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One of the most significant changes in the technological revolution is the way we navigate. Discovering how to get to where we’re going became a whole lot easier when GPS devices came on the market. These personal navigation tools became possible when former US President Bill Clinton ordered military satellite signals to be made available to the general public for navigation as of May 2000.
Before long, GPS devices became available to consumers. At first a luxury item, they quickly gained popularity as their prices dropped. Soon nearly everyone was being told where to go by a voice on their dashboard.
But as smartphones evolved, sales of GPS devices suffered. When smartphones became less expensive than GPS’s, people switched to using apps, giving them navigation capabilities with additional functionality.
People also rely on their computers, consulting with Google Maps, MapQuest, Yahoo Maps and other websites to help them get from Point A to Point B. With options such as satellite view, street view and real-time traffic, these sites offer a wealth of information that paper maps can’t match.
Road maps, once a staple in glove compartments everywhere, are no longer as common. Will the next generation be able to use a road map? Will they recognize what a folded road map is?
Do you still use traditional road maps? Do you rely on your phone, computer, and/or GPS instead? Which of these navigation tools have you used in the past year? (You can vote for more than one.)
When I was recently on a cruise ship, I got a sneak peek at the bridge (like the cockpit of an airplane). The navigational devices the crew had available were mind-boggling. But in addition to high tech navigation, the crew also had a paper map and a sextant. I was somehow comforted at the site of traditional navigation tools on the bridge.
When was the last time you consulted a paper map? Do you rely solely on tech for navigation? Have you given up using a GPS for a smartphone app? Do you keep maps handy in the car even though you use tech? Let us know in the Comments section below!
* Folded map image courtesy of George Oates
** GPS image courtesy of Doug
Wow, I remember those days of sheer torture when I had to rely on printouts from MapQuest, then cross-checking them with printouts from Google Maps and sitting in the car trying to figure out if that was a left or just a blotch. The day someone invented GPS I got it for my car and now it’s the one thing I can’t live without. I could probably give up the steering wheel before I give up GPS. I don’t care where I’m going, and I no longer worry about making a wrong turn because the computer voice will figure it out 🙂
Hi Carol Lynn, Great points. There are so many reasons to love GPS devices. I often wonder how we muddled through without them. When I first moved to England in 2006, my GPS saved me from getting lost daily. I ended up putting the voice of John Cleese on my GPS (called Sat Navs there), making navigation even more pleasant!
Hi Carolyn,
I haven’t used a GPS much, but I bought one just before our Easter vacation. We were traveling to Denmark by car (and a ferry), and I had no idea where we were going. So, I bought the GPS to help us find the cabin, Legoland and Givskud Zoo, and a lot more. We even ended up finding an awesome Mexican restaurant that we would never have found if it wasn’t for the GPS (a TomTom). I can’t remember what life was like before the GPS 🙂
It was an amazing experience. We didn’t miss a single turn.
Hi Jens, Sounds as if your experience with your first GPS was fantastic. That’s great to hear that your device helped you out so much. Modern GPS devices can give recommendations to points of interest and traffic reports. Very handy for the traveler!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us, Jens!
Hi Carolyn,
I have never liked folded maps, because even though they help some, they don’t help you to physically recognize the area where you are going and you could still get lost with them. I do 🙂
I am probably a “strange animal”, because I’ve never owned a GPS yet, because I just never really needed one. However, I do use Google Map and Google Earth because you can actually SEE where your destination is (what’s around it and stuff).
As a matter of fact, being in the US now, I Google earth map some roads around where I grew up in France just too see what it looks like these days 🙂 It’s really fun!
Have a great week 🙂
Hi Sylviane, From reading the comments and looking at the results of the poll, it’s easy to see that there is no single method people use for navigation. You’re right, it’s very handy to look at Google Street View to see where we are going ahead of time.
Great idea to use Google Earth to re-visit your old home in France! Much cheaper than a plane ticket. Did it change much since you lived there?
I actually used a paper map while on my trip to New York last month. However, I bought it mostly because I don’t have an unlimited data plan on my smartphone. If I had an unlimited data plan, I feel fairly certain I would abandon paper maps all together.
I have a Tom Tom GPS unit that I absolutely adore. I use it to get anywhere that I’m unfamiliar with, and I have long forgotten the days of printed out instructions. It’s a lot safer than having to glance down at my phone. I’ll also take a look at the destination on Google Maps before I go so I have a good idea of what I’m looking for.
Hi Mandy, Wow, did it feel weird to use a paper map again? I used to have a map of Manhattan I would keep in my purse when I lived there (before the days of GPS’s). Very handy.
You’re smart to check out your destination on Google Maps before you set out on your journey. Sometimes GPS units can be way off due to new roads, construction, etc. so it’s helpful to have an idea of where you’re going.
Carolyn, aloha. Once again, interesting results. Since Hawaii is a very easy place to navigate, it probably would not surprise you to learn that I do not use GPS. Our directions over here are that something is mauka or makai–towards the mountains or the see.
That being said, when I am going to someone’s home for the first time, I look it up on Mapquest.
If I were on the Mainland, I can certainly understand how they tools would be invaluable resources. Thanks so much. Will check back later to see how the polling goes. Aloha. Janet
Hi Janet, Yes, I imagine that you probably don’t need a GPS in Hawaii if you live there. I had a friend from Hawaii visit me about 10 years ago who was amazed by EX Pass (our electronic box that pays tolls without having to stop at a toll booth). She thought it was so cool and wished that she could have those in Hawaii, but I pointed out that it was better to have no tolls than to have EZ Pass!
Yes, I always find the results of these polls interesting, Janet. They never fail to surprise me.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week, Janet!
Hi Carolyn,
I finally bought myself a sat nav for my car. It’s like having a back seat driver nagging! I like Google maps and Streetview. I found an old railway station and canals to photograph next weekend using Streetview. Type WS10 into Streetview, the postcode for here and you can see where I live!
I shall be doing some different things for my Neodigital blog tomorrow. That should be interesting. I got a few good pictures today, much better light. Things are starting to go green again after the winter.
Hi Mike, I looked at Google Street view. for WS 10. It looks very familiar, not that I’ve been to Wednesbury, but it looks like other British towns I visited.
You’re right, sat navs can be annoying when they talk too much or too little.
I look forward to your next post on Neodigital Art, Mike!
I always find out where I’m going before I even get in the car. I’ve never owned a GPS device, I find them annoying. Those creepy voices get to me ya know.
My Mom still uses a map, she thinks better safe then sorry. It never hurts to have one handy and yes, I still have one in my car too. I’m from the old school! I know, we won’t be able to even buy them soon so I’ll move forward then.
Hi Adrienne, I hope we’re always able to buy paper maps, just as I hope we’re always able to buy print books. There’s too much risk in being completely dependent upon technology for information.
Nothing wrong with being old school in your navigation choices. If it works for you, that’s fine!
Hi, Carolyn! If it’s someplace important (like the talk I gave last week was at an unfamiliar library location), I use Google Maps, print the map, read the directions, and then I use the GPS on my droid. Wouldn’t you know, sometimes the talk feature on the android GPS doesn’t work. It didn’t on the way there… kept saying searching for GPS. I don’t know why – on the way home, when it was dark, the voice feature worked just fine! I got to the presentation in plenty of time. I looked at my printout – that was the easiest (I stopped the car a few times to do that).
Hi Leora, I’m thinking your Droid lost Internet connection somewhere along the trip. I am frequently amazed at the dead zones in New Jersey. It’s the state with the highest population density, yet it has plenty of cell phone dead zones.
You were very smart to have a printout of your directions with you when you were driving. The problem with using your smartphone as a GPS is that it needs a connection to work. A printout of your directions is a great backup plan.
Congratulations on your presentation, Leora!
Carolyn, my friend who was visiting agrees that New Jersey has difficulties with connections! I wonder if it was worse because it was rush hour.
Hi Leora, That very well could have been the problem. I know when I take the train to New York, my cell phone signal drops quite a bit, even in populated areas.
Call me crazy – I use them all! Just depends on the situation. I have been misdirected by my GPS in the past, and am not completely trustworthy of it. I have had both my GPS and my iPhone mapping out my destination at the same time – with different results! Took the long way in Texas once because I followed the GPS version. So now, I just can’t help it – if headed to a totally new place, I might be found with a paper map in one hand, iPhone in the other, and GPS on the window. Sad, huh! But each has a feature that I like to use. Unless of course we are in my husband’s car, which happens to have the latest technology mapping service right in his dashboard. Then I dump the GPS in the window. lol
Hi Carol, I could call you crazy, but I think “smart” would be a more fitting term! :-bd You have learned from experience and are very wise to cover all the bases. I guess the challenge then becomes which method do you believe when they are in conflict? :-??
I have to say I am still old school. My man is not tech savvy at all and will open up a map book in a minute then look at a smart phone. He will use Google map online, but when we are in the car, its all about the map book. We don’t have GPS in my suv so it’s paper baby!
Hi Sonia, Nothing wrong with Old School, it worked for many centuries. Plus you never have to worry about accessing a signal with a paper map! (Just how to fold it! @-) )
I was in charge of navigation for our road trips for a couple of times this year now, and still using traditional maps and printouts from Google. Well, I’ve never tried relying on a GPS before. So far, what normally works for us is to stop a bit (at a gas station, convenience store, local folks) and ask for directions. It never hurts to ask, just ask nicely of course 🙂
This is one of the tech blessings that is really valuable. We went on a recent road trip and I relied on my wife for directions…thankfully, I was taking video of the whole thing and got a GREAT and funny vlog on the 2-hour journey that should have taken 30 minutes!
Well, I like keeping my skills at map-reading sharp.
Actually, I insist that humans have delegated (and continue to do so) many of their responsibilities, tasks and, ultimately, skills to machines and automation. But I prefer being ready to get by wihtout any of these, should need arise.
I use paper maps and Google Maps or other websites to help me find my way. Then, if I have trouble finding a street or something, I… I… yes, I ask people on the street! Or I make a couple of rounds. I don’t let getting lost upset me 😀 😀
I use them all but sometimes it is just my nose that gets me there!