We recently (a month ago) purchased the Rand-McNally RVND 7710. Having owned Garmin and TomTom units previously, I've learned that no GPS is the Alpha and Omega so to speak, lol. I always map my destination using a combination of Google Earth and Google Maps, then using the GPS, I already have a good idea of my general path.
But, I do have to say that I am pleasantly surprised with the RVND 7710 so far. It is an awesome tool for RV'ers.
Microsoft Streets and Trips and a "Netbook" with a GPS antenna on the dash for me. I can set up the route completely and review it before I load it onto the "Netbook". I have caught numerous bad routes that way.
Grandma in front of her retirement home..
She lets Grumpy drive!!
NewsW wrote: Same can be said for Google Maps, and in fact, almost any map.
There was a very similar case to yours where the fella relied on the GPS to find his way, got lost, and ultimately got himself killed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Kim
The rule of thumb I have now is to never rely on the GPS except for very large well known and well traveled (and hence mapped) routes.
I also try, if possible to print out a paper copy to take and show to people --- so I can see if it is for real.
Then there is the issue of judgment --- if the GPS tells you to go down a one way street (or to make similar obvious errors)...
Override it!
Do the right thing.
If you carefully read the story you linked you will find they used a paper map. A GPS might have actually been more accurate.
I love mine, but you do have to use common sense.
I've owned four Garmins over the years, and was pretty happy with the first three. But I finally reached the limits of my tolerance with my latest, a Nuvi. Falling off the dash mount, tying up my internet connection all day long and still not updating, etc. So I used it as a leveling block for a while. He11, it wasn't even good for that! I still use my old 2610 to find local addresses and for a speedometer in the car. The RV got a TomTom, which I'm pretty happy with.
It's a tool. Like any tool, you have to know how to use it and know its limitations. You don't generally use a tack hammer to drive framing nails. In a strange city, I'll often refer to paper maps & Google Earth before setting out, and write a few sequential essential notes for street names and turns in big letters on a notepad. But GPS has enabled me to take some trips to places I might not have been willing / able to try to find without it.
Jim, "After four decimal places, nobody cares."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
If you carefully read the story you linked you will find they used a paper map. A GPS might have actually been more accurate.
I love mine, but you do have to use common sense.
I am well aware of what she told the police after the fact.
But that was not what was known up to the point when she was rescued and Kim ended up in the ditch.
Reconstruction of his path showed he took short cut after short cut --- relying on what we can dispute --- but the short cut that got him killed was based on foolishness and disregard for procedures (like following your own tracks).
See this description:
Quote: Mark Ottenad, executive director of the Wilsonville chamber, said the Kims were given the ODOT map and a guide to the coast. A map inside the guidebook doesn't show Bear Camp Road. He said the chamber employee suggested Oregon 42 or Oregon 38 as the best options to the coast.
"Our visitor information specialist cautioned them against taking forest roads and to stay on the main highways this time of the year," he said.
Not all commercial or tourist maps offer warnings like the ODOT map. Online, Google's map service suggests that Bear Camp Road is the quickest route from Grants Pass to Gold Beach, while Yahoo and MapQuest advise taking U.S. 199.
I had an interestig one in 2010. Was travelling to Toronto from Michigan. Got to the entrance to Canada and went through a ton of questions from the border agent who acted very suspicious of me. Anyway, after a few minutes we were on our way. A few miles down the road I heard something falling from the cabover so I took the next exit to fix it. Went to get back on the highway and was listening to GPS to find the onramp. Well, the GPS wanted us to turn around by taking our 31 ft motorhome with 16LB propane tank attaached into an airport to do a turn around there instead of just hanging a left over the bridge. Good thing I cought it. Would not have been a good scene to go from a suspicious border agent to immediatelly taking a tank of propane into an airport. So lesson learned, always look ahead on your route with the GPS. BTW, we now call the GPS peggy. As in "my name is peggy, how can I help you" from the no hassle credit card commercials.
The Garmin Nuvi is particularly bad that way... it doesn't have enough navigation options to avoid those residential streets sometimes. Mine gets lost quite easily, can't find a town in the next state without a lot of messing around with the menu.
1998 Triple E F53 with 460 Ford
1995 Jeep Wrangler toad
M GO BLUE wrote: If the GPS told you the fastest way or shortest way to get ti your point of destination is crossing a lake (obviously without a bridge) would you do it??
You have to apply a little common sense, and paper maps, when using a GPS...
Don't know if this was directed at me, but I do agree common sense is needed. However, since I did not know anything about the area until I actually got here I don't know what else I could have done other than the prior phone call I mentioned. In my case, maybe common sense ain't all that common!
We bought a new Garmin Dezl truckers gps. I still don't trust it completely, but hopefully it will keep us off the kinds of roads you experienced. It can be set up for cars as well as trucks and rv's.
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