Maps - Google / Gps Or Hard Copy - What Do You Like To Use

[DavidFL]

In this increasingly digital dominated world I thought it might be a good idea to look at the Google Maps / GPS vs Hard Copy Maps issue.

What do you use?
Do you just need one or do you still need both?

I use my GPS for map surveying & the hard copy GTR map is the result.

Sometimes I get guys contacting me for info or directions, because their GPS or Google Maps has failed they & they are not sure where to go.

For me, unless you are familiar with the road network or town names, then you should always carry a map with you.

• With a map you get the big picture. You can see the while network of roads. With a GPS you can only look at a small area on the screen.
• You can plan your trip with a map
• You can open your map out & discuss your route & options with friends over beer.
• A GPS actually isolates you from other people & interacting more with the locals. It takes a lot of the fun & adventure out of touring.
• With a map you can interact with locals, checking directions & suggested routes.
• With a map you can learn something as you go, looking out for landmarks or kms as you go. With a GPS you look at the screen to navigate & don’t necessarily look out for landmarks or kms, route numbers as you go.
• Navigating with a map is part of the excitement of travel. Blindly following your GPS, letting it lead you round by the nose is no adventure.
• A map doesn’t have a power failure of lose the GPS signal – it works with you all the time.
• Lose your way with a GPS; but with a map you can least see the big picture & road network to work out where to go – what the options are.

What are your ideas.

• Is Google maps good enough?
• Is the GPS map good enough?
• Is a hard copy map good enough?

 

[brian_bkk]

I use a combination of all three.

Primarily GPS with multiple maps installed.
- Also have a copy of OSM map on my phone just in case the GPS dies I still have a fully functional GPS via the phone..
- If we go in a group.. Usually try and make sure different people have different maps as some maps will have info others don't have.
example.. Me OSM, Jim ESRI. Then no switching between maps.

Also with OSM.. Where the paper map is lacking.. You can go back and update OSM.
Personally along with other friends have added a lot of tracks in Kanchanaburi province, Laos. Emerald triangle, back of pattaya. Chonburi. To name a few

Google is good for up to date info.. At the end of the day.. The GPS and paper map are only as good as last updated.
Obviously major roads stay the same. Plus petrol stations, hotels etc come and go.

On the road.. You can slip in to zombie mode using the GPS for sure. Guilty of that myself.
A GPS is a valuable resource when going off to more remote places and trying to link things up.
You can get an overview of the land.. See where you have been and look at the terrain to see if there is a possibility of getting through
This was a big help to Jim and myself in Southern Laos when we went off the beaten track around Lake Nong Fa.
Also when exploring around the Emerald triangle.

Google maps can be cached.. But sometimes that doesn't work.
So when no signal you are screwed.. The satellite images can be handy too when exploring.
Depending on when the satellite image was last updated.

Paper map good for an overview.. getting an idea of distances and planning your route.
But a little tedious if you don't know the way to be stopping and looking at the map all the time as no one wants to ride past 20 or 30 km if it is hard to judge the distance and depending on the map scale.

For me ..
GPS is king with the right maps and backed up with a phone in case of hardware failure.
Paper map as a back up to the back up and planning the next days activities
Google maps / Satellite imagery handy tool if available.

My thoughts..
Brian

 

[George HuaHin]

I am a fan of GPS, also using google maps. All a nice to have.
However only on a papermap I get an overview where i want to go respective have been, enabling me to judge directions and distances.

 

[Hua Hin]

I use GPS on the bike and google maps on my phone or computer at night. I also always carry paper maps for back up. It sucks when the gps quits and you don't have a back up plan.

 

[Goran Phuket]

GPS and google maps for me.

 

[DavidFL]

A bump with The Lost Art Of Navigation

 

[DavidFL]

Pros and Cons of Paper Maps

Paper maps have been in use since time immemorial. They were used by early travelers and explorers to find directions and to locate important features and landmarks. However, technological advancements have created digital maps that are more advanced as far as usage and features are concerned. We take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of paper maps.

Advantages of paper maps

Necessary for certain uses: Paper maps are necessary for certain localities such as distances by road and topographic features.

Extents more readily obtained: Paper maps are designed in such a way that the extents are more readily available because of its certainty.

Used for data comparison: Paper maps can be used to make data comparison for historical purposes because they are static.

Paper maps give the bigger picture: Paper maps are designed on scales which give the user the bigger picture of the environment as opposed to specifics.

No sudden errors or malfunctions: Paper maps are printed on papers that are static with no future changes. Therefore there will be no sudden changes on the outline of the map when you are trying to read it.

It is tangible: Paper maps are tangible and can be seen and touched which brings in the feeling of physicality and reality.

Do not require internet connection to use: Paper maps are printed once on paper and they can stay there for as long as possible. They do not require computers and internet connections every time to access.

They are cheap: Paper maps are cheap in the sense that they are deigned and printed once and do not require additional costs to retrieve.

They are the only option in remote areas: Paper maps do not require computers or the internet to access and therefore remain the only available option for use in remote areas.

Ideal for use when travelling: Paper maps are best used by travelers who need to access various destinations locally.

Are easier to understand due to the limited features: Paper maps are easier to understand due to the limited features shown on the maps at a time.

Paper maps are scaled hence give a holistic view of the area: Paper maps are designed on a scale that represents a large area. This makes them ideal for giving a holistic view of the area being represented.

Disadvantages of paper maps

Time consuming: Paper maps are time consuming because they require complex interpretations when reading them.

Good quality paper maps may be hard to find: It is quite difficult to find high quality paper maps in the modern digital world.

Map printing errors: Paper maps are prone to printing errors whenever they are taken to the printers for printing.

Paper maps can easily be damaged: Paper maps are printed on paper that can easily be damaged as a result of weather conditions or other physical forces such as water or paint.

Paper maps are limited: Paper maps only show limited areas on a single map and you will need several maps if you are visiting several destinations.

It is archaic: Paper maps are an old way of representing an area on a map and may be difficult to understand and find any in the modern world. Most people therefore tend to gravitate away from this mode of mapping.

Paper maps are not complete: Paper maps are never complete and one may never get a complete paper map of an area. This is because features and landscapes keep on changing.

Paper maps are biased: Paper maps are designed and printed by people whose perception of an area may be subject to personal bias.

Paper maps show limited features: Paper maps show limited features of a given area on the paper because they only concentrate on one aspect of the landscape.

Paper maps are complicated to understand: Paper maps are difficult to understand because most of the features are represented in symbols.

Paper maps only use symbols: Paper maps rely solely on symbols to represent important features on the map and this may be a problem during interpretation.

Difficult to show elevation: It is difficult to show elevation on a paper map because of the limited representation features.


Source: https://grindgis.com/maps/pros-and-cons-of-paper-maps

 

[Wazza]

I use 4 or 5. A compass, the other is CDF, an old naval term. The compass doesn’t fail at sunset and very much aids the paper job. Cdf steps in when it turns to shite and you have it.
I’m missing Cnx

 

[Atlas_aus]

I use 4 or 5. A compass, the other is CDF, an old naval term. The compass doesn’t fail at sunset and very much aids the paper job. Cdf steps in when it turns to shite and you have it.
I’m missing Cnx

Not heard that term in a longgggg time... Not much of it around these days.

I hate google maps. You get what you pay for.

My hard copy maps arrived today courtesy of this website, can't wait for restrictions to be lifted so I can get up there to look around

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

I use google maps and love the technology. Thailand has fantastic coverage. You can see where you are, and ithe direction you're facing. Street view allows you to look at intersections and familiarise your self before you arrive, check hotels and places of interest. I save the maps using "share or embed map" and gmail the link to my self. I select the email, click on the link and the map opens on my phone. If you have an intercom thing such as a Sena, maps can speak to you. I buy a local sim at the airport and can get out of town without any local road knowledge. I use a paper map for the big picture, and backup.

 

[Marmite]

I use Google Maps. Mrs Google tells me where to turn and I can double-check on the phone screen if necessary.
The biggest drawback with GM is that you have to put in waypoints or it keeps on trying to take you the quickest way. When you reach a waypoint you have to manually press the screen to tell it to continue.
I try to plan 1.5 to 2 hours between PTT/Amazon stops so I can always get petrol, coffee, lunch & AC!

 

[HDMAN]

TomTom 550 world wifi and Mydrive
Also Scenic Motorcycle Navigation

 

[Eoin Christie]

Although I like the convenience of GPS, my affinity is for maps made out of trees, of which I have sufficient to cause marital displeasure...

Maps by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

 

[Dodraugen]

A paper map is great when planning a ride. However nowadays when changes happens all the time the problem with printed maps is that they get outdated and thus not totally reliable quite fast. Online maps get updates regularly, paper maps not....

Navigating I do with Mapsme on my cheap Huawei phone. The screen is big and it works like a charm. Tested on the last half of my RTW trip...

 

[Marmite]

There's a great bike app that auto-plans routes for you called 'Calimoto'.