I began using a ViaMichelin GPS about 5 years ago. The amount of anxiety driving around has diminished by a huge amount since I started using it. I no longer have to check the map after every turn. I do many tunings in the evening, and using this tool is invaluable for navigation at night. If I make a wrong turn, it immediately routes me around so I don't have to worry about where to turn. If I need to find a store, gas station, market or other place, I can search it in the GPS. That feature is worth the cost of a GPS if you're in an unfamliar place. I sometimes use my wife's Garmin, which also includes bluetooth so I can talk while I drive. The price of GPS devices is going down, and it's almost a necessity these days. I honestly don't know how I did without it. You can find many refurbished devices for a good price, and some offer traffic rerouting when the roads are clogged for an accident or something.
Updating is good if you can afford it, or you just call the customer for directions when it's not shown.
FWIW.
Paul McCloud
San diego
----- Original Message -----
From: Matthew Todd
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: 11/26/2009 5:34:26 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] maps or GPS
I bought my Garmin in 2007, and it came with a FREE map update. (They still come that way too, last I checked). You really don't need to update but once every two years. I just recently went online and got my 2010 update for FREE. I figure after another two years, instead of updating, I will just buy a new one.
Plus it is convenient instead of the old fashioned maps. If your customer stands you up, and you've got some time to burn, you can either punch in the next customers address, or a point of interest to get you wherever you want to go. Much simplier for me than trying to plot a course on a map, or having pre-printed mapquest directions, in which case, you are out of luck.
Matthew
Sent via
Garmin Nuvi Mobile Device
--- On Thu, 11/26/09, wimblees at aol.com <wimblees at aol.com> wrote:
From: wimblees at aol.com <wimblees at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] maps or GPS
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 7:25 PM
Plus, it costs $139 for Garmin
last time I looked to update. 97% accurate although,
It's for this reason I didn't buy a GPS. I prefer the old fashioned street guides. There was a very good one in St. Louis, and there is a very one for Oahu. I have found them to be very accurate, and it only costs $15.0. It last about a year before the much used pages tear out. I also look at it when I'm waiting for a customer so that I can get better acquainted with the island. And, it's one less electronic devise to learn.
Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
Piano Tuner/Technician
94-505 Kealakaa Str.
Mililani, Oahu, HI 96789
808-349-2943
www.Bleespiano.com
Author of:
The Business of Piano Tuning
available from Potter Press
www.pianotuning.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Gerald Groot <tunerboy3 at comcast.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Thu, Nov 26, 2009 9:10 am
Subject: Re: [pianotech] maps or GPS
I did 3 years ago. The only disadvantage I can think of is the new streets
and sub divisions that are built afterward. They don't show up on the GPS
unless you update it yearly which I do not do. I did for the first year
because it was included in the cost however, even then it did not update all
of the latest sub developments where I live. Plus, it costs $139 for Garmin
last time I looked to update. 97% accurate although, I hear some people
drive into rivers and lakes because it says "turn here."
Jer
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of James Grebe
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 12:48 PM
To: Pianotech
Subject: [pianotech] maps or GPS
Howe many of you have given up use of street guides and went to GPS?
James
James Grebe Est. 1962
Piano Tuner-Technician
Creator of Custom Caster Cups
Creator of fine Writing Instruments
www.grebepiano.com
1526 Raspberry Lane
Arnold, MO 63010
(314) 608-4137
Become what you believe
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