I need a GPS. Any suggestions?

[jmowreader]

No! I don't want it to get me to Susan Boyle's house. This is a highly atypical DU thread as it contains nothing about either teabagging or Susan Boyle.

I need a GPS for trucking. There are two kinds: stand-alones that sit on your dash, and ones that run on your computer. The computer ones seem to all speak Windows...so:

Would I be better off with a standalone trucker's GPS or by mounting XP on my MacBook through Boot Camp and using a computer-based one?

[MajorChode]

1. It really depends on what you want

Certainly the computer route is the best option as far as screen size goes and upgrading software. The problems you run into with all of them is they need to have their database updated on a fairly regular basis, especially if you like the POI functions.

The problem with using a computer based model is they are much harder to lug around and there's not as many mounting options. Although in a truck this may not be as much of an issue as you can probably secure it more easily than in a car and if you're overnighting in the cab anyway, there's no need to move it every time you shut off the vehicle, and you're probably lugging around your laptop anyway.

As far as standalone models go, my best experience has been with the Garmin products, although most of that experience is with their aviation products. They do bend you over on software upgrades, but I suspect this is the case with just about all of them.

[jmowreader]

2. As for right now...

I mainly want a GPS that won't route a load of spray paint down a road it's not legal to haul hazmat on, or down a road that's got 12-foot bridges on it just because it's five miles shorter than one I can use.

[MajorChode]

3. I can't help you there

I do know that Garmin's aviation products are top notch, so if they do have options specifically tailored to trucks they might be worth a look. The only specialty products I know they carry are for marine and aviation. I have seen a "truck" setting on some Garmins, but I'm not really sure what that does for you.

[MajorChode]

4. I found this...

http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2009/03/n%C3%BCvi-465t-helps-drivers-know-their-1020.html

Apparently it's not available just yet, but it may be worth the wait.