Everyone wants to have the best truck GPS for their vehicle. Or does it? Would anyone pay a solid amount of money for the best truck GPS?

Some would.

Having said this, there are lots of things to consider before buying the best truck GPS. There are the features included, the budget etc.

On the subject of this, you need a reliable GPS unit that will serve your truck drivers flawlessly. They do deserve a quality GPS tracker after all.

1. Passive Tracking System vs. Real Time Tracking System

Before buying the best truck GPS it is important to revise these two tracking options.

To begin with, the passive tracking systems have a receiver unit that stores the GPS data.  To emphasize, the data which is being stored is then downloaded onto the local server.

However, this happens after the truck returns to the headquarters. In order to download the data, a WI-FI Hotspot is needed.

You know the best part of a passive tracking system?

This system implemented in the best truck GPS gathers information every 30 seconds, which is amazing.

However, there is one thing that makes this system rather risky.

Due to the variable storage solutions which go from 7 to 60 days, it might lead to date loss. In other words, if the data surpasses the memory capacity then the data is lost forever.

On the other hand, there is the real-time trucking in the best truck GPS devices. To continue with, this system uses satellite modem.

More importantly, it is based on predetermined frequency which means that the data will be continuously updated into the server.

Moreover, the updates vary from 15 seconds to once a day.

But you know the most useful part?

There is no possibility of losing the data since it is updated continuously.

2. The Cost of The Best Truck GPS

Continually, there is a difference between all the best truck GPS cost. Comparatively, it is considered that the Passive tracking system is more affordable than the real-time.

Although many people think that real-time tracking system is costlier than the passive system, it may be the other way around.

First of all, think how much money you spend on the fleet. Buying flatbed trailers, semi-trailer trucks, or step deck trailers requires a budget.

However, what is the budget needed for getting the best truck GPS compared to the sum needed to get your fleet?

Moreover, you need a budget for truck maintenance or for getting power inverter truck equipment.

Think about it.

In addition to this, the rates of the wireless have significantly come down which means that the real-time solutions are affordable.

On the contrary, the passive solutions may be much expensive due to the WiFi infrastructure.

Therefore, whenever you need to have the best GPS truck for tracking your flatbed loads, or dry van trailers, you need the best truck GPS.

3. Portable vs. Not Portable Truck GPS

If you are in need of a portable GPS to place and bring with you wherever you want then you need the best truck GPS.

Having said this, you need to take one thing into consideration when getting portable best truck GPS device.

In addition to this, due to the innovation and technology rising each day, the screens and sizes of the devices rise too.

Furthermore, it is difficult for people to hold the GPS tracker in their hands due to their big screens.

On the contrary, if the portability is of zero importance to you then you can buy whichever GPS tracker you like.

4. Best Truck GPS Mounting Options

Continually, the mounting options are probably the most crucial aspects of the portable truck GPS unit.

To put it in a different way, the most portable GPS device needs to have the standard mounting option. To emphasize, it is the low-tech windshield mounting.

Mostly, this feature works really well.

However, if it happens the vehicle’s windshield to have a steep rake then the cup might not be such a good fit.

It is recommendable to always make sure which is the best fit before you buy the best truck GPS for your truck.

With regards to the power, the best truck GPS units that are portable have a kind of cigarette adapter. With this intention, look for those that use low-profile plugs.

More importantly, go for those that are rechargeable and which do not always need to be plugged in.

Continually, not having to have the GPS plugged makes it easier to stow the unit away and prevent theft.

5. Dispatching for The Best Trucking GPS

Real-time tracking system enables effective dispatching. In this way, you have the possibility to know the vehicle’s status as well as the location of the drivers on the map.

Further, this is the exact feature which allows you to take emergency or safety actions which enable an effective daily management.

Therefore, have a remarkable dispatching team which does amazing things every day and help the drivers with their routes.

Furthermore, it is also important for them to respect the rules and regulations of the Government of the United States.

In order to complete entire dispatching job, they need to know the following:

• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA)
• National Highway Traffic Security Administration (NHTSA)
• Department of Labor (DOL)
• Department of Transportation (DOT)
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• Better Business Bureau (BBB)
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

6. Alerts and Notifications Features

If you look into a GPS system, you will see that the alerts and notifications are of huge importance. However, it is important for you to know that they can be achieved only with a real-time tracking system.

On the other hand, the passive system enables the fleet managers to monitor the truck once the truck returns back to the headquarters.

To continue with, the real-time solutions allow the managers to track the trucks 24/7 including the time not being in the office.

Furthermore, the managers do not have to stay at their desks all the time because they will be notified via email or mobile device.

Continually, the alerts are initiated for an excessive speeding, entering geographic areas, the driving behavior, preventing unsafe activities etc.

7. Automated Traffic Updates

The automated traffic update is probably the most frequent feature in the best truck GPS devices.

You know the best part of the traffic update?

Accordingly, the feature allows getting away from traffic jams.

Amazing, isn’t it?

Just imagine how much time you would save if you are able to escape all that.

This is another feature that helps you in creating satisfied customers and to start a successful trucking business or run a company successfully.

To continue with, it is not certain if this feature works really well. Particularly, this is another reason why you should get the best GPS device.

Notably, the systems are working perfectly fine in the large cities. Correspondingly, if you have routes that do not include OTR truck driving then this feature is not that meaningful for your business.

8. Quality Mapping in Best Truck GPS

In particular, a quality mapping is found in the best truck GPS devices. This feature allows you to zoom the street levels for a clear view.

Continually, it provides a view of street maps, street view, and satellite as well as birds eye. Additionally, the system needs to be partnered with good mapping providers.

With this in mind, Google Maps is the leader of the quality mapping in the best truck GPS applications.

In addition to this, having the best truck GPS with a precise mapping is crucial for every truck driver. Having said this, it is also important for running a trucking business.

For example, if a truck driver receives the exact route information or truck stop amenities mapping then it saves on fuel as well.

Furthermore, it delivers the cargo on time which leads to better customer and client relationship.

Normally, people are satisfied with the standard type of GPS trackers. However, if you live outside of the United States, it is important to have the best GPS device with additional features.

Another feature that I will mention later in the article is the regular update of the map. This feature is also important. In addition to this, most of the GPS trackers come with automated.

Having the best truck GPS with a quality mapping is the most important for new truck drivers and their beginning road challenges.

More importantly, Google Mapping is one of the most effective ways to get a precise location.

Therefore, there is one dilemma less.

9. Accident Updates

Regarding the accident updates, when a truck comes across an accident and the GPS is damaged the data may be lost.

However, this is the case with the passive tracking system.

On the contrary, the real-time solutions showed as more effective. If this is the case, then the data is transmitted before the accident occurs.

Correspondingly, the roads are dangerous and disastrous and the best truck GPS applications are the savior from accidents.

Moreover, the real-time tracking system and the passive solutions are the proof that sometimes is not enough to cope with the OSHA regulations.

Or more importantly, becoming one of the names of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and get the best truck driver award.

10. Best Truck GPS Devices Have Clear Guidance

This feature is the same as it sounds.

With this in mind, the GPS will not only tell you which exit to take but it will help you get in a preferable line.

The clear guidance is considered as an enormous benefit. However, it is not available in most of the GPS devices.

Before buying your first or next GPS unit you need to look for this feature since you do not want to find yourself in another street than the one you needed.

11. Theft Prevention GPS for Trucks

Theft prevention is another beneficial feature that the best truck GPS devices have. Due to this feature, there is a large number of companies that want to implement GPS devices into their vehicles.

Furthermore, thanks to the real-time tracking system which updates vehicle’s position continually, it is very easy finding a lost vehicle.

In comparison to Passive systems, Real-time systems are faster due to their live data updates.

Furthermore, there are thousands of GPS tracking applications for the truck drivers and their trucks.

Having the GPS system implemented in your truck, you will not have to fear of getting your truck stolen.

12. Voice Recognition in Best Truck GPS

There are those GPS devices which are allowing voice commands, and those are the best.

This is actually one of the best and the most helpful features that a GPS device can have. Users find it much easier to search in their own vocabulary than looking at the programmed phrase.

If you are thinking about buying a quality GPS then you should definitely consider this feature. To be honest, it is the best by far.

Although it may not be the most needed feature it will save you plenty of time and that is guaranteed.

Generally speaking, the voice recognition is enabling you to do the following:

• Navigating on The Run
• Entering Address
• Ask For a Specific Location (a Gas Station, Truck Stop, or a Restaurant)

However, this is only part of what is planned in the near future.

What is next?

To be honest, I am starting to get curious about this feature.

To continue with, the voice recognition also responds to these commands:

• Turn by Turn Directions
• Spoken Instructions (left turn and right turn)
• Getting OFF and ON a Freeway

More importantly, the best truck GPS devices allow text to speech feature meaning they will pronounce the street names for you.

13. Hands-Free & Bluetooth Feature

Probably one of the best features implemented in the best truck GPS devices is the hands-free and Bluetooth.

This particular feature enables you to pair your GPS with your mobile phone in order to make hands-free calls using the speaker.

However, it is important to remember that your mobile phone needs to be compatible with the GPS device.

Further, there are GPS devices which allow cell phone connection in order to send your phone addresses to the unit.

In this way, you can answer calls via the device which is beneficial for keeping you getting distracted by the GPS unit while driving.

Additionally, another key point here is that the Bluetooth usage reduces the battery life of both devices.

On the contrary, it is awesome to be able to use the GPS microphone, the speaker and take or make calls.

These Bluetooth and hands-free features are really worth to put in your GPS unit investment. But in general, they are available on the high-end GPS types.

14. 3D Map View

Most of the new truck models have the 3D Map View display. In particular, it is called ‘the bird’s eye view’.

The thing about this feature is that the map constantly updates in order to show you the current position and the terrain while you drive.

You need to keep in mind that if you get a GPS with a 2D map it allows only a 3 square inch view.

On the contrary, the 3D map view allows a graphical view out of the windshield. More importantly, it is getting map results faster while you are on the road.

15. Distinguished Features

To continue with, there are those modern types of best truck GPS offering a lot of other distinguished features.

These are actually resulting in a much safer life on the road. As an illustration, those features include the following:

• Music Player
• Video Player
• FM Transmitter
• Internet Connectivity

Even though some trucking companies and drivers do not consider these features as a must you might need them.

Further, you are probably not going to watch videos while operating the truck but listening to some tracks will definitely add fun on the road.

There are those GPS units that play back the music being stored on the removable card. On the other hand, there are those allowing iPod connection and photos.

Correspondingly, the FM transmitter allows audio rerouting. Here are also involved spoken directions and music instructions.

Lately, there are also features which include historical traffic data or modifying maps in order to add local intelligence.

However, these features are still rare in the GPS units.

16. Search for Physical Features In Best Truck GPS

Besides the functionality, the advanced features and navigation abilities, the best GPS truck devices need to have physical features as well.

Particularly, these are the physical features for your next great GPS unit:

Weight

If you are considering to never carrying your GPS outside your truck then the weight would not be a problem.

On the other hand, if you plan to get the device out of the truck, at night hours for example then you need to keep the weight in mind.

Generally speaking, the GPS models range in the weight especially the handheld types. However, you need to keep in mind that the GPS units with less weight cost more.

Screen Size

What is important to remember regarding the screen size is that GPS truck devices range from 5 to 8 inches diagonally.

Even the size of the display is 5-inches if it gives clear directions and is well-designed it will suit your truck perfectly.

Particularly, larger screens have more benefits like bigger maps or larger keyboards but it definitely costs more.

Display

Usually, the sunlight will block your clear view of the display which results in nearly unreadable maps.

Another key point is that the better quality devices have a reflective coating which enables you to read the maps under any lighting.

Design

The design of the best truck GPS involves several factors for considering:

• Durability of the Device
• Buttons That Jam Easily
• Casings That May Crack If Dropped

Continually, look for a GPS that involves mounting bracket that is sturdy as well as quality power adapter.

Power Supply

A power supply device also includes some features to revise before getting the best truck GPS. One thing to look for in this truck supply is how quickly these features eat up its battery.

In order to combat this, there are GPS devices which have an available sleep function conserving the energy while the unit is in use.

17. Best Truck GPS Functionality

When it comes to the functionality of the device, there are also some things to look for in this truck supply:

Speed

These GPS devices are in a constant search of information and commands. Due to these functions, you need a GPS device which will provide quick updates.

Particularly, the more channels a device has, the quicker will refresh the information.

POIs

To demonstrate, POIs means Points of Interest. It is a feature which consists of location and service database.

The POIs is included in a large number of devices however businesses change quicker than the POIs update.

On the contrary, there are better qualities POIs which list numbers together with the locations.

For this reason, sometimes seems less accurate but you cannot say that it is not a beneficial factor.

Waypoints

Waypoints are recording in your GPS device. In other words, they are provided in a form of particular geographic locations through longitude and latitude.

You know the best part about waypoints?

If by chance, you cannot find the way back to your car, you can always achieve in that by pressing the waypoint record button.

Although rarely used in trucks and other vehicles, waypoints are definitely essential for the handheld GPS units.

18. Downloadable Map Feature

There are GPS devices which normally come with built-in maps. Further, there are those which also can download the maps.

To illustrate, this is a great feature to look for in the best truck GPS. Thus, with the help of the update, your map will never be outdated.

Another key point to look for is the memory. As you may already know, the more memory a GPS has the more waypoints, services, locations and maps you can store and save.

Another great thing about this is that while you drive, the GPS will record and then display a trail of the location you have been.

In this way, you can easily get back to the starting point. More importantly, there are GPS units which allow you to download the track on the PC in order to view it on a topographic map.

19. Advanced Reporting Features

Another factor to consider for your GPS is an advanced feature, possibly, more than one.

There are GPS designs which have real-time tracking systems but the latest models can do much more.

In order to make your GPS worth the money, you are willing to spend, look for the one with advanced features.

Keep in mind that you may not need them at the beginning but you may need them in the future. You do not want to purchase another one then and lead your company to unnecessary expense.

Continually, the GPS devices of today can report multiple things like:

• Driver Safety
• Driver Behavior
• Truck Performance

In the end, try to choose a device which has the largest possible number of report features in order to make it fit for your future needs.

20. Best Truck GPS Have Mobile Compatibility

If you are a workaholic that constantly cares about its own trucking business and tracks vehicles operations then this feature is a must.

Mobile compatibility is definitely a feature to consider in your next GPS.

Furthermore, there are tracking systems designed for extreme trucking or oversize fleets whose manager stays to track all day.

In order to make the job easier for you and the fleet managers, you need to make sure that the GPS has a mobile app.

Additionally, look for user portal or an account to get access to in order to monitor the fleet.

More importantly, make sure that the system will give you the exact information that you actually need.

With this feature, you will be able to track the specific factors affecting your business.

21. Live Traffic Info Access

There are best truck GPS models which give historical and live traffic info while drivers are making routing decisions.

While using these devices, drivers are directed to routes that are least congested and is the fastest at the same way.

Moreover, these types of devices are calculating the driving time through the traffic information regardless it is historic or live.

If a driver aims to get on time to a specific location then these GPS features provide the most accurate travel time projections.

In addition to this, the traffic alerts can be transmitted through FM radio connection.

However, there are GPS systems which do not require a cent for this feature while there are those which charge you same as a phone bill.

If you can get a quality device without paying extra for this feature it would be great.

22. New Maps Upgrades

There are GPS models that are upgraded at different frequencies and charge specific upgrade fees.

Regarding the model, there are more and fewer maps available.

Notably, the map upgrades can be installed in various ways but it depends on the system:

• Through a Website
• Through a Card Slot

Continually, on some GPS devices, there are lifetime free upgrades. Particularly, these not only correct the roadways map but the additional points as well.

23. Best Truck GPS Devices Budget Required

If you do not consider money as a problem then you can look for the features that suit you best instead of the price.

But if you are on a limited budget then you will have to limit the features as well.

Accordingly, a solution might be to look for an older model of GPS. However, make sure you keep out of the outdated maps impossible for an update.

Your limited budget will also help you in your decision whether to choose integrated or standalone GPS unit.

If you are looking for a built-in navigation then you need to know that those GPS units are rather expensive.

If money is a problem for your trucking company then opt for an integrated navigation. Usually, these GPS systems have quite impressive features.

24. Finding Best Truck GPS Software That Is Easy to Use

Another feature to consider when buying your best truck GPS is to look for one which is easy to use.

This is important for one reason only. For instance, if you cannot read or manage the reports then your GPS investment would be wasted.

In order to escape the expense guilt go for a GPS device which is easy to install and easy to use as well.

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