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- Dieselboss review - Truck driver GPS features comparison - legacy
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Hardware and general info |
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| Feature Description | PC Miler 430, 440, 540, 740 (no further testing being done on these models) |
Rand McNally TND 500/700 (no further testing being done on these models) |
Garmin Nuvi 465T (no further testing being done on this model) |
| Software / Firmware version tested: | (2010 - Q1 maps 7.8.0.356) | (10.9.1808.1617) (11.4.1945.1504) |
(soft 2.70 / maps NT 2010.20) |
| Current average pricing | $229 to $399 | $299.99 / $399.99 | $229 |
| Factory Warranty | 1 year - new units 90 days - refurbs |
1 year | 1 year |
| Screen Size | 4.3" / 5" / 7" | 5" / 7" | 4.3" only |
| Screen technology (clarity of buttons and overall resolution. This is NOT related to "clarity of maps," which is graded further down this chart) | PCM430: ok PCM440: good PCM540: very good PCM740: ok |
Very good |
very good |
| Bluetooth capable (Can be paired with cell phones for hands-free phone use) | No | No | Yes |
| Has an SD memory card slot | Yes (2G card included) | Yes (empty except on early TND500's) | Yes (empty) |
| "Charging" LED light | Yes | Yes | No (on screen indicator only) |
| Battery life when not plugged in and driving | About an hour | About 45 minutes | About 1.5 hours |
| External GPS antenna connection (only used if you driver regularly in huge cities like NYC) | Yes on 440,540,740 (not included) | 500/700: "Some" of them have it. Depends on batch (ask) | No |
| AC and DC power cords | Yes | Yes (and extra long DC cable) | 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 (but not overly loud) | Yes (very loud) | Yes |
| Mini USB cable included (to connect to a computer) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Stylus included | Yes | TND500 (no) TND700 (yes) |
No |
| Headphone/external speaker jack | Yes | Yes | No |
| FM Transmitter | No | No | No |
| Vehicle mount kit included | Yes (window suction style) | Yes (large 90mm suction style) | Yes (dash mount kit) |
| Documentation / Manuals | Included and online (good) | limited included, and extensive online (very good) | Online only (Excellent) |
| Ability to display a camera (external input jack) | No | No | No |
General Software Features |
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| Feature Description | PC Miler 430, 440, 540, 740 | Rand McNally TND 500/700 |
Garmin Nuvi 465TGarmin Nuvi 465T |
| Languages | English US / English UK / English Australia / French / Spanish | English US / 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 | Yes (Extensive) | Yes (Extensive) |
| Keyboard (on touchcreen) | Qwerty or Alphabetical | Qwerty or Alphabetical | Qwerty or Alphabetical |
| Can take "screenshots" | No | No | Yes |
| 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 (except for the PCM430 model which will do this) | No | jpeg/jpg picture viewer |
| Has optional security lock code | No | No | Yes |
| Can add your own vehicle icons and voices | No | Yes (icons only) | Yes |
| Language translator | No | No | No |
| Add pictures of places in your favorites | No | No | Yes |
| Multiple map color schemes | Yes | No | No |
| Unit converter/calculator (temps, distances, and weights) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Current time and time zone | Manually set | Manual and Automatic | Manual or Automatic |
| Screen modes | Day / Night / Automatic | Day / Night / Automatic | Day / Night / Automatic |
GPS Software Program and Mapping Features |
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| Feature Description | PC Miler 430, 440, 540, 740 | Rand McNally TND 500/700 |
Garmin Nuvi 465T |
| Difficulty to use & learn (software) | Ok |
Excellent |
Very Good |
| Street-level Maps and addresses | US / Canada / Mexico(ALK) | US / Canada (NavTeq) | US / Canada / Puerto Rico (NavTeq) |
| Map "look" / road clarity (zoomed in) | Very good | Very good | Excellent |
| Map "look" / road clarity (zoomed out) | Very Good | Good | Good |
| Can select how much map "detail" | No (map detail is very good already) | No | Yes (and map detail is excellent) |
| Map "auto-zoom" mode option | No | Yes (Multiple) | No |
| Download program updates from the web (NOT maps) | No. Updates thru 2010 come on a memory card | Yes (PC only) | Yes(PC or Intel-based Macs running OSX 10.4 or later) |
| Map update method | Annual (on SD Card) | Annual via SD card | 2 - 3x / year via web |
| Map update cost | $49.95 | $89.99 product lifetime | $49 - $89 unless LTM model is purchased. |
| Can send map and feature feedback back to manufacturer when connected to web | (via web site or email) | Yes (make notes on unit and send later via web dock software) | Yes (send directly to NavTeq via web site) |
| Car mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RV mode (with scenic route option) | Yes | No | No |
| "Avoid" propane-restricted tunnels (RV) | Yes | No | No |
| Motorcycle mode | Yes | No | No |
| Walking mode | Yes | No | No |
Specific Tools and Functions for Truck Drivers |
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| Feature Description | PC Miler 430, 440, 540, 740 | Rand McNally TND 500/700 |
Garmin Nuvi 465T |
| Ease up setting it up correctly for truck routing and other features | Ok | Very easy | Good |
| Truck Routes | Yes (US and Canada) (ALK) (good) | US and Canada (Rand) (very good) |
US and Canada (good) |
| Hours of Service log timers and alerts (driving, on-duty, off-duty, sleeper) | No | Yes (Automatic or manual) | No |
| Driver Daily Logbook "grid" screen" | No | No | No |
| MCRA cross-reference data | No | Yes | No |
| Can save multiple specific truck and trailer dimensions | Yes | No (one at a time) | Yes |
| Logs miles driven by state (helps with IFTA) | No | Yes | No |
| Can export the miles driven off the unit and onto a computer | N/A | Yes | N/A |
| Maintenance warnings counter | No | Yes (2) | No |
| Trip odometer(s) | No | Yes (2) | Yes |
| Multiple time zone clocks | No | Yes (current, dest, and yard) | Yes (configurable) |
| Built-in calendar | No | Yes (TND 700 only) | No |
| Built-in Notepad | No | Yes (TND 700 only) | No |
| Address book (favorites) | Yes | Yes (excellent. Can group, sort, and add notes to favorites or POI) | Yes |
| Shows upcoming scale icons on the maps on the Nav screen | Yes (but uses the same icon for truck stops and exits too.) | Yes, even when zoomed out. Also shows rest areas this way | No (audio/visual alert only) |
| Color-coded roads that show preferred truck routes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Icons that show "no-trucks allowed, low bridges, hazmat, and no-hazmat roads" | Some | No | No |
| Enter Fuel Purchases in dollars and gallons | No | No | No |
| Enter load info | No | No | No |
| Enter multiple drivers (for log and load usage) | No | No | No |
| Enter truck trailer numbers and VIN | No | No | No |
| Can filter-search truck stops by amenity (what they have there) | No | Excellent feature! | No |
| POI results show what services at at a truck stop | No | Yes, VERY extensive | No |
| Current road Truck Speed Limits on screen | No | Yes, on most roads, but not always truck-specific limits. | Yes, on most larger roads, but not always truck-specific limits. |
| "Trip statistics" page | No | Yes - Excellent (avg speed, miles driven, uphill speed, downhill speed, elevation, sunrise/sunset, more) | Yes (extensive) |
| Addressing, Routing,
Planning, and Guidance capabilities |
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| Feature Description | PC Miler 430, 440, 540, 740 | Rand McNally TND 500/700 |
Garmin Nuvi 465T |
| Time to calculate or recalculate a route (longer route is longer times to calc) | Very fast (3 - 15 secs) | TND500/700: Slower (5 - 65 secs) |
Medium (5 - 60 secs) |
| Preplan multi-stop routes | Yes (up to 50 stops) | Yes (up to 50 stops) | Yes |
| Route optimization for mileage | Yes | Yes | No |
| Enter cities using the zip code | Yes | Yes | ? |
| Enter Canadian cities using postal code | No | Yes | ? |
| 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 |
| "Forcing" a different route / making it take specific roads (permit loads) | Yes (easier) | Possible, but not easy | Yes |
| Preview your route turns/directions | Yes (easy) | Yes (easy) | Yes |
| Preview your route on map | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Preview just the route main highways only list separately | No | Yes | No |
| Real-time traffic capability *requires an optional antenna for Rand. |
No | Yes - 510 and 710 models | Yes (supported by ads which are irritating unless you pay for an upgrade.) |
| "Traffic Predictor" technology (uses historic traffic data to help plan route based on time of day through many cities) | No | No | No |
| "MyTrends" predicts routes based on learning your past driving habits | No | No | No |
| Download and display road construction info for route planning | No | Yes (updated every 2 weeks via dock app) | No |
| "Quick-stop" entry feature | Yes | Yes (easy) | No |
| Exit Services (see food, lodging, fuel by exit) | No | No | No |
| Can tap on a road on the map and "avoid" it | No | Yes | No |
| Points of Interest (POI's) | Yes (> 7 million) | Yes (6 million) |
Yes (6 million) |
| Contains enhanced truck POI's | Yes (ALK) | Yes (Trucker's Friend and TruckDown data) | Yes (Garmin) |
| Point of Interest and other types of alerts | Yes, but limited because exits, weigh stations, scales and truck stops are all one alert. | Yes MANY (weigh stations, toll booths, state borders, time zones, sharp curves, steep hills) | Yes (weigh stations, sharp curves, and more) |
| POI searching ability | Very good | Excellent (includes end of day) | Limited to nearby only |
| Add your own POI's | No | No | Yes |
| Can add POI ratings and notes | No | Yes, Excellent feature! | No |
| Can choose which POI's are displayed on "Nav" screen | No (show all or none) | Yes (all, truck-only, car only, or none) | N/A (doesn't show POI icons when navigating) |
| "Am I Close" feature - starts showing address numbers on screen when close. | No | Yes | No |
| Shows next two turns on screen | No (only the next) | Yes (often shows next 2) | No (only the next) |
| Show what county you are in on Nav screen | No | Yes | No |
| Specific road type settings | Yes (Extensive) | Yes (Freeways, tolls, u-turns, and ferries to favor or avoid, unpaved) | Yes (Freeways, tolls, u-turns, ferries, traffic favors and avoids) |
| Lane "assist" guidance info / junction view | No | Yes | Yes |
| Safety Camera Alerts | No | No | No |
| Configurable speed alert warning | No | Yes - very flexible | No |
| "Recent" destinations memory | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatically saves recent destinations | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leaves a "breadcrumb" trail of trips | No | Yes (in walking mode only) | Yes |
| Avoid or prefer toll roads feature | Use, Avoid, Avoid if possible options | Prefer or Avoid | Prefer or Avoid |
| Can search for "cross-streets" | Yes (Easy) | Yes (Easy) | Yes (Easy) |
| Detour feature | Yes (Very Good) | Yes (several options to avoid roads or road segments) | Yes (poor reroute choices at times) |
| Auto re-routing if you miss turn | Yes (fast and accurate) | Yes (but can be slow on long trips) Includes auto or manual rerouting. | Yes (sometimes unpredictable) |
| "Where am I?" screen | No | Yes (very good) | Yes (very good) |
| Shows mile post maker while driving | No | Yes, Excellent feature! | No |
| Click on roads to see their names | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drive maps in 2D and 3D modes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| "Save current location" to favorites. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Add your "Home" location | Yes (Home and Work) | Yes (Home, in car mode) | Yes (Home only) |
| "Pick on Map" destinations | Yes | Yes | Yes (Easy) |
| Saved / Custom places show on maps as icons | No | No | Yes |
| Can save specific trips to memory | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customize info displayed on Nav screen | Yes | Yes (extensive) | No |
| Keeps your current trip if you turn it off | If you saved it | Yes | Yes |
| On-screen compass | No | Yes | Yes (must push the stats button first) |
| Can modify how far from turn alerts | Yes (extensive options) | No | No |
| Current Route "Demo" simulator | Yes (Excellent) | No | Yes (but not versatile) |
SUMMARY and Final Thoughts |
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| Feature Description | PC Miler 430, 440, 540, 740 | Rand McNally TND 500/700 |
Garmin Nuvi 465T |
| Overall Dieselboss Review out of 10 points (higher numbers = better) |
Route accuracy: 9 Raw addresses: 7 Features: 7 Calc/Recalc speed: 9 Stability: 10 Learning to use it: 7 Hardware durability: 8 |
Route accuracy: 8 Raw addresses: 9 Features: 8 Calc/Recalc speed: 6/7* Stability: 8 Learning to use it: 9 Hardware durability: 7** |
Route accuracy: 6 Raw addresses: 9 Features: 7 Calc/Recalc speed: 8 Stability: 9 Learning to use it: 7 Hardware durability: 9 |
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Note that you are viewing the earlier models chart. The current models chart is found at THIS LINK. |
Comments: 2010 maps on all units now contain accurate truck routing attributes and improved addresses when the routing profile is correctly configured. Fewer extra truck-specific features than the RM-TND units or the newer PCM x50 series. Though new models are discontinued and have been replaced by x50 series, a good refurb is still a solid truck nav option for bargain hunters. Excellent pricing. | 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.
Rapid software improvements during first year of product life. * Calc and recalc speeds can be sluggish on long routes ** Power socket where the cord plugs in can be a weak point. Recommend wrapping the cord around the mount once to provide strain relief. |
Comments: Excellent "looking" interface and maps. Very good database of addresses and extensive features. However, the truck routing and detouring abilities have concerned us in the current revision enough to mention this. High price for only a 4.3" screen. |
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