cost is a one-time $1.99 charge. Cat Scale Locator: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...arch_resultNow you can access CAT Scale locations from anywhere on your Android device! Easily Locate and Save locations based on your current GPS location or custom search! Accuweather: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...=search_result Great weather app! Free Although I *can* print directly from the tablet, I've found that it's simply easier to just email the logs to myself, then print them from the laptop. Once they add the digital signature to the logs, I'll just email them directly to our office. If a DOT officer wants me to print them, I'll print the 7+current. Otherwise, save the ink. Even though I went with the larger 10" tablet, I can also run everything from my 4.3" phone. In fact, that's what I'm doing until the mount arrives at the house. As for cost, $349 for the tablet and $149 for CoPilot and now I have a multi-purpose 10" GPS system. NONE of the standalone GPS systems begin to come anywhere near to matching what I can do with the tablet. If I plug the audio cable from the tablet into the truck stereo, then I could play music/audio books directly from it. I just stick with XM, but the capability is there. |
Malaki: Nice post. I just bought the Samsung 10.1 note. Will most of those apps work without an internet connection? I am waiting for the Eclipse program for Android. Do you have a printer in the truck? I wish someone made an all in one with a small profile. I also wish I had kept one of those old Canon buuble jet printers. They were very small and cheap. I saw an ad for a tablet mount that looked very cool.
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CoPilot works without internet once it's all downloaded and installed. The maps are stored in the tablet. Truck Stops (title from the original post) is all stored on the tablet - no internet required. The BigRoad log app can be used without an internet connection, I think. All of the other apps automatically get your location via the gps, then downloads the info for what's near you.
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Hva you tried the routing feature in Big Road. Apparently it is from Teletype and as a stand alone it costs about $79.95 a year but is free with Big Road?
Bruce |
No, it's not free with BigRoad. I did install it to check it out. It's based on Google maps, so you have to have a live internet connection to use it.
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Just an update on the logbook software, BigRoad. Their newest version allows for a digital signature (you click sign, then click agree after you agree to signing the logs). This is a text signature that says "Electronically signed by <your name>". Their next version will allow you to actually create a signature.
Since they added the signature feature, I simply go to the apps website where I can view the logs. When you view them, they're in PDF format. I save the logs to my laptop, then at the end of the week I email them to my log person. She loves them. I'm looking into buying a new printer for the truck (current one is over 5 years old and it's starting to really show). I'll go with a printer that is both wireless and can do double-sided printing. I found a couple of HP inkjets that fit that for under $100. Once I have the printer, I can print my logs directly from the tablet. Doing the email thing gets a little goofy since I have horrible internet access while sitting at our terminal. |
3 Attachment(s)
Also thought I'd post a couple of photo's of my current setup. Been using this setup for a couple of weeks now and loving it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1214[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]1215[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]1216[/ATTACH] |
Decided to pick up a new printer for the truck yesterday. I got an HP DeskJet 6520, which is a wireless printer. It also does duplex printing (prints on both sides automatically). I chose that one because of how the logs are generated by the app - it does the logs on one page and inspections on a 2nd sheet. Now it will print the inspections on the back of the log sheet.
The HP software, for some reason, doesn't support printing in duplex mode. So, I had to go with a 3rd party app, called PrinterShare. That app costs $12.95, but it works perfectly. So, now I can print my logs directly from the tablet (wireless to the laptop, as well). |
GPS Fleet management. State mileage tracker for IFTA reports
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Free with TruxTrax.com https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...id=ca.truxtrax
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I don't normally pay for any app, but this one is worth it. Allstays Truck Stops and Travel Plazas App
This one is $10, but worth every penny. It has 7k plus truck stops, Wal-marts, repair facilities, rest areas, weigh stations, low clearances, parking areas and more and it integrates with Google Maps. You can even make corrections to location information and the developer will research it and include the changes with next monthly update. |
That is good to know. I am getting an android phone.
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I've been using my Galaxy phone with google maps for navigation for the last 2 yrs. It's nice to see a satellite image of where you're going before you get there so you can find a place to park, sleep or whatever.
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what about Truck Manager Pro ?
Truck Manager Pro:https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ckmanagerproen |
fuelbook is great.. you can search truck stops by distance, highway, or state and you can search all or just a specific brand, it's free
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I have a smart phone that has gps. I like the app, but would like to be able to use it and have it record state miles that I could use for my IFTA, rather than having to go out and purchase a Rand McNally or other type of trucker gps. Does anyone know if there is a gps app that would record miles by state and work on a smart phone?
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Took awhile, gman, but CoPilot Truck for the phones will record miles by state. You can either just view the totals on the app, or export it to a file, which is a basic .CSV file that can be imported into any spreadsheet. When you export, you can limit by month, quarter, year or even any specific date range. You can export all states or pick a specific one.
Take note that this is part of the GPS app. If you're not running the GPS part, it's not going to record the miles. |
Did some searching on Google Play (Android apps) for the IFTA tracking. Here's what I've found:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.simpleifta (Free) https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...id=ca.truxtrax (Free) |
Even though this isn't an Android app (well, you can use it from your phone/tablet), has anyone tried it out or currently using it?
Providing Innovative Solutions for the Trucking Industry :: Let's Truck |
I did forget about it (Truck Manager Pro), but the new version looks very good :
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https://www.facebook.com/pages/TMP2-...02215783177233 |
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