GPS and Hot shots

[Mtngoat]

Do Hot Shotters use GPS 's and how do they help you?



Robin

 

[EB]

The only time I use my GPS is when I'm going into some of the large ranches in south Texas with poor directions at night in the fog. You can at least find your way back out.

 

[SEmerson]

I am not a hot shot but I do field serve. I use gps and mapping software all day. Can't live without it any more. It helps you keep track of where you are. At night you don't need to look for street signs. You just turn when the arrows gets to the road. I do also use it when I go on a trips for the whole trip.

 

[Mtngoat]

Forgive me for being GPS dumb. . Apparently they have the mapping info already onboard, and you just program in your route?





Robin

 

[Ted Constantine]

what gps units are you guys using? I use a delorme program on my computer but I am a mac guy and they have stopped supporting the macintosh platform. i am stuck with an old version. Works great still but I have to run it in emulasion since the newest mac OS's are unix based.

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by Mtngoat

Forgive me for being GPS dumb. . Apparently they have the mapping info already onboard, and you just program in your route?





Robin

It varies from unit to unit, but generally, yes that's how it is. After using a Garmin streetpilot III for about a year in my truck we now have them in every one of our company delivery vehicles. They are far superior to any type of paper map, and pretty much idiot proof. They will even recalculate your route based on a wrong turn or detour- something mapquest or written directions can't do.





Kev

 

[David Muench]

Here's a good example of a GPS application at work. . They have the maps programmed in and the GPS in this case is showing a trail of where you've been and the current direction you're going:



http://www.delorme.com/streetatlasusa/images/GPS.gif

 

[Mtngoat]

When you buy a gps, I assume they are loaded with up to date mapping. Do they send updates or is it something that can be downloaded into your gps?



Robin

 

[rrausch]

Would any GPS units allow me to keep track of Business Miles for IRS deductions?

I hate always writing down starting mileage, ending mileage etc. etc. etc.

Anybody know?

 

[SEmerson]

I have a gps on my dash but i only use it for time,speed, and elevation. It ties into my p3 933 that is mounted under my back seat. I have a wireless keyboard with a pointing device in it that sits on my armrest. And a flat panel over my 4x4 shifter. That displayes the map. I have about 6 different map programs on the computer. There are some pics of my gps and flat panel in my pics.

 

[bighammer]

Mtngoat, yes most of the new ones have a base map built in (usually with little detail--Interstates and some state hwys) You can download or add chips to the better units that increases the detail. Depending on what kind you have, some even map specific addresses.



rrausch, mine does have sort of an odometer that keeps track of distances covered. It also traces lines on the map of where exactly you went. Zoom in enough and you can see where you got off the freeway for fuel.



I bought a Garmin GPSMAP 176 (actaully both a B&W and then a color version) off eBay for a much better deal than in the local store. (like about half price ) I got it (promised SWMBO that I would sell the one I didn't like as well--Still can't decide ) more for use on our boat. (told her it was a safety thing) I really like having it in the truck though too. I can see the map and where I am on it. I can find out what services are at the next exit with a push of a button.



For the open water it's really nice. I used to use my cheapo GPS (no map) to get the coordinates and then figure where they are on the paper chart for my location. Not easy when sailing alone in a good wind or in a powerboat at WOT. (and by then you may have already found that shallow area) It shows the depths, shipwrecks, hazards, etc.

 

[OTRPU]

I'm not really a Hotshot, just a hauler. I pull trailers, anything with wheels, usually from manufacturers to dealers. I use a Garmin Street Pilot III, daily. Wouldn't leave home without it. Hotshot buddy of mine doesn't use GPS, just paper maps, atlas, that he has trouble reading. Just came to save my but when I blew up in VA. He came 400 miles to get me, went 100 miles wrong way because he misread his atlas. He runs 150k a year so you can do it without GPS. But I wouldn't, GPS. . . wouldn't leave home without it. All GPS are history books, soon as the maps are written the world changes. Best part about it is it will eventually work my way to the destination. I download address level detail for every destination. I've used GPS on a PC, for me it's not practical, bad enough using Laptop for log. GPS for me is fulltime, hence the smaller the better.



Cheers,

Steve J.

 

[Mtngoat]

Sounds like a GPS is in the near future for me. Believe it would be good while 4 wheeling in Colrado as well. Thanks, fellas!



Robin

 

[OTRPU]

My first introduction to GPS was a Lowrance combination Depth Finder w/GPS. Back when I had a real job and had weekends and holidays off I went by SageFisher, went fishing every weekend. God I miss it. . . can tell you GPS don't work too well up the side canyons at Lake Powell, can't get a signal. DeLorme claims to have good jeep road information, don't know myself. Usually dealers are found on paved roads.



Cheers,

Steve J.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Look at the Garmin 176C at ~$500. It has a large display and COLOR!!! Will not do routing so you have to input your route via the Mapsource software or by pickin' and grinnin' on the map. Not as good as the routing GPS, but cheaper with a large display... and COLOR.

Greg

 

[mgonske]

Everything's a trade-off. While it doesn't have address-to-address routing capability, the Garmin 176c can also load topo maps, which is an advantage for off-roading. That's what I use, although I'm thinking about the possibility of adding a routing unit for everyday highway use.

 

[Hunter1]

Can anyone tell me what the price is for a good one that will do routing and specific address finding, and in color?



TIA



Hunter1

 

[mgonske]

Originally posted by Hunter1

Can anyone tell me what the price is for a good one that will do routing and specific address finding, and in color?



TIA



Hunter1

If this violates the price posting guidelines, feel free to delete it.



I just checked a good source I've used before, GPSNow.com, and they list the discontinued StreetPilotIII Deluxe at ~$670, and its replacement, the StreetPilot 2610, for ~$770.



The GPS V is a smaller, more affordable B&W routable receiver.

 

[Mtngoat]

Thanks, fellas,



I learned a lot...



Robin