I'm new to this particular area in Albuquerque. My Garmin GPS generally does a good job, but when I tried to locate a nearby Starbucks, it couldn't find any at all. It didn't seem to recognize the name "Starbucks". Next, I used my smart phone and it found several in the area, the closest being less than 1/2 mile away (using Google).A little later, I tried finding a Verizon store and the Garmin couldn't find any. The smart phone located several. Now, I still like my Garmin since it's been pretty reliable on long trips and generally reliable in locating places nearby. Kinda strange it couldn't locate two major businesses close by!

How old is your model of GPS? Does it include 4FourSquare POIs, and when was the last time you updated the base map? I was in Albuquerque last October and my 2589LMT had no problems finding anything.Yes, direct searches on the internet are going to always use more current data.

Practically everyone here has a Garmin horror story, including me, like telling me to drive over the Snake River.I use my Android phone/google maps almost exclusively in towns. That darn Garmin, even if it knows where something is, will send me blocks out of my way.

I like a GPS that can't find Starbuck's!!

That’s because our phones really are smart(er).

IMO relying on a GPS to take you to an unknown location, or one found by your GPS, is an endeavor fraught with disappointment. I use a GPS to direct me to a known location that I entered in the GPS and route-checked for accuracy. With a GPS, as with real life, blind obedience is not a good idea.

GPS Certainly Not a Perfect Science | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 09, 2019
IMO relying on a GPS to take you to an unknown location, or one found by your GPS, is an endeavor fraught with disappointment. I use a GPS to direct me to a known location that I entered in the GPS and route-checked for accuracy.

With a GPS, as with real life, blind obedience is not a good idea.
hookie
Explorer
Apr 09, 2019
That’s because our phones really are smart(er).
toedtoes
Explorer III
Apr 09, 2019
I like a GPS that can't find Starbuck's!!
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2019
Practically everyone here has a Garmin horror story, including me, like telling me to drive over the Snake River.

I use my Android phone/google maps almost exclusively in towns. That darn Garmin, even if it knows where something is, will send me blocks out of my way.
MDKMDK
Explorer
Apr 09, 2019
How old is your model of GPS? Does it include 4FourSquare POIs, and when was the last time you updated the base map? I was in Albuquerque last October and my 2589LMT had no problems finding anything.
Yes, direct searches on the internet are going to always use more current data.

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GPS Certainly Not a Perfect Science

25 Replies

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