GPS, Garmin 780

[LDB]

I've been using, truthfully struggling with, Copilot Truck and my laptop. It works very well IF the address you want to go to is in the database (but it isn't about 1/3 of the time) and IF it doesn't freeze up as you drive along (but it does quite often). If lucky, it will unfreeze after 5-10 minutes and update itself. A fair amount of the time you'll have to stop at the side of the road and restart it. You have to stop because it can't locate itself while moving, unlike a real GPS.

Because of that I've decided to get a dash mount GPS, specifically the Garmin 780. According to the Garmin website, as well as Circuit City, it's a $599.99 unit. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=13479 However, Best Buy is selling them for $269.99 Garmin - nüvi 780 Portable GPS - 010-00657-05

One of the reasons I'm getting it is the MSN Direct feature that gives traffic information in 95 metropolitan markets. Coverage If you click on "view service availability" you get an alphabetical listing of locations. This feature broadcasts direct to the GPS and allows it to notify you of construction or other delays and reroute you to avoid them. This service also gives you weather, movie times, gas prices, and other information for the various locations but the traffic is the primary feature I want.

 

[moose]

Hey Leo ,
I have being Dating Ricki (Garmin760) for 4 months now...
and she will need alot of Diet before i fall for her...

yes ,the Germin will alert you of an oncoming delays , yet it will only get you a very limited info. that i have found to be not accurate at all...you cannot make a decision base of.
you can then ask her to recalculate an alter route , only you will fined that the alter route make no seance . for example ,she will take you to the off ramp , take a right ,make a U turn (her favorite),and get on the on ramp , drive to the next exit , and do it again ...
still @ 270$ , its a catch...



Moose.

 

[redytrk]

I use Verizon Navigator on my phone. I had to turn off the Traffic Alerts because 90% of the time the delay indicated was not there when I arrived. Even if I jump off on their detour it no doubt its not truck friendly.

Verizon does have a good avg (about 95%) on finding the address. Failures are usually because the Zip code not not matching the address. IE. factory loc different from their PO box.

 

[RLENT]

yes ,the Germin will alert you of an oncoming delays , yet it will only get you a very limited info.

Moose, can you elaborate on this at all ?

I mean, what other info would you like to see ..... that the Garmin isn't providing ?

that i have found to be not accurate at all...you cannot make a decision base of.

Not accurate ...... at all ?

...... really ?

 

[Detmike208]

I had the same exact complaints that you did about co pilot. Looking to get a dash mounted myself and came across the WorldNav 7100 which they claim is just for truckers. I have also posted on the tech forum looking for info !

 

[cheri1122]

Typing "gps" into the search tab will get you the info quicker, there, Detmike, but I can give you a quick recap: most Worldnav users are disappointed, while most Garmin users are satisfied. (I am one of the latter - I love my Garmin.)

 

[geo]

myself l like garmin 2610 works great
and if you go to tvnav.com they have best prices and they have rebuild unit that are cheaper and just as good as new one
i have a rebuild one , and have had it for over 4 year's and it's time to update
tvnav.com will also load program on it to for a small price well worth it as it hard if you don't know how to do this

 

[Marty]

Moose you can get updates from the Garmin web site that resolves this issue. Go to automotive products, click on your unit and look for update icon.

 

[banditt11]

This is what I have been waiting for.

PC Miler Navigator truck GPS system and route software for truckers

 

[LDB]

There is another thread that discusses that unit and the potential problems it may suffer.

 

[Dreammaker]

There is another thread that discusses that unit and the potential problems it may suffer.

Leo,

I am looking at the Nuvi 880. It adds voice recognition. CNET did a review and were really impressed with it. Consumer Reports says it is the best unit available now. There is a website that is dedicated to GPS units. They gave the 880 a thorough testing. They also were impressed with the voice recognition. You tell the beastie the starting point and ending point. No more typing. You might check into it.

 

[LDB]

The Garmin website lists the 780 at $599.99 and the 880 at $799.99. I don't find the 880 on the Best Buy website but they are selling the 780 for $269.99. For the sizable difference in cost I don't mind a little typing.

 

[Critter Truckin]

I have an SCP-7050 from Sanyo. My service is thru Sprint, and about 98% of the time it's dead on as far as addresses go. And it's fast to find your stuff on it. If you have the unlimited plan, you get X #of minutes to use (sometimes unlimited) and the use of its GPS is included. Good value and easy.

 

[Dreammaker]

The Garmin website lists the 780 at $599.99 and the 880 at $799.99. I don't find the 880 on the Best Buy website but they are selling the 780 for $269.99. For the sizable difference in cost I don't mind a little typing.

You can get the 880 for $499.00 at HSN. You can get it on ebay for a little cheaper. But that's about the best I have found.

 

[LDB]

That's still at least $200 more and for that I can type.

 

[usaf6186]

I have telenav on my cell through AT&T. It has been great for finding addresses and even companys. I even used it in PR last week and it was always right on. The data base must be on a server somewhere. Jerry Lee