I'm wondering why Howard seems to always use MapQuest to plan his routes. I've been using Google and MapQuest and find that they often give different routes.
Before I "Ask Howard" I thought I'd ask you guys to weigh in on what you use and why. Maybe some of you even use something totally different.
As an aside, I use GPS in bigger metro areas or to find the local whatever but have found it not so helpful for longer trips.
Thanks for your experience, Sherry
Serengeti2001 said
07:05 AM Oct 27, 2010
We use neither, What we do use is the DeLorme Street Atlas to program all of our routes. You can let it set up the route or you can include routes that you would prefer to take. We have it setting on the dash of the MH while we travel.
janni said
08:15 AM Oct 27, 2010
Sherry,
We use kind of a combo.....google, gps, Rand McNally. No experience with MapQuest.
DaveSam said
08:35 AM Oct 27, 2010
We use Microsoft Streets and Trips and our GPS. They usually agree.
Luvglass said
09:19 AM Oct 27, 2010
We use Trailer Life Navigator, Google and the GPS. and then adjust accordingly. We never use Mapquest.
RVKevi said
02:08 PM Oct 27, 2010
We usually use mapquest, but that may change. We took a day trip down to SC to look at a used class A and used mapquest to try to find the dealer. The mapquest directions were worse than useless. We got completely lost and lucked out that another customer in the gas station where we stopped to ask directions knew the place, and was headed at least partway there. He kindly led us most of the way and stopped in a parking lot to give us directions the rest of the way. Then he turned around and went back the way he had come and we went on and easily found the place. Very nice man!
In the future I'll be getting more than one set of directions and comparing them!
janieD said
02:55 PM Oct 27, 2010
We have been using a combo of GPS and Google maps. One of the things I like about google maps is the ability to go to street view. It allows me to take a look at the road and see what it is like (2 lanes, shoulders etc.). The GPS we have is awful, it is integrated into our stereo system and the company has abandon their GPS so no updates. It has a great 7" screen and is nice for viewing but we will be shopping for a new GPS. I have never had a problem with the route google has chosen but lots of errors on GPS.I have also learned to check websites of campgrounds for their recommended directions to the campground too.
Racerguy said
04:22 PM Oct 27, 2010
We use Google Maps mainly because Google News is our Home page and it's just one click to get to maps and directions.I feel it is a little more user friendly and like the ability to drag the little blue line and alter the route a little if I want.Since we have been in South Carolina Google Maps has saved us more than once as our GPS is 2 years old and once in a while can't get us across the street.Our GPS had the local Wal-Mart located at a Interstate Highway overpass.
The Bear II said
04:53 PM Oct 27, 2010
I've had some incorrect directions using MapQuest. However I like the ease of use, so I still use it from time to time, but don't trust it, so I use my navigation system directions.
I actually like BING Maps (http://www.bing.com/maps/?FORM=Z9LH8) because it has a "Birdseye View" feature for high to medium populated areas plus some tourist areas. These Birdeye Views provide very detailed close up views. I've used these Birdseye shots to look at campgrounds to decide which spots I want to park in when making my reservations.
The Bing Map travel directions have been good.
The mapping programs work well as long as you keep in mind they will route you on major highways or streets and not use secondary roads as first choice for a route. If you know a shorter route, it's unlikely a mapping system will use the shorter route unless it's via primary roads.
Paul and Jo said
06:02 PM Oct 27, 2010
The Bear II wrote:I actually like BING Maps (http://www.bing.com/maps/?FORM=Z9LH8) because it has a "Birdseye View" feature for high to medium populated areas plus some tourist areas.
I like using Google Earth for "birdseye" views of parks. They can be pretty detailed as well as having the ability (like regular Google Maps) to be able to walk down a street. I just find Google Earth to be more detailed.
Paul
Remi said
12:23 AM Oct 28, 2010
MapQuest was constantly sending me the wrong way on business tripsl so when google got the bugs worked out of their system, I switched. I still use atlases sometimes, but usually a combo of google maps and Tom Tom, which I broke down and got when I found myself doing a lot fo car renting with travel and found it cheaper to buy the bloody thing than keep renting theirs. Honestly, i've never had any problems with the Tom Tom, though it did have me worried a couple times while driving the Class A. I honestly think I would have switched to one of the trucker or rv models if health had let me keep driving the A and not switch to a B.
DorisandDave said
08:57 AM Oct 28, 2010
We use a combination of google maps and the Truckers/RV atlas. When we are in the truck and moving we use our sprint navigation on our phones.
Doris
Howard said
09:13 AM Oct 28, 2010
Sherry,
As you can see, us RVers use a variety of methods to plan routes and we often use multiple methods. I don't think any of us trust any single method 100%.
For us, we use a hard copy atlas, our Mountain Directories for Truck/Motorhome Drivers (mostly so we know about mountain passes, grades, restrictions), MapQuest, our GPS, directions on websites of our destinations, and phone calls to people actually at our destinations. There are numerous campground websites that say something like "MapQuest, Google Maps, GPS directions, etc. all provide incorrect directions", so we pay close attention to the website directions (or live person directions) if they differ from what we came up with using another method.
The GPS is the one we trust least for getting the fifth wheel from place to place, but it is an older model and doesn't have an "RV" or "Trucker" friendly feature and we often go to remote places where it is just flat out wrong.
I use MapQuest simply because it was what we used when we started ... before Google Maps was a competitor ... and I'm just familiar with how to use it and tweak it to fit our needs.
My advice is simply to use multiple methods, use what you are comfortable with, and don't freak out when you get in a bind because it will occasionally happen ... no matter how much planning you try to do.
Before I "Ask Howard" I thought I'd ask you guys to weigh in on what you use and why. Maybe some of you even use something totally different.
As an aside, I use GPS in bigger metro areas or to find the local whatever but have found it not so helpful for longer trips.
Thanks for your experience,
Sherry
What we do use is the DeLorme Street Atlas to program all of our routes.
You can let it set up the route or you can include routes that you would prefer to take.
We have it setting on the dash of the MH while we travel.
Paul
Doris
Sherry,
As you can see, us RVers use a variety of methods to plan routes and we often use multiple methods. I don't think any of us trust any single method 100%.
For us, we use a hard copy atlas, our Mountain Directories for Truck/Motorhome Drivers (mostly so we know about mountain passes, grades, restrictions), MapQuest, our GPS, directions on websites of our destinations, and phone calls to people actually at our destinations. There are numerous campground websites that say something like "MapQuest, Google Maps, GPS directions, etc. all provide incorrect directions", so we pay close attention to the website directions (or live person directions) if they differ from what we came up with using another method.
The GPS is the one we trust least for getting the fifth wheel from place to place, but it is an older model and doesn't have an "RV" or "Trucker" friendly feature and we often go to remote places where it is just flat out wrong.
I use MapQuest simply because it was what we used when we started ... before Google Maps was a competitor ... and I'm just familiar with how to use it and tweak it to fit our needs.
My advice is simply to use multiple methods, use what you are comfortable with, and don't freak out when you get in a bind because it will occasionally happen ... no matter how much planning you try to do.