How many of you still keep paper maps in your vehicle?

[IronWing]

What dont you like about gps systems for navigation?

The screen size of the biggest GPS is still small compared to a paper map. I can glance at a paper map and learn more in a few seconds than I can in minutes of fiddling around with panning and zooming a GPS. For on-road travel I find GPS navigation to be an annoyance more than anything. I have an excellent sense of direction and don't need turn by turn instructions.

For off road travel, GPS is a bit more useful in picking out one unmarked two track from another.

 

[Leros]

I do. When I'm driving long distance, I sometimes want to look at the map to get an idea of where I am. When you're in the middle of nowhere with no/slow internet, Google Maps on my phone doesn't work.

It's also a backup in case my GPS doesn't function.

 

[weadjust]

I travel all over the state for work. I have a GPS but don't use it very often. GPS does not always give the quickest or shortest route. On several occasions in rural areas the GPS has led me down a private road that ended at a locked gate or tells me to take a road that does not exist. I usually look at a map online to plan my route and turn on my GPS a couple of miles from my destination. I do still have maps in my truck but seldom use them anymore.

 

[marvdmartian]

Actually, not a bad idea to keep an atlas map book in your vehicle. A GPS unit is nice, but has its limitations.

For instance, if you're traveling in the middle of nowhere, and there's an accident on the highway, that stops traffic for miles, can your GPS tell you an alternate route? Maybe, maybe not. Twice now, while traveling I-20 west (east of Tyler, TX), I have come to a virtual standstill, because of an accident on the highway ahead. I lucked out this past time, as the GPS showed a local road that paralleled the highway, far enough that I could skirt around it. :thumbsup:

 

[waggy]

Every time i cross a state line i stop at teh first rest stop. they always have free maps. i always get one.

I had a very nice map kit of Northern IL, iowa, wisc and ind. but some jerkoff broke into my car and took it. the set was like 99 bucks and had laminated pages.

 

[Mixolydian]

I don't need no stinkin' maps.

 

[velillen]

Anymore i tend to just have maps of national parks/state parks in my truck. I use my phone for more general things. I will say the gps on the phone can be wonky. For instance i was headed to crater lake and it wanted me to back track almost 20 miles to go on a road vs going 1 mile to another road that got me there in less time. The map didnt even show this road untill you zoomed in super close. Its done that a couple times where it always wants the most main stream roads instead of more back roads.

For hiking and things i will always have a map and compass as they are 100% reliable (assuming yo get a good map haha) vs a gps that could crap out at the worst times. Of course a gps is n ice to pin point yourself quickly but one should have both and know how to use both.

 

[Doppel]

LOL hell no.

 

[BoomerD]

Just remember to change out/update your paper maps and GPS software periodically. Roads DO change on occasion...

I have a Thomas Maps book for California that I bought around 95...it's surprising how much has changed since then.

 

[JEDI]

Just remember to change out/update your paper maps and GPS software periodically. Roads DO change on occasion...

I have a Thomas Maps book for California that I bought around 95...it's surprising how much has changed since then.

based on your pics, alot has changed since 1895

ie: who the hell shows up to work 15min early anymore?!
And why did that sleep-sapping tradition start in the 1st place?

 

[RockinZ28]

Actually, not a bad idea to keep an atlas map book in your vehicle. A GPS unit is nice, but has its limitations.

For instance, if you're traveling in the middle of nowhere, and there's an accident on the highway, that stops traffic for miles, can your GPS tell you an alternate route? Maybe, maybe not. Twice now, while traveling I-20 west (east of Tyler, TX), I have come to a virtual standstill, because of an accident on the highway ahead. I lucked out this past time, as the GPS showed a local road that paralleled the highway, far enough that I could skirt around it. :thumbsup:

With Google maps on my phone, I'd have never even come near those accidents and would have bypassed them with another route, while laughing at the people stuck on the freeway.

This actually just happened to my wife last night. She was stuck on the freeway at a dead stop for 2.5 hours with no where to move cause the CHP had the whole freeway shut down. This happened like 2 hours before she even got stuck.
I told her to remember to check the traffic before you go anywhere from now on. Just got her a smartphone a month ago.

 

[Ackmed]

In my work vehicle I do.

 

[BoomerD]

based on your pics, alot has changed since 1895

ie: who the hell shows up to work 15min early anymore?!
And why did that sleep-sapping tradition start in the 1st place?

ONLY 15 minutes early? Fucking slackers. If you aren't at least 30 minutes early...you're late.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Nope. Unless I'm doing a trip outside of civilization (aka cell phone service)

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Don't use paper maps anymore. When going on trips to unfamiliar locales I plan my routes using google maps, import that info into a program called TYRE, then download it into a Garmin. Works great. Point-by-point navigation.

 

[KaOTiK]

I do. Never know when I'll need it and my phone could be dead. Easy insurance that takes up hardly any space. I rather have it and don't need it then need it and don't have it.