The cost of technology

Topic: The cost of technology (Read 1468 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #25 – January 05, 2019, 12:22:28 am

Yet Chuck. I see so many blindly jumping at high tech solutions for low tech non-problems. Like my example of the MCD shades. A CB for the windshield simply because a person can't get their ever growing back side out of a chair to walk 3 feet and draw the shades.

Tech is great. But tech just for the sake of tech can make a simple thing more complicated, expensive and problematic than it was before the tech.
The tech in cars is the number one reason for bringing a vehicle in for warranty work. The voice command in my Garmin GPS is utter nonsense and is simply a tech gimmick that you think you need because it's new and all the cool kids use it. It's usually faster to just type in my request.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #26 – January 05, 2019, 12:41:21 am

True enough Bigdog. You've got to pick and choose and much tech is just needless noise. But the generational longing for a simpler age is questionable to me. Yep, it was easier when you saddled up old Bessie and rode to town, assuming most of the residents weren't dead from the latest cholera or flu epidemic.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #27 – January 05, 2019, 09:29:06 am

Quote from: bigdog – January 05, 2019, 12:22:28 am

The voice command in my Garmin GPS is utter nonsense and is simply a tech gimmick that you think you need because it's new and all the cool kids use it. It's usually faster to just type in my request.

What caused me to NEVER have GPS were two stories: A elderly couple was told by 'the nice lady' about a shortcut from the south to Flagstaff which turned out to be a 4-wheel drive wagon track. They got high centered, he hiked for help and died along the way, she was rescued by some ATV folks. The other was some friends of mine that were told of a 'shortcut' to get from I-5 in Portland to I-84 eastbound. They had a Prevost with toad and found themselves in downtown Portland at rush hour! I remain a 'paper Atlas' traveler.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #28 – January 05, 2019, 10:30:32 am

AHall, I feel your pain. We have Dish with the Travler and it has been acceptable. We have Dish at home and ordered an extra Hopper and Joey for the coach for very little more. We hook it to a dish on the shop when it's parked inside at home so the DVR will keep recording. That has a worked well for us. We sometimes wind up where we need to use different satellites and usually just don't bother with making it work, although it wouldn't be that difficult I suppose. ATT support is pretty worthless. I spent over an hour recently getting two accounts combined and then had two more calls that were more than an hour each getting what they messed up the first time corrected. On my last call I got some Texas redneck who spoke English as a first language and he said "dang, this thing is all messed up" and proceeded to get it fixed.

With the other options (Amazon, Roku and Apple TV) all available in the coach we don't use sattelite as much as we used to, but there are times when the cell signal isn't that good despite the booster on the roof. I just hate spending what we do to own the coach and not have satellite available if we want to flip channels.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #29 – January 05, 2019, 11:31:18 am

Quote from: mike leary – January 05, 2019, 09:29:06 am

What caused me to NEVER have GPS were two stories: A elderly couple was told by 'the nice lady' about a shortcut from the south to Flagstaff which turned out to be a 4-wheel drive wagon track. They got high centered, he hiked for help and died along the way, she was rescued by some ATV folks. The other was some friends of mine that were told of a 'shortcut' to get from I-5 in Portland to I-84 eastbound. They had a Prevost with toad and found themselves in downtown Portland at rush hour! I remain a 'paper Atlas' traveler.

I look at the route on paper or Google maps prior to using the GPS and ignore it and let it reroute on the fly. The RV 770 I use has my coaches width, length, Height, Weight in it so it will not route me to any suspect areas where clearance or tight turns would be an issue. So like Reagan, I trust but verify.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #30 – January 05, 2019, 11:38:14 am

Quote from: mike leary – January 05, 2019, 09:29:06 am

What caused me to NEVER have GPS were two stories: A elderly couple was told by 'the nice lady' about a shortcut from the south to Flagstaff which turned out to be a 4-wheel drive wagon track.

You have to research brands and apps before purchasing or a GPS can be a real headache. We find that GoogleMaps, Here and Maps.Me are excellent and FREE. They work almost anywhere in the world and don't require an internet connection except to download new maps. TomTom and Sygic are also good paid alternatives. All of the above work on smart phones and tablets. Try using a paper map while driving/walking in Cairo or Istanbul.

I use Avare and Fltplan on phone and tablet to navigate while flying. Both excellent and free. On a trip across the U.S., I had three GPSs running as sub zero temps (on takeoff, lower at altitude) make any mistake fatal in winter. The latest sectionals are downloaded when online and will show any restricted areas for fires, football games, etc. All FREE.

With an internet connection (MiFi card), they overlay NEXRAD weather radar on the screen.

And for boaters, a GPS takes almost ALL the work out of navigating. How many today (or yesterday) can use sight reduction tables?

Sure, we use paper maps/atlases to plan and watch our progress but while in the coach, the GPS is a good backup, especially in a unfamiliar city.

For those unhappy with satellite programming and support (me), FTA satellite is free and available all over the planet.

Pierce

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #31 – January 05, 2019, 11:51:03 am

We have a garmin '770 and for the most part it works well enough, what I cannot get over is the "no RV info" as soon as I turn it to a state park or RV park. One would think that when I do the update on express that my updated info vis a vis "no RV info" might show up, sadly no. Baffled 😮
Mick

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #32 – January 05, 2019, 11:56:20 am

Yes, technology is a good backup. I love progress, but change for the sake of change is typically a waste of time. Got rid of the satellite TV service about 12 years ago or in other words about $14,400 dollars ago. Don't miss it, wish I would have punted it years earlier. Sirus radio for the coach if I could subscribe in week increaments.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #33 – January 05, 2019, 02:04:13 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – January 05, 2019, 11:38:14 am

You have to research brands and apps before purchasing or a GPS can be a real headache. We find that GoogleMaps, Here and Maps.Me are excellent and FREE. They work almost anywhere in the world and don't require an internet connection except to download new maps.

Yes those work great on my iphone. EXCEPT that I have not been able to increase the font size within those programs. I only need reading glasses and I can't drive with those on. So I find the Iphone route guidance useless as the text is so bloody small. On our sooby's starlink. I can get the maps to display from the iphon. But then the ipod function of the phone goes away. and I don't do radio, So Garmin is it.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #34 – January 05, 2019, 09:26:28 pm

Two stories.

When digital television was first coming out we looked at the new televisions in Wal-Mart. An employee was raving about how much better the new sets were than what we had. I asked him if the new sets had better shows than the old ones. At first he said yes. Then he figured out what I was asking and said, "No, you will have the same programs as you have now, but the pictures will be a lot better." I asked, "Then what's the point?" and walked away.

When we're traveling in the Foretravel Jo Ann has the proper State's highway map out, her iPad and her iPhone going. She has already programmed the initial route into my iPhone, which is plugged into the radio and gives me directions. Sometimes she decides that the general route is fine, but she wants to change it a bit, so she tells me to turn the radio down and she will give me directions. When we're in places where there is heavier traffic and/or a highway change I ask her to divide her eye time between the maps and the outside world as sometimes the voice on the speaker isn't as precise as I'd like it to be.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #35 – January 06, 2019, 12:41:38 am

I agree about the new. Drove from Vegas to south Orange County today in the afternoon in our 08 ls460.

Waze and road overhead electronic signs said road closed to la? .WHAT.

So asked nav system for alternate routes. Thankfully we were at the last cop turnaround.

Turned around took the route to pahrump Nevada then to Baker. 70 extra miles.

Listening to satellite radio. Nav system showing turns and miles. Wife texting her business people handling issues as we drove. Cars automatic windshield wipers coming on as needed. automatic air conditioning self adjusting, insulated glass lowering noise in car, heated/Air condioned seats, articulated drivers side windshield wiper, auto open and close windows and moonroof.

27 mpg at nearly 90.

Like most here I lived in the "old days" not interested in going back.

My cell phone rang and the cars systems allowed me to talk handfree.

12 way power leather seats.

Aqua hot. Gel batteries. Inverters. Solar. Diesel gens. Dual pane windows.....

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #36 – January 06, 2019, 07:28:25 am

Quote from: bigdog – January 05, 2019, 02:04:13 pm

Yes those work great on my iphone. EXCEPT that I have not been able to increase the font size within those programs. I only need reading glasses and I can't drive with those on. So I find the Iphone route guidance useless as the text is so bloody small. On our sooby's starlink. I can get the maps to display from the iphon. But then the ipod function of the phone goes away. and I don't do radio, So Garmin is it.

You could use an iPad.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #37 – January 06, 2019, 10:46:02 am

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – January 06, 2019, 07:28:25 am

You could use an iPad.

I already have the Garmin (and it works great) I also have an Iphone, Imac, And the Asus for VMSpc. I do have an old Gen 1 Ipad that while it works just fine. It's not upgradable to the latest IOS and so has become unstable. I like tech, But I don't want to have to do a juggling act. Let's see I need this tech for that function and this other tech for another function over there. It becomes (to me) self defeating to need tech to tell me what tech I need for certain issues. I don't want the already long coach pre/post-flight check list to get even longer.

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #38 – January 06, 2019, 12:34:20 pm

OK, if you want larger print, bluetooth to your radio, an excellent built in GPS receiver, AMOLED screen that Apple has not implemented yet, an SD card, consider an Android tablet like the Samsung TAB S, S2, S3. Available in several sizes, it works really well. I also use an iPad 3 and love it. It just does not have the receiver. Earlier iPads work well but need an external receiver. Note that only a few external receivers will work with an iPad. Garmin's GLO is one.

The huge plus is the cost on the used market with typical used models available on Craigslist in the $100-$200 price range.

The photos attached show the receiver capability while inside our house in the middle of a storm. All apps/apks are free. The map photo is of Avare, a free aircraft navigation app. It does show the highways and features a weather overlay. I have the weather in a light transparency so the ground/highways etc. can be easily seen. Anyone can download and use at no cost. You do need an internet connection for the weather to be included.

There is also a new navigational app/apk coming out with turn by turn directions with a NEXRAD overlay that will change your route depending on the weather. Not free but pretty low cost: TurnCast Is A Sat-Nav App With Predictive Weather Smarts To Reroute You... . Again, you will need an internet connect to get the live weather.

The other photo is all the satellites that are available including the GPS U.S. satellites as well as the Russian GLONASS satellites. Having both to use for navigation makes the accuracy and availability much better in big cities with tall buildings, bad weather and forests with the sky partially blocked.

A actual photo of Avare in operation is available for anyone interested.

Pierce

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #39 – January 06, 2019, 12:51:44 pm

Funny how life outlook changes: I used to like 'bell & whistles' in audio and then, irrigation. Now, I care nothing for that: I am a member of Brett's club: "KISS".

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #40 – January 06, 2019, 03:25:56 pm

Quote from: mike leary – January 06, 2019, 12:51:44 pm

Funny how life outlook changes: I used to like 'bell & whistles' in audio and then, irrigation. Now, I care nothing for that: I am a member of Brett's club: "KISS".

A Luddite are ya! :-)

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 13, 2025 ...

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #25 – January 05, 2019, 12:22:28 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #26 – January 05, 2019, 12:41:21 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #27 – January 05, 2019, 09:29:06 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #28 – January 05, 2019, 10:30:32 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #29 – January 05, 2019, 11:31:18 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #30 – January 05, 2019, 11:38:14 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #31 – January 05, 2019, 11:51:03 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #32 – January 05, 2019, 11:56:20 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #33 – January 05, 2019, 02:04:13 pm

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #34 – January 05, 2019, 09:26:28 pm

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #35 – January 06, 2019, 12:41:38 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #36 – January 06, 2019, 07:28:25 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #37 – January 06, 2019, 10:46:02 am

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #38 – January 06, 2019, 12:34:20 pm

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #39 – January 06, 2019, 12:51:44 pm

Re: The cost of technology

Reply #40 – January 06, 2019, 03:25:56 pm

Affiliate Notice