The Ins and Outs of an In-Car GPS

It’s certain now that GPS is going to become a semi-standard automobile feature, and a standard one soon thereafter.  While some people do not like having GPS in their cars, most people are absolutely thrilled with this new, modern version of mapping your way to your destination. 

Mapquest was a good thing, and certainly easier than trying to find the route yourself based on a map that was too big to fold out in the passenger’s seat, but Mapquest had its limitations.  Namely, you had to map your route and print it before leaving the house, which requires planning ahead and it meant your plans can’t change.  Modern men and women seem to be much more on the fly than Mapquest allowed them to be.  Users of in-car GPS have no such worries; simply input your destination address once you’ve turned the car on, and voilà, your directions come at you step-by-step, you don’t even have to read them since most GPS units give you the directions orally as you approach intersections.

Too Good to be True

Admittedly, relying on GPS in your car does have its limitations at times.  GPS relies on technology and wave-signals that are sent to your car, similar to signals being sent to your cell phone.  Anyone who’s tried to use a cell phone in a valley or in the middle of the woods knows that being without a cell signal can be a maddening experience.  However, in most cases, being without a cell signal simply means that you can’t make a phone call, but if you’re relying a 100 per cent on your car’s GPS system to get you where you need to go, and you don’t have a signal, you’ll find yourself in a bit of trouble.

Of course, as more and more consumers buy into the car industry’s GPS revolution, technology will improve, allowing weaker signals to be sufficient.  At the same time, more and more signals will be sent out to GPS units, similar to more and more cell phone towers being added in remote areas.  For the time being, have fun with your car’s GPS system and enjoy the freedom it allows you.  On the other hand, if you set yourself up to never be lost again, never have to look at a map again, or never have to stop and ask for directions again, you’re probably setting yourself up for at least minor disappointment and inconveniences.  All of that will change in the next few years though; it’s only a matter of a little time.