a word of warning on the gps gaget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave S]

Ya know, I have been motoring around for well over 50 years, and have made it fairly well without a GPS. When I have gotten lost, or off track, it was my issue.........not some mass of electronics, 0's and 1's and a fake voice. There may be a place for a GPS, but as a "pleasure" driver I havent found it yet. Some of my best trips and discovered locations included being lost. Travelled with a 'Bud who had a GPS and he spent all his travel time either "programming" something, or arguing with the computerized "female" voice telling him what he did wrong. No place yet in my old car (55) and old teardrop (47) for a GPS. Most of the younger folks will laugh, shudder and sneer, but I have motored substaintially in 22 of the western US and randomly in many others and if I have a destination, I have always made it........on time (whenever that is), and sane. About the only "machine" I trust is my clock..........and even that has lied to me at times. As said in other posts, common sense is the best GPS........that, along with the OFF switch........good luck travellers.

[Wimperdink]

I'm a little surprised at dome of the reactions here but I guess I shouldn't be. Change, while eminent, isn't always accepted. I think everyone who has used a gps can describe the misgivings of a gps quite thoroughly, but would agree that the benefits outweigh the misgivings hands down. For those of you who have purchased a GPS and have found it to be deadly, just pm me for my address and I'll take it off your hands and put it to good use. Better yet, I'll send you a paper map of your state in trade, and a link to where you can purchase a sextant and you can follow the stars if you wish.

Lets see how many of them I end up with.

[working on it]

I've had a GPS for 3 years (my wife's old one), and only used it once. If I need to find a location unknown to me, my preferences are Google maps, MS Street & Trips, and old-fashioned maps. All of the above have failed me more than once, so relying solely on any or all is unsound. Best to keep your eyes open and focused on your surroundings. I see some drivers daily during my morning commute with their GPS on...every day on the same route. Unbelievable. Not drivers in my book.

[Captain Monkeyshines]

It always irks me a bit, when people blame their (or other peoples) troubles on objects. Just as the old saying about guns goes "Guns don't kill people, people kill people" the GPS units are the same way. "GPS units don't kill people, people kill people" Inanimate objects don't have any inclination to killing anyone. I would be quite shocked to hear the British Lady in the little box on my dashboard say "Turn left in 500 feet, prepare to die at your earliest convenience"

As a map person, I always have atlases and Gazeteers for wherever I travel (and the nearby states - just in case I go further tham I thought I would), but the GPS is right there too. It's a great tool when used properly, and when you have one of those "just where the heck am I at?" moments, it only takes a minute to use the GPS to pinpoint yourself on a map so you can plan a new route.
Planning and preparedness are never a bad thing....

[emiller]

Most don't set up there GPS properly they just turn it on and go. They are very accurate. Most are set up to run on the interstates and if your off the grid it will keep wanting to turn you down a different road to get you to the interstate, You also need to update your GPS every once in awhile. How often do you buy a paper map, most are already out dated when you purchase it. Need to be aware when traveling in not familiar areas. If a GPS gets you lost you should find your way out but without one and your lost your just plain lost.

[ebutler]

[quote="angib"]Over here the problem is with big trucks following satnavs (as we call GPSs) and getting led down unsuitable roads, like this:

We had one of those here a week ago. A extra wide load truck driver went through downtown.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2012/02/22/truck-tears-through-town/
I suppose the trucking industry is like everything else, hire the cheapest driver possible.
Elmo

[mechmagcn]

Never had a GPS and doubt I ever will That said, I'm headed off next month for a grand adventure that will probably be around 15K miles before I get back home. I have ordered paper maps of the areas I plan to travel through, but I like to follow the last line in my signature.... You're never lost if you don't care where you're going

[Martiangod]

Greatest thing since slice bread.
1st thing I turn on when I start the truck
Bluetooth so I'm hands free with my phone, displays whos calling so I know if i want to answer or not.
If I'm just crusin in unfamiliar territory, I can just bug off down some back road and see new sceinery, it always gets me back on a main track even if it is across some field and creek.
Gives me good location if I need to call 911 if i come across an accident.
Keeps accurate milage for billing on service calls, time at location and such, don't wear a watch and havn't for 8 years.
If going somewhere I've never been, punch in ZIP and go. no fighting with paper while I'm trying to drive....Safey first
Plays MP3's through the car stereo if out of range of radio stations.... Frequent
Gives me someone to talk to on long solo drives
I love mine, just need to have half a brain when using

I just find it a very useful tool, just like all the rest of the tools in my tool box

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I love mine, just need to have half a brain when using

Exactly! You just have to be smarter than the little idiot box on the dash!

In reality, using a GPS isn't too far off from using a map: if you don't know how to use either of them, they'll both get you lost. To many people rely solely on the idiot box and throw common sense out the window. They're the ones that end up in BFE and out of gas. Ever see the movie "Wrong Turn"?

[Woodstramp]

I've always been a KISS sort of person. Like "use a hammer instead of an air nailer" or "shoot a longbow instead of a modern compound", etc.

Never put much stock in GPS units....until I bought my first one. It was really basic and old, but when it locked, gave me the coordinates of the hill I was standing on. I then dialed this in on a gridded topo map....BINGO...I was instantly hooked. Like Martiangod....mine is on anywhere I go. Got one in the car, one in the backpack. You just have to familiarize youreself with it's strengths and weeknesses, like any tool.