Cant Find Truck Stops - Qualcomm Advice Or Purchase Solution

hello,

to be fair, I am also posting this inquiry on other good forums.

recently I started a job with a popular trucking company after attending an independent trucking school and orientation/mentoring with the company.

part of the job requires use of a qualcomm which includes a navigation function and I am having problems with this navigation function.

the company sends me wifi data of the next trip: 1. the place where I get my load 2. usually a place to get fuel 3. the place where I drop my load

unfortunately, the data does not include truck or rest stop locations.

during my mentoring, my mentor was able to use the qualcomm navigator to find truck stops by using a path similar to this (this is a touch-screen and he 'clicks' on the following icons):

points of interest > trucking > truck or rest stops > close, along the way, or near destination

I should have paid closer attention, because I have never been able to attain this ability. when I am using the navigation to go to pick up a load, the 'points of interest' icon is greyed out and unusable. I have to literally turn the truck off (the engine) in order to find truck stops (then the 'points of interest' icon is not greyed out), and occasionally the truck stops it offers me are almost 300 miles away. I am NOT receiving quality service from this device in regards to truck stops.

when I first received the truck the battery was completely dead and I think the qualcomm may have been damaged. the company thinks I probably just don't know how to use it. I have no problem with them showing me what I am doing wrong, just as long as I can find a place for the truck when my hours are ending. but for now, I am here asking for experience, expertise, advice, and suggestions.

1. I need to know what I could be doing wrong with the qualcomm navigation, or

2. what kind of device could I buy that would find truck stops. how do you guys find them (besides already knowing about them from your years on the road).

3. would a laptop help at all?

thanks for your experience, expertise, advice, and suggestions.

Trucker Path is a very highly rated app that shows truck stops, vacancy levels, what kind of things they offer ect. might want to have a look at it if you have a smart phone. That's the best advice I can offer unfortunately.

I never used the Qualcomm for that, instead I used my GPS and Truckers Path. I also bought a truckstop guide at the company store. The best thing is to plan your trip ahead of time. Have multiple places in mind just in case you need to stop earlier or you make better time than you expected. Truckers Path is your best bet to start as it is free and has a lot of info for each stop.

to be fair, I am also posting this inquiry on other good forums.

I wasn't aware there were any other good forums besides this one!

Hi Ed! Congrats on the new lifestyle and employment! Hope you enjoy it as much as i do.

Have you tried a soft reset on your qcomm? To do this you'd hold the button on the top far right (speak on/ off) for 16 seconds.

If that doesn't help, you could try calling qualcomm and ask them to reset your qcomm unit. You'll need the address of your unit from the "system" icon, reached from the second page of the main menu. * (800) 541-7490*

I like Trucker Path, downloaded from the play store on my phone. I use it every trip for truck stops, weigh stations, rest areas, Wal-Mart's, etc..

Hope that helps.

Patrick R and Chris L, I will be looking for that app. unfortunately, I have an ancient phone that installing is more miss than hit. I am looking into getting another phone and keeping this one for peace of mind.

Tractor Man, answering that would be like choosing between the pretty teacher and the one that always gives you food.

Phoenix, nice. I will definitely try that. I will write it down and bring it to work and probably know more about the device than anyone in the building. maybe this is the fix.

thanks for the replies

YVW, Ed! :-)

That little truck stop book is great, and not expensive. It will definitely help until you get a new phone... which i predict will become a priority within a month lol.

Good luck to you!!

You've got that right, Phoenix. at least a much more recent and powerful phone with capabilities.

I was also wondering if a laptop might be able to receive wifi and be helpful out there. to blow up a map and zero in on locations, not to mention using google earth and street view might be priceless.

thanks.

Ed, get your updated phone, then download the free Trucker Path app.

Qualcomm does have Truck stops listed, but it's not easy to get them out.

Hello Errol V,

yeah, I need to get in to see the virgin mobile people, where I get service. I am also considering other providers, but virgin has been excellent to me.

thanks for the reply