couple stranded for 3 days after gps leads them astray

[6933]

Being able to read a topo map, navigate with a compass, hell, or just use a map period are all becoming increasingly rare skills. Sad.

Swat- Glad to hear you work with your guys on nav skills. I willing to bet once in a while you have them navigate to the nearest store that sells your favorite Texas ale.

[K.L. Davis]

The act of navigating, includes not only finding a route, but determining if it is the correct route -- this includes ensuring that you or your vehicle have the ability to traverse the terrain, or your vessel has the vertical clearance or depth under keel, or your aircraft has the range to make the route.

While some GPS units have the ability to take some of these things in to consideration... this is the exception, not the rule.

GPS is great for what it does... I have used them for many, many years; but have never relied upon them.

[austinN4]

Seems like a little common sense is in order as well. If my GPS told me to get off the numbered highway (when going on long distance trip) I would ask it to rethink (maybe no longer "shortest path" and another algorithm instead -- most GPS systems I have seen have a few options).

MapQuest has given me wrong directions also. There is no substitue for common sense.

[USAFR]

a few not make it out of the woods up here, just goes to show ya, dont trust somthing that tells you, trun here, in the middle of winter, stay on the main roads.