GPS/Dash Cam Combos Or Not?

Hi, Brand new here. Hoping to get some legit help from actual drivers. Husband is just starting out with his own truck and he'll be hauling a flatbed. He's been a commercial company driver before but its been a few years sense he's actually driven for a living. Ive been researching and am just as confused now as when I started. He wants to put in a gps and dash cam. I've been trying to figure out what the best buy but am lost. reviews are all over the map (pun intended) Garmin seems to far better the RM but apparently they both still suck anyways. I'm not sure if getting the all in one is good or separated into two different things. Or a tablet and download an nav app? I'm more concerned about spending the money the best way possible but still keep the costs reasonable for a start up company of 1. Anyone want to share their experience? Any thoughts or help is appreciated!

Hi, Brand new here. Hoping to get some legit help from actual drivers. Husband is just starting out with his own truck and he'll be hauling a flatbed. He's been a commercial company driver before but its been a few years sense he's actually driven for a living. Ive been researching and am just as confused now as when I started. He wants to put in a gps and dash cam. I've been trying to figure out what the best buy but am lost. reviews are all over the map (pun intended) Garmin seems to far better the RM but apparently they both still suck anyways. I'm not sure if getting the all in one is good or separated into two different things. Or a tablet and download an nav app? I'm more concerned about spending the money the best way possible but still keep the costs reasonable for a start up company of 1. Anyone want to share their experience? Any thoughts or help is appreciated!

Welcome to TT, Willa (and husband!) I'm a trucker's wife (and p/t driver) as well, ma'am!

Well, I'm in the works of finding some great answers for ya.... and the vets & mods of the site, should be along shortly, as well.

Many people use Trucker Path; for navigation, but... as far as an ELD.. or a GPS...

Stand by!

Welcome, again... !

~ Anne & Tom ~

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

ps: MOST people are AGAINST a GPS/dashcam combo... my driver has one of each INDEPENDENT, not even related. More details and pix to follow, ma'am!

BEST to ya!

The garmin and RM both have strengths and weaknesses. I have a Garmin otr500. Ive also had a RM. Both do their jobs. I use google maps for satellite views and street close views for entry and exit points. Its really crucial to have accurate recon on surface streets coming into and out of your shippers and receivers. I also keep Google maps going for real time traffic, alternate views and info.

Probably the singular most important info is not to rely only any GPS or nav app. Use the Rand McNally truckers atlas, learn how to work that and plan your route first, then confirm it with a GPS. Ive called county clerks before when Ive had questions. I ask our customers if needed, Ive called dispatch and other drivers at our company. I can not understate the importance of trip planning done prior to starting your route.

Garmin and Rand McNally, like Davy said have strengths and weaknesses alike. I've had both and I currently have the Garmin 500...which I do like. It also has a camera, but I never used it since the company has theirs installed.

I did have a Falcon Eye with three cameras, one facing forward and one on each mirror facing backwards because all the incidents I was involved in with four wheelers were back behind the windshield. It was a bit pricier than many but it was a good system.

The company I drove for put in four cameras, driver facing, dash camera facing forward and one on each door facing backwards, so I took mine out.

Laura

I ran a Garmin GPS and a separate Garmin dashcam. Another driver I knew ran a Garmin GPS/Dashcam integrated combo. We had very similar and overall good experiences with the navigation. He was not impressed with his integrated dashcam, while I was very impressed with my solo dashcam.

In my opinion, the integrated units seem good if your just looking for an easy and convenient camera. If you want something with more features, a standalone unit would be better.

The biggest draw back to RM electronics is they don't last. I don't recommend to anyone to get a GPS with dashcam inside. It limits where you can mount your GPS. I have a separate dashcam mounted near the top center of my windshield and two Gamins mounted to the dash below windshield hight.

My two Garmins (Curtain is closed)

What my dashcam sees.

RM electronics don't last? Really? Based on what, BS?

My 740 is going on more than four years and more than a half million miles with zero issues. Guess it's worthless? SMH.

I ran a RM 720 for 5 years. I still works. I bought a RM 70 tablet and it was junk. I bought a RM 740 and it developed freezing issues. I bought a RM 750 and it has been great. I have a garmin based gps built into the truck and it freezes alot.

If your an O/O after alot of research I recently went with a motive eld and dash cam. I’m still waiting on delivery. I like the idea all the info is stored on their servers. No storage issues for me to deal with. After I get it installed I’ll post a review on it.

Thanks! I appreciate the hospitality and the opinions! We actually found a gem of a vintage 1992 International Cabover sleeper so pre all of the E everything LOL It only needed a few bits and bobs and we are steady checking them off the to-do list for inspection in a few weeks. And all the LLC and DOT/MC whatnot is now in order. Finding a used trailer (preferably step deck) is our last major thing to do, and he's searching the internet every spare chance he gets for one. We're not new to traveling and pre-planning. I even google earth campsites in the woods when we go places LOL. We have both and rv and a big horse trailer we use. But yeah, this will be his first time as O/O and stressing about being the owner. ;) We've gotten used to running google maps on a separate Wi-Fi dedicated phone and just being able to track and place yourself at a glance is so helpful for peace of mind. Plus wanting the "truck" gps as a assist. He's planning on staying local-ish and only overnighting occasionally. I'm leaning towards the stand alone tablet with an app. Seems to be the most cost effective and reliable way to go. Then the dash cam separate. That's just for possible insurance purposes.

Thanks! I appreciate the hospitality and the opinions! We actually found a gem of a vintage 1992 International Cabover sleeper so pre all of the E everything LOL It only needed a few bits and bobs and we are steady checking them off the to-do list for inspection in a few weeks. And all the LLC and DOT/MC whatnot is now in order. Finding a used trailer (preferably step deck) is our last major thing to do, and he's searching the internet every spare chance he gets for one. We're not new to traveling and pre-planning. I even google earth campsites in the woods when we go places LOL. We have both and rv and a big horse trailer we use. But yeah, this will be his first time as O/O and stressing about being the owner. ;) We've gotten used to running google maps on a separate Wi-Fi dedicated phone and just being able to track and place yourself at a glance is so helpful for peace of mind. Plus wanting the "truck" gps as a assist. He's planning on staying local-ish and only overnighting occasionally. I'm leaning towards the stand alone tablet with an app. Seems to be the most cost effective and reliable way to go. Then the dash cam separate. That's just for possible insurance purposes.

Willa, so glad y'all are working out your dreams! Sure would LOVE to see pix of the Int'l Cabover; wow!

G'town is our 'vintage' go to guy, for sure...you could post a pic, and he'd tell you more about it than YOU know, haha!

Thanks for stopping back in; sorry I (personally) didn't have an answer.

Best of luck to you both!

~ Anne & Tom ~

ps: Came across this, interesting! GPStab ELD service