Roymondo:
jessejazza:
Most important is that with a Garmin or TomTom you will find after 3-4 years the screen goes blank. The rogues built in a ‘refurbishment’ requirement to make themselves extra cash on top of the purchase. That puts my backup along with the requirement that updates have to be done on a windows/mac computer and went over to linux in 2007.
The current Tomtom “Pro” models update via WiFi, with no need to connect via a PC or Mac (although you can still do so if you wish).
One of the main issues with paper maps is that they are never up to date (even if you buy a new one every year). Also the Phillips Trucker Atlas is dire for use in that there Lunnon, as it shows only a few of the height restrictions, and virtually none of the numerous weight, width and length restrictions.
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True but neither is a satnav. I stick with road signs most of the time.
jessejazza:
wrighty1:
jessejazza:
Paul@PSTT:
Without a doubt, sat navs are brilliant and I use one. But there’s no substitute for good map reading skills and experience.
I use sat nav for traffic warnings and maybe the last mile. But I use a map to get close to where I want to be.
Pete [emoji38] [emoji38]
Well said. After 6 years of truck driving I have found no satnav is perfect. Most important is that with a Garmin or TomTom you will find after 3-4 years the screen goes blank. The rogues built in a ‘refurbishment’ requirement to make themselves extra cash on top of the purchase. That puts my backup along with the requirement that updates have to be done on a windows/mac computer and went over to linux in 2007.
I’ve tested most and find by far the best is Here maps - updated maps every month and its routing excellent but it is quite a basic app. Copilot is a close second as it offers way points to aid route planning but map updates are only 6 monthly if that. Important thing about updates is it is not just new roads but corrections. So far with Here maps I’ve found one fault (in 100k miles per year over 6 years) - on the A31 to Poole it takes you off the A31 at J13 and puts you back at J14 hmm. That’s nothing to complain about really! Google os ok but uses data and its routing I’ve found not so good but great on a large industrial estate to look up the exact location of a company.
As Peter says no substitute for good map reading skills - I’d call it route planning which really is an essential requirement when one is in an artic. I use both Here maps and Copilot to route plan (comparing the two if any different), sometimes jotting down the roads on my Jotter pad (or sketch to refer to) and then back to the satnav ‘to bring me in’ the last few mile.
Bridges and weight restrictions one covers with route planning. When I did use a track satnav I found I was lazy on checking routes and I found would use roads ‘not suitable for HGV’ as these are not weight restricted and thus not included. I have been to loads of nurseries and farms in remote places and I would always trust the map (Philips Truckers Navigator not the AA one as it does not cover weight restrictions) and a plain car road satnav.
Over a year now I’ve been driving an artic and I simply wouldn’t go anywhere without the map and careful route planning. e.g Slough… one goes in from the East and leaves via the East as there are 6 bridges on the West side and one will get stuck. There is added ‘artic driving joy’ with an LST trailer as one cannot spin and in my view even more important to carefully route plan. I utterly hate the LST and hope their use will fade as service stations and many destinations do not have space to accommodate them. I found standard artic nerve racking at first but one grows to love the manoeuvrability of it (best place to learn is in London and ‘you certainly pull your hair out’)… but I don’t think I will ever like the LST… the 28 pallet version is one thing - the 30 pallet is another. I was in Sutton-in-Ashfield the other week with an LST and thought of popping in for ‘break’… then second thoughts as Peter wouldn’t jump with joy at an LST turning in the yard. (LOL).
As for a satnav… there great but always use the map! Save yourself some cash. You need two anyway in case one stops working… no one mentions that. I have one phone (no SIM card) as a satnav and then another used as a phone (as backup).
Sorry but most of that is rubbish, sat navs do not crash after 3-4 years and used in conjunction with Google maps they are an excellent bit of kit. I have the Phillips truck atlas and it’s been under my bunk for the last 4 years, you will find with all the road building/updating going on these quickly become out of date. As for updating sat navs the new Tomtom updates via WiFi. I drive all over Britain and have honestly never needed to use a map, set up properly sat navs are more than adequate as long as a bit of common sense is used.
Modern technology is a wonderful thing and can make the job easier, some people still seem averse to it [emoji849]
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Yours hasn’t yet (I take it) but will do. TomTom maps are hopelessly out of date. As for common sense that’s a personal thing. I’m not wasting £400 quid.
Mate I don’t know where you get your info from but I’ve been using Tomtom for years without issue as long as you update them regularly, as for £400 nowhere near £280 for the latest 6250 direct from Tomtom with discount. Not really much if it makes the job easier but each to their own.
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Saying that. My lovely Garmin took me for a ride last week when I was doing the same route as I do now. Birmingham-Bristol-Cardiff and back. For some reason it took me through Wales on roads that I was alone but added 1 hour to the journey. Better planning was done today as I can’t afford another extra hour because I have to be at Pete’s by 8am for my artic training and a bit of sleep wouldn’t hurt to be fair [emoji16]
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DO NOT get or use a sat-nav. Buy a good quality Trucker’s Atlas from Amazon or a truck stop etc. You will learn a lot more about the lay out of the country and self routing. I have driven for 32 years, HGV for 30 of them and have never used a sat- nav. You just cannot beat a good map and studying an atlas will benefit your driving no end.
Truckerian99:
DO NOT get or use a sat-nav. Buy a good quality Trucker’s Atlas from Amazon or a truck stop etc. You will learn a lot more about the lay out of the country and self routing. I have driven for 32 years, HGV for 30 of them and have never used a sat- nav. You just cannot beat a good map and studying an atlas will benefit your driving no end.
But the maps don’t know where the traffic jam is.
In my opinion a mixture of both is the best option
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DSMRookie:
Truckerian99:
DO NOT get or use a sat-nav. Buy a good quality Trucker’s Atlas from Amazon or a truck stop etc. You will learn a lot more about the lay out of the country and self routing. I have driven for 32 years, HGV for 30 of them and have never used a sat- nav. You just cannot beat a good map and studying an atlas will benefit your driving no end.
But the maps don’t know where the traffic jam is.
In my opinion a mixture of both is the best option
I’d agree. I use Here maps (maps are OSM, routing better than google and others) for route planning and checking for delays. Then open the Truckers Atlas to check on bridges and road restrictions. The map also tells me where to consider a break. Just use a sat-nav to bring me in the last few mile.