# Wonky GPS Experience **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 23, 2025, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209 "2025-07-23T02:21:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/21 "2025-07-23T14:26:58Z")
I’m old enough that I remember when Dunkin was known _primarily_ for the donuts, and ones that were actually made in that store early that day (“Time to make the donuts.” [YouTube cite](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=petqFm94osQ)) and not as a coffee shop that incidentally sells donuts made in a central commissary and trucked in. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/22 "2025-07-23T14:30:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’m old enough that I remember when Dunkin was known _primarily_ for the donuts, and ones that were actually made in that store early that day (“Time to make the donuts.” [YouTube cite](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=petqFm94osQ)) and not as a coffee shop that incidentally sells donuts made in a central commissary and trucked in. I am also old enough to remember that. Thankfully we still have a small, family owned bakery in my little PA town which makes great bread and donuts if that’s your thing. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/23 "2025-07-23T14:48:47Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Of course the mapping apps available on phones have that. And have for years. > > They also have continuously updated maps, unlike a navigator built into a car or a dedicated device like a Garmin. Be that as it may, permit me to indulge in an Old Fart rant. I have to believe that the GPS receiver on a purpose-built device is likely to be more sensitive than on a device built to do a bazillion different things, that the built-in software is likely to be more robust than an “app” and customized to the size and shape of the screen, which may be larger and brighter. There are in fact **[specific reasons](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/automotive/seven-reasons-to-use-a-gps-device-instead-of-a-smartphone-in-the-car/)** that a dedicated GPS device is the better way to go. There’s also no worries about battery life or cell signal reception, and no possibility of distraction from a phone call or text message. The latter means there’s no possibility of being accused of using a cell phone while driving, which around here is a pretty serious traffic infraction, while GPS devices are specifically exempted. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > We keep our GPS in silent mode. I hate the verbal directions. I get that, but I prefer to keep my eyes on the road and focused on traffic instead of peering at a navigation screen. But once I’m returning home on a familiar route, I’ll shut down the navigation altogether. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > And regardless of where we go, I will look at a map ahead of time. I do that, too. I’m just more comfortable if I have a general idea in my head about the route. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/24 "2025-07-23T15:30:48Z")
My understanding is that smartphones use cellular and WiFi connections to supplement the GPS signal. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/25 "2025-07-23T16:21:54Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > There are in fact **[specific reasons](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/automotive/seven-reasons-to-use-a-gps-device-instead-of-a-smartphone-in-the-car/)** that a dedicated GPS device is the better way to go Most of the items in that list are just silly. 1. Battery life. “_But with a GPS device that connects to your vehicle with a power cable, your navigation will always be ready when your car is._” – You can plug in your phone to your car with a power cable too. 2. More coverage. "_Having a GPS device with preloaded map coverage means that you don’t have to rely on cell signal, so you’re ready to roll in even the most remote areas._ – You can download maps on a cell phone too, and should if you’re traveling in remote areas. 3. Fewer distractions. "_Ding. Your aunt tagged you in a meme on Facebook. Ding. Someone just liked your post on Instagram._ – If that’s how you have notifications configured (I don’t), your phone is going to ding and distract you whether you’re using it for navigation or not. 4. Easier to read. _With display sizes that go up to 8” with the Garmin DriveSmart 86, a bright, high-resolution edge-to-edge touchscreen and graphics…_ – Yeah, if I want to spend $350 for such an add-on screen and then figure out a way to mount it in my car so it doesn’t obscure the road view or the car’s controls. Or if I need a bigger screen I can use Android Auto or Airplay and use my phone via the car’s built-in screen, which may well be bigger than 8", and won’t block my view. 5. Designed for your car’s dash. _A GPS device can be a seamless extension of your car’s dashboard, which means it’s always in its spot and ready to go._ – An even better extension of your car’s dash is the screen that’s already built into the dash. 6. Cost effective. _If your data isn’t unlimited, using your smartphone to navigate a road trip can be a costly mistake._ – In my experience, navigation uses a trivial amount of data. 7. Data privacy. _Garmin doesn’t sell your personal data._ – How much Apple or Google “sells” your location data is complicated but I’ll concede this one to Garmin. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/26 "2025-07-23T16:33:57Z")
I, for one, don’t care too much about the screen size, as usually I am relying on the verbal instructions. I do like to imagine that the little lady in my phone gets mad when I don’t follow her instructions. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/27 "2025-07-23T16:55:21Z")
Just don’t change the voice to Mr. T. He pity da foo what don’t follow his instructions! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/28 "2025-07-23T17:50:46Z")
I had a C-3PO voice at one time. I was quite disappointed when I took a wrong turn and it didn’t say “go that way, you’ll be malfunctioning within a day, you nearsighted scrap pile”. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/29 "2025-07-23T18:00:09Z")
My Beloved had an off-brand GPS on her phone, and I remember two incidents: 1. We were down in southern Oregon visiting the Running Y Ranch and we tried to use it to get to some caves nearby. We followed the directions as they were spoken and ended up going in a large circle…twice. 2. To get to a certain restaurant we used the same GPS. It directed us to take exit so-and-so, which we did, then it directed us to “Make Illegal U-Turn” (exact words) then go up the same exit we just came down, which means that we would be going up that ramp facing the wrong direction on I-5. GPS deleted, and never used again. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/30 "2025-07-23T18:06:21Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > You can plug in your phone to your car with a power cable too. In theory. In order for me to do that with my phone (and I don’t even have car charger for it) it would have to be in a special holder that allows the cable to enter from the bottom. > [@markn\_1](#): > > You can download maps on a cell phone too, and should if you’re traveling in remote areas. If you remember to do it. I believe my GPS contains detailed maps of all of North America. At least, I’ve never been anywhere that wasn’t covered in detail. > [@markn\_1](#): > > If that’s how you have notifications configured (I don’t), your phone is going to ding and distract you whether you’re using it for navigation or not. Given the hard crackdown around here about distracted driving, I’m not interested in having to argue with a cop or a judge that I wasn’t using my cell phone as a phone or texting device, but only for navigation: > The fine for distracted driving is $615 if settled out of court. If the ticket is contested and the driver is found guilty, the fine can range from $615 to $1,000 for a first offense, up to $2,000 for a second, and up to $3,000 for a third offense. Additionally, drivers face demerit points … > [@markn\_1](#): > > In my experience, navigation uses a trivial amount of data. No amount of data is “trivial” if you don’t have a data plan and have to turn on “pay as you go”. OTOH, if I were to get a data plan, I’d be paying for a hugely upgraded service that absolutely did not need. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/31 "2025-07-23T18:50:16Z")
Once again dear pup, you have backed yourself into a thoroughly non-modern corner where indeed you have piled many large obstacles between yourself and what the rest of us call “the modern world” and largely take for granted the ease with which it all works. Such that you entering said modern world would indeed require a lot of adaptions all at once. Adaptations you’d find tiresome. You are of course welcome to equip yourself however you prefer. You’ll surely collect some bemused looks from the rest of us along the way. Speaking just for myself, I have reluctantly retired my belt onions. And later my phone holster. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/32 "2025-07-23T19:01:04Z")
Indeed. A cellular plan without data? My provider does not even offer such a thing. I pay $20 per month for cellular with 3GB of mobile data. And a phone holder that doesn’t allow a charging cable to be plugged in? I suppose there might be such things, but why would you buy one? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/33 "2025-07-23T20:02:40Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > car gps units of limited value I usually have my car map on-screen, but if I want directions to someplace, it’s Google Maps on my phone. Every time. And with Android Auto available, it’s trivial to put the phone map on my car screen. Regarding the ‘direction’ a GPS shows you: my car’s nav system always points ‘up’ in the direction I’m going. It tells me what direction I’m driving with letters in the corner of the screen (like ‘E’ or ‘SW’). My wife’s car’s nav system always points north. It always takes me a bit getting used to when I drive her car. I could probably change this, but I’m rarely allowed to make changes to her car. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/34 "2025-07-23T20:10:53Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Of course the mapping apps available on phones have that. And have for years. > > They also have continuously updated maps, unlike a navigator built into a car or a dedicated device like a Garmin. Not only that, Apple Maps knows what’s in my calendar and email and makes (mostly) very helpful suggestions about that content. Example: had a doctor appointment yesterday morning, in this case at a new location that I only vaguely knew where it was. The CarPlay interface already had the proposed destination and route up on screen, so all I had to do was tap OK. Extremely convenient. I would assume the Android environment has that too, I just don’t live in that world. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/35 "2025-07-23T20:17:02Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It directed us to take exit so-and-so, which we did, then it directed us to “Make Illegal U-Turn” (exact words) It almost certainly said “make **a** legal U-turn”. Every system I’ve used says this, basically to cover their ass since U-turn legality is a weak point of the maps. It had probably also intended you to cross under/over the highway and take the ramp on the opposite side. Slightly odd to describe that as a U-turn but in terms of the highway that’s pretty much what it was. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/36 "2025-07-23T20:20:07Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Also, you may avoid this fate: [3 Men Plunge To Death In Car After Google Maps Directs Them To Take Unfinished Bridge | IBTimes](https://www.ibtimes.com/three-men-plunge-bridge-india-gps-error-3752694) From the linked article (bolding mine): > The bridge remained incomplete **without warning signs or barricades** to indicate danger or a closure, [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/3-men-lose-their-lives-after-google-maps-leads-car-off-incomplete-bridge-in-uttar-pradesh-101732516760418-amp.html) reported. I think the lack of warning signs and barricades was a bigger contributor to their deaths than the fact that they were following Google Maps. I mean, even if they were following a paper map (The bridge apparently did exist in the past and collapsed in a flood, so it would have been shown on paper maps, too) they would have had no way of knowing that the bridge that appeared on their map was no longer there without any warning signs. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/37 "2025-07-24T02:50:44Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > A cellular plan without data? My provider does not even offer such a thing. Neither does mine. Q: What do **wolfpup** and his cell phone plan have in common? A: Both are grandfathered. > [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > > Of course the mapping apps available on phones have that. And have for years. > > > > They also have continuously updated maps, unlike a navigator built into a car or a dedicated device like a Garmin. > > Not only that, Apple Maps knows what’s in my calendar and email and makes (mostly) very helpful suggestions about that content. Example: had a doctor appointment yesterday morning, in this case at a new location that I only vaguely knew where it was. The CarPlay interface already had the proposed destination and route up on screen, so all I had to do was tap OK. Extremely convenient. What witchcraft is this? I have no “Car Play” in my horseless carriage! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/38 "2025-07-24T03:20:21Z")
That is fair. A better example would be following Google Maps to an _obviously_ wrong location because the driver never bothered with a sanity check, or perhaps following GPS directions to take a crazy back road and getting stuck/delayed where anyone from the area would have suggested a better route. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/39 "2025-07-24T03:22:03Z")
It almost certainly did _not_ say that, and five people in that car will attest to that fact. well, four-Tracey is gone. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209/40 "2025-07-24T13:29:10Z")
More importantly, they’ve typically got algorithms that avoid traffic, construction, and other slowdowns on the fly. So while your Garmin car GPS may find you the same shortest path between two places, two hours into your drive, your car may catch that there’s a huge wreck on the interstate and route you on to side roads well in advance to keep you on the shortest route, whatever that is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonky-gps-experience/1021209.md?page=3)