The Air Force denied that there was anything wrong with their GPS satellites in the story of a wayward couple that got lost when they followed their GPS unit’s instructions into the Oregon back woods. And the Air Force is right. The maps utilized by Garmin, Tom Tom, Magellan and other GPS companies are their responsibility, not the Air Force’s.
People need to use common sense when utilizing technology that gives them directions across the country. I would not go into a desert simply because my GPS unit told me to do so. I also wouldn’t jump off a bridge either, if it told me to do so. They couldn’t tell that they were on an unmaintained road? With over a foot of snow sitting on the road? And no sign of civilization or people in at least twenty miles? And all to save two minutes to get home? They should have turned around and gone back on their original course.
At this stage, I would rate GPS accuracy at around 85-90% in metro areas, and 50-60% in rural areas. It’s continually improving, but GPS units should have a label on the box that says “use with caution.” And people should READ the warnings, too.
I’m glad that the couple in question got out safely, but they’re probably not going to be the last ones either, especially when sunspot activity resumes and electromagnetic interference in the atmosphere throws the GPS system off here and there. Use with caution.
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