GPS - GPS Software Solution?

Author

GPS Software Solution?

JamesM

2007-12-14, 7:33 am

I'm about to start a new delivery job in January with 6 to 8 routes.
Each route has about 120 stops and on average I'll stop at 80 of them/
day. I'll get a days stops by email the day before. Does anyone know
of a strategy to set up each route and then on a daily basis download
it to a GPS with just that days stops? I have a TomTom One but know
I'll probably have to invest in a new GPS and probably some software.
Thanks.

New Trucker

Jack Erbes

2007-12-14, 10:33 am

JamesM wrote:
> I'm about to start a new delivery job in January with 6 to 8 routes.
> Each route has about 120 stops and on average I'll stop at 80 of them/
> day. I'll get a days stops by email the day before. Does anyone know
> of a strategy to set up each route and then on a daily basis download
> it to a GPS with just that days stops? I have a TomTom One but know
> I'll probably have to invest in a new GPS and probably some software.
> Thanks.
>
> New Trucker

You need a model that:

1 - Comes with the mapping software on DVD so that it can be installed
on a PC.

2 - Then, on the PC, you need to place a waypoint at each stop, then
build routes by selecting the waypoints in the order you want to visit
them. This is called "multiple destination routing" and you need a GPS
receiver that will do that in order to do what you want to do. The
majority of the newer and less expensive models that are on the market
now will not do it.

3 - Upload the routes to the GPS receiver, select the day's route, and
follow it.

Among the current Garmin models, the receivers that will satisfy all the
above are the StreetPilot 2820, zumo 450 or 550, and the Quest II.

The routes could be saved and archived, given unique names, and reused
over and over. They could also be edited on a day to day basis to add
or remove stops and that could be done from the GPS receiver or from the
PC.

If costs are a consideration or you want to try this out with a minimum
investment, Garmin sells refurbished GPS receivers that are priced
considerably cheaper than new ones. Look for the refurbs with an
Internet search or on eBay.

Those come with the same one year warranty as the new ones and show no
signs of previous use. They are just like new. For refurbished models
look at the StreetPilot 2610, 2720, 2730, Quest, or Quest II. I would
make the Quest a sort of last choice of all the models mentioned because
of memory limitations.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA (jackerbes at roadrunner dot com)
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine dot com)

Marvin Hlavac

2007-12-14, 10:33 pm

"JamesM" <jamesmessick@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm about to start a new delivery job in January with 6 to 8 routes.
> Each route has about 120 stops and on average I'll stop at 80 of them/
> day. I'll get a days stops by email the day before. Does anyone know
> of a strategy to set up each route and then on a daily basis download
> it to a GPS with just that days stops? I have a TomTom One but know
> I'll probably have to invest in a new GPS and probably some software.
> Thanks.
>
> New Trucker

Hi James,

If you have an older laptop and enough space in your truck to mount it
safely, then perhaps an inexpensive, and a good solution would be Microsoft
Streets & Trips software. It easily calculates a route with many stops. It
can optimize the stops. The planning and the actual navigation could be done
on the laptop.

Also ALK CoPilot Laptop software could be nicely used for this purpose.

If you think a laptop would be an option for you, here's a link to various
laptop GPS software reviews:
http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/softw...ms-reviews.html

--
Marvin Hlavac
Laptop GPS World
www.laptopgpsworld.com

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

LinkBot