Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:42:50 -0700
Reply-To: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: maps vs GPS
In-Reply-To: <6e95da690910111006v74a4c65eg3497f9d2452ce9b0@mail.gmail.com>
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RE: Maps vs. GPS
Following this thread over the last couple of days reminds me of an old
political joke. A candidate, when asked where he stood on a certain issue,
responded "Well, some of my friends are for it, some of my friends are
against it. And I always support my friends."
I've used a GPS equipped laptop when traveling, I have a top end GPS now
mounted in the Starwagen ('90 Westy) and I also carry a nearly full set of
Benchmark Atlases along with many state maps, both those issued by the local
states and from AAA. And a few other maps for various cities. And I use
them all.
As many have pointed out a map provides a 'big picture' of where you are,
where you are going, and to some extent what you will be driving through.
The Benchmark Atlases provide a better scale/detail along your route and
very detailed info on campgrounds and other things you might want to find.
The route planning software on the laptop provides precise estimates of the
time and distance to the next destination. And selecting that next
destination on the GPS (or transferring a route from the laptop to the GPS,
something I rarely do) provides you with reference and warning of upcoming
turns and let's you know how long you have till you get 'there'. Plus the
GPS provides an accurate MPH display without having to try to look under the
steering wheel of our Vanagons. And the GPS keeps a very accurate trip log
for me. And by using the little GPS receiver on my laptop every evening
after I camp I end up with a very detailed and accurate record of my route
at the end of a long trip.
So, I guess I'm in agreement with all of you. The map, the GPS, the laptop
and mapping/route planning software, and atlases are all part of my kit.
BTW, I mentioned the Benchmark atlases. For those of you away from the
western US, you're out of luck on these. Produced in Medford, Oregon they
only cover the west. They are slowly expanding their coverage but for now
limited to the west. But I've found them far better than the Delorme
atlases for the kind of travel and camping I do in my Westy.
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