25 replies to this topic

[ski3pin]

Here's an interesting opinion article from the Washington Post -

 

Ditch the GPS. It's Ruining Your Brain

 

 

Some of my favorite stories are about being asked by fellow travelers on 395 - in cell dead zones - "Where am I?" They are all relying on cell phones for navigation - that happy voice saying "Turn here." Old fashion basic skills - and using a bit of our brains - are disappearing. I happily remain a luddite.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Though GPS is handy we most of the time use "paper"

with GPS as a back up.

Thanks for the info.

Frank

[Tuff Guy 62]

Heck, I can't even spell GPS.

[Rdy2Roam]

I agree! Would much rather do it old school.

[CougarCouple]

Well gents you can look at it like those w/o maps probably won't be camping close by.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I’m still going to use both GPS and paper. I can be a bit of a retro grouch, but the GPS comes in handy at times, in particular when finding an address.

Now I have to complain about paper... I bought three new Oregon back country maps, and the price went up $2.00

[ntsqd]

As I'm reading this I'm setting up an iPad to be a scrolling map GPS. I carry Benchmark & DeLorme paper maps. The GPS confirms where I think that I am on the paper.

[rubberlegs]

I'm the opposite. After decades of map, altimeter and compass and teaching navigation courses, I'm lovin' the GPS. My brain cells are fading due to age, but the basic skills are locked in tight, fortunately. It's like riding a bike. Um... how do you turn those pedals again? Uh-oh, time for an electric bike! OK, I'm not quite ready for an E-bike...

[JaSAn]

I use iPhone Maps verbal directions in unfamiliar cities.  I don't have a navigator so having to juggle a map, drive, and look for road signs is a recipe for an accident.  But I prefer maps in the back country.  BUT I always have my Garmin active when hiking; I have had to get back to camp in close to zero visibility more than once.

[alano]

I got an eye roll and a sigh from a younger fellow when I told him we use a Garmin GPS when traveling along with paper maps. I told him we use the phone for trips around cities but out in the boonies it simply doesn't work, especially if you want to change your route because the road is closed or whatever. He travels all over the world but never leaves coverage it seems.

 

The wife insists on verifying GPS directions with the paper map. Haven't caught any big mistakes yet, but sometimes the algorithm can choose an odd path with many turns to save a couple of minutes or miles. OTOH, we've found some interesting places that we would have bypassed had we stuck to what looked like the obvious path on the map.

 

Best thing about GPS is comparing its distance to a town with a gas station to the range display on the truck when far from civilization. Comforting.

 

Alan