Do those GPS directional gadgets in cars really work?

[NewJeffCT]

Do those GPS directional gadgets in cars really work?

My wife, despite having two master's degrees, is in danger of getting lost every time she pulls out of the driveway.

I am not joking or exaggerating – she has been picking our daughter up from daycare 2 nights a week for months, but still gets lost sometimes getting there. And, a few months back when she had to drop our daughter off in the morning, our now 3 1/2 year old had to correct my wife - "Mommy you're going the wrong way!"

This morning, my wife had printouts from mapquest and yahoo to go to a place 3 towns to the North of us, 13 miles away. (google maps had the same directions, too) She got lost going there, and again coming back.

So, I want to know if those GPS things in cars really work?

Any input?

[Burma Jones]

1. Yes, they do, IF

you have the correct and up-to-date Disks installed.

That being said, the GPS systems don't seem to account for one-way streets........

[ncrainbowgrrl]

3. In some neighborhoods, they don't work- with all one way streets.

My friend didn't bother to get directions to another person's house- figuring her GPS would take care of it all. Boy, was she surprised!

[NewJeffCT]

5. That is true

I had a google map & driving directions to a train station (I think in Worcester, Mass) and it told me that the train station is like 73 feet from the exit... (literally, it says to Turn Left & got 73 feet to arrive at destination)

Unfortunately, the street off the exit is one way and going in the other direction.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

2. I love mine...

I bought a TomTom 700 from BJ's for my husband and I took it on a long trip to California a month ago. It is the best purchase ever. You still have to use some common sense because sometimes new roads are built or modified that cannot be possible to update on the GPS device.

TomTom is a Dutch company and it is a very popular brand in Europe. It was about $600. It also works as a hands free wireless device (as long as your phone has BlueTooth). The new model, the TomTom900, also has MP3 playback capabilities and all maps of Europe. The model I have only has the maps for Canada and the U.S. (European maps can be downloaded for an extra charge).

The unit is completely touch screen (except for the on-off button) and easily sets up in the car. You can take it anywhere and it even has walking and biking directions. To me, it has made driving around in unfamiliar places a pleasure.

[NewJeffCT]

4. Thanks

It sounds like it could be useful

[calico1]

6. Waving hand!

:hi:

I am just like your wife! I get lost coming out of the bathroom! They do work. I bought this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BKN2Y0/sr=8-4/qid=1155834348/ref=pd_bbs_4/002-9699989-9262431?ie=UTF8


I haven't had it for that long but so far so good. You should get it updated to the latest version and you can do that for free on their site. My best friend who lives in NJ bought it and recommended it to me. It's cheaper than the Magellan or the Tom Tom and does what it needs to do for a lot less.

One thing I will say...I let my fiance borrow it because he went somewhere out of state that he was not familiar with. It tends to not give the most direct route. I tested it myself going to my aunt's house just to see what directions it would give me and again, it took me around a longer route than what I normally take. But....for people like me and like your wife this thing is a Godsend! Hey, I am college educated too but I have to drive 20 times to a place to remember how to get there! :rofl:

[ComerPerro]

7. they work very well

[anarch]

8. yeah, they work

But I don't know if even that could help some people.

I've also tried following the directions from one of those things exactly on a local trip, just to see if it took me some better way than I knew, and it got me stuck in traffic for an extra half hour or so...but hey, it was a learning experience.

[lojasmo]

9. I got my wife a palm with "tomtom" software

It works GREAT.

"turn left in 50 yards"

Etc, etc...

[SuperWonk]

10. They are awesome...

I have used the tomtom devices, and think they are awesome.
It is so nice to have a co-pilot that actually knows north from south. It is especially useful when you are running late, and just need the quickest route.

I have been looking at their 510 and 910.... pretty sweet.

[intaglio]

11. excuse the one handed typing but i have a cat on my chest

beware the signal deteriorates in cities and certain military installations have scrambling devices.

try getting to menwith hill using gps and you will end up very confused

[ScreamingMeemie]

12. Welcome to DU, intaglio!

:hi: