What Sort Of Navigation System Do Ya'll Use?

Hi, Harvets,

I've been driving for a year. I purchased the Gramin Dezl 7 the first week I started driving. At first, I had several issues with it, including times when it would just shut down on me. However, I stuck with it and check for updates weekly. I wouldn't drive without it. I especially like the weather and up ahead features that Pacific Pearl mentioned, including live traffic updates. Also, it has trip-planning features, which I rarely use. But you can add stops on the fly if you need to. You'll be able to see anything you preselect, such as truck stops, restaurants, parking, and more. Then, select and add it to your route. It is very accurate with truck routes and low bridges. But I always double-check that thing with an atlas. Although, even an atlas doesn't contain every single low bridge in an area. Just use Chicago as an example: the Atlas shows 10 or so low bridges, but my gps identifies a lot more.

Anyway, a GPS has been a great tool for this driver.

With me considering going OTR again, I am making a checklist of things I will want once I am solo. One big thing is a navigation device. Most companies I've worked for have navigation in the qua-com but it was never really reliable. I want something that I can put in my trip plan in, or be able to add a truck stop along my route, preferably of course, hands-free. I am also considering getting an iPad mini with cellular, and maybe using the trucker path app service for navigation. Since I used to always use that app to find parking. I also plan on keeping an actual road atlas in my truck as well to just cover my bases. So what do you guy's use?

Hi, Harvets,

I've been driving for a year. I purchased the Gramin Dezl 7 the first week I started driving. At first, I had several issues with it, including times when it would just shut down on me. However, I stuck with it and check for updates weekly. I wouldn't drive without it. I especially like the weather and up ahead features that Pacific Pearl mentioned, including live traffic updates. Also, it has trip-planning features, which I rarely use. But you can add stops on the fly if you need to. You'll be able to see anything you preselect, such as truck stops, restaurants, parking, and more. Then, select and add it to your route. It is very accurate with truck routes and low bridges. But I always double-check that thing with an atlas. Although, even an atlas doesn't contain every single low bridge in an area. Just use Chicago as an example: the Atlas shows 10 or so low bridges, but my gps identifies a lot more.

Anyway, a GPS has been a great tool for this driver.

With me considering going OTR again, I am making a checklist of things I will want once I am solo. One big thing is a navigation device. Most companies I've worked for have navigation in the qua-com but it was never really reliable. I want something that I can put in my trip plan in, or be able to add a truck stop along my route, preferably of course, hands-free. I am also considering getting an iPad mini with cellular, and maybe using the trucker path app service for navigation. Since I used to always use that app to find parking. I also plan on keeping an actual road atlas in my truck as well to just cover my bases. So what do you guy's use?

Because map updates come more frequently and more accurately than in the past for GPS units, they are less prone to send you somewhere you really don't want to be. But, we all know that they are not infallible.

I am at the point that I only use GPS to get an idea for how long the trip may take (as it adjusts for traffic), locate my places to fuel/shower/park, and traffic/weather updates. One additional item of use: I use GPS to give me a route to an unfamiliar area. Sometimes I will discover that what I thought might have been the fastest route actually isn't.

Absolutely, no electronic devices for us School Bus drivers. I have to old school it. We have run sheets that read like printed out yahoo maps directions. It's fun when subbing on a route. Though, That's when a good Pretrip comes into play. Google maps and making notes.

There are exceptions, like me, who can drive Interstate use either Rand Mcnally ELD or Driverconnect App. I run a 60/7 clock.

I’ve been using Rand McNally for over 9 years. Like was already said I’m used to it. I always google earth locations I have never been too. Saves alot of headaches when you get there if you already have a idea what the layout is.

Always keep in mind GCIS stuff in the US is only updated a few times a year. It is not real time. It is possible to google a location and nothing be there on google because it was built since the last update.

Example: I had a warehouse in Savannah Ga this week that way. Google showed a vacant field at that address. The warehouse was built 7 months ago according to the workers there. It’s not small. 200k sq ft.

I’ve used both Rand and Garmin. I had my rand for about three years before it started having hardware/battery issues and would shut down on me. I just got the Garmin dezl 710 at flying j the other day got a $50 off coupon and spent some of my points and po ied up for the rest. So far so good with Garmin. There are plusses and minuses to both.

In fact the only reason why I got the Garmin was the money I saved, had the same deal been for Rand, I would have picked up the overdrive 8 pro.

Any of the RM or Garmins should serve you well for trucking. Depends upon your budget, when I got into trucking my budget was around $300, I picked up the RM TND 550 for about that amount. I found the ability to PIN specific GPS corridnates on the map (IE:Truck entrances) very useful in order to avoid the wonky point to point nature of the GPS. (Hint Garmin will let you do the exact same thing!). IMHO if you have the option to pick one up and fiddle with it a bit to see what you like, I would do that then you can get an idea of what suites your style better.

IMHO - it’s RM or Garmin. Tom Tom seems cheaply made and I sure as cough cough ain’t trusting my cellphone for Truck routing even with Hammer or TP. I’m often in areas of no cellular signal, so having a pure dedicated GPS which can show me the route back to civilization is a must!

It is also important that you update your maps and operating system (and this is doubly so with the RM products) from a stable and strong wifi. I typically will take my GPS home and search for/install updates on the day before I am set to leave in order to ensure I have the latest update.

You can’t go wrong with a RM or a Garmin the money is worth it. As was stated before a gps doesn’t replace a proper trip plan, route and weather check and verifying directions to the receiver.