Qualcomm Vs Rand McNally GPS

So I'm about to go solo tomorrow. My company uses gps through the qualcomm (navigo), but during training, I found it to be inconsistent and confusing. Would it be worth it to get the Rand McNally gps, or would it be the same as the qualcomm?

Also Brett: I remember you mentioning you made an app for locating truck stops. How can I get that?

Qualcomm directions come from other truckers and they could have made mistakes or put in wrong directions on purpose. I would say get a GPS desined for big trucks and use both, just compare them to each other and a truckers atlas just to be safe.

Jamie, Congratulations on your advancement to solo driver status! If you get into a bind on something we will always be here for advice.

As to your question on the GPS, We use the same system (Navigo), I agree with your sentiments about it, but I have found that it is almost always the same route as you will get from the Rand McNally GPS. Occasionally it will vary a little, but my company prefers that we use their system.

Personally I don't even like using the GPS, but I will log into the system because they want me to. I like it when I'm nearing the destination, but all that in between mileage I just use my Rand McNally Atlas and feel that I'm getting those freight lanes embedded in my memory better that way.

I only use my Rand McNally. The qualcomms GPS is just confusing at times. Obviously don't rely only on the GPS.

Well, i"ve survived alot of years with my Rand McNally Atlas...If I make a mistake with it, I can only cuss myself...If oyu have the opprotunity...use all 3 !!!

Just a personal preference, but I like Garmin. I don't leave home without it. But I also have a Rand McNally Road Atlas in my briefcase. And I ALWAYS check my route on a computer before I leave home.

Google Maps. Map Quest. Etc.

Even if I have traveled the same route a half a dozen times. You never can tell when something has changed. There are times I even check with each states DMV website to check for road construction or road closings.

Never can do enough checking your route with these sized vehicles. You can't just go up the street and turn them around if you make a mistake.

Keep it safe out there. Joe S

Heck! Back in the day I only had truckers atlas and a pay phone. Than it was the Qualcomm , truckers atlas and a cell phone. Jamie it's been a while honestly. But GPS seems best. Was on a truck earlier this year (long story) no Qualcomm. Seemed like the GPS is 95% accurate or better. But seemed in certain areas the driver had better directions/ideas. But he knew the area. I'd take any of these anyday over a road atlas and cell phone. Lol. GPS is best though and yes the Qualcomm is based on what other drivers 'reported.' In those regards I found getting my own directions better about 50% of the time. Hope this helps even a little.

It would seem to me that another invaluable aid in trucking would be Google Earth and its Street View. You can virtually drive down the streets on your route ahead of time. It would seem to me that it would be great to have a good view of the streets in the area ahead of time that you are picking up and dropping off into.

Also Brett: I remember you mentioning you made an app for locating truck stops. How can I get that?

The truck stop app isn't up and running right now. I was hoping to get to that this summer but so many things have higher priority right now that I think it's going to be this winter before I start building apps again.

It would seem to me that another invaluable aid in trucking would be Google Earth and its Street Vie

Absolutely! I always used Google Maps and Google Earth to zoom in on customers to try to learn all I could about the area, including a place to turn around or an alternate route in case there's an accident or road closure or construction of some sort that screws things up.

If you have a smart phone with Verizon, there are 4 apps in the Play Store for trucking.

Love's, Pilot/Flying J, and TA/Petro all have their own apps. And there is another app, DAT Trucker Service, that lists several things for trucking including trucks stops.

It is not like having one app to do it all, but they do help.

Pilot/Flying J even has a trip planner in the app. Doesn't work all the time, it is something they are working on.

I prefer Google maps, but with Mapquest, you click on a tab to search for truck stops along a route you plan out.

Keep it safe out there. Joe S