Anybody have a backup plan?

[fhm555]

...GPS actually won't work in some of the places I go to and I never depend on it.

Pretty much the same down here where some traffic lights are still powered by whale oil. But seriously, the NW Florida panhandle and a lot of Alabama have rather largish dead zones so I always carry a map of Florida and Alabama and a little che pass compass. so even if I'm lost I know I'm not heading in the wrong direction.

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

 

[Salicete]

OK, I had to laugh out loud at this one..

I was stunned to see how many folks don't know how to use, or even knew that the old folding maps and ADC map books actually existed. What, one or two guys suggested it?

A good segment of the population would be dead in the water, and frighteningly, maybe actually dead in short order if the "grid" went down.

People seem to think if their phone does not work, the Internet goes down, or if the electricity goes out, they are essentially stranded on a remote island with no hope of survival, priceless...

Joe Nerve, this isn't meant to be a slam on you, just a general observation.

 

[punchdrunk]

My good pal Rand McNally always comes through in a pinch. Lives in my console.

 

[JohnDL]

For driving directions?

What would you do if you were 2 hours from home at 2AM, in the middle of nowhere, and your phone crapped out?

I drive all over the place for my gigs, and rarely know anymore where I am or how I got there. After my phone dying on me more than once (at good times, thankfully), I've become a bit concerned about the above happening.

My car doesn't have a GPS, and I was considering picking up one of those old fashioned Garmins or something. Just as a backup. I'm not sure if any of them even work anymore though . On Amazon, they all seem like the last ones bought were a decade ago.

Has anyone done this? If not, what's your B plan?

For driving directions?

What would you do if you were 2 hours from home at 2AM, in the middle of nowhere, and your phone crapped out?

I drive all over the place for my gigs, and rarely know anymore where I am or how I got there. After my phone dying on me more than once (at good times, thankfully), I've become a bit concerned about the above happening.

My car doesn't have a GPS, and I was considering picking up one of those old fashioned Garmins or something. Just as a backup. I'm not sure if any of them even work anymore though . On Amazon, they all seem like the last ones bought were a decade ago.

Has anyone done this? If not, what's your B plan?

Yeah don't get a Garmin though try and find Mia Navman they're better and you can turn off the speed limit alerts if you want to.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

OK, I had to laugh out loud at this one..

I was stunned to see how many folks don't know how to use, or even knew that the old folding maps and ADC map books actually existed. What, one or two guys suggested it?

I don't think those are sold in stores any longer, at least I haven't seen them sold in stores for a long time. You, ironically, have to buy them online.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

For driving directions?

What would you do if you were 2 hours from home at 2AM, in the middle of nowhere, and your phone crapped out?

I drive all over the place for my gigs, and rarely know anymore where I am or how I got there. After my phone dying on me more than once (at good times, thankfully), I've become a bit concerned about the above happening.

My car doesn't have a GPS, and I was considering picking up one of those old fashioned Garmins or something. Just as a backup. I'm not sure if any of them even work anymore though . On Amazon, they all seem like the last ones bought were a decade ago.

Has anyone done this? If not, what's your B plan?[/QUO

For driving directions?

What would you do if you were 2 hours from home at 2AM, in the middle of nowhere, and your phone crapped out?

I drive all over the place for my gigs, and rarely know anymore where I am or how I got there. After my phone dying on me more than once (at good times, thankfully), I've become a bit concerned about the above happening.

My car doesn't have a GPS, and I was considering picking up one of those old fashioned Garmins or something. Just as a backup. I'm not sure if any of them even work anymore though . On Amazon, they all seem like the last ones bought were a decade ago.

Has anyone done this? If not, what's your B plan?

Couple of things.

Phone charger for a car.

Out board GPS ALWAYS. Don't consider it old fashioned.

Both Jaguar and Mercedes offered "factory" units. Problem with "factory" is they are another company's GPS "factory" installed. Both manufacturers here could not update the units, leaving customers to class action their butts.

Seeing that most states will ticket you if it even looks like you are making a call, I don't want to waste my time explaining I wasn't to an Officer.

You let the phone problem turn into something else......now its a GPS problem.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

For driving directions?

What would you do if you were 2 hours from home at 2AM, in the middle of nowhere, and your phone crapped out?

I drive all over the place for my gigs, and rarely know anymore where I am or how I got there. After my phone dying on me more than once (at good times, thankfully), I've become a bit concerned about the above happening.

My car doesn't have a GPS, and I was considering picking up one of those old fashioned Garmins or something. Just as a backup. I'm not sure if any of them even work anymore though . On Amazon, they all seem like the last ones bought were a decade ago.

Has anyone done this? If not, what's your B plan?

Well if you are in the United States, just keep driving down hill and eventually you will get to an ocean. There only two of those and you should be able to find your way from there.

Seriously, with or without GPS or maps, I very rarely get lost. I grew up in Pittsburgh where not much makes sense with their roadway system compounded by hills, rivers and bridges. One thing I always do before I go into unfamiliar areas is to look at a map of the area (mapquest) noting how the highways run. Sure I’ll make a wrong turn or two and enjoy the “Scenic Route, ahem”, but for the most part I don’t have issues.

I will say this, nothing beats a GPS or Phone apps for driving in urban areas, especially have no sense of direction.

 

[funkinbottom]

Phone charger.

 

[TakeABreak]

I just keep driving. If it looks like I'm going in the wrong direction, I turn around and try another direction.
You may laugh, but I'm actually surprised that I've always found my way back home.

 

[InhumanResource]

For driving directions?

What would you do if you were 2 hours from home at 2AM, in the middle of nowhere, and your phone crapped out?

I drive all over the place for my gigs, and rarely know anymore where I am or how I got there. After my phone dying on me more than once (at good times, thankfully), I've become a bit concerned about the above happening.

My car doesn't have a GPS, and I was considering picking up one of those old fashioned Garmins or something. Just as a backup. I'm not sure if any of them even work anymore though . On Amazon, they all seem like the last ones bought were a decade ago.

Has anyone done this? If not, what's your B plan?

I just follow signs to a highway that I'm familiar with, and if I truly CAN'T get to a highway it's time to stop somewhere and get directions. Unless you're going to truly rural areas it's hard to get stuck. I'm in SE Pennsylvania, it's pretty easy to find one of the 95s or 76s and get back to my area.

 

[Spidey2112]

I generally have a copilot. I don't think her phone ever dies because I've never seen her without it.

Bingo.

 

[Florinda4]

Thomas Guide!

This.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Fixed the title for ya.

Phone charger in car, ciggy lighter adapter. Difficult to conceive that you did not think of this.

My title was very intentional. I wanted as many responses as possible, and knew that would work best . From the looks of thing so far, I was right.

If you know your phone is on the verge of dying, google the directions and jot down the turn-by-turn. If you don't have a pen, get a backup pen.

You can get cigarette lighter chargers for most phones on Amazon for like ten bucks. Likely less.

I generally have a copilot. I don't think her phone ever dies because I've never seen her without it.

I'm prepared for a dead battery. I'm more concerned with dropping it and busting it to the point where it isn't functional (that's happened 2X to me), losing it, or just having it crap out or freeze up for no good reason at all (I've seen that happen to others).

As an older person, reading this thread makes me laugh.

It also makes me sad.

Anyway, I think I saw a few clouds I need to go out and yell at.....

I'm 58. Know full well how to use a map, but doing that would add ridiculous amounts of time to my job. I play 2-3 shows a week, and 80% of my gigs are in places I've never been before. Waze makes travel a complete no-brainer for me, but I want backup. Using maps would also add many hours to my travel time because it's impossible to figure in traffic, road closures, construction, and best routes. Goin old school for me is like choosing a horse and buggy over a car.

 

[Alkali Ike]

 

[easyj]

The old fashioned GPS is not as old fashioned as you think. I have one. You need one.

I met a friend about 50 minutes away from my house, about midway for the two of us. I didn’t know the area I was in. After we parted ways, I realized my phone was in her car. She was gone. I didn’t have her phone number memorized (if I could get to phone), I didn’t know the way home to my house, and I didn’t know how to get to her house. I tried to drive to her house, because I needed my phone, but it was far away. I was stopping at gas stations asking for general directions, like how to get to highways and stuff. It was a nightmare, I finally found her house, and it took forever.

I decided to buy a GPS. You need one in case something happens to your phone. Also, using a phone as a GPS is great until you need to make or receive calls when navigating traffic. I find that I lose my screen at critical moments during navigation. Also, when approaching a new venue, I often call one of he guys to ask where to park and unload...I need to continue navigating during this time. I can also stop for coffee or food, bring my phone with me, and the GPS continues the navigation when I get back in the car. In addition, I always have it sitting on the dash, so I always see a map of where I am.

I paid $120 for the GPS, it has traffic data, and free lifetime map updates. You can always use your phone, but think it is WAY better to have a dedicated navigation device available at all times. I use my phone as my backup GPS.

 

[Joe Nerve]

OK, I had to laugh out loud at this one..

I was stunned to see how many folks don't know how to use, or even knew that the old folding maps and ADC map books actually existed. What, one or two guys suggested it?

A good segment of the population would be dead in the water, and frighteningly, maybe actually dead in short order if the "grid" went down.

People seem to think if their phone does not work, the Internet goes down, or if the electricity goes out, they are essentially stranded on a remote island with no hope of survival, priceless...

Joe Nerve, this isn't meant to be a slam on you, just a general observation.

I'm not taking it personally. I know how to use a map, I drove with them for over 20 years. I'm more surprised at the people who still think maps are the way to go, as explained in the last part of my previous post.

I'd guess that waze saves me hundreds (probably 1000s) of hours of unnecessary traffic and work per year. And is LOT safer to use than trying to refigure out routes when I've made a wrong turn.

I'm not afraid of technology. I embrace it and I ask questions when I need help or suggestions. As I did here.

Some might laugh at those writing on computers, while sticking carbon paper in typewriters and using correct-it tape. I know how to do that, but I'm not going to. It makes no sense to me.

 

[Hahaha]

I don't rely on GPS since I've lost signal three times. Now, the day before the gig I'll go up to Google Maps and from the overview I'll choose what looks like the best route. Then I'll go down to street view and look at all the intersections where I have to turn. I'll write down the directions as well, but usually I can drive to the location without having to refer to the directions since I know what the drive looks like. I just make mental notes like: turn left at the Shell station, right just past the old silo after the school zone, and so on. It's an incredibly efficient way to find your way to a gig. I can drive to new locations as though I've done it a hundred times before.

 

[Keger Jupit]

A paper map, you can get them for free at the DMV...