Matt_Colie wrote:
Kathy,
I get asked about this sort of thing a lot. That might be a result of often having a name tag that said "Navigator". There is something else to consider, there are two names in your profile. This can be a real advantage if you travel as driver and navigator. This will matter a lot if you go strange places. Ego, use the phone for travel advice and some planning, locating resources and other things and let the driver drive. This can take a great deal of stress out of the situation.
Most of what you have read above is correct. The only real dissent was the Gerry, and he only went 500 miles from NJ. We often do 500+ mile days. He may find that he has a problem in northern New York (in the Adirondack SP area), west of the Missouri River or lots of places in the mountains of West Virginia. That is when you really need the GPS!
In very real terms, a dedicated GPS will do a better job of giving you the information you need, with the exception of current traffic.
So, yes, keep the GPS, but seriously think about not updating it. Keep it as a driver position unit and when it gets really old, buy a new one. The new one will be much better at everything. My oldest still in service is a marine Garmin that is now 18 and it is dying. I will miss it.
In the mean time, learn what you can from others. When we travel, there are three things running full time. The driver's GPS - a Garmin 2595 with the day's travel loaded. My smartphone is on ship's power and being a hotspot. And, my old laptop is running Street Atlas with a GPS of its own. I often ask the Droid for its opinion as it will have up to date road information, but as said, once you have poor cell coverage that is a lost cause.
But, Always, Yes always be ready for things to go wrong. Two years ago, in the middle of Kansas, the older GPS quit. Last spring, half way though Ohio, my phone went down. That is why we always carry paper as back up. If you are a AAA member, order all the maps for any state you might enter. Even if you are, the Walmart Street Atlas is deal at 7$us. It even works when the lights go out.
Matt
