In the complex world of truck driving, where every turn and time-saving route counts, finding the best truck GPS system is more than crucial—it’s a necessity.
Many reviews out there miss the mark, glossing over the specifics that matter most in your search for the best truck GPS: detailed route customization, live traffic updates, accuracy, reliability and ease of use.
We understand the stakes—time, efficiency, and safety. That’s why this review will dive deep into what truly benefits truck drivers, offering clear, detailed insights that directly address your needs.
The overall winner was the Garmin Dēzl OTR810 , a hugely impressive Truck GPS that has accurate maps, live updates so you will always take the most efficient route and enjoy the drive.
Now let us help guide you to the best truck GPS that not only meets but exceeds your professional demands.
🏆 Best Overall
Best Value Option
Best Truck GPS: Assessment Criteria
We assessed all the Truck GPS in this review based on the following 7 important criteria.
- Safety Features: GPS with real-time alerts and voice commands to keep drivers safe and focused.
- Cost and Time Savings: Optimize routes for fuel efficiency and avoid traffic to save on expenses and reduce travel time.
- Ease of Use: Intuitive interface and straightforward updates for hassle-free navigation.
- Enhancing Trucking Experience: Features truck-specific points of interest, including amenities like showers and entertainment options.
- Compatibility and Integration: Compatible with truck dimensions and easily integrates with other in-cab technologies.
- Durability and Reliability: Durable design that withstands trucking conditions and consistently delivers accurate directions.
- Cost Considerations: Affordable with a clear understanding of any additional fees for updates or subscriptions.
Research Note
” Just as neglecting tire maintenance can lead to costly blowouts on the road, relying on a cheap GPS can lead to costly mistakes and delays. ”
Best Truck GPS
Garmin Dēzl OTR810 – ⭐️Best Overall
Rand McNally TND 750 – Best Value for Money
OHREX N700 GPS– Best Budget
Garmin Dēzl OTR810
⭐️Verdict: Best Overall
Released mid 2023, the Garmin Dezl 810 is equipped with a large, easy-to-read touchscreen display that provides clear navigation instructions. It offers detailed truck-specific maps that include information on truck routes, weight limits, bridge heights, and hazardous materials restrictions. This ensures that truck drivers can navigate efficiently and avoid any potential obstacles or legal issues.
Large display: Large 7-inch display, allowing for easy readability and clear navigation instructions.
Advanced Routing: One of the standout features of the Garmin Dezl 810 is its advanced routing capabilities. It takes into account the size and weight of the truck, as well as any load restrictions, to provide optimal routes. This helps truck drivers save time and fuel by avoiding unnecessary detours or challenging terrain.
Real-time Traffic updates: Allowing truck drivers to stay informed about any traffic congestion or accidents on their route. This helps them make informed decisions and select alternative routes if necessary.
Advanced Features: Offers a host of helpful tools and utilities. It includes a built-in trip planner that allows truck drivers to plan their routes and stops in advance. It also has a comprehensive points of interest database, which includes truck stops, rest areas, and other trucker-specific amenities.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Enabling hands-free calling and voice-activated navigation. This enhances safety and convenience for truck drivers, allowing them to focus on the road while still staying connected.
Lifetime maps and traffic updates: Free lifetime map updates, ensuring that drivers always have the latest road maps. It also provides real-time traffic updates, enabling drivers to avoid traffic congestion and save time.
Active Lane Guidance: With active lane guidance, drivers are provided with visual cues and voice prompts for upcoming lane changes and complex intersections. This feature ensures that drivers stay in the correct lane at all times.
Voice-activated navigation: Drivers can control the Garmin Dezl 810 through voice commands, allowing for a safer and more convenient driving experience.
Overall, doesn’t seem you can go wrong with this one.
Pros
Time and Fuel Savings
Enhanced Safety (Lane Guidance)
Lifetime map updates
Efficient Route Planning
Cons
No Automatic Brightness on Display
Slightly more expensive then others
Rand McNally TND 750
⭐️Verdict: Best Value for Money
A top-rated GPS device designed specifically for truck drivers. Packed with advanced features and benefits, the TND 750 stands out as one of the best truck GPS options available in the market.
Large Display: Spacious 7-inch high-definition screen, providing truck drivers with clear and easy-to-read navigation information.
Customized Routing: Based on your truck’s dimensions, weight, and load type. It takes into account truck-specific restrictions, such as low bridges and weight limits, ensuring you follow the most efficient and truck-friendly routes.
Advanced Lane Guidance: Assists drivers in making the correct lane changes well in advance, reducing the chances of missed exits or turns.
Wi-Fi Connectivity: Enabling easy map updates and real-time traffic information. Stay up-to-date with the latest road conditions and save time by avoiding traffic congestion.
Driver Assistance Features: Speed limit warnings, traffic camera alerts, and upcoming rest stop locations. Stay informed and drive with confidence.
Points of Interest (POI): Extensive database of truck-specific points of interest, including truck stops, fuel stations, and rest areas. Easily find essential services along your route.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Compatible: Seamlessly integrates with Rand McNally’s ELD devices, allowing for efficient electronic logging and compliance with industry regulations.
Multiple-Stop Routing: It helps you save time and fuel by suggesting the most efficient order of stops.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Connect your smartphone to the TND 750 via Bluetooth to make and receive calls hands-free, ensuring safer communication while on the road.
Pros
Electronic Logging
Multi-Stop Routing
Easy Map updates with Wi-Fi
Better Value for Money
Cons
Slightly harder to use then other GPS’s
Directions noted by some drivers as less accurate
OHREX N700 GPS
Verdict: Best Budget Option
Clearly this Truck GPS isn’t as feature rich as the other two, however given the price can be considered good value. However, as mentioned earlier, if you are a long haul driver, one wrong turn could cost you more then the GPS itself. So keep that in mind.
Large and clear display: Comes with a large display that provides clear and easy-to-read navigation information.
Truck-specific routing: This GPS device offers truck-specific routing options, taking into consideration the size, weight, and height restrictions of trucks. It helps drivers avoid roads that are not suitable for their vehicles.
Real-time traffic updates: Provides real-time traffic updates, allowing truck drivers to choose the most efficient routes and avoid traffic congestion.
Voice-guided directions: With voice-guided directions, drivers can focus on the road while receiving step-by-step instructions from the GPS device.
Points of interest: The device includes a comprehensive database of points of interest, including truck stops, rest areas, and fuel stations, making it convenient for truck drivers to find necessary services along their routes.
Bluetooth connectivity: The OHREX N700 GPS offers Bluetooth connectivity, enabling hands-free calling while driving.
Benefits of OHREX N700 GPS:
- Enhanced navigation: The truck-specific routing and accurate mapping features help truck drivers navigate with confidence and reach their destinations efficiently.
- Time and fuel savings: By providing real-time traffic updates and suggesting the most optimal routes, the OHREX N700 GPS helps drivers save time and fuel by avoiding congested roads and unnecessary detours.
- Improved safety: The voice-guided directions and large display of the device contribute to safer driving by reducing distractions and enabling drivers to keep their focus on the road.
- Convenience and accessibility: The extensive database of points of interest ensures that truck drivers can easily locate essential services and amenities during their journeys.
In summary, the OHREX N700 GPS is a reliable and feature-rich truck GPS device that offers truck-specific routing, real-time traffic updates, voice-guided directions, and various other benefits for truck drivers. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features make it a valuable tool for efficient and safe navigation.
Focus keywords: Best Truck GPS
Pros
Get alot for your money
Good Readability
Large Screen
Cons
Directions can be inaccurate
Some maps out of date
Best Truck GPS Buying Guide
Screen Size is Key
You want a screen that’s easy to read at a glance without taking up too much space. Most truckers like a screen size between 5 to 7 inches. It’s big enough to see clearly but won’t dominate your dashboard. If you prefer a larger view, there are options up to 10 inches that offer crisp, clear maps.
Choosing the Right Mount
There are mainly two types: magnet mounts and suction cups. Magnet mounts are sturdy, but in hot weather, they might not stick as well. Suction cups are a good alternative, just make sure it’s a high-quality one so your GPS stays put.
Bluetooth Compatibility
Having a Bluetooth-enabled GPS means you can connect it to your smartphone for hands-free calls and more. This is super helpful for staying focused on the road. But, if your truck is already equipped with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, you might not need this feature.
Extra Features Matter
A great truck GPS does more than just navigate. It can guide you to rest stops, fuel stations, and alert you about traffic jams. Some even offer tips on where to eat or sleep. It’s like having a travel guide built into your GPS.
User-Friendliness
Look for a GPS that’s easy to use, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. Touch screens and voice commands can make your life a lot easier by letting you keep your focus on driving.
Special Features for Truckers
Since trucking isn’t your typical 9-5 job, having a GPS with features tailored to truckers’ needs—like fuel prices, traffic updates, and rest area locations—can be incredibly helpful.
Easy Installation
Think about how and where you’ll mount your GPS. It shouldn’t block your view or be hard to reach. Also, consider how it handles direct sunlight, as you don’t want screen glare to be an issue.
Keeping Your Maps Updated
Roads change, and so do restrictions. A GPS with easy-to-update maps ensures you’re always on the right track without any nasty surprises.
Storage Space
The more, the merrier. More storage means you can download more maps and information, which is great for long hauls or exploring new areas.
In a Nutshell
When shopping for a truck GPS, focus on finding one with:
– The right screen size for easy reading.
– A reliable mount that suits your truck and driving conditions.
– Bluetooth compatibility, if you don’t already have a smart setup.
– User-friendly features that make driving safer and more enjoyable.
– Special trucker-friendly features that enhance your on-the-road experience.
– Simple installation and hassle-free map updates.
– Adequate storage for all your navigation needs.
Choosing the perfect truck GPS is all about enhancing your driving experience, making sure you’re always on the right path, and keeping safety a top priority. Happy trucking!
Conclusion
I really hope this review has been of help. My overall aim of this website is to whole heartedly help people so they stay safe on the roads.
These are some of the best Truck GPS on the market with the best features including safety features whilst also saving money on better routes as well as saving you time.
If you have any questions. please feel free to leave a comment or you can contact me directly via the contact us page.
FAQ
Which is the Best Truck GPS with Largest Screen?
The Garmin Dezl OTR 1010 has an enormous 10 inch screen and very similar advanced features to the Garmin Dezl OTR 810.
Why should I invest in a more expensive model?
If you drive a Big Rig, one wrong turn can be a very costly experience. This alone can warrant spending the extra money on a more sophisticated and accurate model like the Garmin Dezl OTR 810
Do truck GPSs come preloaded with maps?
Yes, most truck GPS devices come preloaded with maps of North America and Canada. Some models also allow for additional maps to be downloaded.
Is Google Maps suitable for truck drivers?
Google Maps is useful for finding POIs like gas stations and restaurants but lacks features for professional truck routing, such as tracking hours of service and considering truck-specific restrictions.
How much should I budget for a truck GPS?
Basic models can cost less than $150. For premium features like voice activation and real-time updates, expect to spend between $400 to $600.