What are your other hobbies

[Sumpter250]

GPS - - - - OK

But I still prefer Multiple Application Positioning Systems - - -- -There's no batteries to go dead, just when you need to use them.

[Running Bear]

GPS - - - - OK

But I still prefer Multiple Application Positioning Systems - - -- -There's no batteries to go dead, just when you need to use them.

Yep. All the person needs is enough gray matter in the air space between the ears to understand how to use it properly. I can remember a bunch of officers from my army days who'd be in dire straights without a private to read the map for them.

[ezdays]

GPS - - - - OK

But I still prefer Multiple Application Positioning Systems - - -- -There's no batteries to go dead, just when you need to use them.

The only downside to that is you need to know where you are in the first place, then find that spot on the paper you're holding. Now with GPS, when you turn it on, there's a little pointer thingy that does that work for you.

[Tyson Rayles]

My cell phone doesn't have a GPS. And who says I want to be found!

[ezdays]

My cell phone doesn't have a GPS. And who says I want to be found!

I'm sure that would depend on how hungry you were and if your brewskies were still keeping cold in the ice chest....

[Charlie B]

I am darned good with a map, and my wife worked in the field with a surveyor for 3 years, so she does well with a map to, but maps don't tell you to get in the left lane to make an exit from the left in 6 miles nor do they warn you of sharp curves in the road.
I resisted a GPS for a long time but when I took my son to Virginia to pick up my grand daughter last summer he had borrowed a Garmen which got us there without a problem. Never once took the Atlas out from the map holder. When we were going on a trip to pick up our female Samoyed I went to Walmart and got one the night before we left. I told the clerk if it didn't put me in my driveway I would bring it back because most systems had folks turning one block too soon.
This one took me right to the drive way.
This one has already paid it's way with no getting lost, and having the speed limits right there in front of you, as well as the speed on the GPS.
It is nice to find the food and gas stops too.
Charlie

[faraway]

I had never severe problems finding any place with a map or with my wife reading the map and directing me.
However, my wife did miss a lot of scenery on our tours (specially in the US) because she was reading the maps and I had sometimes a hard time to get into the right lane on the last hundred yards not to miss an exit. We had a much more relaxed vacation with my TomTom. And in high traffic areas with a dense network of interstates like LA is an advanced information what lane is the best to get the exit a very welcome gift.
Here in Germany is the TomTom App online and knows the traffic information too. That is very handy to circumvent the many traffic jams on the autobahn around Stuttgart. It is nice to know the standard route but get an early warning and an suggestion about an alternate route depending on the dynamic traffic situation. I assume you have the same feature in the US but mobile data transmission is prohibitive expensive with a German mobile phone carrier in the US and I did not use it.

[tomustang]

I agree Charlie, Garmin has helped out a lot when we go on trips, especially in the boonies.

[ngauger]

~~~~ turning "too soon" -- Done that

~~~~ Moving in to the "left turn" lane - only to have to go back into traffic - yeah that too

~~~~ Avoiding traffic - never really had to do that - my Garmin doesn't have that option

~~~~ Using the Topographic maps while hiking (and Yes - I can read and understand maps) - I usually use the map to find the easier way and not the steepest hills

One thing you guys left out - with the fold-able maps, if used incorrectly, they can block your vision out of the passenger side, while the better half is studying it

Yes, the Garmin has tried to have me turn on to railroad tracks that were right next to a street named "Station Road". The station was a block away on the road, but the GPSr was trying to get me there faster

Of course, as I crossed the tracks, the "arrow" told me to turn safely onto the road

My mother told us a story of her and my dad navigating to the shore. He got really upset with her when they missed a turn and she said that the next road was a half mile away.... She didn't mention that the "road" was BLUE!!!!

As they approached the road (bridge over the creek) he realized what she did
The next "real road" was another 2 miles away Awwww Wellllll

[faraway]

~~~~ turning "too soon" -- Done that...

It is very important to look at the map and check GPS is setup correct (how many "main street" do exist in the LA area?) and while driving it is providing suggestion only. I am in command decide based on the traffic rules and situation what is actually done.
There are thousands of story of dump drivers the exchanged their brain with the GPS. The result is at least funny but sometimes fatal.

[ngauger]

the main thing that happens with Garmin and I've talked to other owners that have the same issues.. the maps zoom in as you are approaching a turn. If you don't "see" it zoom, you think the turn is closer than it really is..

But yeah, if you aren't careful, you start trusting it too much. A woman about 2 years ago drove right on to the tracks She was fine.. there was no train coming and the authorities notified the railroad and the car was safely towed off the tracks.....

[Ralph]

We use a Garmin for some road trips. It usually works well. The woman's voice gets a little petulent though when we exit off to a rest stop and then maybe have to do a lot of turns in the parking lot. After saying "recalculating" for the fifth time I get the impression she wants to slap me.

I once drove with a friend who was navigating by map for me and told me that a turn we wanted was coming up. I argued with him about it. To prove his point he showed me a line with cross hatching on it. Not sure my car wheels had the correct gauge for those tracks.

I used to go on orienteering excusrions as a Boy Scout with a compass and a topographical map. We had to find stations (not much more than a post with a small box) that had hole punches to make unique marks on a ticket to prove we made it to each. That was fun...sort of primitive geocaching I guess.

[ngauger]

I used to go on orienteering excusrions as a Boy Scout with a compass and a topographical map. We had to find stations (not much more than a post with a small box) that had hole punches to make unique marks on a ticket to prove we made it to each. That was fun...sort of primitive geocaching I guess.

Yup - That's how I learned to read maps and use a compass... I have found 4 geocaches using only orienteering and Google satellite view. I've found 6 others by using Google street view It's even more rewarding not using the GPSr to find them

[Green_Elite_Cab]

I recently restarted my old hobby of collecting rocks and minerals. I've been trying to track down native elements (gold, Carbon, etc).

So far I have : Gold, silver, copper, Sulfur, Silicon, Iron/Nickel (pure iron just doesn't happen), and Carbon (diamond). All are in their "natural state",

I've also got quite a few cyrstals and fossils. I hadn't bothered much with collecting these things until I recently, since most of the stores I knew bout had closed shop years ago. However, there apparently was an impressive store selling these things near me (Gary's Rock and Gem Garden, Route 70 in Cherry Hill, NJ), which sells some nice ones.

Right now, I'm in the process of acquiring a pallasite, which is a metorite with crystals in it.


I also like to build model airplanes, but I never seem to get around to it. I still have a huge B36 Peacemaker to assemble, as well as 2 A10s and a few others. I'm afraid to get started on it because I don't know where I'll put it.

i don't know If i'd count video games as a hobby though. What defines a "hobby"?

[Sumpter250]

The only downside to that is you need to know where you are in the first place, then find that spot on the paper you're holding. Now with GPS, when you turn it on, there's a little pointer thingy that does that work for you.

That is what a Sextant, and an accurate time piece ( Chronometer ) are for. . . and, the unfortunate fact that the GPS Satellites are susceptible to burnout from Solar activity, and there are no "Landmarks" at Sea, there are still Sextants, Chronometers, Paper Charts, and people who still know how to use them, on every ship at sea. ( and some boats ) :mrgreen: :mrgreen:


Oh, - - - and the term "Shoot the Stars", does NOT mean terminating celebrities with firearms.