Who here uses a GPS?

[Stratuscaster]

I own one and use it daily - but not for actually routing me between home and work, because I've kinda got that figured out.

I like the "estimated time of arrival" feature. Like others, I do like to see where it thinks I should go compared to where I know I should go. It has gotten me out of places I wish I hadn't gone. I've loaded it with POI's of very important things - and many not-so-important-but-interesting things - so they show up on the map while I'm driving.

But biggest feature is that it has Bluetooth that pairs with my phone, so I can use it hands-free when needed. And it's portable, so if I change vehicles it comes along with me.

Something interesting...Garmin recently issued a map update. They've added a lot of walking/biking paths to the database - for example, a lot of the Great Western Trail and it's spurs in the west Chicago burbs and now shown. There are some spurs that lead to the middle school my son attends. The GPS doesn't have the driveway, bus lanes, and parking lot for the school - but it does show those paths. And it tells me to use them to drop my son off at the school, despite the fact that I really shouldn't be driving a car on them. So yes, blind following of one's GPS is NOT recommended.

[OracleUsr]

 I own a TomTom and my Droid phone has Verizon Navigator.    I don't generally like to use it, but there are times when it's really helpful.  For instance, my favorite train shop in NC (Little Choo Choo Shop in Spencer) required me to go through downtown Salisbury on US 29/70.  I was always curious if that was the shortest route there.  Turns out it's not.  You can go the back streets and avoid downtown completely.

Also, I can find restaurants in town more easily if I'm in an unfamiliar area.  Yes, you have blue signs, but driving around looking for something specific on them is a waste of time (did that in New Jersey back in 2009).

[Duke87]

I don't have a dedicated device, but I do have the maps app on my phone. It is capable of narrating directions (at least I think it is), but that's not a feature I use. I like having a portable street atlas, but I insist on doing the navigating myself. The most I will do is ask it where something is. Once I've got a pin in the map, I handle the routing myself. Only downside is, I get charged through the nose to data roam, so I don't. Which means my maps app is not usable in Canada or in any pocket of the US which Verizon has chosen to foresake (or, more commonly, anywhere where there simply isn't a signal).


My father's car has a GPS unit built in. Which has both good and bad to it. Good: it works in Canada, and regardless of cell coverage. Good: it's nice, as a passenger, to be able to follow along precisely on a map where you are. Bad: the map by default (at least you can change it) tracks the direction you're facing and orients itself accordingly. I understand that most people prefer this, but personally I get disoriented if north is not towards the top of the picture. Bad: it won't let you use anything but basic controls while the car is moving. Obviously designed to prevent distracted driving, but it also prevents the passenger from playing with it.

[amroad17]

Obviously, I do not (see my signature).

BTW, I sort of changed my original signature (with the parenthesis) because I thought PHLBOS was referring to me in his signature.  Until now, when I read his comment about GPS's.

[kphoger]

The mobile website our cable techs use to keep track of their work has a map feature built in that maps out all their jobs using Google Maps.  Also included is a "Get Directions" feature.  Most guys have sat-nav in their trucks anyway, but the Google Maps one makes it easy to map out all the jobs and pick which ones to go to in what order.

[empirestate]

I don't have a dedicated device, but I do have the maps app on my phone. It is capable of narrating directions (at least I think it is), but that's not a feature I use. I like having a portable street atlas, but I insist on doing the navigating myself. The most I will do is ask it where something is. Once I've got a pin in the map, I handle the routing myself. Only downside is, I get charged through the nose to data roam, so I don't. Which means my maps app is not usable in Canada or in any pocket of the US which Verizon has chosen to foresake (or, more commonly, anywhere where there simply isn't a signal).

There are, of course, many apps that don't need a data connection because the maps are pre-loaded (just like standalone units).

[PHLBOS]

BTW, I sort of changed my original signature (with the parenthesis) because I thought PHLBOS was referring to me in his signature.  Until now, when I read his comment about GPS's.

BTW in no way did I intend nor insinuate you my earlier posts nor signature.  I wrote my signature in reference to many (not on this site) people I've seen that view GPS info. as infallable.

On a more serious note, unlike my earlier-post featuring the Nationwide GPS ad.; apparently an overheight charter bus in Boston collided with a low overpass (10 Ft. clearance) along Soldiers Field Road despite the presence of numerous signs stating the low bridge clearance. as well as entrance/exit ramps for overheight vehicles to use to avoid the low overpass (Western Ave. interchange BTW was the location of the accident).  This accident occurred last night.

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/02/bus_crash_bridge_was_due_rehab_next_year

Excerpts:

At this point our understanding of the cause of this crash remains unchanged from what was released earlier: the driver failed to observe and heed signs warning of a 10-foot height limit on Soldiers Field Road,"  state police spokesman David Procopio said in s statement this morning. "The driver will likely be cited for an overheight violation. The ongoing investigation will determine whether he faces more serious charges as well."
...

The bus hit the Western Avenue Bridge at 7:55 p.m. Harrington said there are signs before the bridge saying it has a 10-foot-high limit. He said the bus was at least 12 feet high.

A preliminary investigation indicates the driver did not see the sign and the bus was not supposed to be on the road, said state police spokesman David Procopio, adding an investigation will determine if any charges are brought. Talmedge said the driver didn't know about the road restrictions.

Although the article doesn't state such; one has to wonder if the bus driver from Philadelphia may have been over-reliant on his GPS (do any of these devices have settings to not use/block out roads w/truck height/weight restrictions?) rather than heeding the warning signs... especially since there were exit/escape ramps available.  That's just my guess/opinion as towards why the driver ignored the warning signs.  If proven true (over-relying on his GPS), this accident did not have to happen IMHO.

[US81]

Like many on this site, I used to be well-known as the person to whom to go for directions.  If the one asking was an acquaintance, rather than a friend, I was proud of my ability to - with just one or two questions - understand how that person navigated - by landmarks, signage, cardinal directions, whatever - and quickly identify the best route for that person and describe it in the clearest terms for that person.

I find myself mourning that skill is now unused and unappreciated (except by immediate family and close friends) in the GPS day and age.

[nwi_navigator_1181]

Although the article doesn't state such; one has to wonder if the bus driver from Philadelphia may have been over-reliant on his GPS (do any of these devices have settings to not use/block out roads w/truck height/weight restrictions?) rather than heeding the warning signs... especially since there were exit/escape ramps available.  That's just my guess/opinion as towards why the driver ignored the warning signs.  If proven true (over-relying on his GPS), this accident did not have to happen IMHO.

All major GPS manufacturers (Magellan, TomTom, Garmin, Rand McNally - yes, THAT Rand McNally) have units specialized for oversized vehicles, be they semi-trucks, RVs, or buses. It's still up the user to accurately profile the vehicle that he or she is driving (height, weight, width, and other measurements), as well as keep the maps up to date.

As an aside, I love your "GPS does not equal GOD" signature, because you are spot on. In regards to what US81 said, people still ask me for directions all the time, especially since I know all the exit numbers and reference points in my head.

[hbelkins]

Like many on this site, I used to be well-known as the person to whom to go for directions.  If the one asking was an acquaintance, rather than a friend, I was proud of my ability to - with just one or two questions - understand how that person navigated - by landmarks, signage, cardinal directions, whatever - and quickly identify the best route for that person and describe it in the clearest terms for that person.

I find myself mourning that skill is now unused and unappreciated (except by immediate family and close friends) in the GPS day and age.

I bought my wife a GPS just so I could be relieved of my duties of a human GPS when she was traveling, but she still finds me more reliable than the GPS. When she takes a long-distance trip, I will write out explicit directions for her and will often include in those directions an admonishment not to pay attention to what her GPS is telling her.

[PHLBOS]

All major GPS manufacturers (Magellan, TomTom, Garmin, Rand McNally - yes, THAT Rand McNally) have units specialized for oversized vehicles, be they semi-trucks, RVs, or buses. It's still up the user to accurately profile the vehicle that he or she is driving (height, weight, width, and other measurements), as well as keep the maps up to date.

Here's a couple updates regarding that bus crash; it turns out that the driver looked down at his GPS prior to approaching the low overpass.  I Knew It!  I Knew It!  I Knew It!

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/02/%E2%80%98historic%E2%80%99_overpass_won%E2%80%99t_be_raised_when_repaired

Excerpt:

Calvary Coach owner Ray Talmedge told WCAU-TV that Jackson looked down at his GPS and saw the bridge when he looked up, but it was too late to avoid hitting it.

An article from The Philadelphia Inquirer, the bus in question was transporting high-school age students from the Lower Bucks County area, gives another GPS-related take on the matter.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130204_After_bus_crash__at_least_four_of_42_Bucks_passengers_remain_hospitalized_in_Boston.html

Excerpt (Bold emphasis added):

Several people familiar with the Boston area said they weren't surprised the crash happened on Soldiers Field Road. The low clearances apparently have been problematic for decades with out-of-town bus drivers and new college students in moving trucks.

Adding to the problem, GPS systems and online maps don't always include bridge heights or other logistical restrictions.

Based on the above-two articles, it's painfully obvious that this bus driver's GPS unit either didn't have the commerical vehicle setting nor was properly set up for such.  Had he not looked at his GPS at that moment, he would've seen the exit (overheight vehicle escape) ramp, exited off (& gotten back on beyond the at-grade intersection w/Western Ave.) and avoided the tragedy (& pending lawsuits).

Like many on this site, I used to be well-known as the person to whom to go for directions.  If the one asking was an acquaintance, rather than a friend, I was proud of my ability to - with just one or two questions - understand how that person navigated - by landmarks, signage, cardinal directions, whatever - and quickly identify the best route for that person and describe it in the clearest terms for that person.

I find myself mourning that skill is now unused and unappreciated (except by immediate family and close friends) in the GPS day and age.

I feel your pain on that one; we're becoming like the lonely Maytag Repairman. 

However, I did get a call from one friend who lost her GPS (she accidentally threw it out w/her trash when she was cleaning out her car) and needed directions to a church that was having a coffehouse night.  After talking her through some turns (I had my ADC atlas within grabbing distance) she got there without too much trouble.

There was also another time I got a call from someone who either missed a turn from her GPS or it was completely screwing him up directionwise.  Again, I had a local atlas handy and directed to where he needed to go.

So I still get calls/direction requests but not as often.

When she takes a long-distance trip, I will write out explicit directions for her and will often include in those directions an admonishment not to pay attention to what her GPS is telling her.

Whenever I write out directions for somebody, if I know the message(s) on the guidance signs (BGS/LGS), I will include those listings in the directions.  Heck, on hand-written directions, I've even drawn replicas of the key signs to highlight the exits/turns.

[kkt]

I take a GPS with me when I'm hiking, though I depend primarily on topo map and compass.  (Oh, did you mean in my car?)

[ilvny]

I use my GPS whenever I go to a major city, somewhere I've never been to, or somewhere far, even if I know how to get there.  I like to have it with me so I can find places in case I need to make a rest stop.  I also like knowing the traffic conditions so if I have to take a detour, I will know where I am going.

I have my GPS mounted in the center of my dashboard.

I have a Garmin nuvi which has traffic info, lane assist (shows which lane to be in), and junction view (shows you an image of the highway with overhead green signs with an arrow showing where you should be.  My GPS also has Bluetooth that I use with my cell phone, but I only use the Bluetooth feature for important calls and I keep the calls brief.  Bluetooth also allows you to call a point of interest through the GPS (works as a speakerphone).

I also purchased Garmin Lifetime Updates, which is a one-time payment that allows you to install new maps free of charge.  You install a program on your computer called Garmin Lifetime Updater and it will notify you when new maps are available.

[Laura]

I like to use Google Maps on my phone. I treat it as a mini, zoom-able atlas. I like to type in directions so that I can see the three options that Google recommends, but I sometimes follow a different path that either I know is better (or takes roads that I'd like to take, regardless of distance). I use it the most at the beginning of a trip (for a general trip outline) and at the end of a trip (where there are lots of quick, 0.1 mile turns).

I've used a Garmin GPS for a short-term book delivery trip to NJ, and my favorite activity was "guess where the destination actually is!" If Garmin told me to look left, I'd look right, etc. The knowledge of the GPS was invaluable for that trip, especially since I was in a different state and needed a lot of local knowledge for delivery stops.

I still prefer to look at the directions in advance and memorize them, and to look at the paper maps and atlas as I go along.

[hobsini2]

I have used GPSs from time to time when I storm chase out west. However, I do not trust them when it comes to giving directions. I have 2 examples.

A couple years ago when I was chasing in western Kansas, the GPS I was using had said "Turn left here" and it was an entrance in to a farmer's wheat field.  I looked up the road to see if there was another "left" at a road. There wasn't. We took that left at the entrance and somehow made it across the field to the highway we were looking for.

The other one just happened last week when I was training someone for becoming a limo driver in Chicago. He brought his GPS. The directions it gave from Aurora to Midway was fine using 88 to 294 south to 55 north. But I wanted to see how good a GPS he had. I exited on to 355 south to get the GPS to recalculate. Until I got to 63rd St/Hobson Rd, it wanted me to exit and head back north to 88.  After 63rd, it recalculated and said "Take I-55 South toward St Louis". That as I am sure we all know is completely the wrong direction to get to Midway. I proved my point to this guy and said, "That is exactly why I do not trust GPSs. Learn to read a map book."

[realjd]

I have used GPSs from time to time when I storm chase out west. However, I do not trust them when it comes to giving directions. I have 2 examples.

A couple years ago when I was chasing in western Kansas, the GPS I was using had said "Turn left here" and it was an entrance in to a farmer's wheat field.  I looked up the road to see if there was another "left" at a road. There wasn't. We took that left at the entrance and somehow made it across the field to the highway we were looking for.

The other one just happened last week when I was training someone for becoming a limo driver in Chicago. He brought his GPS. The directions it gave from Aurora to Midway was fine using 88 to 294 south to 55 north. But I wanted to see how good a GPS he had. I exited on to 355 south to get the GPS to recalculate. Until I got to 63rd St/Hobson Rd, it wanted me to exit and head back north to 88.  After 63rd, it recalculated and said "Take I-55 South toward St Louis". That as I am sure we all know is completely the wrong direction to get to Midway. I proved my point to this guy and said, "That is exactly why I do not trust GPSs. Learn to read a map book."

Where did it want you to go after you got onto I-55? I suspect back off at the next exit. In my experience, GPSs aren't always the quickest, most direct, or best route, but they never give you directions that just plain won't get you there (excepting of course bad map data, like the example with the bike paths above).

[NE2]

Where did it want you to go after you got onto I-55? I suspect back off at the next exit. In my experience, GPSs aren't always the quickest, most direct, or best route, but they never give you directions that just plain won't get you there (excepting of course bad map data, like the example with the bike paths above).

My guess is that it had the wrong text for the correct exit ramp.

[realjd]

Where did it want you to go after you got onto I-55? I suspect back off at the next exit. In my experience, GPSs aren't always the quickest, most direct, or best route, but they never give you directions that just plain won't get you there (excepting of course bad map data, like the example with the bike paths above).

My guess is that it had the wrong text for the correct exit ramp.

Good point. I've run into that before, notably in Austin where my Garmin uses "North I35" and "South I35" for the on ramps and service roads not based on direction but based on what side of town I'm on.

[kkt]

In my experience, GPSs aren't always the quickest, most direct, or best route, but they never give you directions that just plain won't get you there (excepting of course bad map data, like the example with the bike paths above).

Not the best route, bad map data.  It's all the same from the middle of the wheat field.

[hobsini2]

Where did it want you to go after you got onto I-55? I suspect back off at the next exit. In my experience, GPSs aren't always the quickest, most direct, or best route, but they never give you directions that just plain won't get you there (excepting of course bad map data, like the example with the bike paths above).

My guess is that it had the wrong text for the correct exit ramp.

Good point. I've run into that before, notably in Austin where my Garmin uses "North I35" and "South I35" for the on ramps and service roads not based on direction but based on what side of town I'm on.

It was the oddest thing. I looked at the "map" on it after it said that and it did in fact want me to exit on to 55 south and go to Rt 53 to make a u turn. Like i said, I don't trust them.

[Stratuscaster]

That sounds like outdated maps/data more than anything else.

But I also agree - do not trust your GPS implicitly.

[US71]

That sounds like outdated maps/data more than anything else.

But I also agree - do not trust your GPS implicitly.

I use GPS sparingly. I have a GPS speedometer app on my phone that's fairly reliable.

[kphoger]

That sounds like outdated maps/data more than anything else.

I remember construction around that interchange back in the mid-Noughties, but nothing that closed down the connection between SB I-355 and NB I-55.  I wasn't living in the area when the 355 extension was opened, but I rather doubt they would have closed down that connection at any point during the process.  Besides which, that was several years ago.  So "outdated data" doesn't seem too likely in my opinion.

[US81]

Good point. I've run into that before, notably in Austin where my Garmin uses "North I35" and "South I35" for the on ramps and service roads not based on direction but based on what side of town I'm on.
[/quote]

That sounds like common nomenclature, at least in much of Texas, to refer to interstates and freeways as directionals from downtown. This is common on city streets: East or West Main St or North or South Oak Street.  So, in Austin, "North I-35" refers to anything north of the Colorado River up to Round Rock        (where "South I-35, Round Rock" starts.)  Therefore one could either be driving north or south on "North I-35."   

Same usage in other Texas cities in which I have driven - is it different elsewhere?

[realjd]

^^^
Most other places don't have service roads so the terminology is inherently different, but no, that's not how it's done elsewhere. Everywhere else I've been, the direction refers to the direction if travel and is consistent with the signs. It was jarring having the GPS tell me to turn right onto "I35 North" when I had to follow the sign for "I35 South".