Where did all the GPS's go?

[stevenpensacola]

For about a month after Christmas, it seemed that every car on the road had a GPS sitting on the dash or windshield, it was turned on...and being used...even to run to the corner store.

(I know...because I was one of "them")

Now, about the only time you see them is on the interstate.

Funny how once the novelty wore off, they went into the glove box...only to be seen when traveling.

Watch for the dasboards lighting up again after Christmas.

 

[akhenaten]

Why would you need a GPS in your neighborhood?
Of course you see them used mainly on interstates , when traveling!

 

[golfgal]

I still see them out and about. I have rigged mine to fit in my dash by the odometer so it isn't up on the dash any longer. Also, a lot of people have them built into their autos now.

 

[Gina]

A lot of phone have GPS with turn-by-turn navigation built right in now. Mine talks to me and everything, just like any other GPS. No need for a separate device, which I love.

 

[scrapquitler]

For about a month after Christmas, it seemed that every car on the road had a GPS sitting on the dash or windshield, it was turned on...and being used...even to run to the corner store.

(I know...because I was one of "them")

Now, about the only time you see them is on the interstate.

Funny how once the novelty wore off, they went into the glove box...only to be seen when traveling.

Watch for the dasboards lighting up again after Christmas.

We rarely use ours anymore unless we are going somewhere unfamiliar, and even then, only if I am in the car without DH. He doesn't need a GPS for his car anymore, as he has an android phone with a GPS app, so he uses that instead. I think that as more people get Droids and Iphones with GPS apps built in, they are using those instead.

 

[pooh4evr]

Exactly what PP said - more and more phones have a GPS - so no need to buy one.

 

[taximomfor4]

I am far too lazy to bring out my GPS for every little drive...and I have ALWAYS been too lazy. I never really saw that many out on the windshields anyway, around here.

I have noticed, even on road trips, that lots of people have something glowing lower down in their dashboard...so I am assuming they have a phone in holder on a vent, or a built in GPS.

And for those with phones with GPS, don't you have to pay a monthly fee?

 

[C.Ann]

All those folks are lost now..

 

[Gina]

And for those with phones with GPS, don't you have to pay a monthly fee?

There's no monthly fee. I use Google Maps, and Navigator within that, and it's awesome. That nice Navigator lady talking to me and telling me where to go has helped me out many a time.

 

[NotUrsula]

Mostly, I think, it's because their insurance companies have warned them not to leave it in plain sight. A GPS, or the telltale signs that one is in the car, (or the telltale light of a plugged in device charger in a parked car) are an invitation to have the car broken into. Thieves look for the windshield bracket and even the ring mark that the bracket leaves on the windshield.

Insurance companies have been telling people to conceal small electronics for quite a while now. Rather than go through the trouble of having to do that every time they park the car, I think that people are leaving them put away at times when they are not really needed.

 

[Disney Doll]

I have always only used it for travel to unfamiliar palces. Why would I need a GPS to go to the corner store? I can find it without GPS. When our GPS is not in use, we put it in the console so no sign of it is visible.

 

[DMRick]

We still use ours, and we will be upgrading to a newer one, one we can take with us on vacations, that have places other than the continental US. But I agree with you, I know where the local places are..they aren't a problem so I don't need (and never did) our GPS for that.

I have always only used it for travel to unfamiliar palces. Why would I need a GPS to go to the corner store? I can find it without GPS. When our GPS is not in use, we put it in the console so no sign of it is visible.

 

[crazelion]

I have GPS on my phone now and really have no need for a stand lone GPS. I use google maps now and that excellent. Now if get mom to learn how use the darn phone that would e great.

 

[Kies99]

OP...I know what you mean. It did seem like everyone had one and it was on all the time!

Personally, I never liked mine on my windshield. It was always either blocking my view or was a pain to reach up and touch the screen. I found a cheap mount on eBay that clipped to the vent on the dash. Now when it's down there nobody can see it but me. Maybe other people have figured that out as well??

 

[tvguy]

I see just as many now as I ever have. But I drive a lot at night so I can see them glowing in cars.
Of course, I've seen a whole lot MORE people talking on their cell phones without a blue tooth the past year, since it became ILLEGAL.

 

[bicker]

Like any new tool, people try it out when they first get it to see in what situations it will work best for them. GPS' were never intended to help you go three blocks around your own neighborhood. People who used them in that situation, when they first got the device, would naturally have realized over time that that's not serving them well, and they'll not put it up in that situation.

I use mine mostly, now, on my ride home from work. Though only 8 miles, it could take 45 minutes if traffic is bad, and my GPS seems to have the most reliable, most immediate, and most convenient traffic info.

 

[Disnydad]

4 vehicles here and all have a GPS in them (one is built in). We only use them on longer trips and to places we are not familiar with.