Does anyone know whether GPS systems work in New York City - or do the skyscrapers block the signal? I'd be using one while walking around the city. (I wouldn't dare drive in NYC!) Thanks for your help.

My car GPS works just fine there.

Yes, they work, but the indicated location tends to jump around due to signals blocked or reflected by the tall buildings.

So, take it, use it, but don't necessarily believe that you are exactly where it says you are.

Yes, and they are called "taxis."

Unless you're in the old downtown area, a GPS isn't much more useful than a plain old compass. The grid system north of about 14th Street is so simple and logical, as long as you're headed in the right direction (north vs south, for instance) you can't get lost. And the very area where the GPS would be useful also happens to have the fewest skyscrapers.

Was in a taxi last week with a new driver using a GPS system. Unfortunatley it doesn;t take into account traffic rules (there are several main strets you can;t turn either onto or off of during rush hours). It also didn;t take into account that 32nd St doesnt run through the middle of Penn Station. It was driving the poor guy crazy - and finally I had to give him step by step directions.

So - if you want to use it for foot traffic fine - but don;t believe everything it says.

I was driving recently with a friend who has GPS and her signal was blocked in the midtown area.

Fortunately, smithva intends to be on foot while using the GPS, so traffic rules and even cutting through Penn Station aren't a problem.

Thanks for the info, everyone!