Navigation System Required or Not
Jul 30th, 2006, 07:58 AM
#1
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Navigation System Required or Not
We will be arriving in Frankfurt Germany and making our way South to Munich and over to Vienna. Normal tourist spots along the way. Do I need an in car Navigation system or do maps work fine?
Jul 30th, 2006, 08:03 AM
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"Maps have worked for thousands of years." So have candles.
I like knowing where I am, how long it's going to take to get where I'm going, and how much it will cost at what speed. But I'm not typical. I installed a trip management computer in my car in 1982.
Sure, you can get there with a map. But in the 21st century, being able continuously to pinpoint your position has its merits.
I like knowing where I am, how long it's going to take to get where I'm going, and how much it will cost at what speed. But I'm not typical. I installed a trip management computer in my car in 1982.
Sure, you can get there with a map. But in the 21st century, being able continuously to pinpoint your position has its merits.
Jul 30th, 2006, 08:14 AM
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I've used GPS systems while driving in Europe and I've NOT used them (relying on paper maps instead).
The routes arew ell-marked in Germany as has been mentioned.
IMO maps work fine; GPS systems which are CURRENT work fine, too.
The routes arew ell-marked in Germany as has been mentioned.
IMO maps work fine; GPS systems which are CURRENT work fine, too.
Jul 30th, 2006, 08:22 AM
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Having just returned from Europe and used a GPS, it was invaluable in rural areas and center cities. I can certainly remember in the past getting lost in the city of Munich because I couldn't find a street sign, was rerouted due to construction, etc.
Driving from Frankfurt to Munich, traveling the autobahns with a map, you should be just fine.
Having a GPS, you could preprogram your waypoints and let the GPS do the road mapping for you. Makes the navigator's job very easy.
Driving from Frankfurt to Munich, traveling the autobahns with a map, you should be just fine.
Having a GPS, you could preprogram your waypoints and let the GPS do the road mapping for you. Makes the navigator's job very easy.
Jul 30th, 2006, 08:26 AM
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The question was: "Do I <b> need </b> an in car navigation system or do maps work fine?"
The answer is: No, you do not need an in car navigation system. Good maps work fine.
If the question was: "Will an in car navigation system be useful, or does it aid in trip routing and management?" then my answer would have been 'yes'.
The answer is: No, you do not need an in car navigation system. Good maps work fine.
If the question was: "Will an in car navigation system be useful, or does it aid in trip routing and management?" then my answer would have been 'yes'.
Jul 30th, 2006, 08:32 AM
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Oh, and another thing, you could be stuck on a stretch of Autobahn with a 10-20km parking lot. We ran into one of those in 2002, and it was extremely difficult reviewing a map to take back roads getting around the area.
Jul 30th, 2006, 08:40 AM
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>back roads getting around the area.
That's what the "U" signs are for, they'll lead you to the next entry. Sometimes they're rather small, though.
http://www.training-for-germany.de/signs/z19/1010.html
That's what the "U" signs are for, they'll lead you to the next entry. Sometimes they're rather small, though.
http://www.training-for-germany.de/signs/z19/1010.html
Jul 30th, 2006, 08:47 AM
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A bit of further advice...GPS systems are not foolproof and if you are in unfamiliar territory and do decide to use a GPS it wouldn;t be a bad idea to HAVE a paper map backup.
Do you NEED a GPS...you already know that you don't (otherwise everyone would have them).
Do you NEED a paper map if your GPS fails..absolutely.
Do you NEED a GPS...you already know that you don't (otherwise everyone would have them).
Do you NEED a paper map if your GPS fails..absolutely.
Jul 30th, 2006, 12:53 PM
#11
If you want a GPS - get one. But you certainly don't "need" one. And as Dukey says - you'd be well served to have a road atlas/paper map too. If the GPS fails in any way (bum routes or a technical glitch or anything) you WILL want that handy dandy map.
Jul 30th, 2006, 01:03 PM
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Maps are great. I will continue to use them. GPS can be a good suppliment to map. Imagine yourself trying to drive and keeping an eye (despite voice response) on the GPS at a busy round-about. Maps also tell me what the surrounding areas are during planning for a trip, and at time of touring. We did not use GPS for the last four driving trips to Europe, and we did just fine.
Jul 30th, 2006, 01:16 PM
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Imagine yourself trying to drive and keeping an eye (without voice response) on the map at a busy round-about.
AutoRoute also tells me what the surrounding areas are during planning for a trip, and at time of touring. I can also selectively display any number of about 30 categories of Points of Interest.
We find computer mapping and GPS locating worthwhile enhancements to our touring experience.
AutoRoute also tells me what the surrounding areas are during planning for a trip, and at time of touring. I can also selectively display any number of about 30 categories of Points of Interest.
We find computer mapping and GPS locating worthwhile enhancements to our touring experience.
Jul 30th, 2006, 01:56 PM
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Pre-GPS I rented a car & drove over a lot of unfamiliar UK territory alone which is much more difficult than having someone navigating in the seat next to you but it can be done.
That said, these days with the technology available even with a navigator I'd use one.
That said, these days with the technology available even with a navigator I'd use one.
Jul 30th, 2006, 03:31 PM
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Robes...have you EVER driven with the loaded laptop ALONE in the car? <b>Sure.</b>
If so, how did you get it to stay where you could easily see it? <b>Have you heard? They talk to you now.
"Follow the roundabout, 2nd exit, on A3005."
"Leave the roundabout on A3005/South Road."
You don't have to drive with your eyes glued to a GPS any more than to a map.</b>
If so, how did you get it to stay where you could easily see it? <b>Have you heard? They talk to you now.
"Follow the roundabout, 2nd exit, on A3005."
"Leave the roundabout on A3005/South Road."
You don't have to drive with your eyes glued to a GPS any more than to a map.</b>
Jul 30th, 2006, 04:12 PM
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I never opened one map on my past trip. My GPS did all the navigating for me:
<b>"In 200 meters, enter roundabout.... (then near the roundabout) Enter roundabout and take the second exit."</b>
When getting off a major route, the GPS would tell me: <b>"Bear off to the right in 500 meters, then take your next left...."In 200 meters, bear off to the right, then take your next left."</b>
The GPS would then go into split screen as my wife would say: "Exit here, then turn left" as she was watching both the GPS and the road.
It really took a lot of stress out of driving around Europe. Can you get by with just a map -- yes.
As we approached the main road to Grindelwald, one of the bridges was washed out. The GPS told us to turn right. We saw that we couldn't go right, so, we turned left on the detour. In about 10 seconds, the GPS recomputed/recalculated and had us back on track. It was simply amazing.
<b>"In 200 meters, enter roundabout.... (then near the roundabout) Enter roundabout and take the second exit."</b>
When getting off a major route, the GPS would tell me: <b>"Bear off to the right in 500 meters, then take your next left...."In 200 meters, bear off to the right, then take your next left."</b>
The GPS would then go into split screen as my wife would say: "Exit here, then turn left" as she was watching both the GPS and the road.
It really took a lot of stress out of driving around Europe. Can you get by with just a map -- yes.
As we approached the main road to Grindelwald, one of the bridges was washed out. The GPS told us to turn right. We saw that we couldn't go right, so, we turned left on the detour. In about 10 seconds, the GPS recomputed/recalculated and had us back on track. It was simply amazing.
Jul 30th, 2006, 05:12 PM
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We had GPS, lovingly referred to as Frau Unibrow, in our car last November in Germany and found it to be very helpful. It cost 9€ extra per day. (We rented through Auto Europe and arranged the GPS on arrival w/Avis).
Jul 30th, 2006, 06:56 PM
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Since we've got the GPS discussion going on this thread, I thought I might slide in a question:
I've used Microsoft Streets and Trips and the only complaint I've got is that even with every volume setting on my laptop turned up to the max, the voice instructions can be hard to hear over road noise. Any possible solutions for that, like a way to have my car radio pick up laptop audio?
I've used Microsoft Streets and Trips and the only complaint I've got is that even with every volume setting on my laptop turned up to the max, the voice instructions can be hard to hear over road noise. Any possible solutions for that, like a way to have my car radio pick up laptop audio?
