Best GPS For New Drivers

Looking for some tips on GPS units. A friend gave me one and it constantly locks up. Looking for some tips and any problems with units you've bought before. Thanks.

Looking for some tips on GPS units. A friend gave me one and it constantly locks up. Looking for some tips and any problems with units you've bought before. Thanks.

My $.02, as a new driver(so I am), we may just getting used to the Qualcomm NaviGo system first, after that, you may figure out whether you like Garmin(T 4 Trucks) or Rand McNally(Build for motor carriers, so does their MCRA) better.

I have NaviGo, in my humble opinion, it sucks. I have used RandMcNally GPS units from the beginning. I personally find them to be top of the line compared to the other models available.

Ernie

I have the Rand 720 and overall am very happy with the unit. But as with all GPS units you have to watch the routing as sometimes it is just insane. I bought mine from the Rand website as a refurbished unit. A quick search online and I found a 20% off code so the unit shipped was like $210. Hard to beat!

When it arrived they did not ship the cig lighter power cord. I sent them an email that night then called the next morning to find out they had received the email and my cord was already in the mail.

Woody

I just purchased a RandMcNally and it tried to send me into an 11 foot bridge clearance.

Dave

I just purchased a RandMcNally and it tried to send me into an 11 foot bridge clearance.

Dave

Just remember Dave, they are just a tool and not fool proof. It is up to you the driver to ensure you are on an approved truck route that works for you at all times. Just because the GPS says it is a truck route does not mean it does not have low bridge clearances that blocks you. Just saying.

I remember one time I was on a legal truck route in IL, but one of the little towns on that route put a 65' max length restriction on that route. It was not marked on the maps/route or in any way you the driver would have been able to know. As I went by the local cop that worked that site, he stopped me & asked me if I knew why I was being pulled over, I told him I had no idea. He proceeded to tell me why with a very smuge attitude about it. It was not worth my time/money to fight this. It cost me $120 for the ticket.

Ernie

I knew the route was wrong, and bypassed the route, because a sign on US-61 said something to the effect "11 ft. Bridge clearance, trucks use I-280."

So I went around, and it was actually an easier route then driving through the Quad Cities.

Dave

I just purchased a RandMcNally and it tried to send me into an 11 foot bridge clearance.

Dave

I have a 720 and like it. My PeopleNet unit has Navigo and it works sometimes. I've also used the Navigation on my Verizon phone. As Salty Dog said, they are tools and sometimes do stupid things. After a couple harrowing events such as sending me over a logging road in Oregon and trying to route me over roads that don't exist I have learned to always verify the route with a map before I start driving.

That being said my Rand McNally 720 is invaluable for advance notice of lane changes, speed warnings, alerting to weigh stations, finding truck stops, rest areas and Walmarts. I just wish they would update their maps. In some cases the Trucker Atlas is more up to date than the electronic map which is counter intuitive.

Tracy

Have the Rand 530 and I love it. Just make sure you're parameters are set correctly and most of you're routing issues will go away. Also, update your unit whenever one is available. As stated, its just another tool in my arsenal (Google Maps, atlas, etc). Good luck!

I'm good at map reading,but interchanges can be tricky. Signs are not always clear as to the available lanes. I'm guessing if you go off route,the gps will automatically get you rerouted? I love when they tell you to do U turns...LOL.