When it comes to driving an HGV, there are two main considerations: safety and efficiency, HGV Sat Navs can help you with both.
The driver needs to know where he or she is going in order to complete their deliveries or collections, the route needs to be completed as quickly and as safely possible so that the driver can spend less time on the road and be much more efficient.
That is why many professional truck drivers choose to use a dedicated HGV sat nav when navigating the UK or even into other countries.
A dedicated truck sat nav provides clear directions, makes routing more efficient by avoiding traffic jams and roadworks, also a truck sat nav will have added features like speed warnings, lane guidance, height, width, and weight inputs for your vehicle which is essential for avoiding low bridges and narrow lanes.
Ok, let’s take a look at 10 frequent questions asked about Truck Sat Navs.
Which Sat Nav is Best for HGV?
Deciding which is the best HGV Sat Nav can be tricky because technically they all have functions allowing you to enter vehicle dimensions such as height, width, and weight, but there are fundamental differences when it comes to deciding which is the best.
British Trucking has always maintained that the TomTom Go Professional is the best truck sat nav available for UK truck drivers, more recently we believe the Tomtom Go Expert may take that top spot for 2022, followed closely is the Garmin Dezle truck sat nav. Also recently there is another competitor to TomTom and Garmin that has really stepped up to the plate with quality and performance, and that is Aguri.
Aguri HGV sat navs have really moved up to the top competing with TomTom and Garmin who have dominated the truck sat nav marketplace for many years, the build quality, functionality, and performance of their HGV sat nav has to be admired.
But for now, I still put TomTom go professional as the best HGV sat nav but it really is close between the other sat nav options mentioned.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Is Garmin or TomTom better?
Truck drivers have had this discussion for many years, here at British Trucking we have already indicated we feel that TomTom is the best truck sat nav right now, but there are other ways of looking at this, it seems to us those truck drivers who drive internationally tend to prefer Garmin, and drivers who drive across Britain prefer TomTom.
Every truck driver has their own criteria when it comes to using an HGV sat nav so I think the question will still be in the discussion for many years yet!
Is it illegal to use a Car Sat Nav in a Lorry?
The simple answer to this question is no, it isn’t illegal.
However, the sat navs designed for use in cars are not always up to date with the latest HGV routes so you may want a truck driver-specific device which can give you information on all types of roads and will also match your preferences when it comes to truck drivers points of interest too!
The benefits of choosing a dedicated HGV sat nav over a car sat nav is that you will be able to set it up with all the information relevant for HGVs, so if you are an HGV driver and want a device that is tailored to your needs then I would recommend investing in one.
Are HGV Sat Navs Better than Google Maps?
HGV sat navs are definitely better than Google Maps because when driving an HGV you need to know the roads you travel on are safe for trucks.
Having said that Google Maps is a great resource that is available for free and if something was to go wrong with your sat nav and you didn’t have a map book of the area you could easily use Google maps to get you out of trouble.
With any navigational device whether it is a truck sat nav or Google maps a driver should always use their skills and judgment as a driver by checking road signs and bridge heights manually, only using the GPS device as an aid to help navigate their journey.
Can I Touch My HGV Sat Nav While Driving?
No, you cannot touch your HGV sat nav while driving, if adjustments need to be made to your route it is necessary that you find a safe place to stop in order to change the settings of the GPS device.
Many accidents happen on the roads of Britain simply because drivers have taken their eyes off the road ahead. It is better to go 5 miles in the wrong direction and change your HGV sat nav safely, than risk your life or the lives of others.
Where Should I Mount an HGV Sat Nav?
Mount your HGV sat nav on the dashboard in a position that is easily visible and easy to access but also in a position that will not obscure your vision. Never mount your device onto a surface where it could shake loose or be knocked off when your driving.
If mounting the sat nav in the windscreen with a sucker cup, mount it low down in your windscreen, but fixing it to the dashboard would be a better option if possible.
There is also Truck sat nav holders available that can help a driver position the HGV GPS in different positions in the cab such as the crocodile type sat nav holder which I highly rate.
Here are a few examples
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why are HGV Sat Navs so Expensive?
HGV sat nav’s are generally more expensive than a car sat nav because they have many more settings and functions, over the last few years HGV sat nav’s have had many more options added to them to make navigation easier they also have features to aid drivers in other ways such as speed camera alerts, points of interest, fuel stops, and live traffic alerts.
There are cheaper HGV sat nav options available that still provide great functionality too, such as entering your vehicle’s dimensions and weight to avoid bridges or narrow roads, these are a great option if you are just starting out and working to a tight budget.
Should I update an HGV Sat Nav Regularly?
Yes! Updating an HGV sat nav is very important because roads change all the time, having the latest maps installed on your sat nav can keep you out of harm’s way.
I have heard drivers say “this sat nav is rubbish” but when you ask them when they last updated it the reply is usually “never”.
The most modern truck sat nav’s especially the higher-end devices have automatic updates not only for mapping but for software features too.
Budget end truck sat nav’s are usually a little more complex to update and need to be connected to a computer to download the latest maps.
Can You Use an HGV Sat Nav in a Car?
Yes, an HGV Sat Nav can be used in a car, but there are some things to consider before doing so.
Make sure the settings that have been set for your truck are adjusted for the car, if you have entered a height of 13 foot 6 inches into the sat nav it will avoid routes with bridges of that height or below so if you leave the settings in the device you may be traveling a lot further than you need to in order to reach your destination.
Also if you use a large screen HGV sat nav such as a 9″ screen it will be too big to mount in the windscreen of a car and will block your vision, in this case, a sat nav holder to position the GPS within the car itself would be a better option.
Should You Leave Your HGV Sat Nav in Your Truck When Not at Work?
I would advise that your HGV sat nav should be removed from the vehicle after your shift, even if you drive the same vehicle on a daily basis.
Sometimes things can happen beyond your control and it would not be nice to come to work the next day to find your truck is no longer where you left it because it was due to have a service or for some other reason you were not notified of.
It is always good practice to have a hard case to keep your truck sat nav in so that it does not get damaged when transporting it in a work bag or backpack.
If you can afford it have a spare set of connecting cables for your sat nav and a spare sat nav mount this will enable you to remove just the unit itself leaving all your cables in place after each shift, but you will still be able to power it up should your normal truck suddenly vanish!
If you can afford it have a spare set of connecting cables for your sat nav and a spare sat nav mount this will enable you to remove just the unit itself leaving all your cables in place after each shift.
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