Do you use a GPS when you drive?

Any time I don't know where I'm going, I use the GPS on my phone in conjunction with Google Maps. So far, it hasn't steered me wrong.

I will say, though, that the walking directions can be a bit of a pain. I'm pretty sure I went way out of my way the last time I used them in a big city.

 

Oh lol, really? Then what's the point of GPS? It should show you the most convenient routes instead of the scenic ones. I'm glad my boyfriend rarely used his.

 

Lol, I'm serious, it takes me through all these back roads and what not, I even tested it on routes that I know, it makes you turn left here and go right there, It's weird hey, it turns a 15 minute drive into a 45 minute goose chase!

--- Double Post Merged, Feb 24, 2014 ---

It seems to show me the longest one, perhaps it is more convenient in some kind of way but it is certainly longer, lol, good way to get to know your town! haha.

 

OK, that's a negative point for the GPS, I already have a wife that want me to take those back roads, I don't need a GPS to do the same...

 

LOL! Yeah my mum is like that!

 

I tend to avoid using GPS unless I'm going somewhere I'm completely unfamiliar with. What I'll do if that's the case, I'll drive to the closest point I know near the destination and then use my smartphone to help me find the rest of the way. I like using my own knowledge of the roads to guide me because the GPS doesn't always know the quickest ways or the fun side-routes.

 

I've never used a GPS, but I am starting to be tempted by it, because it seems really practical. You just put the address you want to go to and the GPS indicates you the way, perfect for the lazy driver...

 

I rarely need to use GPS, but I'll pull it up on my phone if I want to make sure I know where I'm going. I used to have a Garmin, but I gave it to my sister since she gets worried easily. It helps to reassure her that she's going the right way when she's driving.

 

One thing about a GPS that I feel I should add here is that if you do use one, always update your maps! It has happened to some friends of mine on more than one occasion where they were using a GPS that was already quite old, maybe 2 - 3 years I dont know and it lead them down a road that no longer existed! lol. The map was dated like 2009 and the road had obviously changed since then and would show up correctly on a newer map however the integrity of the older map has declined. So always try to have the latest maps for areas you frequently travel around or if you have seen roadworks make sure to update your GPS software or maps. We were driving on a new road once and the GPS showed us going through a field, lol.

 

I don't know about you, but GPS works fine for me and it's currently outdated. I've gone to Portugal by car last week(from france, 1600km) and it was really useful. It has the option to go through highways or not, shortest, fastest way, etcetera. It's all about configuring it.

 

I can relate to that. It happened to me too. I was looking for a clinic, Google Maps brought me to the destination but the clinic was on the other side of the road. There was supposed to be a junction there but road works removed it. In the end, I had to drive all the way down the road before I could find the U-turn.

 

GPS is really making a revolution in the way we get directions and even we are sometimes mislead, they are usually pretty effective. We lose the human contact though, just the other day a nice family drove me on purpose to a hotel in a new city for me, really kind from them, not something that commonly seen.

 

LOL, you mum does the same? So be prepared for when yo have a wife, you know what to expect!!

 

I use my iPhone all the time to drive around. I think it's really very useful and I rarely get lost because of it. However, I think one of the disadvantages is that I tend to not think anymore about directions. I just rely on what I hear on my iPhone. It's not nice having a good sense of direction sometimes. It's good to still remain familiar on where a certain place is without the help of technology.

 

Exactly. What I usually do it rely on the GPS for the first and maybe second time I go to that place, then I stop using it.

 

GPS phone is a good option too, my wife has it but we never get to use it, I think we must try it out soon, we should take advantage on the technology we have at our disposal...

 

It works decently in most modern phones. I can confirm that. Whenever I need a GPS device to drive around France, I use my phone. It's easier to setup than the GPS as I can simply "talk" the direction with my voice and it'll find the way.

 

Oh no! Dont tell me that!

 

That can be pretty hand when we don't know our way around, I'm gonna to try it the next time I don't know my way.

 

I don't know about your country, here you need to have the GPS & Mobile Internet turned on in order for it to work. If your phone doesn't have GPS option(to turn on and off the satellite captor), it won't probably be accurate. I can vouch for the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini & the Galaxy S4. Also for the Nokia C7 & Sony Xperia E.