Googling Google Goofs, but GPS to the rescue

I Was Shocked

I happened to be googling Fairbanks, AK for a hotel I stayed at and discovered some earth-shattering visual proof that Google is now going through people's garbage.

My thoughts in the past had been that Street View has its pros and cons, especially the ones using G maps for casing joints. New evidence now shows that some employees have perhaps gone just a little too far in the photodocumentation of the planet.

Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any personally identifiable information. We can, however, see that the bag is made of plastic.

To avoid getting yourself into a situation such as this, the use of a good GPS unit will be of some assistance.

I Was Less Shocked

I was originally thinking this hub would focus on the one instance of the plastic bag over the camera. But I found more stuff, so I thought I'd add new items here as I found them.

So, here are two more...

One is a partial car that looks like it's disappearing in Calgary, Alberta.

The other is a real gas-saver, being just a trunklid driving around near Carmel, California.

News Flash: GPS Not Perfect, Either

They have some drawbacks...

• The GPS units themselves warn you not to rely on them too much (as defined by the guy/gal who does, presumably).
• There's nothing funnier then being on a forsaken lonely road in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night only to find out that your GPS is in total agreement, with nary a road on the screen and a voice repeating "turn around and return to the nearest road." (I didn't say it would be funny at the time)
• People keep building new roads (of course, that affects maps and Google, too).

Alternative

On the other hand, a combination of printouts from Google maps combined with a GPS unit will generally make for a memorable road trip.

I've personally used several different models of GPS units and have found them to be quite useful.

The Geek factor

• Playing around with some mapping software and downloading the trips into the GPS unit can be amusing
• Uploading recorded trips back into the mapping software is a good way to keep track of trips
• Keeping the operating system current can be just as much fun as Windows (for some)

The regular guy factor

• Skipping the geek stuff is good, too
• A 3d view of the road ahead is like a having a map that looks pretty much like what you see out the windshield
• Having the the destination gives you turn-by-turn instructions as you need them

The cost-no-object factor

• Buy a new car every year with the nav feature built-in to the satellite radio
• No updates needed (except the car, of course)
• Skip most of the comments above, except the warnings

The portable units come in pretty handy nonetheless. I use a portable GPS in my RV since I can place it exactly in front of me like a mini-HUD. Looking off to the side at a screen down and to the right just has no appeal for me when driving on less-familiar roads. On the other hand, when driving a car near home, I find the offset position makes less difference since I tend to use the nav feature less.

Tips

That does bring me to a couple of pointers...

1. Get a handheld unit that can run on its own batteries, if you plan on hiking, biking, fishing, etc. with it.
2. Get a dashmount unit if you plan on off-roading at all. Suction cup mounted models will spend their time on the floorboards or bouncing around on the dash if you forget that detail.
3. Get a suction cup mounted unit for smooth roads 'cause you can put that sucker anywhere you want.
4. iPhones and other cell phones work well, too, but the huge drawback is needing to be in an area with cell coverage, not to mention roaming charges, or that cell phones are handheld. I use both anyway, at different times. Doing a Google search and driving don't mix.
   
5. Get an integrated nav and satellite radio unit as an option and wrap it in the most expensive car you can afford if what you want to do is impress.