Archive for the ‘Pioneer’ Category
The GPS Revolution
Everyone I know keeps talking about these GPS things. In fact, some people even claim to have them in their cell phones! As someone who travels a lot and is frequently lost I thought it might be wise to finally pick one of these up for myself. I was right! Since I got this I haven’t had to stop and ask directions at shady gas stations or seedy stores. It’s just me and the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 all the way to my destination.
The price really surprised me. I guess I haven’t really looked at these in a couple of years and unit like this would have cost close to a thousand bucks or more when I first checked them out. It’s nice to see technology becoming affordable. When newer stuff is cost prohibitive I tend to hold off.
Getting Lost in the Good Old Days
Sometimes when I’m bored on long road trips I’ll take some time to ponder how life would have been different if GPS technology existed during my childhood. My father was the typical all-American dad, the kind of guy who was interested in making good time on the road whenever we hopped in the car for a family vacation. He absolutely did his best to ignore our pleas for a bathroom break, and I honestly think he had an allergy to the prospect of asking directions.
That didn’t prevent him from getting lost at least once every trip, of course, and us kids sat giggling in the back seat as dad let out a few grunts of frustration and wheeled the car around for the fifth time in an effort to find the restaurant or hotel. These days, a Pioneer in dash GPS saves drivers all that hassle. While I appreciate the ability to use these devices, I still look back fondly on the days when men had to rely on their wits and stubbornness.