Truck Topics
You CAN get there from here: EO Tech picks
For many veteran expediters and truck drivers, the first experience we had with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) was when the Qualcomm equipment was installed in our trucks at orientation.
For those "old-time" Qualcomm users, all of us have been victims, at one time or another, of incorrect or obsolete addresses and poorly written text directions. And, with that primitive system, the driver still didn't know where he was in real time, unless he requested his exact location from dispatch. Good luck on receiving accurate information for that request.
Well, times have definitely changed, and over the last few years, commercial GPS systems have exploded in popularity and features. Many professional drivers have discovered that the GPS unit in their truck is an invaluable driving tool.
Whatsamatter, can't you read a map?
Sure, but paper maps can't account for missed exits; recalculate your route on the fly; or alert you to upcoming rest stops, gas stations, or other points of interest.
As one of our tech-savvy Expediters Online Forum members says, "I use the Magellan Roadmate 700. I wouldn't leave home without it and I havent had to use a map yet to get me where I'm going."
"Dispatch calls with a load and I program the shipper's address in, and away I go.It has nice voice prompts and if you go off course,it automatically recalculates your route."
If you've been thinking of adding GPS technology
to your operation, time's a wastin'. Truck-mounted GPS devices require neither a working knowledge of satellites nor a complicated installation. Nowadays, these navigation aids are largely plug-and-play and ready to hit the open road.
When selecting a GPS product for your truck, you basically have two types to choose from.
The first are those that require you to transfer map data from your PC using memory cards. For example, the TomTom GO requires you to install the included mapping software on your PC and transfer map data to the device's built-in memory or use a memory card. While these systems may require some time to set up, they are also the more inexpensive - prices range from $500 to $800.
The second type are those that come with maps preloaded on their hard drives. This type includes units such as the Garmin StreetPilot 2620. Since they come preloaded with detailed maps of North America, you can plan your trip straight from the device. These systems are usually a little more pricey, running between $1,000 and $1,500.
No matter the type, the experts agree that the key components of a quality device include: a bright screen that is visible in all lighting conditions, a sturdy vehicle mount (windshield, vent, or dashboard) and car charger, along with user-friendly menus and software.
We took a look at some of today's top-selling
GPS units. Two of the units have received- high-praise from EO Forum members, while two of them have not been, to our knowledge, "field-tested" by the expediting community.
Garmin Street Pilot 2620
From 'Justdoit', another EO Forum high-tech user:
"I use a Garmin 2620, and it has proven to be the best investment I have made thus far in equipment for my straight truck."
From CNET.com:
"Garmin's on the road again with its latest vehicle-navigation system, the StreetPilot 2620, which cruises in style with touch-screen technology and a more compact design."
"You'll find a trusty copilot in the 2620, with its great accuracy, its text- and voice-guided directions, and its large points of interest (POI) database."
From $770-$1299
Magellan's RoadMate 700
'Friscomike' says, "The Magellan 700 and Garmin 2620 seem to be the top two units of choice outside of a laptop."
"I have the Magellan 700 and it is terrific. A few of the nice features are estimated time to destination based upon current speed, number of miles to destination, compass, and automatic re-routing if you miss a turn. You can also calculate routes with and without toll roads to check the extra distance against the cost of tolls."
'Broompilot' tells us, "The single most valuable tool in my truck is my GPS. There are many to choose from and I chose the Magellan 700."
Features of the Magellan RoadMate 700 include: Accurate directions; strong satellite fix; hard drive has large database; easy to use.
"We think the RoadMate 700 is worth every penny, thanks to its accuracy, its user-friendly touch-screen interface, its voice-enabled and text-based driving directions, and its seamless mapping database."
$779-$1199
From CNET.com: "TomTom, makers of navigation software for PDA-based GPS devices, has made the move into the vehicle GPS arena with its $899 TomTom GO all-in-one navigator. It's a good move. In fact, we're hard-pressed to find anything we don't like about this cool-looking device."
"It features a strong receiver; bright color touch-screen display; extremely accurate; clear verbal turn-by-turn directions; lightweight; 256MB SD (Secure Digital) card and U.S. maps included.
$499-$799
Cobra NavOne 3000
CNET.com says, "It's ready to go right out of the box, and like the Garmin StreetPilot 2620 and the Magellan RoadMate 700, the NavOne 3000 contains a hard drive with street-level maps of North America."
"It lacks a few niceties, however, including a touch screen and a user-friendly menu system. The NavOne 3000 is a respectable performer, but for $1,300 (list price), we expect top-of-the-line features such as a remote or a touch-screen menu control."
From $568 - $1109
What is GPS?
Founded and managed by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Global Positioning System consists of 24 satellites working in conjunction with five ground stations.
They orbit the Earth and send precise location and time data to the ground. The system was originally designed for the military, but in the past couple of years, commercial GPS devices have grown in popularity with drivers. These products typically use a 12-channel receiver and require a strong signal from at least three satellites to establish your two-dimensional (longitude and latitude) position and four satellites to get your three-dimensional (longitude, latitude, and altitude) fix.
In addition, there is a Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) that monitors the satellite data through a field of 25 ground stations to make signal corrections and provide even more accurate positioning information. WAAS channel support is something you'll want to keep an eye out for when checking out potential devices. - from CNET.com