Comments on: GPS Vs. Paper Maps

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:55:23 +0000

paper maps are getting fewer and fewer as the years go by. i rather prefer paper maps myself, because in the year 2060, GPS will crash and paper maps will be in high demand (if paper maps will not be around anymore). those who have a good supply of maps, if it that gets tossed, would highly regret it and as a paper map collector myself, if someone wants my maps, then i’m going to say “too bad! you should have though about inventing a GPS before it crashed.” and it will crash in this economy.

By: gojira

gojira — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:53:07 +0000

I don’t want to defend paper maps or start a silly paper maps vs. electronic maps argument; however I think it’s an important question what is more accurate, electronic or paper maps? I think the above article misses one important point: sure, paper maps once bought never update themselves. BUT the publisher will often publish a newer, updated version that you can buy, for just a few dollars. Regarding electronic maps, there are also updates but they are not so frequent as the paper map updates in my experience (however I must say that I have used only a few GPS devices so far). In my personal experience, good paper maps are far, far better than any electronic map I have ever used. By better I mean: the paper map had more roads, more details, and hogher resolution. It would be wonderful if the electronic maps in GPS handhelds had the same quality as the best paper maps, but definitely they don’t. Also the GPD makers have little incentive to update their maps; they will update from device generation to devicee gen, but not within generations. The paper map makers constantly update. I think paper maps are the clear winner regarding detail, accuracy and resoultion – although I would prefer it if electronic maps were at least on par.

By: victor

victor — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 02:51:19 +0000

I just purchased a GPS based on Navteq maps and found about 8% of the roads aren’t even in the map database. However, a 3 year old map(spiral bound) that I have been using daily lists these… why? I am a courier and have noted major flaws in mapping and routing to both the GPS manufacturers and map providers. I use my GPS 12 to 15 hours a day and have come to the conclusion after 3 months that most GPS devices can get you to within 1/2 mile of your location 90% – 95%…but it’s up to me to locate the exact address. It seems as if a street has 20 known address on it and the street is 1 mile long the algorithms can’t take into account parcel data. So, you may have 19 houses on 10% of the road and someone else owning a large tract which screws up everything. Metropolitan navigation is simple but try navigating 10 – 12 hours a day on county roads and back roads and trailer parks and in truth the GPS is more of a hinderance then anything.