The machines are out to get us!

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Following GPS device's directions strands couple for three days - The Globe and Mail


“Common sense is not so common.” Voltaire

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I can sort of relate except for the snow. These GPS thingies are great until they get you lost. One time I got directed to continue on a clearly dead end road in the Tennessee mountains with a road permanently blocked and luckily there was a big truck stop gas station there. When I went inside to ask for directions the cashier told me that alot of people get directed to their store because of a GPS error.
Lucky for me the dead end was civilized and it wasn't winter.

Maybe these gas stations are paying the GPS mapping companies to reroute business their way.

I've also been directed by my Garmin GPS to turn into lakes and swamps in Jacksonville, turn down clearly dirt unmaintained roads in Massachusetts near Jimimy Peak, turn off mountain cliffs in North Carolina and also to drive off the parking garage at my job. I think these things don't know how to judge height. So beware in the mountains.

This year I bought myself a Tomtom and it wasn't much better. In Charlotte it kept telling me to turn right and continue for a mile when I could clearly see the Marriott Hotel on my immediate left. At least this one is only 1 mile off. Now I keep maps with me as a backup just in case.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Now I know why I didn't buy one. I can get lost by myself without a machine doing it for me!! Kelli keeps telling me I need one esp on vacation as it is not a vacation until I get lost at least once!! shaggy

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Stick to the maps Shaggy. It's safer.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Stick to the maps Shaggy. It's safer.

The biggest advantage (to me) of the GPS is that I don't have to be trying to look at it while I'm driving. Mine has bailed me out a bunch of times since I am directionally challenged. Dh looks at them as a safety device for new drivers. I know it's helped dd out since she's gone away to school this year. Honestly, I don't want to be without one again.

[pranas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pranas]

Mine takes me the shortest route. Last summer I had a panic attack when it directed me to a winding one lane road up a mountain without any guard rails. Everyone asked why I took this road instead of the two lane road that was straighter and not right at the edge of a gorge. Don't use my GPS very much after that experience.

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

Mine takes me the shortest route. Last summer I had a panic attack when it directed me to a winding one lane road up a mountain without any guard rails. Everyone asked why I took this road instead of the two lane road that was straighter and not right at the edge of a gorge. Don't use my GPS very much after that experience.

Every GPS I have had allows you to specify "shortest route" or "best route". If you us the shortest route, you can get on some dicey roads. Best route is the better choice as it will keep you on paved / major roads if possible.

I'm sure something similar happened to the people mentioned in the article. If they they would have used some common sense and not just blindly followed their GPS, they wouldn't have gotten into that situation. After all, they admitted that they ignored a warning sign on the road stating that it was not maintained in the winter! Duh! JMHO.

Kurt

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Mine has shortest and fastest route. It has taken me on some dumb routes. When I am on vacation, it has been the best tool. It has been great at finding gas stations, food, and of course, wineries! Okay, make that tourist attractions and the things that the DW wants to see-scrapbooking places.

I won't leave home without it.

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

I love mine as well. (She currently has a British accent right now!).. My wife hates it because I'll take the GPS directions instead of her "suggestions"!

You do have to use common sense. I had one instance where I followed a dirt road to a dead end (evidently the developer didn't bother to finish it, but it still showed on the map). In Florida though, you don't have to worry about being snowed in- you just watch out for the gators and mosquitos.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I love mine as well. (She currently has a British accent right now!).. My wife hates it because I'll take the GPS directions instead of her "suggestions"!

You do have to use common sense. I had one instance where I followed a dirt road to a dead end (evidently the developer didn't bother to finish it, but it still showed on the map). In Florida though, you don't have to worry about being snowed in- you just watch out for the gators and mosquitos.

and snakes....don't forget about the snakes.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

and snakes....don't forget about the snakes.

Most of them are friendly. They love tourists.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Every GPS I have had allows you to specify "shortest route" or "best route". If you us the shortest route, you can get on some dicey roads. Best route is the better choice as it will keep you on paved / major roads if possible.

I'm sure something similar happened to the people mentioned in the article. If they they would have used some common sense and not just blindly followed their GPS, they wouldn't have gotten into that situation. After all, they admitted that they ignored a warning sign on the road stating that it was not maintained in the winter! Duh! JMHO.

Kurt

Well thanks Kurt for the info. That explains how I ended up almost driving off a mountain and on some pretty scary dirt roads where the bears live.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I love mine as well. (She currently has a British accent right now!)..

I still use the standard Jill voice and call the GPS Jill. I have been known to say 'Sorry Jill, I can't do that' when she wants me to take a road where I don't want to go.

I did put 'Doctor Doom' on there, but it is only good for a few trips before I got tired of it.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

We took the 'fastest time' route home from Vegas and added 90 mins to our trip!

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

I did put 'Doctor Doom' on there, but it is only good for a few trips before I got tired of it.

Hubby downloaded Darth Vader but I told him I wasn't taking orders from that guy. Now he's considering K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider instead - I assume from the original series but didn't ask.

I like our "Jill", and am glad she doesn't gripe when we ignore her recommendations, which we do fairly often. I especially like that the GPS counts down my miles for me and gives me an estimated arrival time. I like to have maps along as well, though. We've never gotten lost with a GPS but I feel like maps give me more options or something. The GPS has such a one track mind.