"Programmable" GPS Question...

So company does not "believe" in GPS. I get the reasons.

They send directions by just using a form message requesting it with the location code. Works well, within its limitations. Actually got "day by day" instructions getting into a yard with construction just outside. (Tuesday and Wednesday enter off this street... Thursday (our day) take the other street - our highway exit!). Great stuff!

BUT... what I like about GPS is:

"Heading up" and moving map Lighted display (especially at night) Turn by turn directions, audio option, exploded exit / merge images, etc..

They also want us to avoid tolls.

Wondering if any trucking GPS units or apps make it fairly quick and easy to custom load a specific route. I have CoPilot app.. It even allows you to "play" the route animation - just not the "right" route!

I can do that on my RM TND 750.

If the route you want does not correspond with the specific GPS decision on the way to go, I will pick a city on my route, then input that data. In other words, direct me to this location. Once in the vicinity, check the routing again for the original destination.

Normally on the longer runs, I will input each of the fuel stop legs of the journey.

This help?

The GPS with my ZONAR in the truck is OK. I still like google maps for seeing where entrances are and it is more complete list of addresses. I was in a new Volvo for a week, it was a loaner from a company that is trying to sell our company trucks, that had a TOMTOM which I had never been around that worked really well. Garmin and RM are always going to be at the top of most guys lists of what to use.

If you take a route often enough, you might want to force a certain route, like PackRat describes. You should be able to stored that tired in the GPS.

I had to make several trips from Dublin, VA, to northern tier states (WI, ID) and the GPS liked me to go on those Ohio and Indiana toll roads costing me over $100 in tolls. I designed a route fixing a stop in Bloomington IL that made the trip toll free.

Be careful, though, that any custom route doesn't add too many miles, because your fuel usage will go up.

I do that often on my Garmin. If gps route doesn't match where I want to go there's a screen where I can add via points with a single touch on the map. Works great to make those final mile adjustments so the route matches what my written directions to the customer are.

I always wanted to be able to program my own routes into my gps but never could figure out how to do it on my Garmin Denzel. The garmin Denzel will screw you so bad. Consider it your worst enemy and never trust it for anything. It’s kept me from hitting the top of my truck off anything but in my best estimation it has cost me thousand of dollars in out of route miles. The entrance to the interstate could be right next to you but the garmin will have you drive 40 miles in the wrong direction to get there all the time.

I do that often on my Garmin. If gps route doesn't match where I want to go there's a screen where I can add via points with a single touch on the map. Works great to make those final mile adjustments so the route matches what my written directions to the customer are.

I have the RM Overdrive tablet. You can add via points, but it will only show the route to that point, and there doesn’t seem to be a way to save them.

On the other hand, I’ve never read the manual so it could be me...

That is one thing I like about my company though. They send a suggested route, but I can take any route I want.

In my brief stint OTR I bought a Rand McNally 750 it gave several route options including avoiding or minimizing tolls. I used to set it and match up the company directions to the GPS so I could have the voice directions.

It does let you customize route and put in roads you want to avoid. I like it but right now I dont have a need for it as I know my way to our Indy terminal.

If the route you want does not correspond with the specific GPS decision on the way to go, I will pick a city on my route, then input that data. In other words, direct me to this location. Once in the vicinity, check the routing again for the original destination.

Normally on the longer runs, I will input each of the fuel stop legs of the journey.

This help?

Yes, thanks PackRat. SORT OF... I think I knew and forgot that trick but perhaps the RM750 does more / better? Concern would be that picking a city might route me into the City, not just near or towards it. We get specific routes and are scored on compliance.