HGV sat navs. Anyone got one?

Spuddy · 4 Dec 2015 at 20:17

HGV sat nav's seem to have a huge premium and are quite pricey when looking at the well recognised brands, TomTom and Garmin etc. Generally £250+

Noticed there are some cheaper ones on eBay, starting around the £50 mark and up..

Does anyone have one of these cheaper branded ones, are they any good? Surely must me some other HGV drivers out there that use them

MrMoonX · 4 Dec 2015 at 20:22

why can't you use a normal sat nav in an HGV

dholdi · 4 Dec 2015 at 20:23

MrMoonX said:
why can't you use a normal sat nav in an HGV

That was the question I was about to ask.

MachM · 4 Dec 2015 at 20:35

I imagine they have height and weight restrictions in them so that the HGVs aren't routed down unsuitable roads.

dholdi · 4 Dec 2015 at 20:37

MachM said:
I imagine they have height and weight restrictions in them so that the HGVs aren't routed down unsuitable roads.

So it's the map not the nav then ?

Sin_Chase · 4 Dec 2015 at 20:44

dholdi said:
So it's the map not the nav then ?

The map data needs to be there yes, but the Nav software still need to be programmed to allow driver input variables to route on the map properly. (Weight, Height, Width etc)

dholdi · 4 Dec 2015 at 20:53

Yes I see where you are coming from now.
The software needs to exclude all routes that are unsuitable for HGV.
Bit like the way I can ask my TT to avoid toll roads, but this would be on a far greater scale.
Learn something new every day.

Hyburnate · 4 Dec 2015 at 21:24

If you do it professionally which is a pretty much guarantee just pay the premium? It's not a huge premium over an average sat nav especially if you're an Ltd company like most truckers as you can claim back the VAT which will save you £50

K.C. Leblanc · 4 Dec 2015 at 21:33

Spuddy said:
Does anyone have one of these cheaper branded ones, are they any good? Surely must me some other HGV drivers out there that use them

They've been discussed to death over on trucknet. The cheap ones are fairly well regarded, although often have a few quirks.

Spuddy · 4 Dec 2015 at 21:43

Thanks guys, this isn't for me.

The GF wants to get her dad one who does do it professionally of course.

She doesn't mind buying the more expensive one if needed, but whats the point if they're not any better or if the cheaper ones are no worse?

K.C. Leblanc, thanks for the info. I'll try and have a look at trucknet, presume its a forum? Do you happen to remember the name/model of the well regarded cheap one?

Bluecube · 5 Dec 2015 at 12:42

Hyburnate said:
If you do it professionally which is a pretty much guarantee just pay the premium? It's not a huge premium over an average sat nav especially if you're an Ltd company like most truckers as you can claim back the VAT which will save you £50

Just as aside, you can be a limited company without being VAT registered and vice versa.