View Full Version : Sat Nav versus directions
Margaret
07-12-2010, 01:38
Hi all, just 12 days to go before we fly and I have another question. We have hired a Sat Nav (from this site of course) to help us find our way round, especially on our journey from the airport to the villa. We have received driving directions from the owners of the villa we have hired, are they likely to be the same as the directions the Sat Nav would give us? Silly question [msnembarrased]
Margaret
Albert the Frog
07-12-2010, 02:02
Hard to say really-the satnav should take you the shortest route whereas the owner will probably give you the most straightforward-i'd stay with the satnav though mainly for getting home from places-either way enjoy every minute
Sat Nav every time in my opinion.
Have done the journey quite a few times and just being able to sit back and take everything in is far better than having to watch every sign and get nervous about lane changing etc..
Have a great time!
dawn burley
07-12-2010, 15:41
I would also recommend using a sat nav. It really cuts out the stress of taking the wrong turning and also minimizes any family arguments over directions LOL[msnsmile]
Dawn
Depends on the directions, I would say. [msnwink] Our directions, for example, include detailed instructions, photos as well as maps to make sure our guests feel comfortable about where they are, and whilst Sat Nav is brilliant and absolutely invaluable, it may not take you the quickest or easiest way based on local knowledge.
Why not check which route the SAT NAV is showing and see if it marries with the directions you have been given and then see if there is anything different. If not, then use the SAT NAV.
Hope you have a great trip![msnwink]
Please don't shoot me,[msnwink]
I am sorry to say I disagree with you all, but only if it is your first time driving or you are a nervous driver. We give guests directions to our home using a quiet toll road, this is also the easiest and quickest route IMHO. We have never lost a guest yet.
A sat nav will most probably take you via the I4 from the airport. After a long flight, I don't think this road is one to tackle when you could be tired.
A sat nav is a great help when you are out and about around Orlando.
florida4sun
07-12-2010, 16:54
Yes but a first time nervous driver doesn't want to be processing written directions. You can set a satnav to take you any direction you wish.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Lynne S
Please don't shoot me,[msnwink]
I am sorry to say I disagree with you all, but only if it is your first time driving or you are a nervous driver. We give guests directions to our home using a quiet toll road, this is also the easiest and quickest route IMHO. We have never lost a guest yet.
A sat nav will most probably take you via the I4 from the airport. After a long flight, I don't think this road is one to tackle when you could be tired.
A sat nav is a great help when you are out and about around Orlando.
[/quote]
I don't think a first time guest would know what roads were busy or quiet when planning a route using a sat nav, they would just drive with what route it came up with.
As I said this is just my opinion, I think a sat nav is great for any other location.
Our directions also have photos and only have 3 turns before you arrive at the resort. So are very, very easy. Even a child could read them and not get lost. I have even included the correct toll money with a few guests who were really worried about driving.
[msnwink]
We do the same as Lynne and Ellie and give our guests the easiest route, although it isn't the shortest or the quickest and probably isn't the route the sat nav would give. However, we do feel it is by far the easiest route for first time drivers. It does use a toll road (we send the cash for this with our information pack) but as the road is so quiet, it's easy for guests to navigate. After that we tell them to use their sat nav for everything.
Margaret, why not ask your villa owner for their opinion and see what they think? They may be able to offer a little more advice based on the route they have given you.
Margaret
07-12-2010, 23:14
Thanks for all your replies, I knew I could depend on you [msnsmile]
So looking forward to our trip, daughter gets married on the 22nd at the Disney Swan at 11.00am [msnsmile2]
Margaret
ShirleyD
08-12-2010, 21:33
I think a sat nav is great for a first time visit. I found our sat nav wouldn't send us on the 417 toll road though, which is in my opinion a much better route to homes towards H27
I agree Shirley, we were at the airport yesterday and tried to get the Sat Nav to select the 417 route home, but it just wouldn't display it no matter which option I selected. That route is only 2 miles longer than the route the Sat Nav gives but, as it is neither the shortest or quickest route, it doesn't come up as an option at all. We use that route every time and find it much easier. I'd be lost without a Sat Nav for everywhere else though!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Margaret
Thanks for all your replies, I knew I could depend on you [msnsmile]
So looking forward to our trip, daughter gets married on the 22nd at the Disney Swan at 11.00am [msnsmile2]
Margaret
[/quote]
Have a wonderful holiday Margaret and I hope your daughters wedding is everything she has dreamed of.
We have just had guests at our home who got married at The Grand Cypress Hotel, they loved their Floridian wedding.
florida4sun
08-12-2010, 22:49
Use 'travel via' and select the 417 exit you need.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by autumnc
I agree Shirley, we were at the airport yesterday and tried to get the Sat Nav to select the 417 route home, but it just wouldn't display it no matter which option I selected. That route is only 2 miles longer than the route the Sat Nav gives but, as it is neither the shortest or quickest route, it doesn't come up as an option at all. We use that route every time and find it much easier. I'd be lost without a Sat Nav for everywhere else though!
[/quote]
Katys Grandad
09-12-2010, 00:29
Both my cars at home have factory fitted sat-nav and, when I need it, it's very handy but that's maybe no more than 10 times a year.
If the OP has already paid for it (as seems to be the case) it's largely academic but I've never seen a need to have it for every day of my trips whichever part of the world I'm in. If I do take it, I have it for a couple of days until I get my bearings and then take it back.
After all, it isn't that long ago that it didn't even exist.[msnsmile]
Lee say's he does not need sat nav as he has me [msnwink]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
After all, it isn't that long ago that it didn't even exist.[msnsmile][/quote]Neither did all sorts of things but I bet you and your family have got mobile phones for instance instead of having to search around for phone boxes.
Who wants to spend sunshine time poring over clunky old maps that are impossible to refold anyway?
Just because something only just existed isn't a valid reason for not having one, even if it's only for fun! [msnwink] It also beats spending your precious holiday time having arguments with your husband/wife about who got you lost in the first place!
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
09-12-2010, 13:20
Oh how I remember the silly arguments my parents got into when we were in Florida when I was young. My Step Mum had no idea of her right or left and kept telling my Dad to go the wrong way. He was not best pleased and it made for a somewhat stressful situation to say the least [msneek].
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
It also beats spending your precious holiday time having arguments with your husband/wife about who got you lost in the first place!
[/quote]
florida4sun
09-12-2010, 13:23
Of course if you know where you are going then you do not need sat nav or maps or directions. I presumed the original poster was a first time visitor. Just because you know you way around an area does not mean everyone else does! I use them on an almost daily basis but then I am usually in a foreign City I have not visited before and trust me I would be wasting far to much time without one.
So to some up the original posters questions.
Yes you can set the satnav for the same route, just use the 'travel via' function. Or simply follow the directions and if you have any problems (very doubtful) switch the unit on and use it.
Satnavs in Florida are most handy for getting home, as sometimes you exit through a different place you enter a park.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
Both my cars at home have factory fitted sat-nav and, when I need it, it's very handy but that's maybe no more than 10 times a year.
If the OP has already paid for it (as seems to be the case) it's largely academic but I've never seen a need to have it for every day of my trips whichever part of the world I'm in. If I do take it, I have it for a couple of days until I get my bearings and then take it back.
After all, it isn't that long ago that it didn't even exist.[msnsmile]
[/quote]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Use 'travel via' and select the 417 exit you need.
[/quote]
Thanks Martin, I didn't realise I could plan it that way.
We stay here for 6 months at a time and, even thought I know my way around I still find my Sat Nav invaluable, I wouldn't be without one.
Katys Grandad
09-12-2010, 20:30
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Of course if you know where you are going then you do not need sat nav or maps or directions. [/quote]Agreed - I've had satnav fitted in my cars since 1997 so I'm not exactly a Luddite.
My point was that after a couple of days in the same area the need for it diminishes quite quickly. I do rent them when I'm in an unfamiliar place but I find it more cost-effective to take one with the car hire for a couple of days rather than spend money on renting it for weeks without any real need to.
If others feel a need to have it available for the whole trip and are prepared to pay for it, good luck to them!
Madabouttigger
09-12-2010, 22:21
Sat Nav for me, after taking a wrong turning and nearly ending up at Kennedy Space Centre, we soon became converts. Much easier after a long flight.
Diane
Another bonus from using SatNav (I know not all units have this function) is the speed warnings, not just the camera alerts, but many SatNavs include the speed limit of nearly every road (USA and UK) and will sound a warning when you exceed the limit by about 3mph. Very helpful if you fail to see a limit change and preferable to having a cop pull you over. Personally, I never go to Orlando without mine. Also handy for finding nearest post office or the nearest branch of a particular shop, etc.
sunseeker
13-12-2010, 22:28
I have a look on google maps before taking a trip i haven't done before, that way i can see major landmarks etc. I think written directions are better as you know what to look for in advance, a sat nav cant do this. I live in the south east and if i was to follow my sat nav directions i would spend most of my time parked on a motorway. Local knowledge tells me the M25 M23 M3 and M4 are to be avoided, the estimated time on the sat nav is quicker but in reality can take hours longer.
Dave