BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Greg F.
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 04:57 PM

Ya mean genital herpes ISN'T here to stay, Kendall? You's best get hold of the NIH A.S.A.P!

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Becca72
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 04:11 PM

I want Spaw's 2nd version done in the voice of Tony Soprano. I would run out and buy that immediately.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 11:05 AM

LAst night, Madam Geepus took us down a dirt road which supposedly connected two major routes. It dead ended and we had to back out. This was in the middle of Princeton, NJ. Go figure!

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: kendall
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 07:47 PM

..so is genital herpes...GregF that has to be one of the silliest things you have ever said!

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: olddude
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 03:21 PM

I am very good at reading hiking maps but it is sure as HELL easier to use the handheld GPS. and having both when you are hiking ain't a bad idea. But if it is good enough for the special forces anywhere in the world, it is good enough for me cause it has brought me out of the bush many times. And you put new batteries in them, that is how it works or bring some with ya. You could also lose your paper map also or burn it up in a campfire or have a bear eat it ... yada yada. Hitting a little button works kinda nice I think and I tend to go places most won't when I go fishin, it comes with me, along with a .44 mag

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Greg F.
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 02:37 PM

If those versions come out, Spaw, I would buy either or both of them immediately.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 02:00 PM

Karen and I use V-Tech on the phone and it works extremely well. Occasionally, when I know a better way we just play around with the damn thing by NOT following diections.   Its funlistening to it recalculate to get you there which brings up the voices..........

The voices and accents available are all well and good but I think I could sell one with something different...........say, Jewish mother:

"Do you have your turn signal on yet? You need to have it on NOW. Watch the curb when you turn BUT don't turn too wide. Slow down some more and get ready to turn. Okay, turn now....I SAID NOW....and watch the curb.....whoa up there and straighten out....c'mon c'mon....geez....What am I gonna do with you? Are you paying attenetion? Your next turn is in 3 blocks......did you hear me?"

Or Authoritarian Bad-Ass:

"Hey-Hey-HEY.....Geeziz Dumbass......you just missed the fuckin' turn! I told you about it 5 miles back but you think you're so gawdamned smart......Well, just cool your shit a bit while I figure a new way and THIS TIME you listen Motherfucker......YOU GOT THAT? Okay, let's turn left at the next intersection....HEY....RIGHT HERE FUCKHEAD....THIS ONE........TURN GAWDDAMMIT.......Aw Christ, you screwed the pooch again.....You wanna' do this by yourself? Yeah, I thought not....Okay....three blocks up and we take the left fork. You know what a fork is Assshole or do I need to shove one up your ass? Take the left fork.......One Block.....Okay Dipstick, turn NOW! .....Great......Only about 5 miles longer this way and don't even think about blaming me or I'll be on you like stink on shit......"


I think these would sell.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 12:47 PM

>>Resist all you want, they are here to stay.

So's genital herpes. Doesn't mean I should run out & get it.

>>I own and use a GPS, Kendall


Does this mean you also have genital herpes?

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Greg F.
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 12:35 PM

Resist all you want, they are here to stay.

So's genital herpes. Doesn't mean I should run out & get it.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: kendall
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 08:25 PM

Resist all you want, they are here to stay.

I should buy a "Rice burner" just for the map lights?

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 07:52 PM

Having her there in the car telling you which way you ought to go can be quite companiable. But on any unfamiliar journey I'd want a map as back up. Machines can die on you, but printed paper doesn't.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: skarpi
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 07:39 PM

New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?                     no thanks
1. it cost to much ,
2. here in my small country í dont need unless I go drivin on the claciers in a snow storm s like some people are havinfun with

3, yes in America where everything seems so big , although
last time i came there we got GPS system in the car and still we got
lost , but I thinks thats becouse there were three vikings in the car
Irish/scottish/Icelandic and that is not a good compination
in a car ... to a right way to go ... :O) hee hee

so I dont need one , I have been drivin over the mountains
to work for 12 years in alsorts of weather blind snowstorms
and with crazy winds up 40 mtr pr sec you dont see a thing
maybe half meter in front of you ,,, still I always made it home
in my family VOLVO 240 mostly we build the road higer than the land
is so the wind will take the snow and blow it away :O) but still
you cant see a damm thing . Here we go to work , we dont care
if its blind or not , unless its so crazy crazy , then we stay home ....for short while :O) its so fun drivin in the snowstorms .

do I wish I would one these gps things , no it wont drive my car
I still need to look out of the window , when I dont have to stear it
and then I get one I can sleep on my way home :O)

all the best from Iceland in a springtime weather its 8+ and the wind is from the south with rain , while most of europe is covered with snow . some how I feel it should the other way around .

Skarpi Iceland .

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 12:15 PM

Get a Subaru ... they have excellent 'map lights'

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: kendall
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 11:59 AM

Like I said, you cant expect any machine to think for you.
And, you can't read a friggin map in a car at night because the "map lights" are a joke.

I can go anywhere in Maine without a map or a GPS because we only have one road.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 01:33 PM

I can find my way around without GPS. I've often done so. But it does save me a lot of time. It can lead you astray. That's where you have to use your head. When it tells me to drive off a cliff or into a lake or a quarry or 40 miles out of my way on a 30 mile trip. I look for a safer route.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Greg F.
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 01:22 PM

Greg F, the dinosaurs all died off because they were not able to cope with a changing invironment.

Or were they killed off by electronic toy techno-solutions in search of a problem?

I own and use a GPS, Kendall- but I'd be a damn (and very likely dead) fool if I relied upon it.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 01:03 PM

... I forgot to add Maine, New Hanpshire and Massachusetts to the list above ... I agree with Kendall that Bostol is hell to drive in ... I'm sure it's even to complicated for a GPS to guide through it.

I also try to avoid driving in major cities .... use public transportation .... not only is it more fun, but you really get to feel the city when using a bus, subway, train and even a taxi.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 12:52 PM

I don't know how I ever could have driven through Ontario, Quebec, the maritime provinces, Newfoundland, Ireland, Scotland, England, parts of Mexico, Portugal, parts of Spain, driven down to New Orleans, through the Southenrn U.S. and back up to Ontario again without one.

hey


I've never have owned one ... or even used one!

Made a few wrong turns off track occaisionally ... but never been lost.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Jeri
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 12:44 PM

The dinosaurs died out because they all tried to migrate to a warmer climate and their GPS re-routed them through Ottawa.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: kendall
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 12:35 PM

And if you don't have one at all you are always fu$ked.

I wonder if the old die hards complained about the sextant when they were used to the quadrant or the astrolab?

GregF, the dinosaurs all died off because they were not able to cope with a changing invironment. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Greg F.
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 11:07 AM

The hand held one you set the waypoint to your car, take any path and it will get you back to your car everytime

Unless, of course, the battery dies, there's a software glitch, or you can't get a signal.

Then, without a map and compass, you're totally fu$ked.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: olddude
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 10:14 AM

I had one in my car since they first came out and upgraded many times. I even have a hand held one that gets me back to my car when fishin in the high rockies ... I can't live without one anymore. The hand held one you set the waypoint to your car, take any path and it will get you back to your car everytime. In deep woods you can lose the signal so you gotta get to a clear shot at the sky but even that one works great. Likewise if you fall and hurt yourself, if you have a cell you can tell them exactly where you are (if you have a cell signal). If you hike a lot get a hand held also, they are cheap anymore. However, the one in the car is a must I think anymore.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 07:41 PM

My new HD radio is a bit larger than a watch, displays full color and has the best sound I have heard from any mobile device. For less than 35 dollars I am gasterflabbed.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: kendall
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 04:51 PM

Boston is the nightmare.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 12:35 AM

Jacqui, Even Western Avenue in Augusty ain't that bad--compared to New York.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 09:48 AM

Driving solo, particularly in a built up area doesn't really make it easy to keep referring to a map and in the dark one can't SEE the map without frequent stops to turn on the light.

From experience it is sometimes difficult to find anywhere to stop, due to the preponderence of parked vehicles. Even with a passenger, if they are unfamiliar with map reading or the way that street signs are set out (I'm thinking of trying to drive to Highgate Cemetery on a busy Sunday afternoon with Kendall trying to make sense of the A to Z and the lack of a lot of street names) it can be a nightmare.

Both of us are pretty bright but I will use technology if it makes something easier and my GPS system certainly falls into that category.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: kendall
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 07:13 AM

I had a Mate in the Explorer who always read the chart upside down when heading south. It makes sense, but I didn't take to that method.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Tangledwood
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:50 AM

"the future ... European system" - the present system covers most of Europe already. At least my "Garmin" is supposed to be able to guide me around most European countries. And North America too. Amazing creatures.

The current coverage, pretty well world-wide, is provided by the American GPS constellation of satellites. The future system I referred to is Galileo, European Union owned, currently in the contract awarding stage.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 11:16 PM

What Lady Hillary and I do when going to Terra Incognita is print out a computer route AND use the GPS. We call ours Madam Geepus and enjoy the hell out of the irritating voice, mispronunciations and all.

Everytime we get into recalculating course mode, we get to thinking of "Lost in Space" and the idiot robot frequently stating "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!"

The beauty of GPS is that they are generally stupid. After almost two years, it still has not learned that its interpretation of the numbers on our street is wrong. If I were to let it, it would take me on loops that, by its interpretation, are faster but are actually Off Course Excursions before bringing me back to the same route it would have ended up with by going straight.

It is also interesting it does not have streets listed in its index-- often quite old ones which still exist.

Make sure your spelling is in agreement with the machine's. If your machine does not spell out Route but uses an abbreviation, it will likely not accept the full spelling as legitimate.

On Monday, we were going to a place we did not know and ended up about 2 hours out of our way, literally going to a town in New Jersey by way of Pennsylvania.

By the way, in the US, SatNav is the name of the technology which was superceded by GPS.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: CarolC
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 10:44 PM

Many years ago, a previous husband was doing the navigating while I drove. He was holding the map upside down. I kept telling him he was holding the map upside down, but he was insistent. I finally gave up and decided that I would let him see for himself where the road we were on went. It went, as I predicted, straight into the Chesapeake bay. So much for people and maps.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 09:30 PM

Well, I thought it was leading me astray, but I went the way it said, and lo and behold there was a shortcut I had never known about in 25 years of living here... too cool! Sometimes it's right!

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: CarolC
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 08:32 PM

Or a map.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 07:49 PM

Of course you can't rely on a human passenger either...

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: kendall
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 07:42 PM

You can't rely on a machine to think for you.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 01:27 PM

We have navigated miles of urban jungle using an iPhone's built in mapping feature. Usually BBW sits alongside and describes the map; this is better than TomTom because you can't tell TomTom's "inner lady" to shut the hell up or re-think her map. :D


A

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 01:22 PM

Remembering a radio report of woman who drove her Mercedes into a farm pond on the orders of her SatNav some years ago.

We quite like using the old, sun faded torn on the spiral binding, doggeared AA Road Atlas, so have not yet purchased a SatNav. Quite often we preprint google maps.

TSO is interested in the walker's GPS kit though. And I wouldn't mind him having it as he came down the wrong side of Fairfield Horseshoe during storm and fog in the Lake District a couple of years ago. Made him really late and worried me no end.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 11:16 AM

It's critical that we know exactly where we are going.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: GUEST,Kendall
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 08:43 AM

GregF, when we landed in Sacramento at night, raining we were damn glad to have the GPS. There was no way to be able to see a map.
I can read maps and charts with anyone but you have to be able to see what you are doing.
Get your nose down before it rains and drowns you! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 11:45 PM

GPS in a car, used properly is NO more dangerous than the radio or climate control

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 11:42 PM

I like to say Geepess. It sounds Homer Simpson like.

Becca, I've found TomTom to be a good balance of price and features. All the features I need at the lowest price.

GPS in a car, used properly is now more dangerous than the radio or climate control. Use the voice commands, put it where you can see it and the road at once. Use it to plan your turns well in advance. ALLWAYS believe your eyes above the machine. MaGrath is correct a person is driving the car.

Anyone who says maps are better probably either has not used both or is pulling legs.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 09:59 PM

GLONASS is a striking enough term, and you can pronounce it. I dislike acronyms which you have to pronounce letter by letter. "Gee-pee-ess"...

"the future ... European system" - the present system covers most of Europe already. At least my "Garmin" is supposed to be able to guide me around most European countries. And North America too. Amazing creatures.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Tangledwood
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 09:33 PM

What's wrong with calling them "satnavs"?

Nothing I suppose, if those you are communicating with have the same understanding of the term as you do. Of course satnav is a convenient abbreviation of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) the generic term which, as well as American GPS, includes Russian GLONASS, and the future Chinese and European systems.
I don't know that my TomTom GPS will pick them up.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 09:33 PM

Trouble is I have Satnag as well to contend with...the Mrs!

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 09:28 PM

sometimes getting lost is a fun part of the trip.


True enough - but if you use your Satnav imaginatively you can get lost together very enjoyably. Just set her to avoid the big roads, and do the opposite of what she says every now and again.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 08:59 PM

Mine gets confused if we go driving in the bush...just shows green and yellow blocks on the screen and no road.

It annoys me when it tells me to take turnings I know will not take me to where I want to go. I try telling it to shut up but it ignores me.

I like it when it tells me to drive 500km...done that several times on trips up north from Perth.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 08:48 PM

sometimes getting lost is a fun part of the trip.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 08:10 PM

I got one a year ago as a gift, but haven't hooked it up yet. I'm not resistant to the idea or anything, I just haven't been anyplace new in the last year. We travel a fair bit, going to art fairs and festivals, but it's to the same places year after year. I could get to all of 'em blindfolded.

However, we'll be going to South Carolina for my daughter's wedding in April. I'll hook it up by then. She gave the thing to me so I guess I should let it guide me to the wedding chapel.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 07:59 PM

They never "steer you wrong", even if they sometimes might tell you the wrong way - the driver is the one with the steering wheel.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: CarolC
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 07:37 PM

...and if you are so adamant that people should use their brains instead of technology, maybe you should dispense with the maps and just navigate by the stars.

Subject: RE: BS: New Toy! I got a GPS, what about you?
From: CarolC
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 07:35 PM

Sometimes they steer you wrong, but then so do maps. Even Google and MapQuest maps. You have to use judgement whether you are using a map or a GPS. It's still no reason to say that nobody should use a GPS any more than to say that nobody should use a map.

GPS devices are maps in the form of software. If you're using a road map that's five years old, for instance (and most people don't update their maps all that often), you're not getting any better information than a GPS that is five years old. They're both using the same basic information. If you update your GPS, you'll have more current information. Same with maps. For people who do a lot of driving, as JtS does, it would be cost prohibitive to try to update the number of paper maps he would have to use for all the driving he does, especially in metropolitan areas. He needs to have maps that are very high resolution. And he would have far more maps in the car with him than would be practical. He can use the map software in his computer, but that's not really any more accurate than either his GPS or a paper map that is not brand new. When his original GPS became out of date, he bought a better one on sale with updated maps. He's in far better shape with that than he would be with paper maps. And I got the old one as a hand-me-down, which is sufficient for my needs here in town.