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I never use a GPS because I just look on the map, remember where my destination is, and drive to it. But even before GPS there were a lot of people who could n

by thdrdt 7y ago

I never use a GPS because I just look on the map, remember where my destination is, and drive to it. But even before GPS there were a lot of people who could not navigate. For those people it is really great to have a navigation system. So I feel this article sound like 'sell your car because walking is healthier'. But I must also agree with the article. When I tried GPS I had no idea where I was. I believe this is because we trust the system so much that we forget our own 'responsibility'.

tomohawk 7y ago
Unfortunately, good maps are now scarce or unavailable. The situational awareness of understanding where you are is a big loss compared to following GPS directions. Looking at a map, you may decide to take a detour or follow a more scenic route. Google maps on android makes this very hard to do since they've disabled the route dragging feature. I also find that the computer generated routes, while much better than they used to be, are often optimized for the wrong things. I can often pick a better route myself. I have a family member who would be lost without GPS, but they end up doing a lot of unnecessary driving when going out for more than one errand as they have no idea what the best overall route would be or where these things are in relation to one another.
- thdrdt 7y ago
  That's why I prefer MAPS.ME (uses OpenStreetMap). It is a little slow but so is Google Maps nowadays. But OSM is way better imho. And MAPS.ME can download offline maps for different areas.
  - craftkiller 7y ago
    Google maps can also download offline maps for different areas: https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838 https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838
coupdejarnac 7y ago
I'm the same way, and often when younger people are in the car with me, they remark that I have a great sense of direction. I'm pretty convinced that a substantial percentage of drivers under 30 have no idea where anything is. Plus, judging by how people drive and make erratic last moment lane changes/exits, have reduced situational awareness due to being over reliant on gps or being diverted while driving.

by thdrdt 7y ago

tomohawk 7y ago

Unfortunately, good maps are now scarce or unavailable. The situational awareness of understanding where you are is a big loss compared to following GPS directions. Looking at a map, you may decide to take a detour or follow a more scenic route. Google maps on android makes this very hard to do since they've disabled the route dragging feature. I also find that the computer generated routes, while much better than they used to be, are often optimized for the wrong things. I can often pick a better route myself. I have a family member who would be lost without GPS, but they end up doing a lot of unnecessary driving when going out for more than one errand as they have no idea what the best overall route would be or where these things are in relation to one another.

thdrdt 7y ago
That's why I prefer MAPS.ME (uses OpenStreetMap). It is a little slow but so is Google Maps nowadays. But OSM is way better imho. And MAPS.ME can download offline maps for different areas.
- craftkiller 7y ago
  Google maps can also download offline maps for different areas: https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838 https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838

coupdejarnac 7y ago

I'm the same way, and often when younger people are in the car with me, they remark that I have a great sense of direction. I'm pretty convinced that a substantial percentage of drivers under 30 have no idea where anything is. Plus, judging by how people drive and make erratic last moment lane changes/exits, have reduced situational awareness due to being over reliant on gps or being diverted while driving.