6 best navigators for trucks

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

More and more motorists, when traveling in unfamiliar cities and regions, resort to using the navigator. And if the driver of the car will not find it difficult to perform several additional maneuvers when deviating from the route, then it will be much more difficult for truckers to do this. Therefore, navigation in trucks is a priority system, especially when traveling abroad. The selection of a navigator for a truck is a demanding task. The device should not only choose the right route, taking into account the tonnage and dimensions, but also promptly remind about the rebuilding and the upcoming junction, notify about the approach to hotels, car services and cafes. So not every device is able to cope with the tasks at hand. The recommendations of our experts will help you choose the most efficient device.

Criteria for choosing a navigator for a truck

Basic functions of the truck navigator. Only such a device that can perform several basic functions will become a real assistant on a long journey.

First of all, the device must find on the map the best route from point “A” to point “B”. In doing so, he must build on the latest events on the road (repairs, traffic jams).

1. The navigator needs to be able to find an organization or address.
2. At any time, the device must indicate to the driver its location.
3. Even while driving, the navigator will have to constantly monitor the situation in order to react in a timely manner to a traffic jam and find a suitable detour in the event of a large traffic jam.
4. The modern road is replete with such auxiliary elements as speed bumps, photo cameras, traffic police posts. If the navigator is able to notify about the approach of the truck to them, then the driver will be able to save on fines and maintain the integrity of both the cargo and the car.

Navigator screen. All information about the traffic situation is transmitted through the navigator screen. It has several important parameters.

1. The display size usually ranges from 5-7 inches. On the one hand, small icons are better visible on the large screen, but the gadget can limit the view of the road.

The clarity of the image depends on the resolution of the matrix. This parameter is expressed in pixels, the most advanced models have a resolution of 1024×600.

1. On multi-lane highways with complex interchanges, the Active Lane Guidance function is useful. One half will show the map, while the other half will show the position of the truck in relation to the lanes and a prompt for changing lanes.

Cartography. The navigator can plan a route only if the device has a map of the region. For traveling in Russia and neighboring countries, it will be enough to install the software of the Navitel company. Updating maps in real time is a useful option, especially if you can do it for free.

Additional Information. Information on the following service points will be important for the truck driver:

1. refueling;
2. hotels;
3. places for parking and rest;
4. service stations;
5. weight points;
6. internet access points.

We have selected 6 truck navigators for our review. You can buy them at specialized retail outlets. When allocating seats, the editorial board of the magazine () proceeded from the opinion of the expert community, taking into account the reviews of Russian truckers.

Rating of the best navigators for trucks

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best navigators for trucks	1	TomTom GO PROFESSIONAL 6250	RUB 27,008
	2	Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-D Europe	RUB 36,533
	3	TomTom GO 6200	RUB 25 350
	4	Garmin Drive 51 LMT-S Europe	RUB 22,058
	5	NAVITEL T700 3G	RUB 4,690
	6	Garmin DriveSmart 51 RUS LMT	RUB 13,590

TomTom GO PROFESSIONAL 6250

Rating: 4.9

The portable navigator TomTom GO PROFESSIONAL 6250 can become a multifunctional assistant for a truck driver. A small GPS device will plot the most profitable route, show a map in 3D format, and timely warn about traffic jams. If you synchronize the work of the navigator with a smartphone, then all the information coming to the phone will be displayed on the 6-inch display. Experts consider the notification of fixed cameras to be a very useful option. The device is compatible with Google Now and Siri. The built-in memory holds 16 GB, the model is equipped with such useful interfaces as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, MicroUSB. The editorial staff of the magazine gave the navigator the first place in our review.

Truck drivers speak well of the Dutch device. The only disadvantages are the high price.

Advantages

• high-quality assembly;
• travel computer;
• GPS module;
• rich equipment.

disadvantages

• high price.

Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-D Europe

Rating: 4.8

The US-Taiwanese Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-D Europe navigator has many reasons to be considered the best in the review. The model is equipped with a large 6.95-inch screen with excellent resolution (1024×600 pixels), a TMC receiver for receiving information about traffic jams and weather. The device is equipped with all necessary interfaces (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, MicroUSB), its own battery for autonomous operation. The device understands voice navigation commands, so that the driver will not be distracted from the road. The experts liked the friendly hints, they make the instructions as clear as possible. Only the highest price did not allow the device to outstrip the leader.

Domestic truckers are still little familiar with the Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-D Europe navigator, which explains the lack of reviews.

Advantages

• large screen;
• a high resolution;
• rich equipment;
• friendly tips.

disadvantages

• high price.

TomTom GO 6200

Rating: 4.7

The third position in our review is occupied by another navigator from TomTom. The GO 6200 model is a compact car device equipped with a radar detector and a GPS module. Considering the multifunctionality of the device, experts consider the cost of the device quite reasonable. The navigator has all the necessary interfaces (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microSD, USB), the internal memory is 16 GB. The information is displayed on a color LCD – 6-inch display, exits and junctions are realistically displayed on the screen.

Russian truckers like the simplicity of route planning; this can be done on any device and then transferred to the navigator. Thanks to the magnetic fastening, the device is quickly and reliably installed and removed.

Advantages

• radar detector;
• GPS module;
• simple route planning;
• magnetic mount.

disadvantages

• not officially supplied to Russia.

Garmin Drive 51 LMT-S Europe

Rating: 4.6

The Garmin Drive 51 LMT-S Europe navigator boasts a light weight (171 g) and compact size. The experts included this model in our review for its ease of connection. Using a suction cup, the device is attached to the panel or windshield. The device already has cards, but if you wish, you can additionally connect a microSD flash drive. Experts consider a 5-inch display with a resolution of 480×272 pixels to be the weak point of the navigator. But given the block text, drivers will not have any problems during operation. Moreover, there is voice support.

Truck drivers have no complaints about route planner, voice and visual support. Only people with poor eyesight are better off choosing a modification with a 6-inch screen.

Advantages

• simple fastening;
• clear menu;
• voice and visual support;
• interchanges in 3D format.

disadvantages

• small screen;
• modest resolution.

NAVITEL T700 3G

Rating: 4.5

Domestic motorists managed to evaluate the capabilities of the NAVITEL T700 3G navigator from all sides. Some users are completely satisfied with its work, others have critical comments. Truckers and experts refer to the strengths of the device as a large screen (7 inches) with a good resolution (1024×600 pixels). The set includes installed cards, it is possible to download other cards. The model has an intuitive interface, you can watch video files in HD mode without any problems. Updating maps is free.

On the downside, truck drivers are unhappy with the navigator's behavior in the city. Satellites are often lost, sometimes applications freeze. There are cases of defective products, which consumers blame the Chinese branch for.

Advantages

• large screen;
• good resolution;
• affordable price;
• watching video in HD format.

disadvantages

• satellites are lost;
• built-in applications hang.

Garmin DriveSmart 51 RUS LMT

Rating: 4.4

The Garmin DriveSmart 51 RUS LMT navigator has the smallest dimensions (84x18x140 mm). This lightweight (174 g) device with a 5-inch screen will not interfere with the driver while driving. Experts noted the presence of all the necessary options in the device for convenient operation (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microSD). The device looks stylish and works fast. Specialists praise the model for its responsive touchscreen. As for the weaknesses, the first thing to highlight is the resolution of 480×272 pixels. Therefore, the portable device closes the TOP-6 of our review.

In reviews, users praise the high-quality assembly, quick response to commands, real-time services (weather forecast, “live traffic”). The main disadvantage is the small, low-resolution screen.

Advantages

• compactness and lightness;
• high-quality assembly;
• quick response;
• actual maps.

disadvantages

• small screen;
• low resolution.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.