Garmin nüvi 465T (GPS receiver)

There is no "ultimate" truck specific GPS unit on the market. On the whole, every offering seems to be strong in some areas and weak in others-especially where routing options are concerned. I have blown lots of cash in using 5 of the current offerings and have found this fact to be true. The 465T is not an exception to this truth. What sets it apart from the TND500 and PCMILER are the Traffic, ALERTS, and NTTS features which I found exceptional (this is the ONLY truck specific GPS to offer live traffic (in major metro areas)). Wether in "follow me" or "routing" modes, alerts for weigh stations and hazzardous roads are always displayed as well as any traffic issues ( again in metro areas only) one might run across. The alerts are clearly displayed and there is no guesswork involved such as with using the PCMILER. And while the TND500 also offers alerts, it does so only in route mode. The NTTS (national truck and trailer service) database is the best all around period. Extreamly descriptive and accurate. It definatly rivals the Trucker's Friend database used in the TND500 and I think, the NTTS is far more inclusive and informative.

Routing. Well, this is very dissapointing to say the least. We only get two routing types-fastest and shortest. Both use the user entered truck datas height, weight, length etc and hazmat) when routing however, the routing is not praticle. Drivers, it is up to YOU to discern proper routing, not ANY device. And if you trust THIS device, you could end up in a world of hurt but again, that is true of ANY GPS on the market-truck specific or not. However, this device, like the TND500 are very poor routing engines. Only the PCMILER has excellent routing (which is it's only redeaming feature). You can use the 465T to route but be aware of local regulations and problems-which you should be doing anyway. Also, like any paper map, GPS databases lag actual reality. Again, it is up to YOU to be aware of your surroundings and drive accordingly. If you drive for an outfit that tells you how to run, this isn't so much an issue untill the unit is used to actually get to the destination. For others, there is the ability to use multiple stops and to disply the whole route-there is also a STAA map for futher reference. On a personal note, on the trip I am on as I post this, the 465T actually routed me the way I had planned to go-sometimes one hits right. I did not buy this for it's routing engine but for the alerts and traffic and, the ability to ADD my own POI (no other truck specific GPS allows this). I think-I hope, that Garmin is committed to improving the unit. Indeed, this seems to be a hot market and they would be fools not to take advantage of it. We drivers love our gadgets.

As I mentioned before, I have owned 5 of the current offerings in my search for the "ultimate" GPS. It just does not exsist. Like anything, one must sit back and ponder what features are most important to the indivual user and choose the best unit to fit those parameters. For me, right now, this is the best unit.

DO NOT TRUST ANY GPS OR MAP TO KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE. CONSTANTLY BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND CONDITIONS. having again said that-the Trucker's Atlas has the best and most updated information for trucks. Get it.

First off this is not an expensive GPS since it comes with a life time subscription of traffic updates. Secondly you can purchase the safety camera subscriptions for speed cameras that works very well. You can customize your truck to what you are pulling at height, length, width, and weight per axle. Furthermore you can set as per the hazardous material you are carrying with you too which means that if you do not know the area you are ahead of the game. Additionally when in truck mode you have the sharp curve warning system to turn on or off as you see fit which by itself would save a lot of money if you have ever seen a vehicle fly off the road. Trip log function is very good for log books on the CDL side and for the most part I have not seen a better GPS yet or I would have bought it.

For the record Garmin is the only manufacturer on the market that builds a GPS for commercial applications for the professional driver. You do not need to be a professional driver to own it or operate it however if you are a person that drives anything more then a car I would seriously consider this unit as its accuracy is very good far better then Magellan.

This is the one to purchase...

Updated on Apr 11, 2010

The safety camera subscription is worth its weight in gold as it is updated weekly and one ticket would pay for the subscription. 

The trip log is something that is really helpful as it shows how long you are in the trip overall, how long you were driving, how long you were sitting still, how many miles you have covered, how many miles to your destination, what your average speed, and what direction you are heading all in one screen. This option alone for a CDL is worth it since logs can be a pain. The sharp curve warning is priceless as with it turned on while switched in the TRUCK mode would pay for itself so that you are aware of the slow speed required. Anyone would benefit from this.

I think the sharp curve warning that is with this unit would be good for the person who drives a car with a speedometer having three digits - If I need to explain you would not understand.

The GPS simulator option is something that is very impressive.