Question:
I just finished my first week of driving on my own. The first loads they gave me were pretty easy. I could make out a trip plan, and follow the signs and exit numbers.
Then they decided to send me to toledo. Then on the next two loads to chicago.
I missed my exit in toledo because of road construction. I went to the next exit to turn around and went back.
I turned off on the same exit number. Except I was going north now instead of south as the directions said. I ended up lost. I was within a few miles of my delivery, but I had no clue where I was, didn't know what direction I was going, and the local roads I was on were not on my road atlas.
It was at this point the I did something I had avoided doing earlier. I pulled over into a parking lot. Got my laptop computer out and hooked up the GPS.
I had gotten the GPS and mapping software before I had started trucking school, and I had used it in my car.
Once I had this running, the GPS showed me exactly where I was on the map. I made a quick route to the store I was delivering to, and was on my way. Turn out the exit number exits onto a different road going north than it does south.
As far as I am concerned, the GPS has paid for itself just for helping get me out of that mess.
I have also tried all of the cheap mapping software.
The GPS came with Delorme. I also bought the Rand Mcnally street finder and trip maker. Just last week, I bought the Microsoft streets and trips.
The Delorme software has the best GPS support. The Microsoft has the best interface and directions. The Rand Mcnally software has bugs, quirck and problems in it that make it difficult to use, which is a shame since it potentially has the best mapping data.
Since my first experience getting lost, I now leave the laptop with GPS running all the time. I can see my location on the map just by glancing over at it. This is much better than attempting to read a map while driving down the road, which is not safe while driving.
Having this available lets you see immediately if you have made a wrong turn or somehow gotten in the wrong lane (like I did in chicago). It also makes it easier to find your way back onto the correct road if you do screw up and make a wrong turn.
The Microsoft software has GPS support also, but it is not as good as the Delorme. I was hoping to use one piece of software for both trip planning and for driving.
Anybody else out there tried GPS in the truck?

Answer:
I just bought a package that I can use with my wifes Palm Pilot.
I plan to hook it up to the truck to run all the time and it is alot cheaper than buying a laptop.
I do not plan on having a laptop until I start seeing some green coming in so this will work for me.
You can get a color screen palm pilot and this system for about $200. Look on ebay for both. Alot cheaper and some have a warranty.
TimThis is USAF 2T2 and I approve this message.

Answer:
I've got a few toys of my own. From my experiences their all just that, toys. Fun to play with and great for taking up time. I've never really needed them to get where I was going. I have been lost a couple times and have taken the scenic route on more than one ocassion. But you can truck along fine without the toys. If a person can afford them they can be fun. Their just not a must have.
My GPS is great for Florida SW back bays. Somtimes letting it map where you've been can save alot of time. The whole place looks almost the same. Plus it lets me fish longer without worry.
Just out of curiosity and not being a Smart azz. What would you have done without them?
"Caution: Door May Open"

Answer:


Answer:
Tim, tell me more about that palm pilot. Does it have a screen that can show maps and your present location? What cell phone are you using it with?
Semper Fi,
Wayne

Answer:
The particular unit I just bought off of eBay has a suction cup that the GPS unit is attached to. I download the included program (Rand McNally), but plan on getting the Microsoft product from my computer. Which is maps and stuff. I just put the palm pilot into the GPS unit and hook it together.
I will try it out in my car and get back with you on how everything works.
Look on eBay for some and see if they interest you. I just typed PALM GPS and see if they have what you are looking for.
TimThis is USAF 2T2 and I approve this message.

Answer:
I've used Dellorme Street Atlas for four years now. I run it 24/7 in a separate, beat-up old ThinkPad I have (basically) hard-mounted to the dash. It's filthy and beat-up, but it's the best tool I've got on the truck.
Sure I could do the job without a real-time GPS display on a detailed map at my right fingertips.
But I could also do the job without air conditioning, a cell phone, power steering, pre-pass, toll cards, a cb radio, tv, cooler......
Running GPS on a full-screen laptop is a major stress reducer, and well worth the investment for those disciplined enough to spend some time learning how to incorporate it into the job like the very practical tool it is. Once you've used it a while, you'll never want to drive without it again - it's that good.

Answer:
I use Delorme and a garmin gps on my laptop and wouldnt leave home without it. It saves time and stress of trying to figure out what to do at the last sec in cali where very few of the xits r marked by numbers. Also in la where they dont give a north south east or west direction. my laptop just yells at me and says turn right in a mile. set it up with youre route before you leave and you should have no worries. For canada I use microsoft streets
Alt

Answer:
pilot friends had the Palm pilot GPS in her Mooney. It worked pretty well for here, but at 160kts lost signal a few times.
Something like that in a truck would work pretty well. I would have it mounted to the windshield for signal and easy viewing.

Answer:
having a good sense of direction is worth more than all the junk you can plug in , what would you do if your computer crashed, parked and cried?
get real, trash the electronics and start using your head.
Non-union and proud

Answer:
Originally posted by NY REDMAN:
having a good sense of direction is worth more than all the junk you can plug in , what would you do if your computer crashed, parked and cried?
get real, trash the electronics and start using your head.
Well done.
Perhaps we can also take the electricity out of our houses and go back to candlelight. God forbid we should let this newfangled technology make our lives easier.

Answer:
Originally posted by NY REDMAN:
having a good sense of direction is worth more than all the junk you can plug in , what would you do if your computer crashed, parked and cried?
get real, trash the electronics and start using your head.
So most modern diesels use computerized electronics to make them run effienciently!
So how do you deliver the freight by a horse drawn wagon or do you use a mule train?


Answer:
He drives the budweiser clydesdale team.

Answer:
While you're at it, cut that belt to the AC compressor and ditch the cruise control. Oh yeah, toss your home computer out the window and light a smoke signal fire. God forbid, we use our head to make things easier. Technology is here to stay, get a handle on it or step out of the fast lane and stand there scratching your Neanderthal butt.
Semper Fi,
Wayne

Answer:
It is a little strange not a one person has answered what they might do if lost without the TOYS.
For the sake of other newbies that might be reading and can't afford this stuff. It is not needed to drive a truck. I leave mine off while moving anyway. To many other things I need to pay attention to.
Also if another idiot who's playing with his laptop GPS almost hits me he might need to buy a new one.
"Caution: Door May Open"