GPS on your everyday commute? WHY!?

"MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle) 08/20/2013 at 11:40 • Filed to: dumb, yur dum, I hate commuting

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I see people everyday on my regular commute with their GPS up on the dash, why? I will accept that some portion of them are navigating a new route, but I bet that's a small portion.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 11:43

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WAZE.

I leave it up for speed traps/accidents/traffic updates even on my normal commute. It's helped a bunch of times so far.

Brian, The Life of > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 11:44

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I use Waze (on my phone) during my daily commute. I don't use it to find my way (obviously) but for route changes caused by traffic and also to tell me where the po-po are hiding.

Pixel > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 11:48

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My GPS stays on my dash all the time, and since it comes on when I turn the car on it is running during my commute. I did use it for the first month after I moved just to help give me an idea of how long the commute was going to take so I could better judge if I was likely to be on time or not so I could figure out when I needed to leave for work.

McMike > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 12:02

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The lead pic is hilarious.

I think it's silly to have them always on.

I also think it's silly to buy a clever device, and only use it once or twice a year, or not have it in the car, or not have the power supply handy when you need it.

The only winning game is not to play.

MonkeePuzzle > McMike 08/20/2013 at 12:05

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Wouldn't you prefer a nice game of chess?

bourgeoisie > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 12:08

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There are a lot of people (self-employed, contractors, etc.) for whom there is not an "everyday commute". I don't drive from the same point A to the same point B every day.

It also provides some much needed context while driving in traffic (i.e. does this side street go all the way through? does it dead end at the base of the mountain? or at the freeway?).

rabbitman > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 12:11

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I feel the same way if you live in a state why do you have GPS on your Dash are you that bad you can't get around your own neighborhood or state, I mean I know some people aren't as lucky with their natural sense of direction but you look foolish having gps for use in your own state

Jayhawk Jake > rabbitman 08/20/2013 at 12:36

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That's not exactly fair. I've been living in my city for 2 years now and I still don't know exactly how to get everywhere in the city. A few weeks ago I got 'lost' trying to find my way through an unfamiliar part of town. Had I had a GPS, it would have been much easier.

Plus, the whole state? City, maybe, but there's no way I find my way around 75% of the state without some form of map or GPS.

Captain_Overboost > Brian, The Life of 08/20/2013 at 12:54

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Ding Ding, winnah! If my GPS finds traffic, an accident, road construction, whatever, ahead on my normal route... it guides me around it saving me time which is only available in a finite amount that never varies. So I prefer not to spend it parked on the freeway.

How does it do this? I have no idea what this sorcery and witchcraft is that's behind the bright lights of the screen. But, I do admit, I have succumbed to it's siren's song calling to me, "in 1000 feet, right turn ahead..."

KMarino > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 13:05

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I wired mine into the car, so it stays on. I do hit the work button on it and the home button. It is helpful for seeing traffic updates, as well as giving me a estimated amount of time left on the commute. I drive the Lake Pontchartrain causeway (24 mile straight bridge) every day and its nice to be able to look quickly at my gps to see how far along I am instead of looking for a call box or mile marker.

rabbitman > Jayhawk Jake 08/20/2013 at 13:54

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You would be one of those people that don't have that Natural sense of direction built in, sorry not sure what gene that is that some people don't get maybe my ancestors where Nomads?? My wife is the same way. she got lost walking down the street from her work because I wasn't with the other day. and she has walked it many times with me, but since I am her gps she doesn't pay attention, and she found out she needs to.

So its confusing to us, the "ones that can just get around" with help of maps or gps my sisters are exactly like me too we just go... but my mom nope.

moved out of California in 92 went back in 05 for honeymoon, was still able to everywhere I needed and places I've never been with out GPS. I will peek @gmaps here and there for visuals though if i need them

magman007 > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 14:27

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I hear you whole heartedly. The only exception is driving with Waze on. 1) it gives you points to make you feel special 2) cop alerts

Jayhawk Jake > rabbitman 08/20/2013 at 14:34

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Oh, I most certainly have a fantastic sense of direction. I got lost trying to find a place I've never been, so I just pointed the car towards somewhere I know until I hit a road I was familiar with.

I'm just saying, it's unrealistic to say that you shouldn't need maps or GPS for your own state or city. You shouldn't need them to go places you've been 1000 times before, but if you go outside of your usual area, there's nothing wrong with having a GPS to help find your way.

RafelX > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 15:00

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As others have mentioned, I use mine for the traffic and police updates. But I've also found that knowing what my travel time will be helps to keep the road rage in check.

MonkeePuzzle > RafelX 08/20/2013 at 15:01

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I keep mine in check by venting on oppo :P especially terrible this morning as I forgot my phone and glasses and had to do my trip twice.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 15:11

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I have never once taken mine down (off the dash), and I have lived in the same house in the same city for 12 years...

I really couldn't tell you why either.

Bandit > MonkeePuzzle 08/20/2013 at 17:18

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Maybe they are like me. I drive a 30+ year old car and my speedometer doesn't work. I use my GPS to tell me my speed, also I get lost a lot (and I mean a lot )