A Personal Relationship With My GPS

QUINNSCOMMENTARY · Post by **QUINNSCOMMENTARY** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:01 pm

I like many people have an intimate relationship with my GPS; I depend on it to get me where I need to go. I was getting pretty close to her when my wife became annoyed with the voice and made me change to a man. Oh well, it should be so easy to turn off a women’s annoying voice in the real world (sorry about that, I couldn’t resist).

The directions she, oops he supplies are generally good with the occasional slip up for a new road or entrance ramp not yet in his memory. For that misstep he is at times lambasted by me to know end, but what about the other side of the story?

Does my GPS get frustrated? :-3

I get the feeling at times that he would simply like to let me have it, for example.

“What part of take ramp left in 200 feet don’t you understand? Or, after ten times saying “recalculating he is thinking, “screw you, go any damn way you like. At times, I think he is talking down to me as he repeats the direction several times thinking no doubt I am not paying attention, which may be true as I send an e-mail on my Blackberry. “In 1.5 miles stay left on I 80. In 500 feet stay left on I 80. Where the hell else am I going to go it’s an Interstate with a slight turn to the left for Pete’s sake. See, frustration is a two way street.

Not too long ago my GPS took me right through the center of Washington, DC at rush hour rather than stay on I95 around the town. I surmised it was the “most direct route. Give me a break I had it, I got a new GPS and wouldn’t you know it did the same thing again, and it wasn’t even the same guy.

“Turn left 500 feet ahead. Really, what about the divider in the middle of the road? See, Jake (I named him Jake because I don’t like that name) you are not as smart as you think you are. If you really want to have fun travel a route you know well and see what happens when your GPS has a better idea. One of these days I am expecting, “Why are you asking me anyway if you are so smart (but it’s not the shortest way), to come forth from Jake followed by some kind of automatic shut down of the system – can he do that?

For now we will agree that there is mutual frustration and until I can get back that woman in my GPS, I am stuck with Jake. I do have one trick up my sleeve though, I am going to set Jake to another language, Spanish most likely and then we will see how smart he really is. Me, no I don’t speak Spanish, but I figure that if I know where I am going anyway, I can learn a little Spanish in the process. :rolleyes:

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:02 pm

I love mine. It does have quirky nuances Ive learned to circumnavigate. I dont rely soley on the voice, I frequently watch the screen so I dont get blindsided by the demand to turn left in 500 ft. when Im 4 lanes to the right.

The screen is ahead of the voice with the direction arrow.

Its not perfect and your screwed if theres construction but its a pretty handy tool all in all.

Ive noticed when Im a couple of hundred miles out in no mans land it will put me off a half mile or so from the intended target.

I even bought a special bracket that attaches to my motorcycle handlebars so I can ride without taking my eyes off the road too much.

Great invention.

footnote: I sometimes take pleasure in defying orders and purposefully taking a different route Im familiar with. Lets it know whos really in charge.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:28 pm

QUINNSCOMMENTARY;1164044 wrote: I like many people have an intimate relationship with my GPS; I depend on it to get me where I need to go. I was getting pretty close to her when my wife became annoyed with the voice and made me change to a man. Oh well, it should be so easy to turn off a women’s annoying voice in the real world (sorry about that, I couldn’t resist).

The directions she, oops he supplies are generally good with the occasional slip up for a new road or entrance ramp not yet in his memory. For that misstep he is at times lambasted by me to know end, but what about the other side of the story?

Does my GPS get frustrated? :-3

I get the feeling at times that he would simply like to let me have it, for example.

“What part of take ramp left in 200 feet don’t you understand? Or, after ten times saying “recalculating he is thinking, “screw you, go any damn way you like. At times, I think he is talking down to me as he repeats the direction several times thinking no doubt I am not paying attention, which may be true as I send an e-mail on my Blackberry. “In 1.5 miles stay left on I 80. In 500 feet stay left on I 80. Where the hell else am I going to go it’s an Interstate with a slight turn to the left for Pete’s sake. See, frustration is a two way street.

Not too long ago my GPS took me right through the center of Washington, DC at rush hour rather than stay on I95 around the town. I surmised it was the “most direct route. Give me a break I had it, I got a new GPS and wouldn’t you know it did the same thing again, and it wasn’t even the same guy.

“Turn left 500 feet ahead. Really, what about the divider in the middle of the road? See, Jake (I named him Jake because I don’t like that name) you are not as smart as you think you are. If you really want to have fun travel a route you know well and see what happens when your GPS has a better idea. One of these days I am expecting, “Why are you asking me anyway if you are so smart (but it’s not the shortest way), to come forth from Jake followed by some kind of automatic shut down of the system – can he do that?

For now we will agree that there is mutual frustration and until I can get back that woman in my GPS, I am stuck with Jake. I do have one trick up my sleeve though, I am going to set Jake to another language, Spanish most likely and then we will see how smart he really is. Me, no I don’t speak Spanish, but I figure that if I know where I am going anyway, I can learn a little Spanish in the process. :rolleyes:

LOL @ QUINNSCOMMENTARY :wah: :wah:

Why not take a picturesque scenic route or even drive in the opposite direction, just for a laugh, see how soon it takes to get frustrated with you! :wah:

I like the Spanish idea. I watch Heroes in English but with French subtitles, it improves your language skills a lot.

Me personally? I can't afford to buy a car let alone a GPS. :-5

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:37 pm

Oh Nomad, I turn the wrong way too, making that GPS think about it for awhile. Mine has learned to be silent on certain routes when I do this. It's trainable.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:42 pm

Nomad;1164097 wrote: I love mine. It does have quirky nuances Ive learned to circumnavigate. I dont rely soley on the voice, I frequently watch the screen so I dont get blindsided by the demand to turn left in 500 ft. when Im 4 lanes to the right.

The screen is ahead of the voice with the direction arrow.

Its not perfect and your screwed if theres construction but its a pretty handy tool all in all.

Ive noticed when Im a couple of hundred miles out in no mans land it will put me off a half mile or so from the intended target.

I even bought a special bracket that attaches to my motorcycle handlebars so I can ride without taking my eyes off the road too much.

Great invention.

footnote: I sometimes take pleasure in defying orders and purposefully taking a different route Im familiar with. Lets it know whos really in charge.

I used to do that too, it then spends all it's time trying to get you to head back to the road it originally wanted you take :wah:

which is all very well when travelling by car... I can understand now why it is very common for articulated lorries to become wedged in very narrow lanes around here.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:42 pm

chonsigirl;1164142 wrote: Oh Nomad, I turn the wrong way too, making that GPS think about it for awhile. Mine has learned to be silent on certain routes when I do this. It's trainable.

Theres a great deal of satisfaction in being a rebel.

Do you ever just flat out tell it to shut up ?

Thats a real ego buster for the little critter.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:43 pm

Betty Boop;1164145 wrote: I used to do that too, it then spends all it's time trying to get you to head back to the road it originally wanted you take :wah:

which is all very well when travelling by car... I can understand now why it is very common for articulated lorries to become wedged in very narrow lanes around here.

that could just be a cornhell thing

Post by **Betty Boop** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:44 pm

Nomad;1164148 wrote: that could just be a cornhell thing

I think it is :wah:

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:54 pm

Nomad;1164146 wrote: Theres a great deal of satisfaction in being a rebel.

Do you ever just flat out tell it to shut up ?

Thats a real ego buster for the little critter.

It is fun to tell the GPS to be quiet-or it will be turned off!

Now, what name do you have for your GPS? Has to have a name, mine is Lucy-whether she likes it or not. :wah:

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:56 pm

chonsigirl;1164157 wrote: It is fun to tell the GPS to be quiet-or it will be turned off!

Now, what name do you have for your GPS? Has to have a name, mine is Lucy-whether she likes it or not. :wah:

No name. I find that a stern glare is all thats needed.

By the way our state was 1 of 2 that outlawed but now have repealed any apparatus attached to the windshield.

I now am free to not have to pretend its not there when a cop drives by.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:01 pm

Oh, I put my little GPS on the empty front seat, facing the right way. I hid it when I go somewhere, they are the popular thing to snitch around here.

I will use it next week when going to the job fairs, she better behave!

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:37 pm

I just discovered that my truck has an alarm system. I don't even know what button I pushed but it was loud & clear to the neighbor standing next to me.:wah: