Why have a sat nav ‘n who needs one?

[King Rat]

For issue #1 the miscalculated route, here's the file.
View attachment 435553

Why do you need a GPS for that route? A simple list of route notes will do it. This isn't your route, obviously! I put in ONE post code and navigate to it on the XT, perfectly. It has never failed. Anything more complicated than that though is way, way beyond my comprehension and once you start talking about downloading things, I'm completely at a loss. Richard very kindly wrote me out a system to put in a second post code. I did try, but even with the notes beside me I couldn't do it. I have no knowledge of such sorcery. Route notes from a map though, I'm your man.



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I have cut this post from a parallel thread in the XT subsection.

It probably stands better as a topic on its own.

Richard

 

[Wapping]

Of course we all survived and thrived without GPS devices for years, reliant on paper maps and scribbled (or neatly typed) route instructions. No question about that at all.

But, things move on and very often for the better.

It’s interesting that you dismiss GPS devices, yet do employ one to take you to a single post code at the start of a route. Why? Why not write out the first instruction, just as you have done for the next nine or whatever the number is on your sheet of paper? It strikes me that your issue revolves around nothing more than an inability or unwillingness (or both) to learn the basics of what is really a very simple (but very clever) device.

It would be better to find fault with:

A. Those here who cannot read a map.

B. Those that are too lazy to read a map.

C. Those that lack anything even approaching imagination.

C. Those that are fully reliant on others to get them (and their six mates) from A to B, often without so much as a please or thank you, usually starting tomorrow.



PS Top job on the secateurs sharpening!

 

[glenn2926]

It’s all very well having written route directions in your tank bag. I don’t have and don’t want a tank bag as I don’t want to carry it about every time I leave the bike.

 

[Hustler]

And what if the road is closed down at Wigmore ?

What then young Ratty ?

I am writing this very much tongue in cheek as I'm a big fan of paper maps of all descriptions.

 

[Flintlock]

I have a sat nav, but very rarely used, when I do it's like KR above, just type in a destination and go, if I overshoot a junction, I just keep going until the sat nav gives up trying to get me to do a u turn & re calculates a different route
Only click in on the bike when I need to use it. Spends most of its life in the top box.

 

[zerax9]

I always put my destination into the satnav... even when I know exactly where I'm going... it can be a lot of fun beating the satnav's ETA !

 

[zoltan]

C. Those that are fully reliant on others to get them (and their six mates) from A to B, often without so much as a please or thank you, usually starting tomorrow.

That's what wife' are for. On the old Rally jacket you had a removable number (clear) pouch which was ideal for a map or turn by turn instruction. Used to laminate sections of the maps for the journey and insert them along the way. One tap on left shoulder you go left etc. She is f__ing amazing reading map'. Once I got my first Garmin Street Pilot was a game changer. Unit all Europe Maps a 1gig of memory sticks was £1500 and long nights plotting and downloading maps, was fun. I still used maps. My 30 year old tank map setup still come with me.
PS. she no longer rides with me....

 

[ThreeDawg]

Depends where you are. GPS very useful in cities (wanna try Bogota or Lusaka without one? No thanks), or if it's dark.

I use a map to plan, then make notes and use the GPS to guide me from point to point. Wouldn't be without it, but it is only a tool.

 

[Wapping]

On a vaguely related theme to post #8, a phone running Google maps was invaluable when I traipsed through woods, finding traces of the battle of the Hurtgen Forest.

That said, some people are not the greatest at dropping pins accurately.

Hey-ho, a 21st century problem.

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

I had a Garmin GPS using Ordnance Survey grid references back when I was offroading, along with the relevant OS Landranger maps for a fair chunk of the country. It even had a wired antenna housed in an empty front sidelight case bonded to the Landy's roof to make sure I had a good signal. I did know how to take compass readings and the like to try and figure out where I was, but the GPS just did it better and I used to put markers on the various Petrol stations I used when out and about just in case I needed a top up. It had a smaller tank than standard but it also drank it rather quickly at 14 mpg average on a run!

Lunchtime on greenlane trips was the same, the group found a pub... I found a petrol station!

Now I'd probably not find my way anywhere without a proper satnav. The one in the Suzuki is very good, even telling me which lane to get in on the motorway

 

[ThreeDawg]

Bloody useful things if you are looking for fuel too.

 

[Wapping]

Bloody useful things if you are looking for fuel too.

Yet bods here moan that petrol stations they know to be shut, are still shown, years after they’ve closed.

That said, they do moan a lot, about all sorts of things.

 

[er-minio]

Why do you need a GPS for that route?

Because it's 2026 and it's supposed to be simple (most times it is).
And if I want to straggle from such route, I can (should) be able to be guided back in. Or I might need some indication to find fuel, some location around me, I can have a look down at the screen, read the map and have a general understanding of where I am (like looking at a paper map, but IT MOVES WITH ME!!! MAGIC. ). The sat nav is a very welcome aid.

Just as a note, I've been traveling for 20 odd years across Europe, without and then with GPS. I can generally find my way around.
I do welcome technology that make life easier.

 

[Pepsi]

Why have a car or bike when we could all use public transportation?
Personally and this is just my opinion, anything which makes my life easier and with less stress is an obvious choice.

 

[HGS]

When we go away our group always has a paper map of the area, usually a Michelin one

It is browsed over at breakfast and suggestions are made

But the sat navs are much better for on the move, especially as mentioned in cities, town centres and for alternative routes

I do like planning routes for when away on base camp, but we can and do go off piste so to speak

Always nice to just stick home in for the accomodation when you've had enough

Also helpful for how much distance is left and an approximate arrival time if needed

 

[er-minio]

When we go away our group always has a paper map of the area, usually a Michelin one

It is browsed over at breakfast and suggestions are made

We/I do exactly the same.

 

[Bravo]

I find my Nav5 is great for playing music.

 

[Wapping]

Because it's 2026

It ain’t here it ain’t…..

And certainly not with the OP

 

[er-minio]

Almost

 

[Mzokk]

I always found landing off a boat and navigating my way out of a new town or city to be stressful. I can remember first using my old Garmin 2610 and landing in St Malo and going wrong and hearing those immortal words "Off route recalculating" and being content that I wasn't going to have to watch the road, the map in my tank bag and do mental gymnastics as to what direction I was going based on the orientation of my map and the direction the road was taking me, and in the worst case, having to stop and get of the bike to get my bearings or, god forbid, ask a native for directions in pigeon French. I was reasonably competent at that sort of thing and even acted as navigator for a chum for a couple of years doing night time (Timed) navigation rallies (if you ever want to find out if you are prone to motion sickness that's the activity for it ) )

The Garmin came into its own even more when driving from Belfast to France on at least 6 occasions with three kids in the car and on a couple of visits to the states with hire cars. In those circumstances you do not need additional stress.

I too use maps for planning and know where I'm going but like the ease that a gps affords. Oddly when going hill walking I've always taken a map and an ancient Silva compass just to check direction if the mist comes down. Recently however (while still carrying a map and compass), I've started using("dicking about with", according to my wife) my phone when walking using OSMand maps