GPS FORUM

>I have had a Road Angel 7000 unit for six months and have only just
>realised the value of setting the screen to power down after a minute or
>three when on the car power supply.
>
> With a blank screen navigation directions are still given verbally and the
> same applies to speed camera alerts. With the best will in the world it is
> all too tempting to look at the inviting screen from time to time when it
> is powered on. This is OK when stopped at the roadside but does it make
> sense when pressing on on the open road? I think not. So I removed the
> temptation by having the screen to power down and keep my concentration on
> what is happening outside the vehicle.
>
> A tap on the screen brings it instantly back to life should any changes
> need to be made. Obviously this should only be done when stopped or let a
> passenger do what is required.
>
> Richard

>
>Hawkins wrote in message
>news:6LadnUdGjr 7yAbbRVnyiQA@bt.com...
>>I have had a Road Angel 7000 unit for six months and have only just
>>realised the value of setting the screen to power down after a minute or
>>three when on the car power supply.
>>
>> With a blank screen navigation directions are still given verbally and the
>> same applies to speed camera alerts. With the best will in the world it is
>> all too tempting to look at the inviting screen from time to time when it
>> is powered on. This is OK when stopped at the roadside but does it make
>> sense when pressing on on the open road? I think not. So I removed the
>> temptation by having the screen to power down and keep my concentration on
>> what is happening outside the vehicle.
>>
>> A tap on the screen brings it instantly back to life should any changes
>> need to be made. Obviously this should only be done when stopped or let a
>> passenger do what is required.
>>
>> Richard
>
>There is absolutely nothing wrong with glancing at the TomTom to clarify
>(for instance) which exit its telling you to take at a roundabout. I do
>emphasize glance though and not taking your eyes off the road for more
>than a couple of seconds.
>
>To put some perspective on this, it should be akin to, and certainly no
>longer than you would glance at any of the warning lights or other
>instruments such as the fuel guage, temp. guage, rev counter or whatever.
>Anyone who cant safely look at the vehicle instruments shouldnt be driving
>anyway and theres no reason why a navigational aid should be any different.

>I have had a Road Angel 7000 unit for six months and have only just
>realised the value of setting the screen to power down after a minute or
>three when on the car power supply.
>
> With a blank screen navigation directions are still given verbally and the
> same applies to speed camera alerts. With the best will in the world it is
> all too tempting to look at the inviting screen from time to time when it
> is powered on. This is OK when stopped at the roadside but does it make
> sense when pressing on on the open road? I think not. So I removed the
> temptation by having the screen to power down and keep my concentration on
> what is happening outside the vehicle.
>
> A tap on the screen brings it instantly back to life should any changes
> need to be made. Obviously this should only be done when stopped or let a
> passenger do what is required.
>
> Richard
>
>

>
> Hawkins wrote in message
> news:6LadnUdGjr 7yAbbRVnyiQA@bt.com...
>>I have had a Road Angel 7000 unit for six months and have only just
>>realised the value of setting the screen to power down after a minute or
>>three when on the car power supply.
>>
>> With a blank screen navigation directions are still given verbally and
>> the same applies to speed camera alerts. With the best will in the world
>> it is all too tempting to look at the inviting screen from time to time
>> when it is powered on. This is OK when stopped at the roadside but does
>> it make sense when pressing on on the open road? I think not. So I
>> removed the temptation by having the screen to power down and keep my
>> concentration on what is happening outside the vehicle.
>>
>> A tap on the screen brings it instantly back to life should any changes
>> need to be made. Obviously this should only be done when stopped or let a
>> passenger do what is required.
>>
>> Richard
>
> There is absolutely nothing wrong with glancing at the TomTom to clarify
> (for instance) which exit its telling you to take at a roundabout. I do
> emphasize glance though and not taking your eyes off the road for more
> than a couple of seconds.

>
> To put some perspective on this, it should be akin to, and certainly no
> longer than you would glance at any of the warning lights or other
> instruments such as the fuel guage, temp. guage, rev counter or whatever.
> Anyone who cant safely look at the vehicle instruments shouldnt be
> driving anyway and theres no reason why a navigational aid should be any
> different.

>
> Fred
>

>It is different because it shows interesting but unnecessary extra
>information that can be a distraction. Warning lights are an entirely
>different kettle of fish.

> On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:35:46 +0100, Hawkins
> wrote:
>
>>It is different because it shows interesting but unnecessary extra
>>information that can be a distraction. Warning lights are an entirely
>>different kettle of fish.
>
> I trust youll be writing to your MP to have a change in the law so
> that all GPS devices have their screens blanked out.

> --
> -- Nick ICQ: 9235201 EMAIL & MSN: nickmooney@spamcop.net
> -- LOTR#4 SKOGA#8 DS#7 BOTAFOT#159 BOTM#2 FBOTY#06 PM#11
> -- GSF600n www.bgn.me.uk - Drive until you lose the road

>>>It is different because it shows interesting but unnecessary extra
>>>information that can be a distraction. Warning lights are an entirely
>>>different kettle of fish.
>>
>> I trust youll be writing to your MP to have a change in the law so
>> that all GPS devices have their screens blanked out.
>
>So you now agree that it would be a good idea to have them blanked out while
>the vehicle is in motion ?