Question:
I've read some posts about drivers using GPS and laptops and it got me to thinking (which is usually a pretty dangerous activity LOL). Anyway, I already have a laptop so the cost of the GPS and the software probably wouldn't be that great. I've seen alot of stuff on Ebay going for good prices. Now, keep in mind that I'm a newbie and I plan on buying this stuff AFTER I've mastered using the Atlas and trip planned the old-fashioned way and AFTER I've put some miles under my belt.
My question is what is the best mapping\GPS software out there right now that doesn't cost a fortune? I've looked at Microsoft Street & Trips 2004 and Delorme 2004 (both of which can be picked up for under $50.00) and both have gotten pretty bad reviews. It seems that these products have gotten progressively worse. RandMcnally's software doesn't seem to be great shakes either.
So which type of mapping\GPS software is the way to go? Or is it even worth sinking money into this stuff?
Thanks guys!- Hamilton Carhartt, founder of Carhartt Apparel

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I do not use GPS but I am using Microsoft Streets and Trips 2004 I do not like the 2004 addition as well as I liked 2003 but it is still better than paper maps of each city I go to. I find that My Motor Carriers Atlas and Streets and Trips serve me pretty well. I have been thinking about getting a GPS receiver as well I some times think it would be a good thing to have. Especially when I am lost.

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Do a search for a topic called High Tech Trucking. There is a lot of info there you might find useful.
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thanks uturn2001 I just put a post there. I didnt know that forum was there thanks for pointing it out.
Ive gone through this newbies section and you seem to have alot of good advice to give to newbies. Thanks, its much appreciated by us greenhorns.- Hamilton Carhartt, founder of Carhartt Apparel

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I use M$ Streets and Flips ( ) and for $30 after rebate, it beats getting lost
A $99 Garmin GPS plus a $20 adaptor cable plugs into the serial port of the laptop, which allows MS software to plot your position as you move (or don't move, as the case may be on the Bronx-Queens Expwy this morning )
Best thing since pre-marital sex in my book
And as the QualComm says... CAUTION: Driver, do not operate this equipment while the vehicle is in motion.

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if you want to have a bunch of high dollar toys just go ahead and blow some bucks on them. they wont make you a better driver and they wont do any more than a good collection of maps and a cell phone or even a a calling card can do for a lot less money, but as you can see pelnty of kids can dream up all kind of fantasies to justify their toy collection to their wives and some of them may work on your old lady, too. who knows til you give it a shot.

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Prozac Pete,
Sounds like you need to get your prescription refilled. Sounds like you are still upset about the advent of the horseless carriages. When they became prevalent you lost your job shoveling horse manuer. J/K
If you read SSB's oringinal post, you would see that he already has the laptop. So the biggest expense is already covered. As far as a gps reciever and software, you can get both in one package for approximately $130 for the earthmate gps and DeLorme software.
I am not going to rehash the benefits of using a laptop with gps, all you have to do is a search on the subject. You are correct it doest not exactly make you a better driver as far as driving skills goes, wont help backing into a tight dock. But it will make you better prepared to do your job having street level maps of the entire USA. I would like to see your collection of maps that provide this level of detail for the entire USA including buisness's, restaurants, government buildings, and other landmarks. I am sure a person would spend well over the cost of the software and gps receiver to get paper maps for the entire USA.
*DISCLAIMER* While you do get an extraordinary ammount of information with the software packages, do not rely soley on it. There have been more then one occasion where they address that came up was not correct. But by either using pre-established directions via qualcom, or calling the customer directly I was able to get the accurate directions. When using these techniques along side of the software, I get a mental picture of the area I am going to be delivering into before I ever get there. So this would make you a better driver in the since that you are better prepared then a driver that goes to a new customer "blind"

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I feel it is worth the extra bux to get a GPS receiver and software combo. I rely heavily on my laptop to route, I do check my atlas for truck routes, bridge height etc. but other than that the atlas sets collecting dust. My laptop saved my butt many times so far, I never get lost now, I can route my butt around an accident, heavy traffic and bad directions, my laptop has only let me down once as I was going to a brand new industrial park and it was not listed in any of the software packages I have installed, my CB got me to my destination that time. If U are very comfortable using a computer and have the spare bux to carry along a spare hard drive (with the operating system pre-installed and configured with everything U need ready to go). since the day I went solo my atlas pretty much sets idle, I was lucky and came from the computer industry so already had the spare hardware to fix my laptop in case it has problems on the road, I even carry a spare 2Ghz junker in case my good one gets zapped by lightning or some other unforeseen deadly accident.

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