One gadget I have absolutely no desire to own...

[JerseyJanice]

is a GPS. I'm actually surprised that these things have caught on since the majority of the people I know who own one don't seem able to use them correctly. And I have yet to meet someone who used theirs for any application other than road directions.

I like old-fashioned maps. I've always liked maps. When I was a child and took road trips with my family, I would follow our path on a map. When I'm going somewhere now and need directions, I look it up on Google maps and print those out. If I'm taking a bigger road trip, I go to my AAA office and get Trip-Tiks. I don't need any stinkin' GPS!

Anyone else think GPS systems are simply expensive toys for adults? I bet a lot of them will be sold for the holidays this year.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I'm with you. My car actually has one (long story - I didn't pay extra for it) and in the year I've had my car I've never used it.

 

[wvjules]

I've had 2 GPS. The first one was stolen. I went out and bought a new one the next day. The second one just died a month or so ago. I MISS IT! I have put another one on my Christmas List.

 

[rgf207]

My GPS is one of the best gadgets I own. There is no more need for maps anymore when you can have a GPS tell you turn by turn directions. Also, i find it hard to look at a map while driving .

 

[Sparx]

i LOVE a gps. i don't want to read a map while i'm trying to drive. i'd rather someone read it out loud to me, which is what the gps does.

 

[mjkacmom]

I LOVE my GPS! I don't use it as my primary way of getting directions, but it has helped me out in a lot of situations (driving in the pouring rain, traffic, getting lost, finding a house number). DH's broke, and he travels a lot during the day, and stole mine, and I'm really missing it.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I LOVE my GPS unit. I have bluetooth on mine because I don't like things on my ears so i don't have to mess with that. My GPS unit has traffic updates, which is very needed here. It tells me where the traffic issue is and approximately how long the wait is and gives me the option of a detour around the accident.

I don't even think the best map could have helped when we were driving around this area trying to find a house. Sometimes you just have to get out and drive but it's hell trying to figure out how to get home if you don't know how to get there. There is no way I could drive and read a map.

 

[MIGrandma]

My DH loves his GPS. He actually has two. One for in his truck, and a hand-held one we use for Geo-caching, walking in the woods so we don't get lost, etc.

The one in his truck, we call Judy. He has her voice set on an English accent. So sophisticated.

He does a lot of traveling for his job (crop insurance adjuster) and all he has to do is punch in the address, hit "go" and Judy takes him there. Saves a lot of time doing it that way, instead of having to look at a map all the time.

We used "Judy" when we went to the Smoky Mts. a couple of years ago. We rented a cabin up in the mountains and "Judy" took us from our door to the cabin door. All without having to be looking at the map every couple hundred miles.

DH would never be without a "Judy." When this one goes bad he'll get a new one.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

If I am the map-reader and not the driver, the GPS can stay in the glovebox. If I am the driver, it comes out in a heart beat. Not everyone has map reading abilities.

 

[Geoff_M]

Sorry, man, but the GPS is truly one of those "greatest thing since sliced bread" products. Both kids play travel hockey and when you have to be at a rink by a deadline on the other side of the state out in the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter and you've never been there before, a GPS totally rocks! And when you're driving home and the subject of supper comes up and it's agreed that a Boston Market would hit the spot nicely, it's great to be able search for one along your route home and see if you can find one. And when your in that city for a "away game" and you need to run by a sporting good store to pick something up, it's great to be able to search for one and be able to see the store's phone number to call ahead and see if they have what you're looking for in stock.

 

[5lilfish]

M GPS is about the only gadget I absolutely want to own. Mine is fantastic. I've never had a problem with it not working correctly. I'm not good with directions and I depend on my GPS often.

Jess

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I use a combination of regular maps and my GPS. The GPS is great to get you around a detour when a bridge is out, there is an accident, etc. It's also great if you make a wrong turn somewhere. I used to be afraid to go on long trips by myself, in case I got lost. Now I know that if I DO get lost, I can turn on the GPS and get back on track.

 

[disneyslp]

As a single mom who loves to travel with her non mapreading daughter I have decided that a GPS will be on the Christmas list this year. A couple of years ago I traveled to Orlando to see Wicked and lets just say that she got quite an education when Map Quest took us through an intersting part of town, ha. I had to explain why all those half naked women were standing around on the street.

 

[diznygirl]

I'm like you - I like maps and I like knowing where we are going before we go. However, We borrowed a GPS for a road trip and loved having it. It was such a help. I could put int address and review the directions before we started out. If we stopped someplace it old recalculate. I felt safer that we wouldn't be getting lost!

I still don't think I need one for every day use, but I would definitely recommend them for road trips.

 

[Clio]

I was like that at first. I liked using maps . Last year on black friday we still had a few gps's left in at the sale price so I bought one. My daughter gaave it a British accent and named it Eloise after the character on Lost. It's taken us all over and I wonder why I didn't get on sooner. I should say that I have a handheld one that I've used for geocaching too and I've had that one a long time.
Liz

 

[dizluvah]

OP I agree with you! I prefer an atlas any day.

My DH loves his GPS - he even set it for destinations he knows how to get to - just so he can enjoy having it on.

I really don't like the GPS - even with the annoying sounds turned off I still find it distracting. Plus if we are so busy looking at/listening to the GPS - aren't we bound to be paying less attention to the road?

I have heard many amusing names for the GPS voice that gives directions but they are not dis appropriate.....

 

[FireDancer]

Stand Along GPS units are going to be phased out as phones start to include GPS applications. The Android OS having not only Google maps and street view built in but using the accelerometer for augmented reality is a step in the right direction. The problem with the units built into cars is that I would want it when I am walking a city or training on my bike in addition to just driving in my car.

I hate maps. I like entering two addresses and getting where I need to go. I think it is a waste of time to sit there with a 5 foot by 5 foot map trying to find a street you need. I could have used a GPS phone while I was attempting to navigate Venice, Rome, and Florence last year.

 

[Stitchfans]

ours came in quite handy when we drove out to Branson this past summer. will use it again when we go back to Branson for spring break.

 

[DVCLiz]

As a single mom who loves to travel with her non mapreading daughter I have decided that a GPS will be on the Christmas list this year. A couple of years ago I traveled to Orlando to see Wicked and lets just say that she got quite an education when Map Quest took us through an intersting part of town, ha. I had to explain why all those half naked women were standing around on the street.

Wonder if instead of a "no highway" route you could pre-program your GPS with a "no prostitution" route instead??

Sorry, OP, you are outnumbered!! I'd never be without a GPS again - I find it useful not only for long road trips but also finding specific businesses in towns when I travel. Just type in the street address and presto!! turn by turn directions as you drive.

 

[Crystal0608]

If there is a way to get lost, I will, and I do A LOT. I can print out mapquest directions and still get screwed up somewhere. The past couple trips we took I borrowed my boss's Tom Tom and LOVED it! So, I bought one for myself about a month ago and its my favorite gadget off all time!