happysack:
Fantastic if you have a phone signal
Why would you need a phone signal
Juddian:
Yes i know i’ll get howled at for being a luddite, but just bare with me for a moment.
We didn’t need satnavs in the past because asking for directions was easy when most people in an area were natives and spoke the lingo.Getting back to basics, lorry driving is our job, we decide which route to take not some machine…and not some pillock in a traffic office either.
The sat nav should be viewed as a very handy pocket sized local street map of the country, a useful ally during a journey and an invaluable aid to help guiding you in the last few miles to a destination, it should never be relied on to plan and execute a route for you nor be trusted, that is the essence of a lorry driver’s job.My own take on this is thus, i have a sat nav its a Garmin normal car one but with a larger than normal screen, cos a little toy one with a 3" screen isn’t worth a light, if i get a new destination (which isn’t often these days after all these bloody years) i’ll enter it on the machine and have a look see which side of the town or city the place is…then i’ll get me trusty bridge height map out and plan my own route there, sometimes i won’t enter the destination on the sat nav at this point but merely turn it on as its useful for seeing ahead on an unknown road for unmarked turnings confirming the road at unsigned roundabouts and likely camera hidey holes, it can be invaluable as an ally during the journey especially if you’ve got ‘traffic’’ on it.
As the journey progresses and i get nearer to the destination so the machine will agree with my route i’ll press ‘‘go’’ on the coordinates, when you get within a few miles of the destination thats when you start to trust it more, but bear in mind at all times in the back of your mind the route you chose at the start of the journey, the satnav is merely confirming your chosen route and helping you at junctions, nothing more, it is not telling you where to go.
Depending on the journey i might have pressed ‘‘go’’ before starting out, but how we do our job is as individual as we are and that should never change.They have their place now, of that i can’t argue, but relying on them for route planning isn’t in your best interests.
Car and van and occasional drivers, yes they do rely on such things or get hopelessly lost , but hopefully those who choose to be lorry drivers try to be a cut above the madding crowd.
Spot on. I’ll confess I do have a sat nav in a box under the bunk, but like in the olden days find a map is the best way. If on the off chance I do get somewhere that is new to me, then I’ll Google it and draw a map on a bit of paper.
I’m Confused…
"happysack:
Spot on. I’ll confess I do have a sat nav in a box under the bunk, but like in the olden days find a map is the best way. If on the off chance I do get somewhere that is new to me, then I’ll Google it and draw a map on a bit of paper.
what about your other thread you started
[quote="happysack"I’ve got 3 sat navs on my windscreen all attached using the supplied suction pads. Is this legal or do I need to strap them?[/quote]
So you got 3 Sat Navs… Oh one in the box under the bunk…but then you use a map as its the best way…■■? so what about all these Sat navs here there and everywhere 
happysack:
Fantastic if you have a phone signal
Nokia HERE has an offline mode. You can download maps of the entire UK, several countries, the whole of the EU everything they have for the entire world or anything in-between if you’ve sufficient storage space on your phone. The only thing you won’t get without a phone signal is live traffic updates.
Juddian:
Yes i know i’ll get howled at for being a luddite, but just bare with me for a moment.
We didn’t need satnavs in the past because asking for directions was easy when most people in an area were natives and spoke the lingo.
Wow, you remember things a lot differently than I do. I remember having a bread basket sat in the passenger footwell of my truck stuffed with over £1000 worth of A to Zs and local maps for places they didn’t cover. I remember in the mid 1990s getting lost in Huddersfield, trying to find someone to ask directions and the people I came across not speaking english. I remember many times being given directions by locals which were great except they forgot important things like low bridges, weight limits etc. I remember the many times I’d driven through somewhere like Leeds with an A to Z in my gear change hand trying to drive and read the map at the same time. I remember being given addresses only to look in an A to Z, find there were several roads with the same name, a few of them had industrial units on and hoping I’d picked the right one. I remember once in 2004 looking at my A to Z for Birmingham, trying to work out why I couldn’t find somewhere to turn to a page and find that the dual carriageway near Fort Dunlop that goes under the elevated section was in dashes and said “due to be completed 2005”, looking at the rest of my maps, figuring out they were all at least 5 years out of date with some of them being at least a decade old, working out it would cost me over £1000 to replace them and that maybe these new Satnavs were worth a punt.
I remember the first time I used a Satnav to find a street in a village in the middle of nowhere in an area not covered by any A to Z or even local street maps and being amazed at how much easier it made the job.
I’ve been using them almost since they first came into being. They’ve progressed massively and I can only assume the reason people seem to have so much trouble with them on this forum is because they’re not all that gifted in the brain department.
Quite how anyone can claim trying to drive through a city with an A to Z in your hand trying to follow a route over several pages is better than a Satnav god knows.
happysack, have you ever looked on the front pages of your A to Zs which show how old they are? I bet they’re well out of date. Given they don’t even come to print until around a year after they decide to do an update they’re out of date even before the ink hits the page.
Mine can take an age just to get the satellite signal 
; not that I use it that much anyway. It can talk too much as well. Me - ‘YES, I HEARD you the FIRST time!!’ 
Goldilox:
Mine can take an age just to get the satellite signal
I am guessing that is because it is not turn’t on often, this was the same as my old tom tom I did not use often and when I did use it took like 15 minutes just to find out where I am.
I’m old school type driver, I’m with Juddian…Do you guys really NEED so much hi tech kit.
All I use and need to do the job is a basic sat nav …as a GUIDE 
, a bridge map as back up, and a good supply of common sense.
I’ve said before on here you are driving a ■■■■■■ truck not setting a course for Planet Zog on Starship Enterprise ffs.
We have lads on my firm that have spent £300+ themselves, on an over engineered specialised truck sat nav on a ■■■■■■ stupid giant screen, that you need a degree in electronics to operate …WHY■■? 
I agree with Conor…(yeh really 
) sat navs are necessary these days and have made the job easier, my AtoZs from the 80 s have also long gone, apart from that I couldn’t read the small print nowadays 
but on the other hand , you don’t need a sledgehammer to crack a peanut
robroy:
I’m old school type driver, I’m with Juddian…Do you guys really NEED so much hi tech kit.
All I use and need to do the job is a basic sat nav …as a GUIDE
I’ve said before on here you are driving a [zb] truck not setting a course for Planet Zog on Starship Enterprise ffs.
We have lads on my firm that have spent £300+ themselves, on an over engineered specialised truck sat nav on a [zb] stupid giant screen, that you need a degree in electronics to operate
Yep, that’s the whole point, how the hell have these lorry sat navs reached such stupid prices and why are lads prepared to pay out such money…on PAYE i’m not sure if you could claim the tax back as a legitimate professional expense cos otherwise you’ll have to gross over £400 by the time NI has been deducted to pay for it.
robroy:
I’m old school type driver, I’m with Juddian…Do you guys really NEED so much hi tech kit.
All I use and need to do the job is a basic sat nav …as a GUIDE
I’ve said before on here you are driving a [zb] truck not setting a course for Planet Zog on Starship Enterprise ffs.
We have lads on my firm that have spent £300+ themselves, on an over engineered specialised truck sat nav on a [zb] stupid giant screen, that you need a degree in electronics to operate
I think it depends a bit on your experience and what sort of work you are doing mate. As a Newbie i don’t know (and need to learn) the mayor roads outside of my local area, and a SatNav for me helps me learn those, plus providing some reassurance (of which i need plenty! ). But I’m also doing Multidrop consisting of say 15 deliveries in a day, in an area I don’t know! So I’d say I need the SatNav to AID me in getting from A to B. Yes I have a Philips UK road atlas, and if I don’t like the look of a road the SatNav suggests, I don’t take it. But that is also partially because my current cheap SatNav is not working properly with bridges! So I’m looking to get the TomTom 6000, and seen it at varying prices on Amazon.
Can someone confirm to me that there are different versions of the TomTom 6000, as the prices very wildly and the cheaper ones don’t say they are for Trucks. Thanks!
P.S. Juddian, if I pay more for a decent reliable SatNav, it hopefully should stop me getting into trouble so often!
Evil8Beezle:
robroy:
I’m old school type driver, I’m with Juddian…Do you guys really NEED so much hi tech kit.
All I use and need to do the job is a basic sat nav …as a GUIDE
I’ve said before on here you are driving a [zb] truck not setting a course for Planet Zog on Starship Enterprise ffs.
We have lads on my firm that have spent £300+ themselves, on an over engineered specialised truck sat nav on a [zb] stupid giant screen, that you need a degree in electronics to operateI think it depends a bit on your experience and what sort of work you are doing mate. As a Newbie i don’t know (and need to learn) the mayor roads outside of my local area, and a SatNav for me helps me learn those, plus providing some reassurance (of which i need plenty!
Can someone confirm to me that there are different versions of the TomTom 6000, as the prices very wildly and the cheaper ones don’t say they are for Trucks. Thanks!
P.S. Juddian, if I pay more for a decent reliable SatNav, it hopefully should stop me getting into trouble so often!
I know experience is what it’s all about, I also know, as I said, that sat navs are a must nowadays.
I did not have the benefit of sat nav on my multi drops when I started, we had to drive by the stars, and sense of smell, the only navigation aid I had was a sextant and a telescope.
I often used to jump out of the cab and put my ear down on the M6 like Tonto, to make sure I was on the right road, and carry a chart parchment …that did not even show low bridges.
If you TOTALLY rely on a sat nav, and chuck initiative out of the window as a lot do nowadays, you will never learn in real terms, and never…ever become a quality superstar trucker like me… so be warned.
Evil8Beezle:
Can someone confirm to me that there are different versions of the TomTom 6000, as the prices very wildly and the cheaper ones don’t say they are for Trucks. Thanks!
it’s the ‘tomtom TRUCKER 6000’ you must search for, there is a tomtom ‘go’ 6000 which is a car one and is cheaper
the cheapest tomtom ‘trucker’ 6000 I could find so far was amazon at £280
nobodysdriving:
Evil8Beezle:
Can someone confirm to me that there are different versions of the TomTom 6000, as the prices very wildly and the cheaper ones don’t say they are for Trucks. Thanks!it’s the ‘tomtom TRUCKER 6000’ you must search for, there is a tomtom ‘go’ 6000 which is a car one and is cheaper
the cheapest tomtom ‘trucker’ 6000 I could find so far was amazon at £280
That’s what I wanted to confirm, so thanks!
It’s a but annoying that the car version is £100 cheaper, but that’s life…
robroy:
I know experience is what it’s all about, I also know, as I said, that sat navs are a must nowadays.
I did not have the benefit of sat nav on my multi drops when I started, we had to drive by the stars, and sense of smell, the only navigation aid I had was a sextant and a telescope.
I often used to jump out of the cab and put my ear down on the M6 like Tonto, to make sure I was on the right road, and carry a chart parchment …that did not even show low bridges.
If you TOTALLY rely on a sat nav, and chuck initiative out of the window as a lot do nowadays, you will never learn in real terms, and never…ever become a quality superstar trucker like me… so be warned.
I believe every word of that!
But sadly I don’t have those skills yet, so I’m relying on my normally quite good sense of direction, and the position of the sun.
So generally by lunchtime when the sun is high in the sky, I’m completely lost!
You mention the Philips tracker atlas Evil, but with all due respect to the publication its not a clear atlas to read, the AA large scale truckers atlas, whilst admittedly a big bugger if you aint used to hefting heavy things , is clear and easy to read, a much better bridge height map.
I can only second our leader Robroy, you can’t beat learning the roads and planning your own routes, and whilst an old fashioned A to Z might not be an ideal its still a sight easier, especially in fold out large sheet form, to lay it out on a flat surface before your even think of drop order, cup of tea in hand, and pore over the routes you need to drop them in, keeping another beady eye on the bridge height map…you can always mark your local maps with bridge heights likely to affect you.
Evil are you still seriously considering spending hat much hard earned cash on a sat nav, do you notwant to wait it out as I believe my super dupper machine might be just what you need 
Juddian:
You mention the Philips tracker atlas Evil, but with all due respect to the publication its not a clear atlas to read, the AA large scale truckers atlas, whilst admittedly a big bugger if you aint used to hefting heavy thingsI can only second our leader Robroy, you can’t beat learning the roads and planning your own routes, and whilst an old fashioned A to Z might not be an ideal its still a sight easier, especially in fold out large sheet form, to lay it out on a flat surface before your even think of drop order, cup of tea in hand, and pore over the routes you need to drop them in, keeping another beady eye on the bridge height map…you can always mark your local maps with bridge heights likely to affect you.
That’s good to know Juddian, as my initial impression of it was that i didn’t think it was that great. As for my route and drop order, I don’t get to know what area i’m even working in that day until the morning, and the planners seem to decide on my drop order with some deliveries time dependant. i.e. before 10am. So I can’t really dictate how I’m going to go around my route until I’m pretty much ready to roll. But I’m still very very green, and trying to find my feet and a routine that works for me. But don’t think I’ll be one of those SatNav dependent idiots who can’t find their way out of a paper bag, as I’ve never had or used a SatNav in my life until this month… And I’ve been all over the place with nothing more than a basic road map and a set of directions I’ve made myself. But just right now while I’m trying to get to grips with EVERYTHING hgv related, the SatNav is a big help!
It’s embarrassing enough that i was stood on the HGV pumps at the services waiting for the attendant in the shop to authorize my pump.
I had no idea that i had to give them the fuel card first, as no one had ever told me that!
I almost didn’t want to say/admit it now, as I know Ash 001 starts his Class 2 career tomorrow, and was looking forward to him doing the same!
ash 001:
Evil are you still seriously considering spending hat much hard earned cash on a sat nav, do you notwant to wait it out as I believe my super dupper machine might be just what you need
It may well be Ash, but I’ve already got one lemon & don’t need another!
I hope yours works perfectly, but just in case it doesn’t ,i’m researching what my best alternative is…
I’m not ordering one today, as I’ll be waiting to hear how you get on this week with yours!
Evil8Beezle:
ash 001:
Evil are you still seriously considering spending hat much hard earned cash on a sat nav, do you notwant to wait it out as I believe my super dupper machine might be just what you needIt may well be Ash, but I’ve already got one lemon & don’t need another!
I hope yours works perfectly, but just in case it doesn’t ,i’m researching what my best alternative is…
I’m not ordering one today, as I’ll be waiting to hear how you get on this week with yours!
Ok I am glad to hear you are waiting before you part with your money, as for the fuel side of things do all petrol stations do this as I would have looked like a right moron 
Thanks in advance
ash 001:
Evil8Beezle:
ash 001:
Evil are you still seriously considering spending hat much hard earned cash on a sat nav, do you notwant to wait it out as I believe my super dupper machine might be just what you needIt may well be Ash, but I’ve already got one lemon & don’t need another!
I hope yours works perfectly, but just in case it doesn’t ,i’m researching what my best alternative is…
I’m not ordering one today, as I’ll be waiting to hear how you get on this week with yours!Ok I am glad to hear you are waiting before you part with your money, as for the fuel side of things do all petrol stations do this as I would have looked like a right moron
Don’t ask me!
But I worked in a Shell petrol station some 20 years ago when i was a student, and we didn’t do it there…