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

[ladycollector]

Um, as a single girl who moved to Orlando alone in 2008, my GPS has been a lifesaver. There have been many times (most of them downtown) when I would have have gotten lost or been stuck in a dangerous area without knowing how to get out. As far as I'm concerned my GPS is not an "expensive toy" but it keeps me safe in a new place that I have not learned well yet.

It has also helped me when going to job interviews downtown. I don't know if you've ever been to downtown Orlando, but holding a map while watching for pedestrians and making sure your not turning the wrong way onto a one way street is not possible.

 

[Darsa]

When we had to go down to Massachusetts last December and navigate through Boston to visit the transplant center where mom will eventually get fixed up... I imagine we'd still be down there driving around trying to get out of there if we hadn't had our GPS. Though I was kinda surprised that it didn't start swearing at us at some points, 'specially when DH was driving It was an early-given Christmas gift for my DH, because I knew we'd need it

 

[jekajekalynn]

Heh.. I'm also chiming in with my love for the gps. My mom has a Garmin nuvi and let us borrow it when we came down to FL and WDW. We drove all around Orlando with it and even back up to Michigan. We (sadly lol) mailed it back to my dm when we got back up here.

I am planning on getting one for us when we get our tax refund. I KNOW that thing would be awesome if we ever had to go to Detroit .

 

[sbell111]

I read that a GPS is no longer a good investment. Almost all smart phones will have a GPS App. So the stand alone units will become obsolete, or really, really,rrrrrrrrreally cheap$!

Until they make a smart phone that can survive a ten foot drop onto rocks or a dunk in a stream, Garmin has nothing to worry about.

 

[Robinrs]

I just got one for Christmas and LOVE IT. I do a LOT of Craigslisting and Freecycling and I cannot manipulate a map and the car at the same time. I was amazingly impressed with it and use it all the time now.

 

[Jenvenza]

Love my GPS! I have no sense of direction and my parents bought me one when they first came out. I have had it for about 4 years now and still use it all the time!

 

[Arielle22]

The problem with using a phone for directions is that you can't use it as a phone while getting directions.

I just got a GPS for Christmas and was thrilled. In the last year I have traveled to 6 states for business. I had borrowed my sister's GPS which was a lifesaver. Once my flight got delayed and I didn't get in until 11pm. So I was driving by myself in a strange state late at night. It would have been impossible for me to see a map without pulling over evey so often.

I particularly love being able to recalculate the route if you don't listen and go the wrong way.

When travelling I used my sister's GPS to find local restaurants as well. It amazed me how many restaurants were close by but in a different direction than I thought.

 

[SamRoc]

I don't use a GPS. I do a mapquest on the computer and take it with me. My dh and i were traveling from NY to NC and he was using a GPS he had gotten as a gift and it took us out of our way by about 2 hours! I dont find the need for one myself.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I was very against them. Dh bought one anyway and the first road trip through he dark that I didn't have to hold a huge atlas and a flashlight while arguing over the fact I was reading the map wrong...well I almost made him pull over to kiss him I was so happy!

It needs an update and to be honest I'm not paying $75 for it. It has got us lost a few times because the updates are semi important and at times I hate the thing but it has been more useful than not. Then again we move often and sometimes don't have a single clue where we are going!

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

The problem with using a phone for directions is that you can't use it as a phone while getting directions.

I just got a GPS for Christmas and was thrilled. In the last year I have traveled to 6 states for business. I had borrowed my sister's GPS which was a lifesaver. Once my flight got delayed and I didn't get in until 11pm. So I was driving by myself in a strange state late at night. It would have been impossible for me to see a map without pulling over evey so often.

I particularly love being able to recalculate the route if you don't listen and go the wrong way.

When travelling I used my sister's GPS to find local restaurants as well. It amazed me how many restaurants were close by but in a different direction than I thought.

Yes you can. It's called an Android phone. The newer ones have Google Navigation. I have the Motorola Droid and I LOVE IT!!! I gave DH our old Tom Tom to put in his car. I can use this as a GPS and still get calls, browse the net, read email, etc. all at the same time.

I have no sense of direction so I'm lost without a GPS.

One gadget I could live without.....the iPhone. At&T sucks. LOL

 

[Missy1961]

If I drove I'd have one. I love all kinds of gadgets.

 

[MelanieC]

Love my GPS and the one in DH's car as well as the one in my Iphone. I just bought a new car that I"m picking up tonight with a Nav system.

 

[sbell111]

I don't use a GPS. I do a mapquest on the computer and take it with me.

Wow. You must have a long extension cord.

 

[luv2sew]

I, too, love my "Bessie" Garmin GPS and when my kids took cars up to college and started taking my GPS with them...there was only one thing to do...Buy them each a GPS.

But if I'm going on a trip I am sure to also have maps and a google map route, I don't just rely on Bessie. Also I've learned that you really have to listen to her she is very literal....if she tells you to turn she really means turn in exactly that amount of distance.

 

[paintnolish]

I am always second guessing it...are you sure I am supposed to take "the motorway"? This doesn't seem right, English sounding lady...

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

I love my GPS! I hate road maps! I use mine all the time, even around our city when trying to find a new business!

 

[bicker]

I am always second guessing it...are you sure I am supposed to take "the motorway"? This doesn't seem right, English sounding lady...

Her name is "Jane".

 

[DancingBear]

I am always second guessing it...are you sure I am supposed to take "the motorway"? This doesn't seem right, English sounding lady...

Yes, take the motorway to the slip road and then it's the third right from the roundabout. Just be sure you're on the proper side of the road.

 

[Shutterbug]

I dont use my Garmin for directions much seeing as Garmins have a problem of NOT taking the most fastest route even though its marked.

I mostly just have it up as a moving map. I still print out directions from Google or Mapquest.

 

[paintnolish]

Yes, take the motorway to the slip road and then it's the third right from the roundabout. Just be sure you're on the proper side of the road.

Blimey, now wonder I am confused. Crikey. That's it for my English impression.