AlanHo Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 So its the fault of sat Nav makers that lorry drivers are damaging 2000 railway bridges a year.Our society has become so focussed on passing blame on to others - we have become blind to the fact that it is the stupidity of the drivers involved - who blindly followed a tiny machine and ignored the signs warning them of the bridge height restriction. I assume the insurers had to pick up the tab and then pass on the costs, in the form of increased premiums, to all of us motorists.I have a personal association with this problem. I was returning from London to Solihull on the Chiltern line last November when the train was stopped for more than 3 hours - for this very reason. We were not allowed to proceed over the bridge until railway engineers arrived from Rugby to inspect the damage. We were stuck in the middle of nowhere and not able to get off the train. What was particularly infuriating was the fact that we had passed through a station less than 2 miles before - but the driver was not allowed to reverse back and let us off the train to make other travel arrangements. Why the rail company had let the train proceed beyond the station anyway was a mystery - it was clear that they had known for at least 30 minutes of the problem.Full story here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Never did reckon those Satnav things. All you need is your eyes open, preferably those of the wife in the front passenger seat :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted February 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I have used sat-nav for a few years and last year bought one for management - she travels around the country quite a bit and was often getting lost and late for appointments. After a week or two climbing the learning curve - she now swears it was the best and most useful present she has ever had (except me of course).There is a lot of bad press about sat-navs but the problems are mainly the result of drivers not using common sense and getting themselves into rivers or on railway level crossings. It's like everything else - you get what you pay for. Buy a cheap and cheerful sat nav and you will not get one with a powerful processor and full mapping - with obvious consequences if you don't take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Exactly, it's usually the human error that causes the trouble. It's the same with computers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 My DH had a TomTom SatNav for Christmas - the one before last.Having got the hang of using it, it has proved to be invaluable on many occasions. Naturally, there are times when there have been changes to road structures, but I believe that the card can be updated 'on line'. Must check with our son how to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belatucadrus Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I find my satnav invaluable, I'm OK with maps, but if you're on your own, peering at a road atlas lying on the passenger seat as you try to read street signs to work out where the hell you are is less than ideal. It's also useful if you suddenly decide to drive off into the sunset as it's a nice day for a drive, when you've had enough and have no idea where you've got to, let the satnav direct you home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Sounds OK for the solitary driver B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 My DH had a TomTom SatNav for Christmas - the one before last.Having got the hang of using it, it has proved to be invaluable on many occasions. Naturally, there are times when there have been changes to road structures, but I believe that the card can be updated 'on line'. Must check with our son how to do it. Go HERE.Make sure you choose the right one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I find my satnav invaluable, I'm OK with maps, but if you're on your own, peering at a road atlas lying on the passenger seat as you try to read street signs to work out where the hell you are is less than ideal. It's also useful if you suddenly decide to drive off into the sunset as it's a nice day for a drive, when you've had enough and have no idea where you've got to, let the satnav direct you home. Exactly!If you come up against a traffic jam or have warning on the radio, it is totally invaluable.Having a voice warn you when you have to exit an island, motorway or road is great. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 My DH had a TomTom SatNav for Christmas - the one before last. Having got the hang of using it, it has proved to be invaluable on many occasions. Naturally, there are times when there have been changes to road structures, but I believe that the card can be updated 'on line'. Must check with our son how to do it. GoHERE. Make sure you choose the right one. Thanks DW. Looks like I need to do some homework in order to chose the correct one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted February 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I don't believe that you can download updated maps - just operating manuals, software updates, POI's etc.Updated maps are usually sold on a CD for downloading to the sat nav from a computer or on a media card depending on the sat nav make and model - and they are expensive.I know this is true for Garmin and Alpine (as built into certain cars) - I am assuming Tom Tom is similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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