First experience with GPS
By reinydawn
@reinydawn (11643)
United States
July 7, 2008 8:32am CST
We went to Atlantic City over the weekend and although we know how to get there, we used a GPS system to see where it would take us. We knew right away it would try to take us up I-95 and we wanted to take 301. So we started out the wrong way and it kept trying to get us to turn around at every intersection. Then it just said we were not going the right way, it would pick up again when we were on track or we could ask for modified directions. This happened a few times because we wanted to avoid toll roads and some of the busier roadways. That was the first annoying thing about it.
It also was very confusing because it would tell us to turn slight right onto the same road we were on. That happened a couple times when the entire road veered to the right - we didn't have a choice but to go that way.
I know people rave about these things, but we eventuall turned it off and just drove. Listening to the narrator was annoying because we'd look for something that wasn't there when we knew we were going the right way.
It did tell us to take one road that I've never taken before and I need to look it up and see if that was actually a better way than how we normally go.
Do you have a GPS system? If so, do you like it?
5 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
7 Jul 08
GPS SatNav units work fine as long as you can trust the accuracy of the map that comes with it! There have been major road modifications in places where I have been a visitor,and using my GPS hasn't been much use when a turn it tells you to take no longer exists...They are useful as a backup means of navigation,but the Mk 1 Eyeball still has a lot going for it..I've read news items about truckers using GPS and taking a route completely unsuitable for their Truck-One guy got himself immobilised overnight in a single track country lane when he got wedged by trees..Most of them will give you the option to choose the Fastest route,or the Shortest route,or things you want to avoid,like toll roads,etc..they definitely need some means of fast updating that's fast enough to allow for roadworks! On the whole,I think they're good-use it to explore places and routes you wouldn't usually take!
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
7 Jul 08
It would have been nice if we could have said that we wanted to take route 301 and avoid all tolls. But we didn't have that option, so we just bagged it after a while.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
7 Jul 08
I have a TomTom GPS unit which warns you of Tolls so that you can allow it to route you around them,as well as the Shortest or fastest route (not always the same thing!)Some of them do allow an update feature with the makers website..
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I had no idea of what to expect, but I wont be going with what my in-laws have.
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I do not have a GPS system, but my twin sister does. She loves hers because without it she cannot find her way out of a paper bag with one end opened.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
8 Jul 08
My sister used to be the same way - until she found out she needed glasses! Now she can get anywhere.
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
9 Jul 08
MY sister wears glasses she just does not know the difference from up and down, in and out and left and right.
1 person likes this
@casinocat (284)
• United States
8 Sep 08
Thank goodness you already knew where you were going! I don't have a GPS system, and probably if I had an experience like yours, I would get so frustrated that I'd end up tossing the thing out the window! I get frustrated enough driving in unfamiliar territory (which is why my DH is the designated driver for those types of trips.)
Anyway, your GPS must be broken, since it didn't tell you to swing through Colorado and pick me up on the way! LOL
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
9 Sep 08
Oh, I don't need a GPS to get to Colorado! I've been there plenty of times!! I used to live in Colorado Springs and I've driven from MD to there quite a few times. I coulda picked you up on our way to Vegas, we were much closer going from Salt Lake to Vegas - I remember seeing the sign for 70 East Denver. Oh, how I remember I-70!
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
8 Jul 08
My mother-in-law loves it because she can drive downtown and not worry about getting lost. It was wonderful for that. But for our trip last weekend, it didn't like us taking the shortcuts.
@luiscpatag (355)
• Philippines
8 Sep 08
my first experience with gps is going to our embassy for my passport renewal.. i have no idea where it is, and all i did was point the destination ans walah.. i got exactly in front of the gate.. (i have to make a round to find a proper car parking).. on my way back i just push the home button..
i also like the voice of my navigator as it has a lady english accent.. hehehe..
(hp ipaq 6515c + destinator pn4 + gcc maps)
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
9 Sep 08
We ended up getting a Garmin. It was great on our trip out west, it got us everywhere we wanted to go!
Ours has a lot of cool accents too, but the regular man is the easiest to hear.
