GPS warning now to Feb 22nd

[london75]

Just a warning and one that might come to nothing but if you absolutely rely on GPS to get you around Florida and are going before Feb 22nd, you might want to at least review the following geek article (sorry, I'm a geek).

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/01/20/unavailabe_gps_warning/

Although this is targeted at air traffic, there is only really one GPS system (not as clear cut as that but true enough for now!) so there is no reason to believe it won't mess with your GPS (not damage but you may find it significantly harder to get a location fix and hence navigate).

I would, however, love to know what they're testing that can knock out GPS in such a large radius unless it is actually a GPS knocking out weapon I suppose!

 

[wayneg]

We arrive in Tampa evening of the 19th Feb probably just getting in the car around the start of testing (I work it out to 7pm-9:45pm EST) could end up anywhere then

GPS testing is scheduled on January 20th through February 11th,
2011 from 0000-0245 UTC daily and February 15th through February 22nd, 2011 from 0000-0245 UTC daily.

 

[T16GEM]

Might have to resort to those old fashioned paper things..... maps!

Our Sat Nav broke while we were away last year, luckily we had picked up loads of coupon books with the maps on the back so we were able to find our way to Cheesecake Factory where we popped to Best Buy and bought a new one for $60. It's quite scary how much we rely on tech these days to get us by isn't it!

 

[wayneg]

I will be fine from Tampa, I only use ours when going somewhere new. The maps I have are outdated for Tampa airport anyway, they have altered the roads. Unfortunately I don't think they are producing anymore updates for my PDA.
I might buy a new unit sometime.

 

[T16GEM]

I will be fine from Tampa, I only use ours when going somewhere new. The maps I have are outdated for Tampa airport anyway, they have altered the roads. Unfortunately I don't think they are producing anymore updates for my PDA.
I might buy a new unit sometime.

We usually use ours to get from the airport to the villa, getting out of MCO is a maze!! DH likes to have it on incase we get lost but I can find my way around now - my parents always joke that I am like a human satnav, once I've been somewhere once it just sticks! I have been navigating Orlando since I was 8!

 

[ford family]

I will be fine from Tampa, I only use ours when going somewhere new. The maps I have are outdated for Tampa airport anyway, they have altered the roads. Unfortunately I don't think they are producing anymore updates for my PDA.
I might buy a new unit sometime.

We have been in and out of Tampa airport three times so far this month what with arriving ourselves and then picking up or dropping off kids.
We head south on I275 to the Sunshine Skyway whilst you will be heading east to pick up I4 but it is all well signposted.
One change we didn't know about was that Alamo are now on the airport, across from baggage claim like the other car rental firms rather than a shuttle bus ride away.

ford family

 

[wayneg]

I booked Alamo last week for our trip next month, got a great price for a full size 7 seater SUV for £125 expecting to use shuttle then read a few threads saying they were now onsite so a nice bonus.
I found my way out of TPA airport no problem even with all the roadworks going on 2 years ago.

 

[ford family]

I booked Alamo last week for our trip next month, got a great price for a full size 7 seater SUV for £125 expecting to use shuttle then read a few threads saying they were now onsite so a nice bonus.
I found my way out of TPA airport no problem even with all the roadworks going on 2 years ago.

The only downside to the new Alamo location is that there is no longer a huge array of vehicles in each category to pick from. Space is now more limited than at the old Spruce Street site.
Could be worse, though. Most of our trips last year were hubbing into Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ) which is so small that you got the car they gave you, no choice at all!
Oh, GPS? Never tried it, much prefer a printed map. But that's probably an age thing.

ford family

 

[wayneg]

Oh, GPS? Never tried it, much prefer a printed map. But that's probably an age thing.

ford family

My delivery driver still uses maps, his car has GPS built in but he still wastes so much time with the A-Z. Used GPS Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Florida and Georgia, makes driving very enjoyable to me, I hate following signs and maps. Far easier being talked thru it.

 

[2Tiggies]

I hate following signs and maps.

I hate following instructions and recipes, lol

As for me and a map If I hired a car in Florida and couldn't use GPS I would have to stay at the airport until it was up and running again.