GPS vs maps

[twirlgrrl]

I have a question about kids these days.

Does anybody use a map anymore? Or is GPS considered essential for finding your way around? Because back in the olden days, when I walked in the snow to and from school uphill each way etc., I used to get a load of free maps from AAA and keep them in my car. I did a lot of driving all over California and beyond, and I would plot my route on the map before starting up the car. I have GPS in my car now (it's built-in, not Garmin or whatever) plus I can look up directions on my iPhone (not good for driving) so I rarely use maps. But I still think it's important to be able to find things on paper maps, plot a route, picture your current location on the map, maybe even remember the directions without trying to read the map while driving. I hope I'm not losing these skills.

So what do you youngsters say? Is GPS a necessity, or a frill?

Comments

[laren.livejournal.com]

I think it really depends on the individual.

I have never had GPS, so I use Google maps for everything, but I really need turn by turn directions. Just looking at a map, I can't tell if I need to turn left or right on a street, and that's what I need to know. I have a very bad sense of direction where the cardinal directions are concerned- I'm the kind of person who can walk along the coast and not know which direction she's heading, or think she's going North on a freeway that runs East/West. GPS makes navigating much easier and dramatically reduces my anxiety while driving. With that said, I understand that GPS can sometimes fail, so I keep a Thomas Guide in the car- which I have a very hard time reading and understanding. When I had my first IQ test, my visual/spatial score was very low- I don't know if that's the same part of the brain that deals with map reading and directions or not.

I can't wait to get a GPS unit.

[eac.livejournal.com]

Frill. (Though I use google maps all the time, so it's not like I'm dealing with paper maps, exactly)

Make sure Blue knows how to read a map.

[butterflyshaine.livejournal.com]

Well, we don't have GPS at all, so we either use paper maps or goggle maps.

Bryce LOVES maps (and world globes) ~ he finds them fascinating and even makes his own maps for places he loves ~ grandparents homes, park, etc. Hazen joins in now too, just to see what Bryce is enjoying about the maps! After we got home from Disneyland, we spent days just going over the park map remembering the fun times we had there!

I think it's important to know how to read a map ~ plus it's a fun way to learn about a place.

xoxo

[ninjalie.livejournal.com]

GPS isn't a necessity but I suck at using maps and would choose the gmaps on my phone any day over a map.

[quinek.livejournal.com]

I just got a GPS at Christmas. Before that I alwys used MapQuest. I think I've only used a map like twice in my life. :p

[alexisyael.livejournal.com]

I love maps. Mostly I use google maps these days, but I keep an atlas in my car.

(And in my first edit, I'll add: I don't have a GPS!!! And I HATE them! My friend had me use hers once and I wanted to throttle it... I knew kinda where I was going, stop telling me to turn! I wanted to take the scenic route!)

[f1ymetothemoon.livejournal.com]

Frill. I don't have one. I use maps or atlases.