GPS in cars.

[dkff49]

I think the GPS is equally as dangerous as using maps or mapquest directions. They are only dangerous at different times.

The map and mapquest are dangerous when people try to read them while driving in strange places and the GPS when people try to program them while driving.

Bottom line both are very good at finding your way around as long as you use some common sense.

We use GPS in the ambulance all the time of course usually there are more than one of us in there at a time and the one not driving usually does the programming when we need it.

The nice thing about GPS though is the updates are alot faster than they are with maps. This is especially important in areas like the one I live in where housing developements are popping up on a regular basis which equates to new roads popping up constantly. Maps just don't get updated that fast but I have seen roads added to our GPS units that were only a few weeks to a couple months old, but I have seen maps that did not have roads that were a year old on them.

[Masherbrum]

And how am I distracted? I think it's more unsafe to use a map or mapquest printout than to do a quick look into a GPS screen or listen to verbal directions.

I have a photographic memory.   I read it once and off I go.  NO stops for directions, ever.   My wife hates it too, because she's still waiting for that day I have to stop.   

I will buy a GPS unit.   BUT, I will only use it to Track and log ORV routes in Michigan and on wheeling trips.   That is it.   

[Vulcan]

I have a photographic memory.

Does that mean you only have to look at porn once?

[SD67]

I've got a pornographic memory too!

[Masherbrum]

Does that mean you only have to look at porn once?

 

[Eagler]

youngest left Saturday to work with my sister in DC for the next several months. We got him a garmin for the trip and his travels around VA. First time I experienced one. Nice piece of gear - handy tool - gave him piece of mind considering the farthest he'd travel previously was the panhandle for spring break

[GtoRA2]

I notice it seems the only people talking crap about GPS units are the OLD guys here who do not have one.

It's ok guys it's not a threat to your manhood.

I do agree with Karaya for short trips, you really should know the area you live in, but for long trips, and finding trail heads if you have never run it before, it is a WONDERFUL tool.

So are pilots who use GPS wimps too?

[Russian]

So are pilots who use GPS wimps too?

I seems that way. Real "manly" pilots paint windows black and use only watch, map and compass.

[MiloMorai]

I have heard of ppl using gps ending up in unsavory neighborhoods.

Is there a way to designate these areas as 'no go'?

[Reschke]

I use a GPS only as a back up to using something like mapquest, Live.com (best online mapping utility I have found so far) or Google Earth (not the best but not worse than Mapquest for me). I also try to pick up maps for the areas that I am traveling in but sometimes you only get the big basic road map and I was something with a little more detail. Also my GPS only gets unpacked once I hit unfamiliar territory on my sales journey.

[SD67]

I have heard of ppl using gps ending up in unsavory neighborhoods.

Is there a way to designate these areas as 'no go'?

Yes there is a menu where you can designate areas to avoid.

[Eagler]

I thought the way it displayed gas stations, rest areas and restaurants a great help.
His garmin was on sale for 189 at BB. It had a big screen but did not announce the street name - the unit that did that cost almost double.
The way it displays the street name made it easy enough to use without that feature.

[Ripsnort]

Yes there is a menu where you can designate areas to avoid.

Cool! So can you do it by state? Like, "Avoid Texas altogether" ?

[MiloMorai]

Yes there is a menu where you can designate areas to avoid.

Thanks

[sluggish]

Yes there is a menu where you can designate areas to avoid.

Be careful.  This feature is not available on all models.