Should I Buy A GPS Unit 🤔

It does have the built in cameras and sd card and screen protector....sorry for the typo.

Moe,

I know how it is when money gets tight... If you will tell me how to get in touch with you I will send you a used truck gps..Rand Mcanally OD8PRO you will just need to get a mount for it, works good for me. I know how hard you have tried to get this going and will be glad to help, no strings attached! I purchased it for myself, then found another one for a good price, so now I have two, and only need one, it has the FM transmitter mount and charging cord just needs the suction cup. Has been updated as well. I was going to keep it for a backup but its yours if you can use it and will help you out! Itndoesmhave the built in cameras and sd card as well.

87Wrangler, that is very generous of you.

It went to my online gallery for some reason you can view it there.

Yes, it’sa handy tool but you mention funds being a potential issue. I’d recommend the Co Pilot app for your phone, just make sure you set it up as the truck version. You’ll use it for 5 years before you incur the cost of one of the expensive truck version gps systems. It also uses the same routing software used by most companies to plot and send freight estimates so your mileage will generally be a little closer on miles if that’s a concern. I don’t own a gps but do have the co pilot app and on the rare occasion I need it, it’s just as effective as a much more expensive stand alone system.

Moe, if money is tight and you have good data try the Hammer Lane app. I have played with it and it seems ok. It's free. Save points for all or part of your GPS purchase. I cannot recommend Rand Mcnally electronics as they don't last. Their Atlas is a must have. I use Garmin and am very happy with them, I have two.

You can also write down directions on paper and post where you can see. You could use dry erase markers to write exit numbers on your windshield.

People drove trucks, cars, boats and planes long before there was GPS. With a laminated Atlas, about $30, you can trace your route with dry erase markers.

Hope that helps.

People drove trucks, cars, boats and planes long before there was GPS

Exactly.

By no means is a GPS something you must have. You can get wherever you need to go with the carriers atlas, and good old-fashioned directions by phone.

That said, I'd absolutely have a truck GPS in my arsenal if I could afford it. It's a valuable tool that simply makes me better and faster at my job.

I'm kind of surprised May doesn't provide some sort of mapping for their drivers.

We don't have company GPS at Crete, either. Routing steps directions, but these can be way off at times.

I cannot recommend Rand Mcnally electronics as they don't last. Their Atlas is a must have. I use Garmin and am very happy with them, I have two.

You can also write down directions on paper and post where you can see. You could use dry erase markers to write exit numbers on your windshield.

People drove trucks, cars, boats and planes long before there was GPS. With a laminated Atlas, about $30, you can trace your route with dry erase markers.

I agree with the comments about Rand McNally electronics. I've had bad luck with them. Garmin has been much more reliable.

It's good to use the built-in navigator in your head instead of relying on electronics. I find that I am much more alert and attentive doing it this way.

These days I go to the same 150 or so places all the time, so I mainly use the GPS to check travel times, and to verify which store I'm going to if it's been a while since I last took a load there. I have the voice instructions turned off.

Two things about using a GPS that are worth considering: First, even when I keep it updated, sometimes the information is just plain wrong. Garmin has a bad habit of putting weight and height restrictions for side streets onto the main route, so the computer tries to route you to exactly the wrong place. It doesn't happen very often, and it's usually noticeable (like telling you to take Auraria Parkway into downtown Denver instead of staying on I-25 northbound), but it's a real hazard if you're not familiar with the area.

Second, I think drivers tend to ignore signs and follow their GPS instead. If you use a GPS, you still need to pay attention to and prefer the information you get from road signs.

Not going to offer what gps is better. They are electronics, they will let you down, eventually. That said, Pride's Drivertech system has Nav and I just found out yesterday it is not infallible. It doesn't show the TA's or the newer Flying J in Denver.

But to talk cost. Flying J points rack up fast. If you can get by with Google maps/Hammer/TruckerPath/Altas or all of them, rack points and drive down that cost of your GPS. This is what my current plan is.

Also, maybe someone with experience in filing trucker taxes (Kearsey maybe) can speak to being able to write it off at the end of the year as a expense. Something I am also looking for the answer to.