I too, prefer to keep an atlas and local map handy
but where I found the GPS unit to be really helpful
was in real time driving.  Especially in an unfami-
liar city.  Sometimes there is just too much
happening to look at a map and the voice guidance
is really helpful during this time.  Really helps
thread-the-needle through those unfamiliar inter-
changes, off/on-ramps and cloverleafs when you
just don't have time to check it on the paper
map.  Not to mention the help with POI's.

Steven

--- Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> 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')
>

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