WHAT TYPE OF NAVIGATION SYSTEM DO YOU USE ?

[Lonleyboy515]

What system do you use?

We are testing ALK'S COPILOT TRUCK/LAPTOP 4 ADDS VOICE DIRECTION & EMAIL.
It has Truck specific routing capabilities,shortest & toll avoidence. We are presently trying it on one unit running Chicago.COPILOT i am told will also notify you of low bridges on your route.This part of the system will prove interesting in the "windy city". I will let every one know how it is working out.

Lets here from you and tell us what you are using.

[NIGHTHAWK]

I use GPS with my laptop and the software is from Delorme. So far it works great in the US but very Bad in Canada.
Another minus , it does not show low clearence.

[ROADRUNNER]

YES I SECOND NIGHTHAWK ,HAVE THE SAME GPS :wtf:

[Big_Dave]

I use the 2001 version of Rand McNally's Tripmaker and Street Finder.

I also recently got PC Miler downloaded but haven't really had time to figure out what I'm doing with it yet. :p :wtf:

I also have a micro cassette recorder next to the external speaker for my cell phone. When I call the customer for directions, I just hit the record button and get it all on tape. :cool:

That way when I'm enroute to my destination, I can listen and rewind as many times as needed to find out how to get there.

Works dang good unless the customer gives me screwed up directions from the start.

Doing this has saved me many missed turns and extra miles. :cool:

[Admin]

THAT WAS A VERY GOOD ADVICE DAVE.

[bamahillbilly]

Great idea Dave, i never thought of the speaker and recorder.
This is site is what we needed for the more serious posters.

Everybody keep up the good work.

[towstrap]

Remember now that if you happen to talk to Big Dave via cell phone, you MAY just be being recorded. :rofl: j/k!

When I drove OTR I used what they called back then a map book. They had different sizes for good eyes and bad eyes, some were very detailed others weren't worth a plug nickel. It was one of the tools of the trade years ago, kinda like a c.b. But....................... as times change so do tools of the trade. 10-4.

[Lonleyboy515]

Times change technology has taken over.Us older generation had no choice but use a map.Istill use one from time to time, sometimes it's better than gps. :cheers:

[scubadiver]

have both. The reason is not every place has an connection for a computer even if it has wifi capabilites . I delivers RV's and sometimes I have to go some out of the way places where even cell phones don't work. :yikes: :yikes:

Roger uses ME! Oh, and the 2004 Rand McNally Road Atlas. :rofl:

[Magnolia]

My husband uses "Me" if the company doesn't have any in their system. I have a Pro Miles we got at the truck show in Dallas a couple years ago , sometimes I just use Rand Mcnally.
;) [/b]

[nitestar]

PC miler and Rand McNally. and in rare situations memory.

[Big Lare]

My brother uses Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 with GPS Locator. This program is so versatile. Most of the time once he gets his preplan on the Quallcomm, he types in the address and the program finds it, he uses the route planner to create a route from his current location (GPS finds him) the route planner will tell him 1 of 3 routes *quikest, shortest, or preffered roads, then he can adjust settings even more down to fuel price and average speed etc. I love this program. Also has talking directions and night vision to avoid having a huge white screen on in cab while driving at night. You can find any address in the US. You can save maps to your documents so if you ever need that particular map again all you have to do is start the programa and open the map, and poof.

[FannBlade]

I too run Street Atlas 2006 w/GPS but..am very interested in hearing more about ALK's Co-Pilot.......

Just picked up GlobalSat Waterproof GPS (haven't used it yet but seems lot faster when I hoooked it up in the house) and sold the Delorme.

I'll roof mount it to cut down loss of reception.

[shewolf]

We recently bought Delorme with the Earthmate GPS. There are things I like about the program and things I dont like. Maybe I havent given it a chance but the program is not as user-friendly as Microsoft Streets and Trips.

We used S&T(without GPS) for the past 5 years (updated versions a few times) or so with good results (of course you still gotta check your truck routes and clearances, etc. with your atlas or sometimes I use PC Miler to double check the route).

So just a couple weeks ago I went out and bought S&T 2006 with voice and am using it with the Earthmate.

Delorme isnt as easy to set stops as S&T or even to find an address (seems to offer too many options). The program is always off route and recalculating route when you really arent off route. Maybe you can turn the auto recalculate off but Im not sure. Auto recalculate is a GOOD thing when you are really off route but when youre not and if you are trying to rely totally on that GPS you will run into a problem.

On the other hand S&T doesnt appear to have auto recalculate. There is a button you can click on to recalculate from your current location to another location but it requires you to manually do this. S&T doesnt seem to get off route as much as Delorme and when it does it quickly regathers itself and figures out you are still on route. IMO auto recalculate would be a GOOD option for S&T since direction wise it appears to be pretty reliable.

Another aspect of Delorme I like better than S&T is the detail of the directions given. Delorme is better at describing the next turn coming up, it not only tells you left or right but the direction of travel and the road name or number (i.e. 0.4 miles exit 65 turn rt (west) on hwy 65). S&T would probably say something like (0.4 miles exit 65 bear rt on ramp).

Also Delorme has a nice option that allows you to show the next 2 or 3 turns coming up on the screen so you can be looking ahead. Something else S&T doesnt have.

However, S&T is overall easier to use (nice menu) and its easier to get the program to run a route YOU want to take. Say for instance, you know the route its giving you has too many lights, etc. and is not a good TRUCK route and you know there is a better way, you just dont have all the turns memorized, you can easily search for the intersection of two road names or numbers you are familiar with and set that as a stop. Then the program will recalculate the route without a lot of hassle of changing speeds, etc.

One thing I DONT like about S&T 2006 version is they omitted the option to set your average speed in mph for different road types. Instead they put a "slider" to set the speed with from slow to fast for the road types. DUHHHH! So far I havent been able to get the program to respond and route the same as the 2005 version due to my not being able to adjust the speed with the slider. I mean how fast is fast and how slow is slow???

Still IMO, S&T is the better program of the two for truckers (i.e. someone who basically already know where they are going and really doenst NEED GPS). I would hate to rely on either of them if I didnt somewhat know where I was going, lol.

SO000, in light of my mixed feeling about both of these programs, I would definitely be interested in finding out how Co-Pilot is doing too, since it a program designed for TRUCKS. Keep us posted. :)

[lonewolf]

2001 motor carriers road atlas is all i use (too cheap to buy the new one :rofl: ),that and directions from the shipper/receiver,no need for all these fancy electronic gizmo's :harhar:

[shewolf]

2001 motor carriers road atlas is all i use (too cheap to buy the new one ),that and directions from the shipper/receiver,no need for all these fancy electronic gizmo's

I have given several versions of Rand McNally away over the past few years to family members. :D 2000, 2001, 2003, still have the large print 2004 though but it doesnt get much use. Plus another el cheapo truckers atlas that sucked. :D

For the first year Hubby drove, we used the atlas and shipper directions too until I bought my first laptop and an older version of Streets and Trips.

Made things so much easier it was incredible, much easier to know where u r supposed to be in 11 hours taking into account speed limit variations, construction and all that so everything always appeared pretty natural. :D

No more looking it up in the back of that atlas to see how many miles from A to B and then trying to "guesstimate" on the small towns not in the book by using inches on the map.

Lonewolf, once you try it you'll never go back to the old way, not unless your laptop breaks and even then not for long. :D Heck I just THOUGHT mine was going bad recently and ran to the nearest CompUSA last time I was in Vegas and spent $2500 or so on a new laptop and accessories. :harhar:

[Big Lare]

i think modern day truckers are using more and more "gizmos" to facilitate the job. What is that saying? Work smarter not harder? I mean this is your lively hood why not invest a small amount of money into a tool that will inturn save u time, therefore make u more money. Cuz if you're drivin on the wrong hwy and dont figure it out until u hit Tucumcari and say well this isnt Raton??? all you would have had to do is glance over to the gps and see that ur off route and you save your self hours. Being efficient is key in this business. Another is being proactive. (not the acne medicine) ;)

[Lowdown]

federal motor carriers road atlas, and a notebook to scribble on. :harhar:

[tommy]

federal motor carriers road atlas, and a notebook to scribble on. :harhar:

scribble, cant you write?? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :harhar: :harhar:

[BlueAngel]

federal motor carriers road atlas, and a notebook to scribble on. :harhar:

scribble, cant you write?? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :harhar: :harhar:

Write? That's no fun. :wtf: :harhar: :harhar: :harhar:

I use MapQuest and MS Streets and Trips.

[SUNSHINE]

Great info guys and gals!

I have Rand McNally Tripmaker and Street Finder in my laptop and it does save time adding miles from A to B. I still have my large print laminated atlas. Most of you know that I haul canoes ans kayaks and am constantly going out in the boonies. Skinny 2 lane roads. Miss your turn and your screwed. Go slow and pizz everyone off behind ya.

I still call my customers for directions and write them down in my notebook for future reference. I do a lot of repeat customers.
It oughta be a federal crime for some people to give directions.

Tried PC miler and wasn't that impressed with it.

And yes I still use my atlas to plan trips and decide on which to go.

[tommy]

I do not need a map, I am a man and Never get Lost!!!!!!! :harhar: :harhar:

[windcatcher]

:harhar: ^^^^^^^^^ famous or infamous last words.... :D :rofl: :harhar:



('Never' get lost, huh?) :ninja: :ninja:

[Double_R]

PC Miler 18, MS Streets, Motor carrier atlas, and get directions to customers and shippers. And if worst comes tto worst and I can't find aplace, then we don't need it that bad and I just come home empty :D

[acorn]

Well, I have been using street atlas 2007 for about a year now with the gps. It is pretty good at finding addresses and getting you there but it is definitly not truck route specific. It lamost got me in trouble a couple of times so I learned to check it against the Rand McNally.

Today I just got the copilot 9 and so far like it, the features are large and easy to see and it is truck route friendly. I'm most interested in the feature that it keeps track of the miles driven per state and prints out a report for fuel tax prep. At least it's supposed to haven't gotten that to work yet.

BTW if you have a Delorme Earthmate GPS and buy the copilot you will need to go to the DeLorme site and download an update to make it work.

I'll try to update my experiences as I can.

[Bikerboy]

I am using a Nextar GPS i got from canadian tire for about $300

It works awesome, i very rarely ever call for directions, just put in address and go, i do look and see if the route looks good for a truck, if not, i can always call and check.
Theres been a few times where no one answers when i call, or i don't want to take the time to write down directions, so i love this thing, i would never truck without it now!
It works good when street signs are missing too, it still tells me when to turn, no matter if the signs are there or not.

Only a few times i have been routed on non truck roads, just gotta watch the signs and go a different way, the GPS will automatically recalculate a new route if i don't go the way it tells me too.

I do still have an atlas to see where scales are and how far to state lines.

I like how the GPS constantly tells me how many miles are left until my destination, and how fast i am going, and how many miles until the next turn, and how many hours it should take to get there.

[Big_Dave]

I like how the GPS constantly tells me how many miles are left until my destination, and how fast i am going, and how many miles until the next turn, and how many hours it should take to get there.
That would drive me nuts. Having a machine tell me how long I've been tortured and how much longer I'm going to be tortured. ;) :rofl:

[Double_R]

Garmin Nuvi 350.
Has an option for trucks built into it :D .

[David_Reed]

1. Experience
2. Federal Motor Carrier RandMcNally Atlas (Non-glare, 32% Larger maps, laminated)
3. StreetAtlas USA 2008 w/GPS on Laptop (My eighth version)
4. A notepad
5. A call to the customer to confirm all the above.

[acorn]

I like how the GPS constantly tells me how many miles are left until my destination, and how fast i am going, and how many miles until the next turn, and how many hours it should take to get there.
That would drive me nuts. Having a machine tell me how long I've been tortured and how much longer I'm going to be tortured. ;) :rofl:

Running from a pit to a site several times a day it would get annoying, but if you are running across some desolate 2 way in the middle of no where it is nice to be able to tell at a glance how far it is to civilization.

[weyuo]

I use the Delorme Street Atlas 2007 Plus w/ Earthmate GPS along with my trusty Rand McNally Road Carriers Atlas. Because my range of deliveries is limited to the North East I have pretty much all of the paper back(or wire bound) street atlas's for New England & New York. So I cross reference between the software and the paper maps alot. I write out my route each day (I usually have multiple stops) so that I have a reference at a glance.

I like the Delorme program but it is definately not "Trucker Friendly". I have contacted them several times about adding features such as restricted routes, low overpasses, state by state mileage, ect. but they are not interested.

I am curious though, do any of you have any experience with Rand McNally's "Mile Maker" or "Intelli-Route"? Those are transportation industry specific programs but I know they are also a online/ subscription type of program. I'm just curious if the monthly fee is anywhere close to affordable for a owner-op.

Also... do any of you use "The Truckers Helper" software and if so can you give me your opinion or any helpful information on it before I consider buying it?


proud OOIDA member #843419 and US Army Veteran

[Big_Dave]

Running from a pit to a site several times a day it would get annoying, but if you are running across some desolate 2 way in the middle of no where it is nice to be able to tell at a glance how far it is to civilization.
I agree with you on that. :D

[Big_Dave]

do any of you use "The Truckers Helper" software and if so can you give me your opinion or any helpful information on it before I consider buying it?
I picked up a 'trial version' at MATS a few years ago. Tried it once but for whatever reason I didn't like it, so I never sent the $$ to activate it.

There's been a lot of others that have bought it and love it though.

Oh yeah, WELCOME TO OUR FORUMS!

[SUNSHINE]

Even tho I have a laptop with Rand McNally Tripmaker and street finder. Like
the tripmaker part. Good for routing quickest and shortest and miles.It has Roadsense and will will tell you of steep grades,toll roads etc. Even road
closures do to constructuion.

Also have Microsoft Trips and streets which I use to locate the street I'm looking for. Since coming to the Pumpkin Patch QC gets my directions which
most of the time is ok but sometimes I swear they use Mapquest:yikes:

I still have my Rand McNally large scale laminated atlas for reference. There
are lots of times I circle the city/town I'm going to and put the customer's name beside it for future reference.Sometimes even scribble notes in the margins.

When in doubt about directions I call the customer.

As for Truckers Helper,it's a PITA.:yikes: I didn't find it very user friendly.If you have Microsoft Office it has a spreadsheet and you can make your own
trip sheets;)

[Foxfire]

I never liked nor needed a GPS system. It's a personal preference. I still stand by the old phone call, and written directions. Too many gizmos clutter up the dash and I hate clutter!
I do, however, get a new issue of the Laminated Rand McNally Motor Carriers Atlas every few years. I learned how to read one and it has never failed to get me where I needed to be.
I had a student one time that couldn't remember her own name if she walked 5 feet away from where she was to begin with. I got her some wax pencils and had her to write her directions on the windshield up top on her left. That was in 1994 and to this day she still does that.

[ladymacguiver]

I totally agree with you Marge. Its not that I dislike the GPS systems I just never had any need for them. There's enough computerized crap in a truck without adding more.