Hey gang! LoCache here...most of you probably don't recognize the name, but I am an OG (Original GGA)!

I need some expert advice on GPS technology, and don't know a better place in the world that the fine folks in the GGA to get some honest, reliable feedback.

My company is thinking of adding GPS navigation units to the company vehicles. Our needs are simple, but we are a hi-tech company, so we are gear heads and definitely like the gadgets.

Here's my bosses simple wish list:

#1 - Good visual and AUDITORY directions
#2 - Ability to update maps
#3 - Tracking of company vehicles

Bonus features would be easy to plan routes, etc.

We need this for customer visits as our techs routinely get lost. We also, two or three times per year, visit large numbers of customers at once (such as Christmas time) and we go from one to the next, so that's where the route mapping comes in.

Anyhow, just wondered what you guys have used, are familiar with etc. As I mentioned I trust a GGA persons opinion FIRST on this stuff, so thanks in advance for your help!

Geo

quote:

Originally posted by -=LoCache=-:
Here's my bosses simple wish list:

#1 - Good visual and AUDITORY directions
#2 - Ability to update maps
#3 - Tracking of company vehicles

Bonus features would be easy to plan routes, etc.

I was going to say if you want high-end gear for gearheads, look at the middle (2720, 2820) to top-end (7200, 7500) Garmin StreetPilots. Those rock. The top-end Nuvi units (360, 660) would be nifty too.

Until I saw #3, that is.. for that, you'll be looking for a higher-end commercial solution, like something from Trimble, EarthTrak, or similiar companies. One would think Garmin and/or Magellan makes this type of commercial solution, but danged if I can find any info on them..

Thanks for the input! That's pretty much the same stuff I found when looking in to it. I was really surprised Garmin didn't have a solution for all three.

I was really hoping someone in the GGA had some first hand knowledge they could drop on me for this. I am surprised there weren't more posts.

In fact, I thought one of the SC guys actually works with some of this technology professionally.

Oh well, thanks a lot Cymbaline!
Geo

quote:

Originally posted by -=LoCache=-:
In fact, I thought one of the SC guys actually works with some of this technology professionally.
Geo

Hey Geo!!

I sort of do this, but we do it without worrying about routing ability. We just want to passively track the trucks. We want to be able to pull up a page on the internet and see where they are in real time. We also want to have a file sent to us once a week with the total information for where the trucks have gone.

My Garmin 60CSx is awesome for routing. You can plug in an address or coordinates. Address routing has been very accurate and has only missed one or two places I have tried to go. It does not "speak" to you, but does beep as it gets to turns and milestone events. The Magellan Roadmate is the same as the Hertz Neverlost system. I have used the Hertz system in NYC and it pretty much nails everything on the money. It has also missed a turn or two, but I have been impressed with both. I would recommend each of these to you. (Edited to add that I have used Neverlost in other cities too, but NYC is a good stress test for it since the density of roads is somewhat ... extreme Both of these systems allow for updating of maps. Both allow memory chips, which allow more mapping to be stored. I have a 1 Gig chip and have all of the southeast, most major cities and several other states.)

Unfortunately, you cannot do address routing and online tracking unless you get really expensive. You would have to go with a Qualcomm type system and you probably don't want to know the cost. For what you are talking about, I would recommend giving them units that allow them to get where they are going and not to see where they have been. You can download their routes out of the GPS when they come to the office, but if they turn it off you don't know where they have been of course.

If you want more details, post here and I will post more this weekend. Depending on the exact features you want, I can give you some varied recommendations.

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