Going back to a road atlas

[deano_l]

I'm leaning towards getting out my old paper-based road atlas to plan journeys and find diversions instead of relying on the sat-nav.

The sat-nav is great at getting me to my final destination when I'm quite close, such as in the right town or city, but they don't seem to be that great in picking the optimal route for longer journeys to get to the town or city in the first place. They don't seem to pick out the "cleverest" route, just shortest, fastest etc. Which are usually neither short, nor fast.

So I think it might pay me to plan the route out using the paper map book, then perhaps plot in waypoints, so it takes me on the route I think is the best.

Anyone else do this, or just use sat-nav come what may?

 

[Vladimir]

The problem I found when travelling Europe is that pre-printed maps (even Michellin) don't know about new routes or the issue of road works that usually happen in the summer.

 

[onenotetom]

Much easier to plan using the old fashioned way in my opinion. You can get a much bigger picture that is easier to read.

 

[trev333]

I've never had a car that has a satnav....

or ever used one... I like looking over maps before any journey and selecting the best drive ... checking for things along the way that might be worth a deviation,,,...

I just stop and ask someone if I need more local directions.. or the map doesn't cover that area well ...

I've worked lots of years with Surveyors and got quite used to all kinds of maps...

 

[Durtdog]

I'm leaning towards getting out my old paper-based road atlas to plan journeys and find diversions instead of relying on the sat-nav.

The sat-nav is great at getting me to my final destination when I'm quite close, such as in the right town or city, but they don't seem to be that great in picking the optimal route for longer journeys to get to the town or city in the first place. They don't seem to pick out the "cleverest" route, just shortest, fastest etc. Which are usually neither short, nor fast.

So I think it might pay me to plan the route out using the paper map book, then perhaps plot in waypoints, so it takes me on the route I think is the best.

Anyone else do this, or just use sat-nav come what may?

GPS is the future of automobile travel.

But until they perfect the technology, try a good tube driven GPS unit.

 

[imwjl]

I still enjoy paper maps and my kids have asked why I have gazetteer books for several states.

A favorite mobile app of mine called Gaia GPS uses several map type overlays including USGS topo and it's the electronic tool that does what many do not thus a favorite. I use it for my trail building work.

Your post has me recalling trucker's atlas books. I loved those when I drove a truck many years ago and they were the practical tool prior to electronics. I recall getting an address to someplace I've never been and using those books to drill down and get there.

Now all that said, we did an overdue new car purchase and my wife insisted on the electronics in the dash because she so hates seeing people looking at little screens when they drive and wanted the camera-based safety system that mandated it.

Enjoy your journey.

 

[Boyd]

You can use a GPS just like a paper map. Set the device to display the map in North-up orientation then zoom in/out and drag it around to look at whatever you want. IMO it is far superior to a paper map because it will have more up-to-date roads, will show exactly where you are and has a screen you can see at night. You don't have to have it give you spoken directions, no need to blindly do what it tells you.

Some people feel that they can turn their brain off and let the GPS tell them what to do. The companies that sell them reinforce this with claims of how smart and accurate their devices are. In reality, it is just another tool that must be used intelligently. I'm a moderator at (link removed) and we see a lot of people who are disappointed because they expect too much from these devices. Use it intelligently and you will find it very useful. Prices have gotten really reasonable on these things and they can be a huge help if they are used with some common sense.

 

[Abu Twangy]

I've had a few times that my nav system has screwed me up--all; related to gigs.
One time it led me down a dead end road maybe 300 yards across a golf course from my destination at a country club.

Another time the nav gave me wrong directions sending me on a rural trek until I found some signs that got me back on course.

When I used maps I could always stop at a little gas station and ask for directions.

 

[otterhound]

GPS is the future of automobile travel.

But until they perfect the technology, try a good tube driven GPS unit.

Do they make lefty units ?

 

[GigsbyBoyUK]

In the UK I use the route planner at www.theaa.com to get me close to the destination and then flip the SatNav on. My SatNav doesn't have traffic/roadworks updates, so there's no benefit in using it all of the time. The AA actually has some info on roadworks and I think the Highways Agency website does too.

I also always print a map of the destination from www.streetmap.co.uk and take that, just in case the SatNav dies or fouls up. It's essential when going to gigs in venues that are new to me. I also make a point of asking venues whether their actual postcode is the right one for SatNavs etc., and whether there is parking.

 

[deano_l]

GPS is the future of automobile travel.

But until they perfect the technology, try a good tube driven GPS unit.

 

[Brother Rob]

When I used maps I could always stop at a little gas station and ask for directions.

...and clearly you can't do this with an electronic map?

Why do you think you would have been better of with a physical map than an electronic map in those situations where you got lost on your way to a gig?

Yes, GPS and electronic maps have some errors in their mapping and navigation, but do you really think that is unique to the electronic nature of the unit?

I love physical maps. They are cool and fun. But they are simply not even nearly equal in terms of accuracy, features, cost, speed, and convenience of free electronic maps currently available. It isn't even debatable.

We just returned from a trip to Costa Rica. While we could have used physical maps to plot our route, the convenience of accurate turn-by-turn real time directions was simply immeasurable.

It was wonderful having a simple device that guided us through confusing busy foreign cities. It was also far more secure than trying to figure out routes and reroutes through unfamiliar territory in a vehicle in unknown neighborhoods. Stopping and asking directions isn't always safe. Try it in Detroit @ 3AM and see how that works for you. And the typical gas station these days doesn't always have people who can give reliable directions.

As mentioned earlier in this thread.you can't turn of common sense when you turn on your GPS. You need to be aware of current actual conditions and even mistakes in the GPS Mapping, Routing, and Positioning.

That being said, I'll take even the free mapping and positioning on my cell phone or iPad over a physical printed map 100% of the time.

Everything you can do with a physical map, you can do with an electronic map. I can't understand why anyone would try to debate that or resort to using a printed map, other than nostalgia.

 

[jhundt]

Everything you can do with a physical map, you can do with an electronic map. I can't understand why anyone would try to debate that or resort to using a printed map, other than nostalgia.

that's true from a practical point of view, but I like to sit at the table with a big paper map spread out in front of me and daydream about which route I might take.

On the other hand - in agreement with Brother Rob, I find a gps system invaluable for getting me out of town. When we drove through France recently we stayed in hotels in the centers of sizeable cities. In the morning I didn't have to look at maps or anything - I would just punch in the name of the next town I wanted to see (based on those paper maps spread out on the table!) and let that thing guide me through the maze of center-city European streets.

So I say - use them both!

 

[tap4154]

I've used Thomas Guide map books for the past 30 years, in work, and for personal travel around Southern CA, but I was recenly shocked to find that they no longer make them! Apparently because of all the GPS map devices their sales had plummeted, and they just gave up. I NEEDED a new one for my work (which is primarily here in Orange County, CA) so i just found a used 2007 Thomas Guide mapbook on ebay in perfect shape.

IMO it's much easier to plan a trip or work route with a mapbook. Plus I don't want to have to listen to some electronic backseat driver all day long!

I just hope someone else picks up the ball and publishes mapbooks again, before this one ultimately gets torn up and worn out again (I used to buy a new updated one about every two years).

 

[beach bob]

Everything you can do with a physical map, you can do with an electronic map.

Sort of, in my case. I don't have a GPS unit, but I do have mapping on my Blackberry. I can't resize the fonts on it so I can quickly read a street before I have to look back up at that dump truck I'm about to slam into. Maybe the soothing voice of Silicone Sally in the dash mounted GPS unit is better; I've only had extremely limited exposure to one.

I can't understand why anyone would try to debate that or resort to using a printed map, other than nostalgia.

I still use a printed AAA state map to make route plans, when I'm in the car that is... Google maps works when I'm pondering such things at my desk. When I'm in a different town, I'll use the GPS on my phone to find restaurants / whatever. It is nice having the address to work with. It's a goofy combo of old school and technology, but it works for me. Plus I'm too cheap to pay for subscription GPS services when I have a pile of maps in the car

I concede most of the points you made, but it reminds me of 'first world problems'. Why struggle with what that GPS unit is telling you when you have a perfectly good printed map? Of course, in such a case, the app is goofing *that one time*, when it's already made dozens of correct direction advisories. But it won't show the T-rex that's gaining on you

Seriously, map apps are easily a more flexible and more customizable thing than hard copy maps are, but the app makers still don't do the simplest things that would make them user friendly, like a friggin' FONT SIZE SETTING.

I readily admit I am old school... I still have an old spiral bound truckers atlas... I like the big chart with the X-Y of mileages between towns. That's not something I can find on my phone

 

[stephent2]

I use both.

 

[william tele]

No maps for me, physical or electronic. When faced with critical decisions while motoring I rely on my tried and true method of navigation. Heads right/tails left. This system has never been known to fail and one of two results are gauranteed. Either you will effortlessly arrive at your destination or you will find some really great scenery you wouldn't have otherwise. Oh...and the third part of the process is to allow an extra day to get there.

 

[scrapyardblue]

I've been copying Mapquest for years. Not as practical, but I've always gotten a clear picture and ended up in the right place. That is, if you always know ahead of time where it is you want to be. As it turns out, I'm beginning to like the ease and flexibility that my nav system gives.

 

[Tony474]

Never found a use for SatNav/GPS myself yet, preferring to use paper maps, either published or printed out from the web, to get to gig venues or anywhere else. Sometimes I print out aerial photos too for parking and other purposes. I have a strong visual memory and once I've taken a good look at a map I often don't need to consult it again.

However, this doesn't mean I never will find a use for SatNav; my wife often needs to visit elderly people and she finds her little TomTom device handy for locating their residences, so at one point or another I might find it appropriate to some purpose. So far it's only programmed for the UK but European and other data can be purchased.

 

[jhundt]

@Tony - I thought that way too. Bought one when we were planning a vacation in a remote farmhouse in Italy (a vacation we never yet were able to take). I started using it here in Holland. Now I am a solid fan and won't leave home without it! Getting TO the gig is usually a lot easier than finding my way HOME at 2 AM. And that soft voice keeps waking me up and reminding me when to turn...