I absolutely think that following the GPS provides a worse mental map of the area/route than looking at an old fashioned paper map. Here in Melbourne we have (

I absolutely think that following the GPS provides a worse mental map of the area/route than looking at an old fashioned paper map. Here in Melbourne we have (shortly: had) the Melways. A4 size traditional map-book, two pages covers a good couple of suburbs. Let's call it a 5km-wide area. When you look at this map, you see the relationships of suburbs. Balaclava is just to the east of St Kilda, which flows to the south to Elwood, etc. You see the major arterial roads and where they lead. You build a proper, high-level mental model of where you are. Contrast this to the GPS. "Turn left in 100m" tells you nothing of your locale. It gives you no context. You see a sign that says "Elwood" and you're heading south because the beach is to your right and you know you want to be in St Kilda but this isn't useful to you: your brain doesn't instinctively think, hmm, that just feels wrong. GPS is amazing until it doesn't work, and then you are truly lost.