http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20110308/tuk-uk-dangerously-dependent-on-gps-dba1618.html I live in a rural part of Wales and my job is a home delivery driver for a famous supermarket. Sometimes, I will get a delivery where the satnav asks me where it is, or it will come back with unknown location I don't know about anyone else on here, but if I'm totally lost and I can't find a place, I stop the van and ask somebody, and 9 times out of 10, this does the trick. I'd imagine doing something like this in Liverpud or London village would be a different experience? On the subject of satnavs, I've seen drivers following their tomtoms like its the gospel truth and in Aber, theres a roundabout where the satnav tells you to take the left or right hand lane to continue forward. 5 years ago, that left hand lane became exclusive access for retail park only, but like sheep to the slaughter, the drivers follow their satnavs. I've seen road rage incidents and some near crashes at this roundabout purely because drivers think the satnav is right, the road signs are obviously wrong!! I treat my satnav like a confused old uncle, overall, its not too bad, but gets a bit confused on the details.
There is a point when common sense should take over.. Like the woman who tried to sue Google after her mobile phone (with Google maps) sent her on a walking route that took her onto a motorway - and she got run over...
I had a satnav for close to 7/8 years, and remember paying 620 quid for it 1 month old, bought from ebay and collected by myself in Stoke. That particular model was selling new for £1100 at the time (Garmin 2610), and I still have it in the cupboard now, in full working order, but not used. What I use now, from time to time, is a Garmin 255, and the level of accuracy is phenomenal, but I am also very aware of road signals. I also have witnessed a few near misses, or rather near hits, and lorries being directed in lanes too small, even for cars, and getting stuck, in the past. The problem is that too many idiots are on the road today, and some of them are too lazy to look twice before following instructions which could be 5/6 years out of date.
I still dont have one I remember following a guy in convoy and his sat nav led us all down a heavily parked cul-de-sac 8 jeeps having to u turn was fairly funny glad we didnt have caravans on tow though My view is they may be quite good for speed cameras where the local council play silly buggers with 30,50,30,40 all in a very short distance
But so true. That is the only way. I use mine quite rarely, but it can be very useful. I also think same as Keith in that they are also useful to double check speed limit and speed camera (well if any are still active these days)
