Random Thoughts Thread

[BurningDoom]

It's true, GPS isn't 100%.

No: the GPS map software/hardware might be buggy, but GPS technology itself isn't really prone to mistakes

The problem wasn't that a road had closed or a new road was there or something else not updated. It was telling me to drive out in to the middle of the ocean. That sounds like it's prone to mistakes to me.

[Luke]

It's true, GPS isn't 100%.

No: the GPS map software/hardware might be buggy, but GPS technology itself isn't really prone to mistakes

The problem was that a road had closed or a new road was there or something else not updated. It was telling me to drive out in to the middle of the ocean. That sounds like it's prone to mistakes to me.

And if you're a bit knowledgeable you can block your address from GPS servers.

[BogusMeatFactory]

The problem was that a road had closed or a new road was there or something else not updated. It was telling me to drive out in to the middle of the ocean. That sounds like it's prone to mistakes to me.

It all depends on what type of GPS you get. My wife's first GPS was updated, but had no record of the road we lived on, nor the majority of the roads around us. It seemed to have info of city streets and expressways only. It was a complete piece of garbage.

Our most recent GPS purchase has been fantastic and without flaw. The only gripe I have with it is that Michigan can get real cloudy and it takes some time for it to find the satellite.

[Bikeage]

I've also had the opposite experience with GPS, not listening to it and getting stuck. Was pulling a 25' trailer back from a job inside a large park, and on an access road within sight of the highway. The GPS suddenly told me to turn into a gated subdivision I was about to pass. Thought "screw that hassle, there's got to be entry onto the road just around this bend...." and kept going, right into a dead end. Luckily I was the only one who made that mistake, as I had to back up almost 1/2 a mile and did not encounter another vehicle.

[Ack]

Uh, guys...GPS means the system by which four or more satellites send signals to the earth to a receiver giving their location at a specific time, allowing the receiver to measure its location based on those signals. That is what Ds is saying works, because all it requires is a few simple mathematical calucations to calulate longitude and latitude. The technology is sound, though there are methods by which one can block the signal if one so desires.

What you guys are complaining about are GPS navigation devices and software. These are the devices which interpret the signals from satellites and then show the current location on whatever available version of a particular graphical map they happen to be using. It is the map data that is buggy, because that particular information can come from a variety of sources, ranging from satellite imagery to local government zoning maps. A GPS navigation device is only as good as the electronic map's source material.

[Jmustang1968]

Uh, guys...GPS means the system by which four or more satellites send signals to the earth to a receiver giving their location at a specific time, allowing the receiver to measure its location based on those signals. That is what Ds is saying works, because all it requires is a few simple mathematical calucations to calulate longitude and latitude. The technology is sound, though there are methods by which one can block the signal if one so desires.

What you guys are complaining about are GPS navigation devices and software. These are the devices which interpret the signals from satellites and then show the current location on whatever available version of a particular graphical map they happen to be using. It is the map data that is buggy, because that particular information can come from a variety of sources, ranging from satellite imagery to local government zoning maps. A GPS navigation device is only as good as the electronic map's source material.

Thank you, you saved me the trouble lol

[Stark]

I honestly don't know any one that uses a dedicated GPS navigation system any more. Doesn't everyone just use their phone?

[BogusMeatFactory]

I honestly don't know any one that uses a dedicated GPS navigation system any more. Doesn't everyone just use their phone?

My wife and I are old fashioned. We don't even have a smartphone or anything that closely resembles one.

[BurningDoom]

Uh, guys...GPS means the system by which four or more satellites send signals to the earth to a receiver giving their location at a specific time, allowing the receiver to measure its location based on those signals. That is what Ds is saying works, because all it requires is a few simple mathematical calucations to calulate longitude and latitude. The technology is sound, though there are methods by which one can block the signal if one so desires.

What you guys are complaining about are GPS navigation devices and software. These are the devices which interpret the signals from satellites and then show the current location on whatever available version of a particular graphical map they happen to be using. It is the map data that is buggy, because that particular information can come from a variety of sources, ranging from satellite imagery to local government zoning maps. A GPS navigation device is only as good as the electronic map's source material.

Getting a little technical on the verbage, I see. The only point was that it's not 100% reliable, regardless of where the issue is coming from.

[Ziggy]

I honestly don't know any one that uses a dedicated GPS navigation system any more. Doesn't everyone just use their phone?

I use one. I have a smartphone, but no data plan. A dedicated GPS device is always gonna be better than something in your phone. Otherwise... they wouldn't still exist.

The only benefit a phone has over a dedicated GPS is the ability to Google something. Often times, I have to call 411 and get an address text to my phone.