Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:15:00 -0400
Reply-To: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Get GPS system ditch these Atlas was ..Re: For the Newbies -
Vanago
In-Reply-To: <86476e250608310850m743d90f2wf8f3bad360b1a54a@mail.gmail.com>
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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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