posted
I've often thought using a GPS for navigation in a car is good, but will still tend to funnel you onto roads that are likely to be jammed if theres a problem.
One simple option I've used is to tell it to pick the shortest route - not the quickest route. For me this ends up going to *lots* of very minor single track roads - but those are roads that don't have signs and see very little traffic - so unlikely to get jammed or blocked.
posted
I use a PalmPilot III with a RandMcNally Streetfinder GPS and software.
I upload varied maps that I create to the PalmPilot. For me, it's quite adequate and very portable. Working with my laptop on hand to upload other maps makes it even more useful.
In a bug-out situation, it would be very useful to see new routes and where you're at in location to those routes.
I picked up the PalmPilot and the GPS/software for <$50 on a good sale on Ebay
posted
I use a Mio 168 PDA which also has a built in GPS - a lot like the palm PDA. The software on it is TomTom which is the gold standard for in-car navigation here.
As its a PDA it fits nicely in a pocket so I also use it when hiking as well, though its more of a gimic for that as its kinda hard to get lost 'in the hills' here.
Mine has all the maps for Western Europe and America, so when I visit America I just take it with me to use in the rental cars.
I also tend to stick a big post-it note on the dashboard with 'DRIVE ON THE RIGHT'
posted
I use MS Streets and Trips while I'm on the road, as I drive around a lot in rural and residential areas. Though it does have a route planning function, I rarely use it, as I spent years as a truck driver navigating with a paper atlas... so I'm used to just doing it myself. I plan to hook up a GPS antenna soon, as it'll give me a real-time position blip.
posted
Wile GPS is great I wouldnt want to count on as my only way of getting around. The GPS system is run by the US gvmt. They can and have shut down the civilian mode.
quote:Originally posted by velojym: I use MS Streets and Trips while I'm on the road, as I drive around a lot in rural and residential areas. Though it does have a route planning function, I rarely use it, as I spent years as a truck driver navigating with a paper atlas... so I'm used to just doing it myself. I plan to hook up a GPS antenna soon, as it'll give me a real-time position blip.
I use the same and I have the GPS sensor. You can pick it up fairly cheap on ebay. The software does learn from the driving you do. On my trips back and forth from Georgia and New Orleans last year I went a way different than what the software posted. I simply clicked the button on the GPS pane to redo my route from current position. It worked great and remembered the route the next time. I cut almost an hour off my route.
nomadcrna
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posted
Actually, all my gps units I've had both factory in lexus/bmw/acura and aftermarket Garmin/Lowrence map the route as he said. It is a good tip.
posted
its always hilarious to watch the folks in rental cars equipped with the gps systems, they have their routes planned out thenthey run into construction or a one way road that is not on a map.
they sit there at the intersection trying to punch in the new route and have twenty cars behind them honking.
too many people depend on gps that have never tried the old compas and paper. its a bad thing waiting to happen to them.
posted
I use a DeLorme topo atlas, confirming things like the existence of bridges on back roads, etc... with Google Earth before I leave the house. I've run my bugout route a few times just to be sure, too.
Atlases don't need to be charged up. Batteries.....ugh!
posted
I am using delorme on my laptop interfaced with a garmin etrex vista, it will do 3-d mapping in real time. My backup is any of 5-6 compasses....
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