Rand McNally Overdryve 8 Pro

I decided to upgrade my GPS a couple weeks ago, and purchased the new Rand McNally Overdryve. HUGE mistake!

The device does lots of things... You can make and receive phone calls and text messages, has a dash cam, GPS, xm radio, and is even ELD capable. The problem is the only thing it does safely is give directions (and even then you have to use your head and not just blindly follow). I've provided my feedback to Rand McNally, but I'm not holding my breath for things to get better.

So what's wrong with it?

- Managing Phone Calls & Texts

If you are driving down the road with the map up, you have to: go to the home screen > click in the phone section > click on either calls or texts > start your call > go back home > click on truck GPS. That's 6 steps you have to do assuming you're not using this device as your xm receiver. If you are using it as your xm radio, then per their tech support person, you have to reconnect to Bluetooth on your phone each time you want to use it. Apparently it is programmed to allow a bt connection to override all other connections, so xm and GPS directions are muted any time your phone is connected. So in addition to the 6 steps to make a call you have to add however many more to actually make the connection.

- Dash cam

This works ok, if you don't mind nearly half of your video taken up by the mount. When mounted to the windshield the camera cannot be in a worse place.

- GPS

By far the least problematic feature, but not without it's flaws. They've redesigned the look and feel of the map and search screens, yet still provide a way for you to search the old fashioned way. The only complaint that I have here is that there on screen buttons are way too small to allow for accurate button pushing as your bouncing down the road. This leads to a higher level of distraction, again unsafe.

- XM radio

My problem with this feature mirrors my problem with the phone feature. From the map screen you have to go home > select entertainment > select xm > change the station > go home > click truck GPS to get back to the map. Again, the process is too long and is too distracting.

In my opinion, this is the most unsafe device to enter the cab since the smart phone. Drivers will use these features while driving and unfortunately I believe a crash will result at some point.

I contacted Rand to provide my feedback. I sent them a message, to which they responded with a number and asked me to call. I called and the person I spoke to simply thanked me for my feedback but didn't leave me with the impression that anyone other than him would ever hear it.

I am a fan of the Rand GPS device that I was going to replace. I will probably buy another Rand in the future. However, it will be simply a GPS, not an all in one tablet. I'm going to start training again in a couple weeks, the overdryve will not be in my windshield when that day comes.

I decided to upgrade my GPS a couple weeks ago, and purchased the new Rand McNally Overdryve. HUGE mistake!

The device does lots of things... You can make and receive phone calls and text messages, has a dash cam, GPS, xm radio, and is even ELD capable. The problem is the only thing it does safely is give directions (and even then you have to use your head and not just blindly follow). I've provided my feedback to Rand McNally, but I'm not holding my breath for things to get better.

So what's wrong with it?

- Managing Phone Calls & Texts

If you are driving down the road with the map up, you have to: go to the home screen > click in the phone section > click on either calls or texts > start your call > go back home > click on truck GPS. That's 6 steps you have to do assuming you're not using this device as your xm receiver. If you are using it as your xm radio, then per their tech support person, you have to reconnect to Bluetooth on your phone each time you want to use it. Apparently it is programmed to allow a bt connection to override all other connections, so xm and GPS directions are muted any time your phone is connected. So in addition to the 6 steps to make a call you have to add however many more to actually make the connection.

- Dash cam

This works ok, if you don't mind nearly half of your video taken up by the mount. When mounted to the windshield the camera cannot be in a worse place.

- GPS

By far the least problematic feature, but not without it's flaws. They've redesigned the look and feel of the map and search screens, yet still provide a way for you to search the old fashioned way. The only complaint that I have here is that there on screen buttons are way too small to allow for accurate button pushing as your bouncing down the road. This leads to a higher level of distraction, again unsafe.

- XM radio

My problem with this feature mirrors my problem with the phone feature. From the map screen you have to go home > select entertainment > select xm > change the station > go home > click truck GPS to get back to the map. Again, the process is too long and is too distracting.

In my opinion, this is the most unsafe device to enter the cab since the smart phone. Drivers will use these features while driving and unfortunately I believe a crash will result at some point.

I contacted Rand to provide my feedback. I sent them a message, to which they responded with a number and asked me to call. I called and the person I spoke to simply thanked me for my feedback but didn't leave me with the impression that anyone other than him would ever hear it.

I am a fan of the Rand GPS device that I was going to replace. I will probably buy another Rand in the future. However, it will be simply a GPS, not an all in one tablet. I'm going to start training again in a couple weeks, the overdryve will not be in my windshield when that day comes.

This is good. I am glad you told us about this. I was thinkin of gettin one of these but I think I will just stick with the TND 740.

Million, I just watched a video on the 740, it has the new navigation screens just like the overdrive, but that's not a bad thing really. Yeah the on screen buttons are a bit smaller, but all in all that's the least of my issues with overdryve. In my opinion you'll be pretty happy with it, and you'll save $200ish.

Wow...so I may be about to open up a can of worms; but managing calls and texts...while driving? How is that a safe feature on any device?

The only time that should be attempted is while you are stopped, and not at a light or in a traffic jam.

Hands-free Blue Parrot, I make all my calls voice activated. Never, I mean never need to take my eyes off the road, or mess with my phone in any way to accomplish that. Simple problems are best solved with simple, cost effective solutions. This doesn't sound like it's either of those.

Wow...so I may be about to open up a can of worms; but managing calls and texts...while driving? How is that a safe feature on any device?

The only time that should be attempted is while you are stopped, and not at a light or in a traffic jam.

Hands-free Blue Parrot, I make all my calls voice activated. Never, I mean never need to take my eyes off the road, or mess with my phone in any way to accomplish that. Simple problems are best solved with simple, cost effective solutions. This doesn't sound like it's either of those.

I have an even safer plan: I just power off my phone and dont mess with it unless I am on a rest break or in the sleeper berth. I know headsets are allowed by FEDERAL law, however CRST doesnt allow the use of even headsets when driving. I am glad they do that in my opinion because when they do that it eliminates that potential distraction.

Million, I just watched a video on the 740, it has the new navigation screens just like the overdrive, but that's not a bad thing really. Yeah the on screen buttons are a bit smaller, but all in all that's the least of my issues with overdryve. In my opinion you'll be pretty happy with it, and you'll save $200ish.

I own the TND 740 and I must say it coupled with Google Maps and the Laminated 2018 Rand McNally Deluxe Motor Carriers Road Atlas is the best Trip planning trifecta. Also make sure you have the most current edition of the Pocket Truck Stop Guide to help you find a safe and legal place to park when your shift is done.

G- town, I think it's supposed to make calls and let you text via your voice, but very poorly designed. I'm doing the same as you for calls, I hot the blue parrot button and just talk away.

Million, I use the trucker path app instead of the pocket guide. It has the added benefits of rating the truck stops, tells me how many spots are available, if any are currently available, if there are showers, laundry, etc.

G- town, I think it's supposed to make calls and let you text via your voice, but very poorly designed. I'm doing the same as you for calls, I hot the blue parrot button and just talk away.

Million, I use the trucker path app instead of the pocket guide. It has the added benefits of rating the truck stops, tells me how many spots are available, if any are currently available, if there are showers, laundry, etc.

I use the Trucker Path also and the Pocket Truck Stop Guide as a failsafe backup.