How do you like your GPS set up?

[Guest]

Is this a generational thing? My ex used to like the GPS set up with a 3D, track up setting. So the map keeps moving with the direction of the car. That drives me nuts. I need to have my GPS set up with the "North Up" setting, otherwise I get completely disoriented. He started driving at a late age, though, 26, and I don't think he ever had to rely on maps, as I did when I started driving. When I drive, I like to think of where I am on a map. He doesn't. Interestingly, I'm finishing up a road trip with my new beau, and he doesn't mind either way. So I'm curious as to how you guys like to set up your GPS, and whether you started driving before or after GPS's became standard issue with most cars.

[rguer]

For the general lay of the land, I prefer north up. For small scale navigation, I prefer track up. I never use 3D when turning it off is an option.

[rvwnsd]

That depends. When I am looking at the overview, I like north to be up. When I am navigating, I prefer the track up.

[OneFinger]

That depends. When I am looking at the overview, I like north to be up. When I am navigating, I prefer the track up.

Ditto.

[+ poolboy48220]

I use Waze, which as far as I know doesn't even have a north up setting. I am used to track up, show me the way I'm going to turn.

 

I like Waze since it's a social app and I can get traffic reports / hazards / etc from other Waze users driving the same route I'm on. Any other recommendations?

[tanman4u]

I prefer track up more importantly I love the guy with the Australian voice I've chosen to tell me what do do. Now if he'd just add in the occasional "boi" or "bitch".....

[bigvalboy]

3D for me....

[instudiocity]

Traveling with a family member who is dyslexic I des covered if the GPS was North up he got confused but Track up he never missed a turn.

 

When I drive track up, I can't imagine where I am, but north up I feel in sync with the earth. I've never been to the Southern Hemisphere, south up might be necessary.

[mike carey]

I've never been to the Southern Hemisphere, south up might be necessary.

Not from my point of view, at least, but that's based on using maps not a GPS.

 

One thing that threw me the first time I was in the northern hemisphere, because the sun moves across the sky to the south rather than to the north as it does in this half of the world, shadows move clockwise as the day passes whereas here they move anti-clockwise. And of course shadows point south here.

[Zman]

I use Google Maps on my phone. I like the north up setting. Anything else is disorienting to me. FWIW, I've compared Google maps' directions to what GPS systems in cars give and I think Google does as good a job or better. The downside is you're looking at your phone which is a big no-no when driving. I guess some folks mount their phones somehow so it becomes like a GPS unit. Also, Google has voice directions so you can use it hands free that way if you want. I do like that if I'm in a totally unfamiliar area. The voice warns you when turns are coming up and so on.

[Mocha]

I prefer track up more importantly I love the guy with the Australian voice I've chosen to tell me what do do. Now if he'd just add in the occasional "boi" or "bitch".....

 

May have to download Samuel Jacksons voice. Every damn day!

[+ poolboy48220]

The downside is you're looking at your phone which is a big no-no when driving. I guess some folks mount their phones somehow so it becomes like a GPS unit.

I've got a phone holder that sticks on my windshield with a suction cup, so the maps are right in my field of view.

[Steven_Draker]

I am used to track up, show me the way I'm going to turn.

 

Same here. Track up all the way!

 

The first time I used North up I got lost and missed several turns. It was quite confusing.

[Steven_Draker]

One thing that threw me the first time I was in the northern hemisphere, because the sun moves across the sky to the south rather than to the north as it does in this half of the world, shadows move clockwise as the day passes whereas here they move anti-clockwise. And of course shadows point south here.

 

Great observation. Another difference that's characteristic for the Southern hemisphere is the direction of rotation of cyclones and hurricanes.

 

 

http://images.slideplayer.com/9/2564848/slides/slide_31.jpg

[AdamSmith]

Also...

 

http://teenskepchick.org/files/2012/01/bart_vs_australia_toilets_flushing_backwards.jpg

 

...not really!

 

http://www.snopes.com/science/coriolis.asp

[mike carey]

If water enters in a swirling motion (as it does when a toilet is flushed, for example), the water will exit in that same swirling pattern.

 

The water does not enter standard toilets in Australia with a swirling motion, it goes straight down from under the rim of the toilet. So no swirling exit either.

[Steven_Draker]

... And even if it entered with a swirling motion, the Corolis effect can't apply on such a small scale.

 

While the premise makes sense -- that the earth's eastward spin would cause the water in a toilet bowl to spin as well -- in reality, the force and speed at which the water enters and leaves the receptacle is much too great to be influenced by something as miniscule as a single, 360-degree turn over the span of a day. When all is said and done, the Coriolis effect plays no larger role in toilet flushes and baseball games than it does in the revolution of CDs in your stereo.