GPS in your car. Why???

[VINMAN]

How many here have a GPS unit in your car and why do you have it? Do you have it just to have the latest piece of "bling". Do you really need it??
Most of the people I know that have them, usually travel no further than from the house to the mall. It cracks me up. And half of those units are the size of big screen TV's. Mounted on top of the dash so you cant even see around them.

[legion]

I don't.

I have something better...my wife with an atlas in the passenger seat!

I do travel a few times a year, and having a second set of eyes (and another brain) allows me to focus on the unfamiliar terrain and other drivers...

[emcon5]

So when they get lost, they will know their Lat/Long within 20 yards or so.

Tom

[TerryBPP]

I don't have one YET but my next car will. I have the worst sense of direction in the USA. I get lost taking a short cut to work.

[wludavid]

I'd like to have one. I'm constantly going places I've never been before. Even in and around the DC area, you can get pretty thoroughly lost if you don't know where you're going. I just try to think ahead and write down directions from google maps.

[wcc]

I'd like one so I can keep track of our route on our "spirited" runs through the country side. That way I have a map of the route and can do the same run anytime I'd like to.

Otherwise, I could care less about 'em.

[legion]

I can navigate the entire Chicago area pretty well, even when in a suburb I've never been in before. It's all laid out as a nice NSEW grid. My wife is always amazed that I can make statements like: "If we keep heading in this direction, eventually we'll hit Route 59."

When I go to Nashville, I completely lose my sense of direction. For those that don't know the city is basically laid out as a wheel with spokes. Downtown is the hub, there are several major roads that radiate out (not in any particular direction) from downtown, and several other major roads that make progressively larger concentric circles around downtown. Roads will change names and direction about every mile. Nothing follows cardinal directions.

No matter how many times I go there, I can't remember how to get around.

[Dantilla]

I don't want a TV screen in front of me when I drive. My truck has a three-county Thomas guide behind the seat for when I (rarely) need it.

[VINMAN]

Originally posted by legion
I don't.

I have something better...my wife with an atlas in the passenger seat!

Hey, I have one of those too , mabye you can tell me where the "silent mode" button is!.

[RickM]

I use an HP IPAQ based system (when it doesn't hang up) and love it.

I typically use it when doing a road trip/vacation. Slap the puppy up, plug in an address or point of interest (POI) and you're good to go. Especially good with some of those vacation brocures.

I also enjoy using a map though. It affords one a better perspective. (Plus my dad was cartographer for 45 years )

[Jims5543]

I have a Magellin 700 that sucktion cups to the windshield. Its usually in a cabinet at home.

When I bought my Porsche and flew up to Kansas City to drive it back it was refreashing to just get into the car punch in my destination and drive. No need to ponder over maps or watch for exits, it makes road trips very relaxing.

When we were searching for a house to buy in North Carolina it was very useful. When at home and around town we do not use it though. Well, my wife did some garge sales a few weeks ago and used it to find the sales.

We were offered a hard wired one in our Audi but chose to pass on it. We prefer the Magellin because it can go from car to car.

[Dingo Joe]

I have a Quest that I use on my motorcycle and in my car. It's small portable and some of the best money I've spent recently. I don't use it around town, but on road trips, visits to the outlying areas for entertainment/dinners/etc it is invaluable. No longer do you have to get into fights with your SO over her map reading skills, nor do you have to guess what is up ahead on the road such as motels/food/gas. I can download custom maps/routes and waypoints. I have loaded every BMW dealer in the nation for use when I'm on tour. It's great to know the estimated time of your arrival, time to the next turn, and it also has all the functions of a complete trip computer. It will show the time for sunset/sunrise anywhere you are, (good for camping). It has found me great BBQ in KC, and camping in WY. It saves time and effort when on the road. Other than that, I guess it really sucks...

[HardDrive]

What a bunch of grumpy old SOBs

We have a GPS nav system built in to our Lexus. I will never purchase a car without one. No, its not nessecary all the time, but man is it a joy when you are in an area that not familiar.

[JavaBrewer]

I always get the Hertz Neverlost GPS system when on work travel in the DC area. Works great. I see no need for a GPS in our own cars as wife and I drive the same streets day in and out. Well ok for road trips and vacations it would be handy but not enough to get something hardwired. I've been eyeing the TomTom, something we can transfer between cars, but even then it would spend most of it's life in the glovebox.

I've seen the big dash mounted DVD/Nav screens in aftermarket stereo's and they are definitely bling.

[motion]

I couldn't live without our Garmin 2610. 1GB compact flash holds the entire USA. Take it with us everywhere. No more getting lost. Pull into a new town and it finds shopping, restaurants, hotels, etc. Absolutely indespensable.

[oldE]

Within 500 miles of home it would be completely useless for me. On vacation, in a different country on roads I've never seen before, it would be useful. Then my lovely map-reader of almost 30 years experience could enjoy the scenery too!
Les

[teenerted1]

i have little need for one. carry plenty of maps in the car and i have a pretty good sense of direction.

my GF on the other had sure could use one. has gotten lost three times in the last month coming home from from work. usually doesn't drive to/from work...takes the bus most days. she has called me at home twice just so i could direct her back to the freeway.

[craigster59]

I didn't plan on getting it, but it was installed in the Audi I ended up buying. I didn't use it for about the first 3 weeks, but now find myself using it more often. It's alot nicer than having to constantly glance at the Thomas Guide's small print.

[Joeaksa]

Have used GPS in most of my driving the last 4 years and would not be without it these days. I have a Garmin Street Pilot 3 and while its a year outdated its still very good to have.

Aside from finding any address in any town you ever would need, if you are on the highway and have a problem, hit nearest gas station and it comes up, with the phone number. Looking for lunch or dinner? Hit the nearest resturant, or nearest Chinese or burger joint and it pops up several choices, all with the address and phone number.

Your wife or G/F driving late at night cross country and run out of gas? Same thing with the gas station. Have problems? Hit the Police button and it will lead her to the closest PD, SO or highway patrol office.

I used to stay in a new hotel almost every night. Had to get from the airport to the hotel and you just cannot remember the way for every town. GPS takes you there and back with out getting lost, every time.

Will never have a car without it again. Also use it on my motorcycle and airplane.

JoeA

[FrayAdjacent911]

I usually do it the old fashioned way: With a map.

Back in October, I drove from Austin, TX to Abingdon, VA. Picked up a road atlas at the local Barnes & Noble, plotted out my route, made notes and watched the road signs.

The GPS stuff IS pretty neat, and works well. A buddy of mine picked up a Jeep Grand Cherokee last year that has the in dash navigation system. He just programs the address, and it puts the route right up there on the screen.

I'd pick up a nav unit, IF and WHEN they are very reasonable in price (right now for me that would be ~$300ish), and if I were planning a road trip, and could use the assistance. Otherwise, I'll use a map!