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- Dieselboss review - Truck driver GPS features comparison and rating
Trucker GPS features comparison
- current models chart
(for the prior models charts:
click here)
Copyright Dieselboss, Inc (rev. date May 24, 2015) NOT for
redistribution.
Color Key:
Green = this is an advantage of this
unit | Yellow = this is a limitation
of this unit
A BLANK cell means that feature is still being tested
and the verdict is still out.
Hardware and general info |
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| Feature Description |
Rand McNally
TND 510-520-710-720-730 <click to view product> |
PC Miler 450/550/750 <click to view product> |
Garmin Dezl 560 |
| Software / Firmware version tested: | 510/710: 11.95.2258.1629 720: 12.4.2348.1846 |
(8.1.0.529 / data: 2012.02) | (soft 3.70 - firm 2.89 / maps 2013 NTTS: 11) |
| Current average pricing | $239.99 to $389.99 | $79 to $279 | $289 to $369 |
| Factory Warranty | 1 year | 1 year - new units 90 days - refurbs |
1 year |
| Screen Sizes | 5" / 7" | 4.3" / 5" / 7" | 5" |
| Screen technology = clarity of buttons and overall resolution. This is NOT related to "clarity of maps," which is graded further down this chart) | TND510: very good TND520: excellent TND710: excellent TND720: excellent |
PCM450: ok PCM550: good PCM750: excellent |
very good |
| "Tapping response" - this means how well the screen responds to finger taps and scrolls | very good | PCM450: ok PCM550: ok PCM750: very good |
good |
| Bluetooth capable (Can be paired with cell phones for hands-free phone use) | No | No | Yes |
| WiFi capable (connects via WiFi to wireless hotspot cellphones, businesses, and homes) | TND510: No TND520: Yes TND710: No TND720: Yes |
No | No |
| Has an SD memory card slot (used for loading updates sometimes, but not for unit functionality.) | Yes (empty) | Yes (empty) | Yes (empty) |
| "Charging" LED light | Yes | Yes (except on 750 model) | No (on screen indicator only) |
| Battery life when not plugged in and driving | TND510/520/710/720: About 45 minutes TND520 or 720 when WiFi is enabled: About 20 minutes |
About 45 minutes | About 45 minutes |
| External GPS antenna connection (only used if you driver regularly in huge cities like NYC or drive car-haulers) | Yes (not included) Note: this connection point is not a tight one and is a weak link on some 510 and 710 models |
Yes (not included) | No |
| AC and DC power cords | Yes (and extra long DC cable) | DC only (AC is available for extra) | DC only (AC is available for extra) |
| Audio / Speaker built-in (*note: speaker on any unit can be drowned out by truck noise. The 7" are very loud though) | Yes (very loud) | Yes | Yes (very loud) |
| Mini USB cable included (to connect to a computer) | Yes | Yes | Micro-USB included |
| Stylus included | 510 / 710: Yes 720: No, but not needed |
Yes | No, but not overly necessary on this model. |
| Headphone/external speaker jack | Yes | Yes | No |
| FM Transmitter | No | No | No |
| Vehicle mount kit included | Yes (large 90mm suction style) | Yes (window suction style) | "bean-bag" style dash mount |
| Documentation / Manuals | limited included on paper, and extensive online and on-board the unit (very good) | Included on paper and online (good) | Online and on-board the unit (Excellent) |
| Ability to display a camera (external video input jack) | TND510, 520 & 710: No TND720: Yes (2.5mm) |
No | Yes, (3.5mm) |
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| Feature Description |
Rand McNally
TND 510-520-710-720-730 <click to view product> |
PC Miler 450/550/750 <click to view product> |
Garmin Dezl 560 |
| Languages | English US / French / Spanish | English US / English UK / English Australia / French / Spanish | US English / UK English / Spanish / Czech / Dansk / Deutsch / Eesti / French / Hrvatski / Italian / Latvian / Leituviu / Magyar / Netherlands / Norsk / Polish / Portuguese / Romania / Slovencina / Suomi / Svenska / Turkish / Arabic / Russian / Japanese / Chinese / African |
| Built-in help tutorials | Yes (Extensive) | No | Yes (Extensive) |
| Keyboard (on touchscreen) | Qwerty or Alphabetical | Alphabetical only | Qwerty or Alphabetical |
| Can take "screenshots" | TND510: No TND520: Yes TND710: No TND720: Yes |
No | No |
| Can dial a POI phone number from the GPS when paired with a cell phone | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Plays windows movie, MP3 music, and picture files | No | No | jpeg/jpg pictures viewer |
| Has optional security lock code | No | No | Yes |
| Can add your own vehicle icons and voices | Yes (icons only) | No | Yes |
| Language translator | No | No | Yes (subscription) |
| Unit converter/calculator (temps, distances, and weights) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Current time and time zone | Manual and Automatic | Manually set | Manual or Automatic |
| Screen modes | Day / Night / Automatic | Day / Night / Automatic | Day / Night / Automatic |
| Brightness controls | Yes | Yes, but have to exit the nav program to get to them. | Yes |
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| Feature Description |
Rand McNally
TND 510-520-710-720-730 <click to view product> |
PC Miler 450/550/750 <click to view product> |
Garmin Dezl 560 |
| Difficulty to use & learn (software) | Excellent |
Ok | Good |
| Street-level Maps and addresses | US / Canada / Puerto Rico / Virgin Islands (NavTeq) | US / Canada / Mexico (ALK) | US / Canada / Mexico / Puerto Rico / Virgin Islands (NavTeq) |
| Map "look" / road clarity (zoomed in) | Good, but streets nearby are shown with only about 1/3 named unless clicked upon | Excellent. Most surrounding streets are named and easier to see at a glance. | Good, but streets nearby are shown with only about 1/3 named unless clicked upon |
| Map "look" / road clarity (zoomed out) | Good - but major interstates only when zoomed out to state level and beyond | Very Good. Most interstates and some state highways still visible at large zoom levels. | Good - but major interstates only when zoomed out to state level and beyond |
| Can select how much map "detail" | No | No (map detail is excellent already) | Yes |
| Map "auto-zoom" mode option | Yes (Multiple) | Yes (Multiple) | Yes |
| Multiple map color schemes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Customize route line color | Yes | No | No |
| Download program updates from the web (NOT maps) | Yes (PC and Mac) | Yes (PC only) | Yes(PC or Intel-based Macs running OSX 10.5 or later) |
| Map update method | 1 - 2x per year via computer app (PC or Mac) | Via computer app (PC only) Last update was Nov 2012. There will be no future updates for this model. | 2 - 3x / year via computer app (PC or Mac) |
| Map update cost | $89.99 product lifetime for non LM models. Free for LM models and LM coupon specials. |
Free | $79.99 OR purchase the "LMT" model for free product lifetime maps |
| Can send map and feature feedback to the manufacturer when connected to web | Yes (make notes on unit and send later via web dock software.) | Yes (can send in tracks from the unit when docked plus "Mapsure" online feedback program) | No (you can send map feedback info to the map-maker, NavTeq, via their site.) |
| Car mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RV mode (with scenic route option) | No | Yes | Yes |
| "Avoid" propane-restricted tunnels (RV-related, not truck mode) | No | Yes | No |
| Walking mode | No | Yes | Yes |
| Motorcycle mode | No | Yes | No |
| Built-in calendar | Yes (TND 700/710/720 only) | No | No |
| Built-in Notepad | Yes (TND 700/710/720 only) | No | No |
| Add pictures of places in your favorites | No | No | Yes |
| "Quick Power Press" hotkey. (Assignable functions to a momentary press of the power button) | TND510: No TND710: No TND520: Yes TND720: Yes |
No | No |
| Can customize the button locations in the menu screens | No | No | Yes |
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| Feature Description |
Rand McNally
TND 510-520-710-720-730 <click to view product> |
PC Miler 450/550/750 <click to view product> |
Garmin Dezl 560 |
| Ease up setting it up correctly for truck routing and other features | Very easy | Ok | Easy |
| Truck Routes | US and Canada (Rand) (very good) |
Yes (US and Canada) (ALK) (very good.) | US and Canada (good) |
| Hazmat-specific routing options? (flammable, explosive, caustic, etc) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hours of Service log timers and alerts (driving, on-duty, off-duty, sleeper) | Yes (Automatic or manual) | No | Yes (semi-automatic) |
| Driver Daily Logbook "grid" screen" | No | No | Yes |
| 2013 "8-hour rule" session clock incorporated | Yes | N/A | No |
| Enter load history info? | No | No | Yes |
| Enter multiple drivers (for logs, trips, and loads?) | Yes (up to 2) | No | Yes |
| Enter truck trailer numbers and VIN | No | No | Yes |
| MCRA Atlas cross-reference data | Yes | No | No |
| Can save multiple specific truck and trailer dimensions | No (one at a time) | Yes | Yes |
| Logs miles or KM driven by state or province (helps with IFTA) | Yes | Yes, but needs to be more versatile in getting it off the unit or editing it. | Yes |
| Can export the miles driven and fuel purchases off the unit and onto a computer | Yes | No | Yes |
| Maintenance warnings counters / odometers | Yes (2) | No | No |
| Trip odometer(s) | Yes (3) | No | Yes (2) |
| Fuel purchase entry / log with IFTA state-by-state reports.(cost and gallons or liters) | TND510: No TND520: Yes TND710: No TND720: Yes |
No | Yes |
| Multiple time zone clocks | Yes (current, dest, and yard) | No | Yes, including a "world clock" |
| Address book (favorites) | Yes (excellent. Can group, sort, and add notes to favorites or POI) | Yes, but needs to be made more sortable. | Yes and searchable |
| Shows upcoming scale icons on the maps on the Nav screen | Yes, even when zoomed out. Also shows rest areas this way | Yes (but uses the same icon for truck stops and exits too.) | Yes, but only when you are close - not zoomed out. Needs to separate which side of highway it is on. |
| Color-coded roads that show preferred truck routes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Icons that show "no-trucks allowed, low bridges, hazmat, and no-hazmat roads" | No | Many | No |
| Can filter-search truck stops by amenity (what they have there) | Excellent feature! | No | No |
| POI results show what services are at a truck stop | Yes, VERY extensive | No | Yes (a few items, like scales and food) |
| Current road Truck Speed Limits on screen | Yes, on most roads. | No | Yes, on most roads. |
| Can edit the speed limit yourself to instantly correct it. | TND510/710: No, must use "Tell Rand"
feature to submit for correction. TND720: No, but can tap the speed sign and send feedback to Rand to correct it |
N/A | Yes (very good feature) |
| "Trip statistics" page | Yes - Excellent (avg speed, miles driven, uphill speed, downhill speed, elevation, sunrise/sunset, more) | No | Yes (extensive) |
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| Feature Description |
Rand McNally
TND 510-520-710-720-730 <click to view product> |
PC Miler 450/550/750 <click to view product> |
Garmin Dezl 560 |
| Time to calculate or recalculate a route (longer route is longer times to calc) | Medium (5 - 60 secs) | Very fast (3 - 15 secs) | Medium (5 - 50 secs) |
| Preplan multi-stop routes (note: large multi-stop trips can slow down units dramatically) | Yes (up to 50 stops) | Yes (up to 50 stops) | Yes |
| Unit can auto-arrange a multi-stop route for correct order (least mileage) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Enter U.S. cities using the zip code | Yes | Yes | No |
| Enter Canadian cities using postal code | Yes | No | No |
| Pre-plan route from another location | Yes (easy) | Yes (easy) | Yes |
| Can edit current trip on-the-fly | Yes (easy) | Yes (easy) | Yes |
| Can rearrange the order of a trip | Yes (easy) | Yes (easy) | Yes (easy) |
| "Forcing" a different route / making it take specific roads (permit loads) | Possible, but not easy | Possible, somewhat easier | Possible, but not easy |
| Preview your route turns/directions | Yes (but only for the current leg if in a multi-stop trip) | Yes (easy) | Yes (easy) |
| Preview and zoom in your route on map | Yes (but only for one leg at a time on a multi-stop trip.) | Yes | Yes |
| Preview only the route main highways list separately | Yes | No | No |
| Preview and choose an alternate route simultaneously on the screen (multi-option route previews) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Real-time traffic capability |
TND510/710: Yes. Requires
optional traffic receiver hardware
(NavTeq for about 98 cities) TND520/720: Yes, nationwide via Wi-Fi. (Requires subscription) |
No | Yes (supported by ads on the LT model only, which are irritating unless you pay for an upgrade, but it does come with all units. LMT models are ad-free) NavTeq traffic for about 98 cities |
| "Traffic Predictor" technology (uses historic traffic data to help plan route based on time of day through many cities) | TND510: No TND520/710/720: Yes |
No | Yes |
| "MyTrends" predicts routes based on learning your past driving habits | No | No | Yes (note that this feature is mostly helpful for those that drive a similar route regularly.) |
| Download and display road construction info for route planning | Yes (updated every 2 weeks via dock app) | No | No |
| "Quick-stop" entry feature | Yes (easy) | Yes | No |
| Exit Services (see food, lodging, fuel, etc by exit) | TND510/710: No TND520720: Yes |
No | Yes |
| Can tap on a road on the map and "avoid" it | Yes. Can also define road segments to avoid by tapping on map and can leave them as permanent avoids. | No. Must use the detour function and choose roads i the route list to avoid them | No. Must use the detour function and choose roads i the route list to avoid them |
| Points of Interest (POI's) | Yes (> 8 million) | Yes (> 7 million) | Yes |
| Contains enhanced truck POI's | Yes (Rand McNally, Trucker's Friend and TruckDown data) | Yes (ALK) | Yes (NTTS Breakdown enhanced, but needs to be more complete) |
| Point of Interest and other types of audio and visual alerts | Yes MANY (weigh stations, toll booths, state borders, time zones, sharp curves, steep hills, POI's) | Yes (very good options for POI's only, but need to separate CAT scales from weigh stations and use different icon for weigh stations) | Yes (weigh stations, curves, cameras) |
| POI searching ability | Excellent (includes end of day) | Very Good | Very Good |
| Add your own POI's using a computer and sites like POI factory or your own spreadsheets | Yes (excellent) | Yes | Yes (excellent) |
| Can add POI ratings and notes | Yes, Excellent feature! | No | Yes |
| Can choose which POI's categories are displayed on "Nav" screen | Yes (all, truck-only, car only, or none. TND720: additionally can choose any icon category to be displayed. |
Yes | No (doesn't show POI icons when navigating except weigh stations) |
| "Am I Close" feature - starts showing address numbers on screen when close. | Yes | No | No |
| Shows next two turns on screen | Yes (often shows next 2) | Yes (often shows next 2) | No (only the next, but voice sometimes announces the next 2) |
| Show what county you are in on Nav screen | Yes | Yes | No |
| Specific road type settings to use or avoid. | Yes (Freeways to use, prefer, or avoid, tolls, u-turns, and ferries, unpaved, tunnels, country borders) | Yes (Extensive options to refine what types of roads to use (freeways, divided highways, primary, secondary, locals, tolls, country borders) | Yes (Freeways, tolls, u-turns, ferries, traffic favors and avoids, car pool lanes, unpaved) |
| Lane "assist" guidance info / junction view | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice tells you which side of the street that destination is on while approaching | Yes | No | Yes |
| Safety Camera Alert Capable | Yes, but you need to add them via custom POI method | Yes, but you need to add them via custom POI method | Yes |
| Configurable speed alert warning | Yes - very flexible | No | No, but it does turn red (visual) when speeding. |
| "Recent" destinations memory | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatically saves recent destinations | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leaves a "breadcrumb" trail of trips | Yes (turn on or off. Save specific trip trails) | Yes (in walking mode only) | Yes |
| Can search for "cross-streets" | Yes (Easy) | Yes (Easy) | Yes (Easy) |
| Detour feature | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Avoid specific roads or road segments | Yes, temporary or permanent. Excellent management screen for this | Yes - this trip only | Yes |
| Avoid entire states or provinces? | TND510/ TND 710: No TND520/720: Yes |
No | No |
| Auto re-routing if you miss turn | Yes, but can be
slow to make next turn decision on longer trips TND520/720: use "fast recalc" option to reduce this.. |
Yes (fast) | Yes, but can be slow to make next turn decision on longer trips |
| "Where am I?" screen | Yes (very good) | No | Yes (very good) |
| Shows mile post marker while driving | Yes, Excellent feature! | No | No |
| Click on roads to see their names | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drive maps in 2D and 3D modes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drive modes with north at top or heading at top? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| "Save current location" to favorites. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| "Pick on Map" destinations | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Saved / Custom places show on maps as icons and can be set as "alerts" | Yes (and in the POI search function) | Yes (and in the POI search function) | No |
| Can save specific trips to memory | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customize which info is displayed on Nav screen | Yes (extensive) | Yes (multiple choices for which items) | Yes (extensive) |
| Keeps your current trip if you turn it off | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| On-screen compass | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can modify how far from turn alerts | Yes (extensive options) | Yes (extensive options) | No |
| Current Route "Demo" simulator | No | Yes (Excellent) | Yes, but the trip origin can only be your current location) |
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|
Rand McNally
TND 510-520-710-720-730 <click to view product> |
PC Miler 450/550/750 <click to view product> |
Garmin Dezl 560 |
| Truck Route accuracy: 9 Raw addresses: 9 Features: 9 Calc/Recalc speed: 7/8* (see note below) Stability: 9 Learning to use it: 9 Hardware durability: 7/9** (see note below) |
Truck Route accuracy: 9 Raw addresses: 8 Features: 6* (see note below) Calc/Recalc speed: 9 Stability: 8** (see note below) Learning to use it: 6 Hardware durability: 9 |
Truck Route accuracy: 8
* (see note below) Raw addresses: 9** Features: 8 Calc/Recalc speed: 7 Stability: 9 Learning to use it: 8 Hardware durability: 9 |
Comments: - Truck-specific features are excellent and more than any other unit. Truck routing and maps are very good. - This brand is the easiest to learn for "non-techie" drivers because of big, clear buttons and logical program layout, yet it still has EXTENSIVE truck features. - The sheer amount of information that is displayed on the screen while navigating and the ability to obtain deeper info or addition functions with only one or two taps is very well designed from a user-friendly standpoint on all models, especially 7". - 520 and 720 models have Wi-Fi capability. While some drivers do not have "hotspot" capability on their smartphones, or own a wireless cell device, those that do will find the weather, live fuel prices, live local search, and optional enhanced live traffic options to be very good. - The "TND Dock" application for PC and Mac is easy to use and contains many computer-based enhancements to the GPS overall usefulness. * Calculation speed is not a disadvantage when first calculating a route. But, if your planned destination is far away (>1000 miles for example) then the recalculation speed when you choose a different turn than the one on the screen can be a factor in terms of how many seconds before it is ready to present your next turn info. The 520 & 720 models and the "fast recalc" option turned on mitigate this issue as well. ** Power socket where the cord plugs in is a weak link on 710 model and the external GPS antenna socket on 510 and 710 models needs to be more rugged. However, the new ruggedized hard rubber outer shell of the 520 & 720 models and better power connection is more appropriate for semi truck usage than previous models. |
Comments: - (UPDATE!: ALK technologies was purchased by Trimble in 2013. They converted this GPS to an APP for phones, laptops, and tablets. There will NOT be any map updates to the PC Miler Navigator series of units. - The clarity of the roads around you is the best that we have seen, including having icons on the streets where a low clearance is located. Display of street names around the vehicle and road location detail when zoomed out are standout points of this brand.d. - For budget-minded there is a 4.3" and refurbished versions. In our tests the 4.3" is too small and not loud enough though. However, it is a low-cost entry-level choice. - The touchscreen can be very sensitive, specially on the 550 model, which can make it easy to miss-tap a button. - This brand will be the lowest price, but at the expense of many of the features offered by competing brands at this point. * Although these models do not have nearly the array of truck features that Rand and Garmin have, it is a solid truck navigation unit when you have set the truck and road options correctly for your truck. It's good for truck navigating but without the extra bells and whistles. ** our stability rating got lowered from 9 to 8 because when the state mileage logging is turned on it can be prone to lockups at moments when you go through tunnels or an area that blocks the sky from GPS signal. Turning the state mileage logging off eliminates this issue though. |
Comments: - The 560 is a marked improvement in our opinion over the original 465T in terms of screen size and features. - Garmin has stepped up the feature set with a "grid-style" driver log screen, multiple drivers for teams, and fuel and load logging. - We do not find that their bean-bag mounting style is appropriate many many truck drivers who prefer a suction-style mount due to the way that most semi trucks are configured. The power plug goes into the mount and not into the GPS itself. If the bean-bag style mount is not an issue for you then this power method makes it easier to remove the unit from its cradle without having to unplug a power cord. - The Garmin touch display quality and overall hardware are very good and we have had no issues with durability. - The price is higher for the Garmin unit than "same-sized" competing brands, especially for the "lifetime" maps versions, but it can be argued that Garmin's high quality of hardware and tech support is part of that trade. - For fans of previous Garmin-branded GPS who are used to the Garmin interface and associated computer updater software, this is a good choice. * Garmin overall truck route data especially inside of urban city streets is not as mature as the other two reviewed in this page, but is by far better than a car-specific GPS. ** We are not fans of Garmin's method of making you choose a state before entering an address. |