Yes it’s good that the maps are being brought completely up to date solely with larger vehicles in mind, not to be confused with existing “truckers” satnavs showing bridge and weight and width info (glorified poi’s basically)
But on the other hand it feels a bit like we just got dumbed down a bit further and it is just assumed that we ALL just follow them blindly, don’t get me wrong I’m pro satnav, always have been, but I dunno it just seems like common sense has already been laid to rest.
And what of the end user cost? It makes you think when you look at the price difference between a car and a “truck” unit now, how much will these new ones cost?
After seeing the cost to do the survey I doubt it’s going to be cheap for the Satnav makers and they’ll obviously pass that cost onto the end user (and some).
Reef:
But on the other hand it feels a bit like we just got dumbed down a bit further and it is just assumed that we ALL just follow them blindly
And what of the end user cost? It makes you think when you look at the price difference between a car and a “truck” unit now, how much will these new ones cost?
The number of lorries coming a cropper is enough proof that its something that is sorely needed. Personally I’m all for it, it takes some of the stress out of taking a 44 tonne 53ft long vehicle in places I don’t know.
As for the extra cost, it should be next to nothing. The expense for a Satnav is in the mapping data and that is going to be provided for free.
If all sat nav makers use the OS maps, then the costs of the survey wouldnt add greatly to the costs per system. But im sure the OS aren’t the only people selling the maps.
As for blaming sat nav systems without the information for drivers hitting bridges or getting stuck on country roads, well that’s driver error not the technology that’s at fault, and it happened before sat navs came along. I lived near a town who’s rail bridge was hit regularly ever since I can remember. But in the days before the internet, Facebook, and smart phones. Very few people outside of the town would ever know it had been hit.
Reef:
But on the other hand it feels a bit like we just got dumbed down a bit further and it is just assumed that we ALL just follow them blindly
And what of the end user cost? It makes you think when you look at the price difference between a car and a “truck” unit now, how much will these new ones cost?
As for the extra cost, it should be next to nothing. The expense for a Satnav is in the mapping data and that is going to be provided for free.
The article said it would be free to state bodies such as the emergency services and sold to sat nav makers.