GPS, the ultimate in navigation and trip planning proficiency, appears to have been tailor-made for truckers. Drivers no longer need gloveboxes and dashboards full of assorted maps and atlases. Once you've used GPS, you'll wonder where it's been all your life.
As long as you have a clear view of the sky, the GPS receiver will operate. GPS devices receive a signal from a network of satellites orbiting the earth. With this information, they are able to determine your location. In addition, there's no monthly service to pay for like you have with satellite radio. For a quick overview of GPS Navigation, check out this GPS Devices Buying Guide.
GPS Receivers and Street Atlas Software
Simply transform your laptop or PDA into a navigation system with a GPS receiver and street atlas/mapping software. The following are the best complete packages we've found for quality and price.
DeLorme
DeLorme Earthmate LT-20 GPS Receiver & Street Atlas 2006
The Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 with GPS locator comes packed with 5.4 million miles of local, city and highway roads across the United States and Canada, plus 1.8 million points of interest such as hotels, ATMs and restaurants, and other services. Plus, the included GPS receiver lets you turn your laptop or Pocket PC into a powerful GPS route-finding tool.
The following items are complete GPS navigation systems for your vehicle. Most of these types of systems can be either mounted to the windshield with a suction cup, or to a convenient place on the dashboard. Simply plug in and turn it on. Everything you'll need is installed in the unit...no downloading, additional software, or laptop is needed.
Cobra NAVOne 4500: Portable Mobile Navigation System
The Cobra Nav One 4500 Mobile GPS Navigation System is the ultimate in vehicle navigation. It's plug and go (no downloads necessary), has real-time information, over 7 million points-of-interest, provides turn-by-turn route guidance, and much more.
Magellan RoadMate 760: Portable GPS Vehicle Navigation System
The Magellan RoadMate 760 Portable GPS Vehicle Navigation System features turn-by-turn voice guidance which tells you when to take that next turn, including the name of the street and distance to the turn. Includes 7 million pre-programmed points of interest, SmartDetour, and much more!
Garmin StreetPilot 2620: Portable GPS Vehicle Navigation System
The Garmin StreetPilot 2620 Portable Automotive GPS Navigator features MapSource City Navigator pre-loaded, detailed maps right out of the box. Navigate to a specific address or access an industry-leading database of more than five million points of interest including lodging, restaurants, gas stations, and local attractions.
Once you get started with GPS, you'll wonder where it's been all your life! Not only does it make trip planning simple, and convenient as you find places to go and things to do on the road, but it's fun!
GPS For Dummies: GPS For Dummies gives new meaning to finding yourself. In fact, with a GPS (global positioning system) receiver, you can determine precisely where you are anywhere on this planet. If you?re are planning on buying a GPS receiver or if you have one and want to get your money?s worth, this guide tells you what you need to know.
, connected to a USB laptop PC, shows your real-time position on detailed 
maps anywhere in the U.S., so you will always know where you are and where you need to go. Includes spoken directions and voice-command technologies.
comes packed with 5.4 million miles of local, city and highway roads across the United States and Canada, plus 1.8 million points of interest such as hotels, ATMs and restaurants, and other services. Plus, the included GPS receiver lets you turn your laptop or Pocket PC into a powerful GPS route-finding tool.
is the ultimate in vehicle navigation. It's plug and go (no downloads necessary), has real-time information, over 7 million points-of-interest, provides turn-by-turn route guidance, and much more.
features turn-by-turn voice guidance which tells you when to take that next turn, including the name of the street and distance to the turn. Includes 7 million pre-programmed points of interest, SmartDetour, and much more!
features MapSource City Navigator pre-loaded, detailed maps right out of the box. Navigate to a specific address or access an industry-leading database of more than five million points of interest including lodging, restaurants, gas stations, and local attractions.
: GPS For Dummies gives new meaning to finding yourself. In fact, with a GPS (global positioning system) receiver, you can determine precisely where you are anywhere on this planet. If you?re are planning on buying a GPS receiver or if you have one and want to get your money?s worth, this guide tells you what you need to know.
: Caches or stashes of provisions, hidden along a route were a common occurrence in Lewis and Clark?s day when foot travel was really the only mode of long distance transportation. Today, caches of another sort are hidden throughout the United States and the world for that matter.
