I picked up one of the Garmin C330s at Walmart for $178. I've been using it in the car. It gets dark around here at about 5:00PM now. I never thought that a GPS would provide such a safety factor driving in the dark. You can see railroad crossings coming up, curves and intersections way before the headlights show them. I can see where they could prevent a lot of accidents. Also you know what street you are at, never can read the street signs in the dark with headlights.
jhilley wrote: I never thought that a GPS would provide such a safety factor driving in the dark. You can see railroad crossings coming up, curves and intersections way before the headlights show them. I can see where they could prevent a lot of accidents. Also you know what street you are at, never can read the street signs in the dark with headlights.
I agree. I bought my Garmin about 3 1/2 years ago and paid about $600 and think it was well worth it. At the time, one of my motivating factors is that we were scheduled to take a lengthy trip in the car, and our oldest daughter at the time was on a chemotherapy regimen. The biggest safety feature that swayed me to purchase was that ALL of the hospitals & other emergency service areas were included in the POI (points on interest) database. So even though we were driving through unfamiliar territory, we could find the nearest medical facility and drive to it with just a few button presses. That offered a lot of peace of mind in itself.
I still use it anytime I'm driving on unfamiliar roads, for many of the reasons you mentioned. One time, it was morning, and we were driving in some very thick fog in unfamiliar territory. Fortunately, I had the GPS on and it showed that our street was about to form a junction with a highway, so I began slowing figuring we'd need to stop or yield. Had I waited until we could actually "see" the STOP sign, it would've required slamming on the brakes and I'm still not sure we would've stopped in time.
Yeah...they are an important safety device in my opinion.
~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22 (Class A)
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (12-Angel), 1 girl (7), 2 boys (8 & 5), 1 plump Golden Retriever.
2001 Honda Odyssey with Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.
jhilley wrote: ... You can see railroad crossings coming up, curves and intersections way before the headlights show them. ...
Rick Jay wrote: ... One time, it was morning, and we were driving in some very thick fog in unfamiliar territory. Fortunately, I had the GPS on and it showed that our street was about to form a junction with a highway, so I began slowing figuring we'd need to stop or yield. Had I waited until we could actually "see" the STOP sign, it would've required slamming on the brakes and I'm still not sure we would've stopped in time. ...
Both of these posters described situations where they were "over driving" their headlights. I'm not sure I would depend on the GPS in these situations because GPSs are not 100% right all the time.
"But officer, the GPS didn't show an intersection here otherwise I would have stopped at the Stop sign!"
I agree that the GPS is an indispensable tool and can enhance your driving experience but I'm not sure I would bet my (or my family's) life on it.
Much as they can help prevent accidents, putting too much trust in them can cause major problems. Case in point, there is an intersection in Portland, OR where my Garmin wanted me to turn. It was dark, couldn't see the sign; but something about the intersection didn't seem right. I finally worked my way around to the side road and took a look. There was a 15 foot drop between the main road and the side road at that "intersection"!
Had to drive to Welland, Ontario for work this week. My partner brought a Garmin 330 for our trip. It was my first time using a GPS with the audible directions. I was impressed. It knew the difference between "bear right" and "turn right." If you went the wrong way it would sort you out almost immediately. We found gas, restaurants, stores really easily with the unit. I wish it would audibly name the street you were to turn on. I think the next model, the 340 does that. However, being a plan my route, use a map kind of guy, after a while I was thinking that the unit was turning me stupid. My partner took the thing off the dash and said to go back to the hotel. No way! Where am I? Always have a map for backup!
jhilley wrote: ... You can see railroad crossings coming up, curves and intersections way before the headlights show them. ...
Rick Jay wrote: ... One time, it was morning, and we were driving in some very thick fog in unfamiliar territory. Fortunately, I had the GPS on and it showed that our street was about to form a junction with a highway, so I began slowing figuring we'd need to stop or yield. Had I waited until we could actually "see" the STOP sign, it would've required slamming on the brakes and I'm still not sure we would've stopped in time. ...
Both of these posters described situations where they were "over driving" their headlights. I'm not sure I would depend on the GPS in these situations because GPSs are not 100% right all the time.
"But officer, the GPS didn't show an intersection here otherwise I would have stopped at the Stop sign!"
I agree that the GPS is an indispensable tool and can enhance your driving experience but I'm not sure I would bet my (or my family's) life on it.
I wasn't referring to a situation where I was over driving my lights, in our rural areas with curves, dense trees and pitch black nights you can't see some things with the headlights until the last moment, no matter how slow you are driving. The GPS lets me know in plenty of time to watch for curves, railroad tracks and intersections. I haven't had a chance to use it in a snow storm yet (maybe I can get out of here before that happens), but I think it will really help. In one storm I was driving about 5 mph and turned 1 mi too soon. That type of thing can turn deadly around here.
I agree, GPS is much safer. I have never used it to anticipate bends in the road -- but I no am no longer distracted searching for street signs. I know exactly how far to the exit or turn I must make so I am not in the wrong lane and cutting across traffic. AND... the most crucial thing for me: if I miss a turn, oh well -- "off route, re-calculating: go..." means there is no stress, no distraction of figuring out what to do now, no pulling over to read a map (or argue about who should have known what), I just follow the directions knowing I'm sure to get back on route.
Dave Lindemulder
Tammy, Mark & Kirsten
04 Dodge 2500 4x4 SLT QC/SB
HO-CTD/48RE - Graphite: Raptor SS nerfs, Prodigy, Reese 16K Kwik-slide, BD X-Monitor, PML Trans pan, PML Diff cover, Firestone Airbags
09 Heartland Cyclone 3210
I will disagree with a GPS being safer. It is a well know fact that anything that distracts you from paying attention to the road/driving reduces your safety.
I commute 100 miles a day, I have seen nearly everything, I have watched a person removing T top panels with one hand, the other hand had a cell phone, a knee holding the steering wheel all at 70mph at prime rush hr. I have seen the makeup artist, the sandwich/cell, and so on.
Driving in the dark with oncomming traffic I hit a deer, never saw it, just the glare of opposing traffic blinded me. So folks you really need to think twice, that device you call "safety" could end up harming you or others (I have noticed many folks driving with GPS that is too bright at night!).
I can not even believe someone would be foolish enough to let an automotive GPS device be their guide to curves and stops. These things are not video games that get high scores for keeping your arrow in the lane on the screen. You are supposed to be driving the car by sight. Like someone else said, if you can't see with your headlights, you are going to fast.
Hopefully no one gets hurt thinking these things are safety enhancements.
Sorry to hurt anyones feelings but a GPS is no replacement for your eyes and brain.
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