Pros/Cons of GPS?

Question

I'm doing this project for school and I need to come up with a list of pros and cons of GPS systems - the ones you use in your car. I'll take anything! Thanks guys!

Answer 1

GPS is the wrong word for them.   These are navigation assistance devices.  They have the onboard maps and say "turn left here" and all that.  

I think nav-assist's are dangerous because they are a "gadget" that distracts the driver at a time he's already confused, i.e. lost.  But others feel the driver can focus better on the road if there is a steady voice telling him which way to go. http://www.betanews.com/article/GPS_Nav_...

http://www.wnep.com/global/story.asp?s=7...

Oh and now they're talking about advertising on it!!  Not a distraction? Right...

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_...

What's a GPS really?  Extra credit time.  It's a system of military satellites that lets anyone with a handheld GPS receiver know their exact coordinates on Earth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Posi...

Aside from aircraft, boats, and surveyors, it's used for something really fun - geocaching.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching

See with a GPS receiver, you can go geocaching :)   With a nav-assist device, you can't unless it can tell your location and has batteries to take with.

Answer 2

Pros- they get you to a destination that you needed directions for.

Pro- they show you your exact location and point of reference incase you need to relay the info to someone else, ie. emergency services via cell phone (which does NOT give exact locations)

Cons- they lead you into unfamiliar territory, and if you need to get out in a hurry, your not sure where to go.

Cons_ road construction isn't updated, because it isn't reported.

Cons- you'll NEVER learn how to get there by reading a map if you rely solely on this contraption.

Cons-in my line of work (firefighter) we MUST know every street, dead end, court, curve, hundred block, and hydrant location in our response area.  This provides a crutch for drivers unfamiliar with the area to use, placing less of an emphasis on learning the area by heart.  It's also less safe, because you don't know where you're going until you're there!!

Cons- they make great reasons for vehicle break ins.  thieves look for the suction cup rings on the windshield, and break in to try and find the GPS unit, probably hidden under the seat or in the glove box.