Nobody understands the duties of a semi-truck driver unless they have worked in the profession. Most people simply think that a semi-truck driver simply takes cargo from point A to point B. While that is ostensibly the goal of their task, it is the paperwork, regulations, and ancillary tasks that people are generally not aware of.
Thankfully, Garmin is a company that understands what virtually every driver needs–regardless of how niche their driving situation may be. To that end, they have made it a point to create an amazing GPS system that provides a litany of tools to make a semi-truck driver’s job just a little bit easier as well as a number of extra features for convenience.
Overview
While it is unlikely to surprise people who are already well-established within the industry, Garmin actually has a long history of providing high-end products to the trucking industry. As such, when looking for a robust GPS navigator with numerous features which all appeal to a semi-truck driver specifically, Garmin comes through not only to provide an adequate option but perhaps one of the best commercial options on the market.
This GPS navigator provides the standard fare of accurately detailing where you are and what your driving conditions are, but it goes so much further with a litany of features that are ideally suited for the task of transporting multiple tons of cargo hundreds of miles in a couple days. Whether you are interested in a route that is specifically designed for semi-trucks or need help managing your time while on the road, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S GPS Truck Navigator has you covered.
Truck Routing
This is arguably one of the best features of the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S, but it is also likely one of the most common amongst GPS navigators designed for the market. That said, there is still no getting around the fact that the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S provides legitimate value for this task and will be able to help you avoid any roads or routes that would otherwise take you on paths which you would not be allowed to use.
For instance, this GPS navigator will warn you if you are following a route that includes a road with weight restrictions or bridges that are not tall enough to provide height clearance. On top of that, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S will also warn you of road-related aspects like sharp turns or elevation with steep grades. The best part is, all you have to do is enter the physical dimensions and weight specification of your truck into the Garmin, and the software takes care of all the rest. It is like having a guardian angel or a driving partner who actually knows what they are doing.
Time Management
As a semi-truck driver, there is always the balance between making your time and potentially arriving early and fulfilling the needs of your physical body as well as regulations which dictate a certain amount of time spent resting after driving for hours on end. In fact, it can be quite easy to accidentally forget about these things if you get on a roll and become too focused on the road and task at hand. Thankfully, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S has considered this as well and offers a solution.
With a function that automatically calculates and reminds you of when you either should or are required to take a break, you will not have to worry about pushing yourself, or the law, too far again. Even better, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S is equipped with a database that identifies locations which are specific to semi-trucks or at least amenable to their presence for food, rest, fuel, ATMs, lodging, showers, and even WiFi. In the same way that you can allow the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S to take care of your route, you can also allow it to take the wheel, so to speak, in regards to your schedule more generally.
Smartphone Link
Of course, as impressive as the functions of both planning the optimal route as well as keeping track of the human element behind the wheel are, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S is still a singular device with a limited amount of memory and hardware. That is why Garmin sought to expand the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S/ capabilities by providing the option to connect the GPS navigator to your smartphone to have access to the Garmin databases, so you can have access to even more information.
Garmin accomplishes this by allowing the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S to connect with their free mobile app, the Smartphone Link. This app will provide real-time reports on both the traffic and the weather. It can even provide up to the minute updates on parking availability within your area. One thing to keep in mind is that the Smartphone Link app’s service does offer a premium option which you pay for that includes even more information like images from local traffic cameras as well as live weather radar data to better make an informed decision.
Garmin eLog
Arguably one of the more frustrating pieces of equipment that all semi-truck drivers are required by law to have as of 2012 is an ELD, or electronic logging device. This essentially provides a hard copy backup of all the relevant information relating to your truck’s current–and potentially past–journeys. Of course, Garmin makes it a point to offer a full-suite service and even provides an expanded connectivity option for their proprietary eLog ELD to work in unison with the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S.
While the ELD will track all of the legally relevant information required, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S will simultaneously present that information to you in an easy to read presentation. The only downside to this feature is that it requires you to be using the Garmin eLog ELD for it to function. Though, the Garmin eLog ELD is actually a fairly impressive ELD in its own right, so you should not necessarily consider that to be too much of a negative and will likely end up thanking Garmin in the long run for providing the impetus to switch over to their model if you have not already.
Hands-Free
While more and more states are adopting laws which require general drivers to use some form of hands-free format to use the phone while they are driving, semi-truck drivers have had to deal with this requirement for far longer. As such, any GPS navigator worth its weight in salt should come with a hands-free option. Considering the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S has generally surpassed all basic requirements so far, you should expect it to do so in this regard as well and it does not disappoint.
First, to ensure that your hands-free functionality is not unduly interrupted, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S provides a Bluetooth connection. When connected to your smartphone, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S will serve as an intermediary with its integrated speaker and microphone allowing you to make or receive calls through the GPS navigator rather than having to use a separate device. In fact, you can even program the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S to provide custom alerts for texts and other apps which display on the navigator’s screen. Beyond that, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S also comes with voice-activated commands, so you do not even need to touch the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S for most of the common functions you would need to access.
Display
Driving for hours on end can be hard, grueling work–despite the fact that those without experience would simply assume it is an easy job where “you just sit there.” That being the case, the body fatigues over time, and one of the first things to tire are your eyes. That is why the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S provides a large 7” screen which is comparable or better than most of their competitors. Even better, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S offers a touchscreen, so if you do need to access a function not operated by voice commands, you will not have to take a hand off the wheel for long to do so.
Conclusion
As we can see, the Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S is quite an impressive GPS navigator specifically designed for semi-truck drivers. Whether this device is acting as your navigator and co-pilot, providing you free, real-time updates about the road and weather conditions, or simply tracking to legally required information about your journey and load, Garmin offers attenuated features to make your life on the road a breeze. You can get a great deal on Garmin dezl 780 LMT-S here.