I,ve never used GPS before - so I'm at a complete loss. My only thought is
that is sounds like a great tool but to me there is nothing like holding a
map or atlas in your hands - it's sort of like the difference between a real
book and an e-book - same information but not the same. I love technology
and all that it can do for us but some things I think are just fine the way
they are.

Electronic toys are fun though....

On 8/31/06, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> RE: Laptops in the daylight
> Jim makes a very good point on this issue of visibility and Frank
> commented
> on the moose he didn't see trying to see the laptop screen in the daylight
> (hope that was a joke Frank).  That's the primary reason I have looked at
> the dedicated GPS units to go on the dash but found the map data outside
> of
> the cities pretty mediocre.  Even if I had a good stand for the laptop it
> would still be off to one side and require looking way away from the road
> to
> see any good info.  The voice prompts can be hard to hear above the road
> and
> vehicle noise.
> And as for good directions, yes, within limits.  Example:  I decided to,
> as
> a test, to try to relie on the GPS (Delorme software and receiver on the
> laptop) to get me to a friends place in Kennsington, Ca..  Kennsington is
> a
> small city that abuts Berkley.  On the hillside, narrow winding short
> streets, lots of trees, lots of traffic and stop signs.  The GPS totally
> failed, only got there when I recognized a couple of streets (I'd been
> there
> several years before).  Several problems contributed.  First, loss of
> signal
> running under trees.  This would cause the GPS to fail to provide
> directions
> in time to turn.  Second, when stopped in traffic or at a stop light or
> sign, the GPS would loose track of what direction I was headed because I
> wasn't moving.  Then the next direction to turn might be behind me instead
> of in front.  The ability of the software to try to get me back on the
> original track worked but led to a long and confusing attempt to turn me
> onto streets that I'd already past or were a couple of blocks away.  I
> looked at the track of where I'd been when I finally got to my destination
> and it was good for a laugh.
> BTW, when I went to leave, I set the GPS up using Street & Trips instead
> of
> the Delorme software and it was little better but not much because of the
> constant signal drop out.
> Several years before, when driving to the same location, I had printed out
> directions from Streets & Trips (no GPS receiver at that time) and
> followed
> those printed instructions right to the door without problem.
> Summing up, the GPS/laptop solution is great but has some severe
> limitations.  Be aware of those limitations, it's not an autopilot.
>

--
Thanks,

Jeff
86'
85' GL (sidelined and donating organs to the 86')