[Previous entry: "Great Gadgets and Gizmos, Part 1 -- The Basics"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Radio City and Atlantic City"]

11/21/2003 Archived Entry: "Great Gadgets and Gizmos, Part 2 -- Going the Right Direction"

A couple of my fellow drivers have accused me of having a map fetish. Okay, so I do have a large (and growing) collection of maps. I like to know exactly where I'm going!

Our company's dispatcher does a great job at supporting us drivers with maps and directions -- better than many companies, from what I hear and observe. But I like having my own maps, for several reasons. I like laminated maps: they can easily be folded in many different ways so just the right part of the map is available when you need it quickly; you can write on them -- I use wet-erase transparency markers in bright colors to mark turns or other notes right on the map as I'm planning a trip (dry-erase markers work, too, but wipe off too easily). Rand McNally's EasyFinder maps are among my favorites -- they're available in state, regional, and local (street level) maps. They're reasonably high contrast, with type large enough to read in low light levels. My other favorite brand is Silver Lining's Best Map series. They're also laminated, fold only in one direction, and are great for downtown urban areas of cities like Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Having a map handy is also a big help with group leaders, occasionally, when they want to know exactly where you're going or why you're going a certain way. A picture (map) is worth a thousand words!

I also like having a compass. The photo shows my PNI Wayfinder digital compass. It mounts with three little suction cups on the windshield of any vehicle, and is very easily calibrated to compansate for magnetic fields from the vehicle itself (push a button, drive in two circles). It's surprisingly accurate, too. I got used to having a compass when my last car had one built in. I was surprised at how often I used it, especially on cloudy days or at night, to affirm to myself that I was going the right general direction. I bought this compass at Cabela's for about $30, and it works great on a motorcoach! It even includes a clock and an alarm clock.