GPS devices at Pilot range from $299 to $449 with two models for $349. They also have the new Monster Rehab, which is Iced Tea, Lemonade, and Energy in a can with a black-top lid. It’s delicious. Another thing I saw there was a new type of Dorito-type chip called Tias, which looked delicious, but I didn’t buy any. I did buy two Monster Rehabs though because they are so delicious. It’s probably better than all energy drinks combined.But anyway, this web site is about GPS mapping and these GPS devices are mostly for navigation – for truckers and other travelers. Most of them are dash-mountable, but that’s because they don’t have birthing bays to lay in. The GPS navigators sold at Pilot include Garmin, Cobra, and Rand McNally. Compare these prices to the ones found at Amazon.com: a Garmin nüvi 1450LMT 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Map & Traffic Updates is $179, a Cobra NAV One 5000 5-inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator is $425, and a Rand McNally 528881469 7-inch Intelliroute TND 700 Truck GPS is $499.
So it makes more sense to get your energy drinks from Pilot and your GPS devices from Amazon.
The GPS Systems that are sold at Pilot and other travel centers are designed specifically for trucking. They normaly are NOT GPS systems in the traditional sense … but MUCH MUCH more.
A car designed GPS system will offer the quickest or shortest route available from point to point.
Trucking GPS Systems need to look at route segments and ensure that commercial vehicle rpoutes are followed (not putting you through a residential area), checking for low bridges, weight restrictions, and most importantly … if the is a Hazmat load onboard .. following the designated Hazmat route.(You sure wouldn’t want explosives going through your neighborhood would you?)
Not only do trucking specific gps systems provide the proper routing, they also include POI’s that are not included in a traditional gps system … weigh stations, truck specific rest areas, truckstops, repair facilities, ect.
Beyond that some trucking gps systems, include Hour of Service calculaters, IFTA tracking(fuel tax tracking) as well as a wide variety of other features … including updated construction, traffic and mapping all via the Internet.
So, for a professional trucker … trucking specific gps systems are the way to go when looking for a GPS System.
I agree that Pilot and the other travel center’s are high … that is why you shop on-line at GoTruckStop.com and BigRigGifts.com for ALL your trucking related gifts and accessories.