GPS limbo

[kahpho]

Well it's happened again. Boaters have been learning for some time the risks and limitations of these handy GPS gadgets. It seems now land cruisers are being exposed to the dangers of unquestioning faith in following the little electronic arrows on their dash.

A couple were traveling from Portland, Oregon to Nevada after the holidays. Following their GPS, apparently set to navigate the shortest route, they ended up stuck in deep snow on a remote forest service road here in Southern Oregon. And there they sat for three days before getting a cell phone signal and calling for help. Fortunately, they were rescued none the worse for the experience. Lucky them. Last year, not far from here a San Francisco family had a far different outcome. They ended up in the same situation for the same reason. That time, one life was lost in the winter conditions.

GPS's can be useful and even fun if you're a gadget kind of person. But they can get you in serious trouble if not treated with a modicum of skepticism. Learn how to use 'em. Learn about their weaknesses. Tell your friends and loved ones too. You see, electronics do what you set them to do pretty well. But that's not always what you _want_ them to do.

mel

[Bob23]

   The main problem with land-bound GPS, is that it doesn't teach people how to think. I don't have one; ain't gonna get one either. I prefer using a paper map to design my route from point A to point B. And, ladies, you aren't going to believe this- I do stop and ask for directions when I'm lost, something my family says I do instictively. I meet some interesting folks this way.
   I do see the value in a GPS unit for some folks but I graduated (just barely) from the old school. Give me land dead reckoning any day. But I do like my GPS on my 23. It's a nice toy but even on the water, it's good to develope a sense of direction and not rely on technology too heavily. Just my opinion...can't help it that I'm right!\
Bob23..still learning how to think.

[Craig Weis]

Any body who relies solely on a stupid GPS to guide them on a journey with basically zero knowledge of where they are going ought to perish. Period. This takes 'dead reckoning' to a new high. GPS is just an aid.

The GPS is no better than the data input. In this case, the data was flawed and the recipients of the data were stupid.

skip.

[newt]

Yep- Navigation Aid- just like on the water. Nothing can replace common sense. Bob : I don't have a GPS for my CP yet. Love the running fixes and using the binoculars too much I guess.

[Salty19]

I have a GPS in one of my cars...and do not trust it!  It has directed me to take dirt roads before.  Dirt roads that stretch over a county, not just quick connector roads.  That was the shortest way home. I have a handheld which I use for basically as a novelty/toy. Will do some geocaching On the boat, I do not need navigation in the little puddle I sail in, but nice to see the speed over land and other metrics. 

I view any piece of electronics on a small boat (that is not designed for 99.99 electrical reliability) as something that you should not rely upon to save your life.

I'm with Bob...I use paper maps.  The Delorme streets atlas is a great tool while traveling, especially off the beaten path.
The GPS really just confirms I'm not lost.

[brackish]

Just a tool and, like any other tool subject, to limitations with a requirement for common sense and sound judgement of the operator. I don't have one, but borrow my wife's on occasion.  I like it great for navigating a strange city.  In Panama City last summer I wanted to visit five marine supply houses, so punched in the five addresses and it took me to their front doors.  However, I have had it show me in the middle of a cow pasture when driving on a brand new four lane highway.  Old software.

As far as marine goes, when I think back to the improvement current GPS has over RDF and then Loran C, it's hard to deny that the tool has come a long way.  But still, common sense and a back up system is necessary.

[Bob23]

Hear, Hear! My first experience with car GPS was in England quite some time ago. It (she?) had a wonderfully sexy British girls voice. Always wondered what she looked like. But she did direct us down some dead ends. I think that to  make them interesting, they could clone voices that are familiar to us. I'd put in Emma Peels voice (from the old British spy series " The Avengers") She could lead me anywhere she wanted to.
  The GPS in my CP23 was a gift. My friend replaced his old black and white Garmin with a color chartplotter and gave me the old one. It's a nice toy. Neat to compare your compass heading with GPS heading. Helps you calculate drift. Or is it set- I get them confused.
   My buddy is a powerboater/fisherman and he left his waypoints in. Now I can get to all his secret fishin' spots! Mwhaaa...soon the whole world will be mine!
Bob23...loosin' it!

[Nicolina]

I think GPS and chartplotters are great toys. I first learned using them in planes and now I got to play with my marine one. However, they are navigation aids, not replacement brains. One still has to be able where one is and where one is going.

That brings me to the second point: aren't they just helping to extend natural selection? When stupid people get stuck in the forest because their GPS told them so, and wolves eat them, isn't that just part of evolution?

[rwdsr]

Uh, Bob23 yer tellin your age - Emma Peel.  Yeah she was a fox.

[Bob23]

Good point, Nic:
   Keeps 'em out of the gene pool. I never thought that GPS could lead to the advancement of the race. Like I've said before, it's amazin' what I learn here at the site!
Bob23

[Craig Weis]

"I'd put in Emma Peels voice (from the old British spy series " The Avengers") She could lead me anywhere she wanted to."

"Uh, Bob23 yer tellin your age - Emma Peel.  Yeah she was a fox."

At the series time [and probabily still is] "Ms. Peel" was a smoker, giving that raspy voice so many find enjoyable.

SMOKING IS FOR SUCKERS

I'd like a bumper snicker that reads that.
skip.

[Mundaysj]

Hi All,
I love my GPS, but don't use it to the exclusion of my brain.
And Bob... I loved The Avengers... I always wanted Mrs. Peel's wardrobe... of course I was but a mere child watching reruns ... LOL
Sherie

[kickingbug1]

   bought a little gps for white bass fishing. i know where those submerged islands are but it does make it a bit quicker to find particular spots. i take it sailing just to play with but i would never have one in a car. paper maps for me. everytime i see someone driving at night wish that nav screen lit up all i can think of is "yet another distraction to deal with. hell if i see a dvd player in the back of a van i find myself trying to see what they are watching as i pass them. i once passed an suv that had a porn movie on. now that was a distraction.

[Craig Weis]

Oh that's another thing. Those "submerged islands". Tie the GPS into the auto pilot and she just might run over a few islands.
GPS is only as smart as the skipper sets it.

skip. I used my chartplotter to reveal a bearing to Green Island on a foggy day. In about 40 seconds to fine the compuss course and the 'miles to', [a little to starboard and 6.72 kn as I recall] and off went the chartplotter.

[newt]

I always thought that guy in the top hat had it way too good....But a smoker? Ok that ruined it for me. I guess I will go listen to my wife- she has a nice voice as long as its not raised in exasperation in something I did.