Chevy-Vette-80
New Member
Thinking about getting a new truck GPS unit because mine took a crap. Any ideas? Good brands? I normally use Rand McNally.
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GPS Help
- Thread starter Chevy-Vette-80
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- gps
notarps4me
Shy and Quiet.
Speaking of those I have a 2013 I need to sale. Probably ought to sell my trucker's GPS as well.
2xR
******* Derelict *******
If it's one of those Garmin dezi thingys... I'm raisin' my hand.
Duck
Sarcastic remark goes here
That paper atlas isn't worth anything. Just go to a truck stop & give it away to the first gray-haired driver you see. I'm probably the only truck driver from my generation who still prefers a paper atlas over an electronic piece of shit, ... so look for a gray haired guy. Seriously, when the 2014's come out, the new 2013's go on sale cheap at all the truck stops. I've never bought a newly released one. I always get the ones from the previous year when they go on clearance.
As for the GPS, if it's a DEZL, talk to 2xR. If not, post it here: http://www.truckersforum.net/forum/forums/truckers-swap-meet-buy-and-sell-anything-here.192/
Rigjockey
In Gord we trust!
I have the good fortune of owning a Rand McNally and the truck is equipped with a Truckers version of some Garmin system. I also have the ability to read an atlas. I prefer the Rand Mc Nally. In some places like Jesrsey If I do not like the routing on the Rand, I will use the Garmin and let them argue it out, After I first favor the Garmin and then give my attention to Rand.
For the most part neither one can differentiate between fastest and shortest route. I use the atlas to stay on the Interstate as opposed to running some route that is full of stop lights.
So, I prefer the Rand for the way it works. Plus, When you punch in your destination and before you hit send. It gives you the page number and co ordinates in the Atlas. So you can look it up and see the big picture. I use GPS for the final aproach and not routing the entire trip.
The Rand also looks after you mileage in each state, On each day or quarterly. It can look after you hour of driving and your 70 and on duty. Pretty close.
For the most part neither one can differentiate between fastest and shortest route. I use the atlas to stay on the Interstate as opposed to running some route that is full of stop lights.
So, I prefer the Rand for the way it works. Plus, When you punch in your destination and before you hit send. It gives you the page number and co ordinates in the Atlas. So you can look it up and see the big picture. I use GPS for the final aproach and not routing the entire trip.
The Rand also looks after you mileage in each state, On each day or quarterly. It can look after you hour of driving and your 70 and on duty. Pretty close.
Rigjockey
In Gord we trust!
I would agree. It took me a long time to get familiar with everything it can do.
notarps4me
Shy and Quiet.
I don't buy the paper ones. I get the deluxe laminated ones.
Duck
Sarcastic remark goes here
That's what I meant. Underneath the plastic laminate, it's still paper.
The first Atlas I ever bought was a non-laminated paper one. It lasted about 3 weeks.
terrylamar
Well-Known Member
I haven't opened an Atlas in years. I use two GPS', RM and Garmin for a second opinion. I have an old Garmin for backup. I do have an Atlas, I'm not sure what year it is. All of you do realize the map on your GPS is just like the map in your Atlas, right?
Duck
Sarcastic remark goes here
Do you realize that I've got most of this country's interstate highway system memorized & don't need a constant reminder that my turn is coming up in 43.8 miles?
To determine best route, I use Google maps & then compare it to the laminated paper altas. For local directions I either memorize them or write them down in my notebook. Or as @blackw900 once suggested, writing your local direction on the inside of the windshield with a dry erase marker is a good idea.
I just don't like things with small screens. Same reason I don't have a "smart" phone.
Yes, minus the 8,000,000,000 roads that are not shown in the paper Atlas
terrylamar
Well-Known Member
The GPS has greater resolution than the Atlas, down to individual streets in a city. It even has goat trails on it!
Duck
Sarcastic remark goes here
Google Maps is free & my laptop screen is a hell of a lot wider. Plus it's got street view & satellite imagery.
I don't need no stinkin' GPS.
Although I admit they're great for checking the accuracy of your speedometer.
I was in Virginia Beach for 2 weeks with Mrs. Duck, my mom, and the geezer.
The geezer brought his GPS. It was stuck to the windshield over on the passenger side the whole way there & back. I never looked at it once during the road trip, but I did tell him to at least turn off the little voice that kept telling me to turn off on to cow paths & goat trails every 10 minutes. I didn't even bring the paper atlas. I'd been trucking on that route a million gazillion times.
While we were there (at my sister's house) I did use the GPS a lot, but only because I didn't have a local paper map. A few times I just checked the route on Google Maps before leaving my sister's & memorized the route to wherever I was going. Sometimes I'd look at the GPS & say "why the hell is it routing me THAT way?" right before turning down some side-street I'd seen on Google Maps earlier, and cut off some distance & laughed at the GPS while it was trying to "recalculate" while I was driving down a brand new road that wasn't even on the GPS.
That was with a minivan though. I wouldn't be taking short-cuts through residential streets & part of an Air Force base & a private university with a tractor-trailer.
terrylamar
Well-Known Member
The GPS works for me, that's why I use it. I can remember when I first started trucking, it wasn't that long ago, nevertheless, I was using a GPS. I was as productive as 20 year veterans. I could navigate the most confusing cities with ease. I was made fun of when I offered up with routing based on my GPS. I was always right though. I remember one time we were sitting waiting on a load, someone asked what the best route was to some place. I routed seven different routes on my GPS before they came up with one using maps. Out of those seven, I knew which was the shortest route.
I really don't care what anyone else uses. If you think an Atlas is the best way to go, more power to you. For all I care, you can use the North star, or a Sextant, Octant or lines drawn in the dirt, me, I'll stick to a GPS until something better comes along.
terrylamar
Well-Known Member
All you have to do is update your maps. Your Atlas wouldn't have that street either.
terrylamar
Well-Known Member
I used to write direction on a small dry eraser board. I don't do that anymore. I plug in the address on my GPS and go. Since I use two GPS', it takes twice as long. Still, I am a 100 times faster than any other method I have found. I do have Microsoft Streets and Trips. The large screen and greater resolution is nice. I have found it to be impractical flying down the road, not to mention spilling my computer all over the floor. I run my route, then call the shipper or receiver and verify loading and receiving times and at the same time I will tell them what my GPS is telling me to verify the local routs.
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