Qualcomm Vs Other GPS Systems

Question: I have the Qualcomm that my company provides in the truck I drive, but I am considering getting my own Truck Navigation Device (Garmin? Rand McNally?) and I am wondering if anyone thinks it would be more beneficial to have my own system. Qualcomm seems pretty limited in what it does so far. I am a rookie driver just trying to find the best way of doing things. You guys have been great about giving advice and comments. Thank you again.

Question: I have the Qualcomm that my company provides in the truck I drive, but I am considering getting my own Truck Navigation Device (Garmin? Rand McNally?) and I am wondering if anyone thinks it would be more beneficial to have my own system. Qualcomm seems pretty limited in what it does so far. I am a rookie driver just trying to find the best way of doing things. You guys have been great about giving advice and comments. Thank you again.

If you are going to get a GPS Unit, I would go with the Rand McNally TND 740. I have had that one for quite some time now and it is a great one. Just make sure you keep it up to date. It has the digital road atlas built into it and you can set it up to avoid certain areas you dont want to drive in. Quite a useful tool, however dont just rely on it for routing. Use it in combination with the route the company sends you, the laminated road atlas from Rand McNally, Google Maps and if you have the NaviGo on the QC, use all 4 of them to trip plan your routes. Make sure also that you have the Pocket truck stop guide. That way you can find a place to stop when low on hours.

I have a Rand McNally 730. love it. It alerts you to curves, weigh stations, low clearance, railroad tracks and more. you can hotspot your phone to it for weather.

I usually leave the QC set for my destination, but use the Rand to find parking and fuel stops etc. easy way to determine how far i have to drive to make the trip smoothly.

I have never used the NaviGo on my QualComm. I have probably the worst trip planning habits of anyone here, lol. I use apple maps on my phone to alert me to traffic backups and such. I trip plan with my road atlas. Then I use Google Maps satellite view and street view to check out around my shipper/receiver. I check the route that I want to take against what the company's routing instructions are, more out of curiosity. I rarely even send the message to get specific routing instructions. I only do that if I don't see a clear and concise way in. Other than that I pay attention to signs.

Drive Safe and God Speed.

p.s.: I am definitely not the shining example of trip planning, but I must say the Rand McNally Motor Carriers Atlas is a must. That with some common sense and paying attention is all you truly need to get to your destination.

Yes I agree with Patrick however I use the company Navigo and it has been good to me. I like the fact it routes me right to the entrance I need to be at. When I get a dispatch I pull up the route on the Navigo and look at the Atlas and follow all the steps to be sure it isn’t putting me on bad roads. For near my shipper and receiver I look at google maps and street view and follow the Navigos steps to ensure it is the right way and to make sure I am not getting into any bad situations.

Icecold wrote;

When I get a dispatch I pull up the route on the Navigo and look at the Atlas and follow all the steps to be sure it isn’t putting me on bad roads. For near my shipper and receiver I look at google maps and street view and follow the Navigos steps to ensure it is the right way and to make sure I am not getting into any bad situations.

*LIKE !!!

During training (40k miles) we used a Rand McNally. Went solo and figured the world of GPS navigation was about to go south (didn't purchase my own)...Now solo I use the QC system and "Trucker Path" app for all needed parking info etc etc

I was told that the QC platform was no good but I've had really no issues. It follows truck routes.

In doing fine and didn't have to spend money on a GPS!!

I held back on buying a GPS system... wanted to first see how effective the Navigo was on the Qualcomm , and I'm glad I saved my money. It does often route me the shortest line possible, but I know to check the routing in advance and if I'm not in the mood to see rural America, I supplement the directions using my Rand McNally Motor Carriers Atlas and my brain. It also has HAZMAT routes built-in, which I often need. The iExit Trucks is a great app to find parking & truck stops when traveling on the interstates, and Trucker Path is great for everywhere else, including interstates.

When I worked at Werner, I used the QC navigation as well as a RM 730 along with planning my route with an atlas.... That way if either GPS failed, I knew what my route was..... I found that the QC navigation is set up for the way the company wanted you to go.....

I found that the QC navigation is set up for the way the company wanted you to go.....

Our Qualcomms at Schneider are set to avoid toll roads as much as possible, and to route based on the shortest distance in miles. Many times, I've taken I-80 across IN and OH, never got any heat over it. I've even taken I-90 through NY rather than taking I-80 through PA, simply because I knew that 90 is less mountainous than 80, as well as 76 in PA vs 68 in MD for the same reasons. In the end, it usually adds only about 20m or so to my trip, but it's shorter time due to easier terrain.

I've also brought it up with my DBL/DM, and they said something along the lines of, just follow what you believe is the best route.