Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/TomTom
Google Maps keeps ignoring a slowly but surely expanding niche: truck navigation. The application continues to focus exclusively on passenger cars, whereas truck drivers have no option but to switch to dedicated software for large vehicles.
While some make a huge mistake and use Google Maps for turn-by-turn instructions in a lorry, eventually getting stuck on narrow roads or at tunnel entrances, most truck drivers look for navigation solutions that consider their vehicle's dimensions and cargo size.
TomTom, one of the leading navigation experts and the maker of very advanced Google Maps alternatives, has just announced truck navigation for Apple users.
The feature initially debuted on Android and Android Auto in September last year. The same capabilities are now available on iPhone and CarPlay.
TomTom GO Navigation has the full feature arsenal for a truck driver, including personalized navigation according to the vehicle's dimensions, fuel requirements, desired maximum speeds, and cargo. If you transport dangerous goods, TomTom's software can search for special routes where you won't face any restrictions.
Its software also offers truck-optimized points of interest, including truck fuel stations.
The navigation experience is just as advanced as in the standard version of TomTom GO Navigation, so the application offers lane guidance, live traffic, and the company's signature Route Bar that provides information like route, stops, alerts, and restrictions at a glance.
Google Maps and Waze currently dominate the navigation space, but they both ignore truck support as they want to focus on the biggest driver category. Unfortunately, we're still seeing truck drivers who misuse the two apps occasionally, relying on navigation optimized for a passenger car in a large truck.
Drivers shouldn't by any means use Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation in a truck, as the application doesn't take into account your vehicle's dimensions when generating routes. Eventually, the app can send you to narrow roads where you won't fit, blocking the road or increasing the risk of accidents for you and the other motorists on the road.
If you're looking for dedicated truck navigation, Sygic and now TomTom offer very advanced solutions running on your mobile devices. They're not available for free, as most professional navigation products come with a subscription, but they offer a rich feature lineup that includes everything a truck driver typically needs. Alternatively, you can get a dedicated GPS navigator for trucks.
Garmin is one of the companies still building them, promising frequent map updates and other features developed with large vehicles in mind. Compared to mobile applications, a dedicated GPS navigator does not require a smartphone to run, so you also protect your phone's battery while driving. Garmin offers mobile companion apps to connect the phone to the GPS navigator, so you'll get live updates for traffic and other warnings and phone call and message notifications.
TomTom, one of the leading navigation experts and the maker of very advanced Google Maps alternatives, has just announced truck navigation for Apple users.
The feature initially debuted on Android and Android Auto in September last year. The same capabilities are now available on iPhone and CarPlay.
TomTom GO Navigation has the full feature arsenal for a truck driver, including personalized navigation according to the vehicle's dimensions, fuel requirements, desired maximum speeds, and cargo. If you transport dangerous goods, TomTom's software can search for special routes where you won't face any restrictions.
Its software also offers truck-optimized points of interest, including truck fuel stations.
The navigation experience is just as advanced as in the standard version of TomTom GO Navigation, so the application offers lane guidance, live traffic, and the company's signature Route Bar that provides information like route, stops, alerts, and restrictions at a glance.
Google Maps and Waze currently dominate the navigation space, but they both ignore truck support as they want to focus on the biggest driver category. Unfortunately, we're still seeing truck drivers who misuse the two apps occasionally, relying on navigation optimized for a passenger car in a large truck.
Drivers shouldn't by any means use Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation in a truck, as the application doesn't take into account your vehicle's dimensions when generating routes. Eventually, the app can send you to narrow roads where you won't fit, blocking the road or increasing the risk of accidents for you and the other motorists on the road.
If you're looking for dedicated truck navigation, Sygic and now TomTom offer very advanced solutions running on your mobile devices. They're not available for free, as most professional navigation products come with a subscription, but they offer a rich feature lineup that includes everything a truck driver typically needs. Alternatively, you can get a dedicated GPS navigator for trucks.
Garmin is one of the companies still building them, promising frequent map updates and other features developed with large vehicles in mind. Compared to mobile applications, a dedicated GPS navigator does not require a smartphone to run, so you also protect your phone's battery while driving. Garmin offers mobile companion apps to connect the phone to the GPS navigator, so you'll get live updates for traffic and other warnings and phone call and message notifications.
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