@JENGOSMonkey I WAS THERE FOR '89! I was a kid, but I remember the water coming out of the swimming pool in huge waves and everything falling from the shelves! I was actually born in San Jose, but moved around a lot later LOL I hear the wildfires are more of a concern for you guys now? That's scarier than quakes for me...
Oversize load
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We don't name our cars, but we also named our GPS, Basenjimamma - we named it Shirley - because even though we don't know where we're going, she "surely" will get us there!
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Shaye's Mom I do like Shirley, "surely" way to go.
Rita Jean
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Lots of truck drivers use GPS's in their trucks. I refuse to have one. Partly because I don't want the distraction (from the bright screen or the voice) and partly because the drivers I've talked to who have them become so reliant on them they forget how to get to places they've been before. Also, when I worked for a small company, one of the drivers swore by his GPS until he earned a $1300 ticket for following it into downtown DC. It seems like some of the drivers forget how to think on their own when they have one. I wouldn't even let a trainee bring one onto the truck when I was training. I want my trainees to know how to read a map and do their own thinking.
It works well for "4-wheelers" because y'all don't have to think about low clearances and truck routing.
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They do make a GPS just for Trucks so a driver can stick to the proper route to avoid a tickets like that. I do agree that its important to be able to read a map since there can be times a GPS can fail. There is a reason that a Trucker's atlas exists as well. Clearances are one of the reasons. If you travel in a motor home there are some places not on the map and roads you just do not belong on.
With that being said, there are plenty of drivers who will not spend the extra money for the GPS specially designed for large trucks. There are also plenty of GPS devices that will route you improperly or at times, cannot even find a valid address. I went through several ones of different brands before I found the one I have now because the other could not find my home address. In addition, when I traveled the west cost, there are places like the Devils Slide area you just do not want to travel in a large motor home or big rig for safety reasons. The same can apply in larger cities. I know Chicago like the back of my hand, but sometimes even with a map it can be tricky navigating the city.
I remember a trip in Colorado where we camped at the foot of the Royal Gorge. Miranda navigated us over a rut filled dirt road with several metal cattle type fences that were laying on the ground that we had to drive over just to get there. I am sure that road is not on a GPS. Also for us, when we are traveling and towing a car behind the motor home we are 53 feet long and if we make a mistake sometimes turning around or backing up can be difficult because in certain cases and conditions we have to drop the car to do it.
Jason
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I called my (too cute small red car :D) Binkie.. Which is a cute name for "macho" or "stud".. ggg…
And Mirtillo means Blabar.. so I humanize and blueberry-ize
@ AJ's human: love the pics
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GPS for trucks runs about $500-$800 depending on the model. They are only as up-to-date as the software, they aren't always accurate, as stated before and people become so reliant on them they forget where they are going if the GPS malfunctions. Sometimes, the routing given by the GPS isn't necessarily the best routing. I know shortcuts the GPS doesn't. They are a very handy aid for those who choose to use them, but I want people who learn from me to know their way around at least a little in addition to being able to use good ol' Rand McNally (the publisher of the truck atlas.) I have a very well-worn one right next to my seat. I buy an update every other year. It's almost due…
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AJs Human I am with you. There was no GPS when I was on the road just me and that little thing called a map.
Hope your not caught in the snow mess out there. If you are be safe.Rita Jean
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I really appreciate some of the comments here. They are so enlightening.
I agree an Updated paper map is important. Of course if you live in an area that has rapidly developing neighborhoods and new businesses that paper map can get outdated very quickly. In my opinion it is better to have both. Years ago drivers sometimes helped out each other with directions over the CB radios too, and lets not forget the importance of a good compass for those that cannot find N with both their hands.
In today's world, sometimes a person can benefit from having both a paper map and a GPS. If you plan your trip prior to getting on the road then you might not have to worry so much about errors with a map or a GPS because you would already be a little familiar with the route. A paper map does not give you live traffic updates like a GPS can, route you around accidents, heavy traffic congestion or traffic jams, or on the day they decide to shut down a good part of a city like Chicago for a parade or marathon. Some GPS units will tell you your estimated time of arrival(which can be very valuable), some will tell you where the fuel stations, hospitals, police stations, post office, stores, pharmacies, and more are located. Of course most of them allow you to enter a point of interest or a regularly traveled route on your own. So if you happen to drive a truck and deliver to the same address on more than one occasion you can store that route and information in the GPS itself. Some GPS units can even remember where you are parked. Considering the price of Diesel fuel, a GPS can pay for itself the first time there is a traffic accident that shuts down a road for hours. Just last night, I-57 was completely blocked on one side while they were putting a car out that had been on fire. Of course there might have been more to it but it was dark and we could not see any other reason while both lanes were blocked, but it went on for miles. Since many drivers are paid by the mile, I can certainly understand why some drivers that own GPS and keep it up to date would value it.
GPS units are like any other electronic device sold, they are only as good as the people making them, and the map in them. Many people pay for map updates once a quarter which means a map is never more than three months old. There are even live updates where a map is corrected hourly, daily, weekly. Its all about what you are willing to pay for. Tom Tom also has a program for those who want to actively join and correct maps as they find errors on them. That type of updating benefits everyone that participates in it. Other companies such as Garmin offer update programs as well.
Of course accuracy is also dependent on the unit you use. For example, the military uses GPS as well as civil engineers who can survey your property down to 1 cm using today's modern equipment. Its also built into cell phones for emergency reasons.
As far as GPS pricing is concerned, they are going to vary depending on the size of the screen and what you want your GPS to be able to do. Some GPS units have Bluetooth for wireless headsets and cell phone paring. Some play movies and MP3s, and much more as mentioned above. In addition to this, if you go on vacation or travel for business you can throw it in your suit case and use it in your rental car. There are now some rental car companies that do include them.
Now I have no idea what GPS units have to do with Basenjis or how we ended up talking about them in this forum. I do know mine is helpful when I am going to pick up and transport a rescue. Its also helpful when we a traveling to a location for a Dog show, agility, or lure coursing event in a location we have not ever visited. Maybe next there will be a thread about Double log books and how many hours you really have to drive in truck to actually make a decent living these days. I know my oldest son has communicated that you really have to watch who you work for as well.
Not to mention the safety issues involved with driving over the road on a day in day out basis.Miranda and I really love being out on the road ourselves and have traveled extensively in this country. Compared to all the countries I have visited overseas, I would still prefer to travel the US based on the diversity of the landscape and natural wonders it offers. Yellowstone is one of our favorite places along with Alaska. At one time we even considered selling the house and just living in the motor home on the road like some people do today but for us we just do not feel it would be practical. The people that are able to certainly lead a special life.
Jason
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At one time we even considered selling the house and just living in the motor home on the road like some people do today but for us we just do not feel it would be practical. The people that are able to certainly lead a special life.
I so agree with you, it would be wonderful to do…one day maybe.
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@AJs:
GPS for trucks runs about $500-$800 depending on the model. They are only as up-to-date as the software, they aren't always accurate, as stated before and people become so reliant on them they forget where they are going if the GPS malfunctions. Sometimes, the routing given by the GPS isn't necessarily the best routing. I know shortcuts the GPS doesn't. They are a very handy aid for those who choose to use them, but I want people who learn from me to know their way around at least a little in addition to being able to use good ol' Rand McNally (the publisher of the truck atlas.) I have a very well-worn one right next to my seat. I buy an update every other year. It's almost due…
I have a GPS on my Tonka truck because the mapping of my backyard isn't always reliable and I end up in the wrong corner of the yard. I hate when that happens!
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I have a GPS on my Tonka truck because the mapping of my backyard isn't always reliable and I end up in the wrong corner of the yard. I hate when that happens!
Funny post..
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Dan your funny you must just love that truck easy on gas?
Rita Jean
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@Rita:
Dan your funny you must just love that truck easy on gas?
Rita Jean
I love that truck Rita Jean! I can get a shovel full of dirt from one side of the yard to the other in no time. The only problem is I wear out jeans in the knees quickly so yes it is gas efficient but costly on my pants.
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Jason: We ended up talking about GPS because this is the Chit-Chat section and we can talk about whatever we like. This thread has lead us to GPS via a wandering, narrow path, but it was fun getting here.
Now we're talking about Tonka trucks and holey jeans…this is getting even better....:D
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@AJs:
Jason: We ended up talking about GPS because this is the Chit-Chat section and we can talk about whatever we like. This thread has lead us to GPS via a wandering, narrow path, but it was fun getting here.
Now we're talking about Tonka trucks and holey jeans…this is getting even better....:D
Cool! Maybe next we can discuss the High School Champion Playoff football game I photographed yesterday, digital cameras, lenses, fitness, or possibly how many miles or hours you actually have to drive a truck to make a living. I am all for talking about different things.
Jason
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I like digital cameras. Carry three of them with me at all times.
And yes, please share some of your photos in the Chit-Chat section…I would like to see how you photograph action and perhaps learn from you.
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@AJs:
I like digital cameras. Carry three of them with me at all times.
And yes, please share some of your photos in the Chit-Chat section…I would like to see how you photograph action and perhaps learn from you.
Great! Instead of tying up bandwidth here with off topic stuff like photography, I will be happy to post this link to one of the websites where my photography is hosted. Warning there is some nudity so please do not click on the link if it offends you
http://www.onemodelplace.com/member.cfm/P_ID/31348
Unfortunately I have more than three and I am about ready to possibly sell all of them and start over with newer technology. Of course I am going to hang onto my film based Hasselblad for a while. Are you familiar with the Hassy line?
I also like trucks, so maybe you can share how many miles you have to drive a day to make a living and what its like in this day and time to be an over the road driver. I am sure you have seen your share of accidents on the road, as well as unique structures like Bishop's Castle.
Jason
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Vaguely familiar. They are very fine film cameras, but I gave up film a long time ago. I found I did not have the space to store the negatives and prints. I cut my teeth on my mother's Canon (but don't remember the model number) and graduated to digital from there. I still have a film camera somewhere…in storage I think. I've found digital to be easier to develop, more time efficient and more environmentally friendly.
The photos I post here are taken with a $75 5mp Nikon. My other point-n-shoot is a 5mp Konica-Minolta (makes beautiful colors) and my "big" camera is a 12.3 mp Fuji S3Pro. I wanted a broader dynamic range and color capability, so I lost a little on resolution. Actual resolution with this camera is 6.15. My next acquisition will probably be the high-resolution Canon.
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I put a link for you to one of my portfolios in my previous post to save bandwidth on this website.
You can find some pictures of one of our dogs, Roo, on a new website I am going to be working on.
Jason
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Very nice photos. (They are so adorable when they are pups.) I like the crisp lines and color quality.
BTW: What was that you were saying about humanizing dogs?
