Garmin Announces New GPS for Truckers

Garmin recently announced the Garmin nüvi 465T GPS receiver, their first designed specifically for the trucking industry. But it should also be great for motorcoach drivers! It allows you to enter the length, width, height, and weight of your vehicle, and takes those factors into account in selecting routes to reach your destination. Garmin has updated their map data to take low overpasses, low weight bridges, truck restrictions, etc. into account when choosing routes. It’s also the first unit to include the National Truck and Trailer Services (NTTS) Breakdown Directory in addition to other trucking-related points of interest.

The nüvi 465T also includes some of Garmin’s newer features, including lane assist and speed limits. Plus it includes, at no additional charge, a lifetime subscription for traffic information — no more annual subscriptions.

I’ve been using a Garmin nüvi 660 for a little more than two years, and it’s still working great. But I’ll probably upgrade to the 465T when it’s available, and move the 660 to my car. Garmin has the most intuitive, easiest to use interface of any of the GPS receivers I’ve looked at or used. I never leave home without it. But more on that in another post coming soon!

Suggested retail for the 465T is $499, and Garmin says it will ship 2nd quarter 2009. Amazon.com says its release date is June 10, 2009. I’ll try and remember to post an update once it is shipping, and a review once I have one to play with.

Thanks to EightWheels.com reader Dave King for the tip on the 465T.