OTR Truck Drivers, which PC GPS mapping software to use?

Hello, I am an OTR truck driver and I was wondering is there a specific thread that has info or tips for professional drivers. I currently have Microsoft Streets and Trips and I think it will help me a lot, but I was also thinking about ALK CoPilot, I'm not sure if I need both or not. I would like some help from other drivers out there. Thanks

I've been using Streets & Trips 2009 for the past few weeks and have no issues with the routing it suggests. I have CoPilot 9, but my new laptop is a 64bit, so ALK CoPilot is out of the question.

Just make sure you verify your route before traveling down roads you're not 100% sure you can take your truck, though.

Check out Truck Stops Plus Brian has an awsome program for Streets and Trips for the trucking world. I use use program. With S&Ts I lay out my route it gives me then check the route and see if thats the way I want to go. Go to the upper left cornor of this program to search and type in truckstopsplus and view some comments that are listed on this site. Hope this helps. Any questions leave feedback. Rukstr

I run ALK CoPilot 11. I am for the most part happy with 11 I like 9 better and if i could find my reg numbers i probably would reinstall it and trash 11,but 11 is very trustworthy with routing. here is a thread on this site that will give you alot of opinions on routing software. ALK Technologies Launches CoPilot Truck 11

I can't comment on the truck-specific software but if you elect to use S&T, DeLorme or CoPilot, go to http://www.discoveryowners.com/cginfolinks.htm

There overlays regarding height restrictons, Pilot Stations, Flying J stations, Wal Marts, and much more. The site is part of the Discovery Motorhome web site and the information is designed for large vehicles and/or RVers.

I purchased ALK copilot for truck 7 for handhelds, their support says the maps are newer than version 11 for laptop, and I find the program to be utterly useless.
The maps are horribly outdated.

Streets & Trips with the paper Rand McNally is the way to go for now, although I would like to get more info about the Rand McNally tnd 500.

I just wish I could return this useless (to me)software package from ALK.

Joe

Here's a user's review on the TND 500:
Problems with the rand mcnally tnd500 - Truck Driving Message Board - ClassADrivers

Jamelia,

You might give S&T 2010 a try if you haven't already. Using S&T 2010 with the POI Megafile is helpful for planning for truck stops and low bridge heights rest areas with turnouts etc.

~ Larry

Joe, ALK uses it's own map data for its North American version of CoPilot. These days it is not easy to try to compete on quality with the big map data providers such as Navteq and Teleatlas. Quite a few truck drivers use Microsoft Streets and Trips in USA/Canada, and Microsoft AutoRoute in Europe. Microsoft licenses map data from Navteq.