Truck Topics

Direction From Above

By Jeff Jensen, Editor
Posted Apr 28th 2006 1:23PM

gps-update.jpgNot long ago, a plug-and-play GPS device in an expediter's truck was a novelty and regarded by many as an expensive toy.  Sure, GPS has its detractors still, but they seem to be diminishing in number as more of succumb to the ease and convenience of the little dash-mounted units that tell them where to go.
 
Digital technology changes so quickly that this article is an update of the topic that we did around 6 months ago.
 
Here are reviews of some new GPS devices that didn't make the last article.  We've included product comments and reviews from both Cnet.com, a highly-respected consumer electronics products web portal as well as comments from expediters themselves, where applicable.
 
 
Cobra NavOne 4500  
 
"When we reviewed the Cobra NavOne 3000 last year, we liked what we saw but thought the unit was heavy and expensive. It also lacked a touch screen.
 
However, someone at Cobra must have done their homework, because the company's latest in-car GPS unit, the Cobra NavOne 4500 ($999), addresses most of our gripes--and then some."
 
"It's the first portable in-car GPS device we've seen to create two routes to your destination so that you can pick the best one for yourself, and it also offers real-time traffic updates. There are, of course, a couple of hiccups such as sluggish route calculation, but overall, the NavOne 4500 is a winner."
 
 
Lowrance iWay 500c 
 
"Lowrance's 45 years in the navigation business show in its iWay 500c, one of the sharpest vehicle GPS systems we've seen to date. Priced at around $800, the iWay isn't cheap, but it's still more affordable than other top performers, such as the Garmin StreetPilot 2620 and the Magellan RoadMate 700, and it includes everything you'll need to start navigating right out of the box.

It also has a built-in MP3 player with lots of room to store your favorite tunes. But more importantly, it's a great navigation device with accurate directions and strong reception, leaving the competition in the dust."
 
Bob and Linda Caffee
"We have had our Lowrance for 3 months now. We where given an external antenna for our GPS and we feel like this a great system. We have found that if the system does not have the address we can make a point very close to what we are looking for.
 
"The Lowrance has been very correct in telling us what lane we need to be in for our next exit or what side of the road our customer is on. The Lowrance has several sub menu's - one being an RV menu which will tellus where the next Pilot or Flying J is." 
 
"It is also very handy while driving to look up the next rest area. When updates are available you down load them off of internet. The screen size is also easy to read while driving and has different levels of lighting."
 
"We feel like the system is very user friendly. We have found it well worth the money (600.00 to 700.00) and was ranked very high on independent comparison charts."
 
 
Garmin Street Pilot c340
 
From Cnet.com:
There are two reasons why the Garmin StreetPilot c340 ($857 list) is the flagship model of the company's c series: advanced text-to-speech functionality and traffic alerts. With the text-to-speech feature, the GPS device can now tell you the names of upcoming streets and points of interest, instead of more-generic commands.

"For example, the voice prompt will say, "Turn left on Main Street," instead of "Turn left in 500 feet," letting you keep your eyes on the road and not at the device's screen. The c340 also shows you congested traffic areas via color-coded maps, but to take advantage of this feature, you'll have to purchase the optional traffic receiver for $199.99, which includes 15 months of service.

Also, be sure to check with Garmin to see if the traffic service is available in your area. Other navigational tools on the c340 include preloaded maps of North America, more than 6 million points of interest, and a 64,000-color touch screen."
 
Terry and Rene O'Connell
"I have now used the Garmin Model c340 for about 1000 miles and find it to be superior in many ways over the two Magellans I've used. Except for on/off and volume controls, it is entirely touch screen and very user friendly. The main map shows a 3D view of the route ahead, much like the view from a low altitude airplane windshield."
 
"Touch the ETA field and a screen showing real-time MPH, distance to del and miles traveled this trip. Also, average mph, time driving and time stopped. Lots of info on a small screen. The screen changes color and dims at dusk and returns to daylight ops at dawn. As far as I'm concerned this is the best buy." 

"The Magellans show miles to next waypoint and not always to turn when on the interstates."
 
Magellan/ Garmin update.
"I've used the Magellan models 700 and 360. The 700 was unreliable as it failed to operate after a short ownership and it was not truck friendly as it insisted I take parkways in NY city. The 360 was not user friendly and was too slow in calculating a reroute when a prompted turn was not desired or taken."
 
Terry reflects on GPS Technology:
"Some folks believe this expensive tool is a waste of money. I would agree if we only travelled local and became used to there whereabouts of all our customers. 

I'm not confident that this GPS gadget will pay for itself in saved time and fuel, but the peace of mind in knowing I'll find every customer in the shortest time possible everytime is worth every dollar spent thus far."