GPS question

[Adam]

That's what I was starting to wonder. I'd assumed there was a subscription service required, but was starting to question my assumptions.

[JRutledge]

I bought a Navigon 7100 last fall. I do not have to pay for any traffic subscription. I love all the options the Navigon has. It was a little more expensive at the time, but without paying subscriptions and being able to update software, I love this device. Most schools and popular locations are clearly listed.

Peace

[grunewar]

I've got a Garmin (no subscription for traffic). I listen to the radio while I dirive and if I ever hear of, or come upon, traffic that looks like a problem, I just hit the "detour" option and the Garmin maps me a new route. Been a life saver several times.....and sure beats a map (although I still do have maps in my vehicles too).

[refnrev]

My wife has a Tom Tom that my mother-in-law gave her and I hate it. In the city it will actually have you turn and drive one block east, then turn and go one block north, then have you turn and go one block west to get where you would have been if you had gone one block straight ahead in the first place. I has also taken her miles out of the way on trips. She had to call me once to get her back to the right highway exit to keep from driving 25 - 30 miles father west to pick the same interstate hwy.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by refnrev

My wife has a Tom Tom that my mother-in-law gave her and I hate it. In the city it will actually have you turn and drive one block east, then turn and go one block north, then have you turn and go one block west to get where you would have been if you had gone one block straight ahead in the first place. I has also taken her miles out of the way on trips. She had to call me once to get her back to the right highway exit to keep from driving 25 - 30 miles father west to pick the same interstate hwy.

There's probably an infinite number of ways that this could happen.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by refnrev

My wife has a Tom Tom that my mother-in-law gave her and I hate it.

My Tom Tom works great. No batteries. No subscription. Portable. Easy to use.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by refnrev

My wife has a Tom Tom that my mother-in-law gave her and I hate it. In the city it will actually have you turn and drive one block east, then turn and go one block north, then have you turn and go one block west to get where you would have been if you had gone one block straight ahead in the first place. I has also taken her miles out of the way on trips. She had to call me once to get her back to the right highway exit to keep from driving 25 - 30 miles father west to pick the same interstate hwy.

I would always suggest that you do not completely rely on these devices. The main thing these GPS devices do is help you do is put you in the area and give you decent directions. I do not use my GPS for primary directions to places I know where I am going. I also like to take certain routes because I know they are quicker or easier to get in and out of places. I use it primarily for the many places I go that I have never been there or I am not familiar with the surroundings. This alone has paid for itself because I even have an idea of out long it will take me to get to these places. It takes out the panic I would have when I was not aware of where I am going. Sometimes the directions are just as bad as you get from Google, but at least you have some idea of where you are. And the device will adjust for you when you make a mistake.

Peace

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Sometimes the directions are just as bad as you get from Google,

That's because there are only something like 2 or 3 mapping companies (providing the data) and 2 or 3 software companies (how to get from one spot to the next).

The rest is just the "packaging" and various bells and whistles.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

In the future, if Forum members complain that I post too many off topic images, I'll direct them to this post. Mark Padgett, and moderators: Please do not delete this post, I need it for evidence.

[JugglingReferee]

There's WNBA officiating going on right now and all we can talk about are GPS units?

BOOORRRING. . . . . .

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

In the future, if Forum members complain that I post too many off topic images,

You do post too many off-topic images. So does Mark. In fact, "off topic" and "Mark" are redundant.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

If I need directions, I just call Santa....

Mark, would a GPS work on a cruise ship that was circling the North Pole?

[jritchie]

I use a Tom Tom, you just have to download updates from the computer and it has done pretty good for me, but yes on occasion it has taken me around the block when it was't needed! But for the most part it gets you in the location you are supposed to be in and if you need to re-route for detours it really helps out too with alternate routes! Only $149 at walmart, more than paid for itself this summer on vacation and going to camps.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by refnrev

My wife has a Tom Tom that my mother-in-law gave her and I hate it. In the city it will actually have you turn and drive one block east, then turn and go one block north, then have you turn and go one block west to get where you would have been if you had gone one block straight ahead in the first place. I has also taken her miles out of the way on trips. She had to call me once to get her back to the right highway exit to keep from driving 25 - 30 miles father west to pick the same interstate hwy.

Hmmm...I'm curious...do you have any problems when you use the device?

[refnrev]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Hmmm...I'm curious...do you have any problems when you use the device?

___________________

Nope, I don't use it. The GPS system I use is called an atlas or a map. For specific locations I'll mpaquest or yahoo it, but even then, sometimes they aren't very good directions.