Gps vs map. What's more dependable ?

I once possessed a complete paper book map of all 5 bouroghs in NYC and greater metro. It was down to individual alley ways and docks where printed down to the direction of traffic flow. I used to sit in Jersey off 78 exit 7 in the 76 there with a whole booth table full of these maps plotting my run off the GWB into downtown. Sometimes there was a war council when dozens gathered for the nightly invasion. Those were the days.

GPS Ive done also. No more paper maps. You can have a topographical map of all USA down to the logging and fire roads with terrain divided into 100 foot incretments. If you got lost you looked at this mountain range this way, looked over there at the river that way and matched your location if you did not already see it on your laptop screen.

Clinton made the GPS for civilians less than 50 feet accuracy away from the Military in the 90's that meant you could try and maintain your interstate lane of 15 feet wide in a winter storm. But it's crazy because you have nothing that penetrates the wall of snow in front.

Getting a physical address of reciever into the GPS meant you can delvier to that spot anywhere on earth when you arrive. No fooling about with air head secretaries with stupid directions based on landmarks.

Combine this with a directory of all 800 numbers and all business numbers in the USA, most of which will NOT be given out to you drivers (Staples on DVD) will reach the right people when you need to. But be prepared for a blast of degrodatory DRIVERS DO NOT GET THIS *&^% NUMBER!!!!

 

GPS hands down. I always have two forms of GPS with me in case one messes up. I have never used paper and never will.

 

Not even a motor carrier's atlas? Tsk tsk tsk.

 

Phone and a note book, will tell you more than any gps.

The Atlas will give you good ideas for routing on the big end of your trip. After your years of experience has improved. You will see regular areas more and more.

Call shipper and receivers, don't rely on a secretary for directions. See what the person on the phone tells you:

Low bridges
Tight turns
Easiest way into a dock ( so you line up right)
Parking if you need to stage before appt.
One way streets
Any construction in the area

So many times I've run into guys who wine they can't get there GPS working.
I pulled out a map book showed him a route, he ends up being shocked how easy it took to look this up.

This is not to put down the "die hard GPS" crowd.

Just be informed, don't rely on just one source of information. Paper doesn't cost $200. As a backup.

And if we have a zombie apocalypse you can get home without having to charge your GPS.

Be safe. Be informed

 

GPS failed us once. And endangered a very vital cell phone tower installation that was also carrying signal from who knows what. That installation was on a edge of a old road that was a two lane proper route to take to shipper but cut off, buried over with 60 acres of grass and installation. New connection was built 900 feet further east back to the old route.

GPS guided me directly into the antenna farm on grass after I made the turn in very heavy fog that morning in Delaware. It was thick enough fog not to be able to see your trailer and they left enough of the pavement from the cutting away to make a driveway with which to service same.

Getting turned around and out of there before I turned into Wilimington's next laughing stock as a stupid gps trucker was very vital. Luckly I had enough to turn that ##### around. It was a lesson I keep to this day.

Tech is nice but it's YOUR BRAIN between your god given EARS that is important. Use it.

 

Good point. But the paper map wouldn't have helped either.
My truck has plenty of extra room in it, so I have the luxury of getting to use both, plus the laptop and phone

 

You are right. Paper map would not have done a #### thing. In fact I wonder sometimes, I had my stupid eyes on the laptop over yonder in the dash rather than looking outwards in that bad fog.

The only other time I hit fog that bad was off Fort Necessity on the old 40 I think it was, Grants Maryland interchange with I-68, I literally got out and paced off the distance to the actual ramp and bridge using a couple of lanterns for markers on the curb for turning purpose. It was crazy how bad fog got in those days early in the morning and I grew up in the area then.

 

I should have mentioned. If you do find you cant find your destination? Stop at a autoparts store. More than likely they have made a delivery there already.

 

My strategy is to find a firehall. Take over the entire ramp preparatory to turning around. I do not do this often, but it helps greatly when you are so close but not cigar.

Worse case scenario I grid search work outwards in squares. They hate that, the dispatcher.

 

Another tool in the tool box.. Google earth or similar program. My steps,
1. Look at road atlas
2. plug in address in truck GPS
3. Google earth receiver or shipper-I can plan my turn ins, parking, and even plan my moves to the docks. Some times you can even see other trucks there and how they are set up. -Just keep in mind the image may be sharp but is not live. A dumpster or pile of pallets may be where you see a clear path on the screen.

Semper Gumbi !