Even the best, most proficient truck driver on the road today needs a little help from time to time, and he can get it from some of today’s top technologies.
Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S
Garmin’s dēzl 780 LMT-S trucker-specific navigator is loaded with the features professional drivers depend on to ensure they are safe, secure, on time and on the right path. With a big, bright 7-inch screen, the dēzl 780 is the sort of driver information console that can make every day’s drive more profitable and a bit less harrowing.
Its features include Bluetooth-enabled hands-free operation, including making and taking calls from your connected smartphone; live services to help you find locations with available parking; custom routing for your truck’s specifications to help you plan your trip; notifications for timely breaks, including the locations of rest areas, truck stops and scales; built-in wi-fi to allow software and map updates; traffic and weather reports so you avoid situations that can cause available hours of service to evaporate; and a service history log.
The dēzl 780 LMT-S can connect to Garmin’s eLog ELD and Garmin’s BC 35 wireless backup camera.
Uniden BearTracker 885 CB
Uniden says the BearTracker Warning System alerts you whenever there is nearby public safety radio traffic. It does this by automatically checking for the low-power signals produced by the radio in the public safety vehicles.
If you get an alert, you know that there is some sort of public safety activity within only a couple of miles from you. Keep in mind that not all states allow scanners to be used in vehicles. Check regulations for states in which you can use them.
TomTom Trucker 620 GPS
It also highlights locations for parking, truck stops, travel centers, fuel stations, restaurants and service centers. With a 6-inch screen and built-in wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the Trucker 620 delivers its suite of services via voice control, meaning you keep your hands on the wheel but still get your smartphone’s messages and can make calls.
The Trucker 620’s speaker and microphone deliver quality hands-free calls. Just connect your phone via Bluetooth, and you’ll see who’s calling on your Trucker 620’s screen. The TomTom Truck 620 attaches to the dash of your truck with an easy-to-use magnetic mounting device.
BlueParrott B550-XT
The B550-XT delivers 24 hours of talk time, 500 hours of standby, 96 percent cancellation of background noise and 300 feet of range to pair with other Bluetooth devices. All you have to say is “Hello BlueParrott” to make use of these and other features on the B550-XT.
The company says it’s the most comfortable over-the-head headset that the company has ever designed. The cushion size has increased over 10 percent, and that means drivers can wear the headset all the time they are driving without discomfort.
LG Tone Platinum Bluetooth
That means messages — incoming and outgoing — are heard and heard well, reducing the chance of someone misunderstanding someone else. These features mean you can put on the LG Tone Platinum when starting your day and wear it with ease until the end of the drive.
The LG Tone Platinum has a low profile and sits comfortably around your neck and features 14 hours of talk time, 18 days on standby, a two-hour recharging time, Bluetooth version 5 and retractable earbuds.
