I have always loved technology and always needed the newest tech toys when they first came out, except a GPS.
Garmin C330

I never really felt I needed one as I knew my way around my marketplace very well. I knew all the shortcuts and there really was no need for one as I had my trusty road atlas.

 Atlas maps

I had a customer a couple of weeks ago who wanted to view some homes in an area that I had not been in for quite a while. During our initial conversation my customer mentioned all he needed was the addresses as he had his GPS. No big deal I thought as for someone from out of state I guessed it would be quite handy. 

He and his wife arrive at my office and he grabs his GPS and we set it up in my car and off we go. He plugs the address to the first house in the GPS and  I can see the  GPS acquiring the satellite signal.

I back out of the office parking lot and it tells me how far to drive and when I come upon about .2 miles it prepares me to turn. How cool is this I'm thinking. It also told me all the streets to turn on and the best was when we arrived at our destination it told me we had arrived at our destination. We viewed a bunch of homes that day and that is where I fell in love with the GPS.

I know most of you probably own one and can relate. I decided that this was a must have as I am beginning to hate to drive at night and this would really help. I also know that when my customer had his, it was very easy to talk with them and not worry about flipping through paperwork or maps while conversing. That was the selling point, right there, it was a no-brainer.

I have had it a little over a week now and Monika just absolutely loves it. 

Today I had to meet Monika's clients at a house I had never been to so the GPS would come in handy and I wanted to test it's ability to see if my shortcuts were really shortcuts. Once it locks into the satellite it tells you what time you should arrive. So, of course, I had to try and beat it. It told me I would arrive at 9:50 AM for a 10:00 AM appointment, so, off I go. I plugged the GPS to take me the shortest route, because, when I took off down my street it had me heading in a different direction than I wanted to go. I was going to take the shortcut.

The minute I deviated from the original course it would tell me "re-calculating" and the time changed to 3 minutes longer than I had when I started, Not to be discouraged, I knew I could make up time by going my way. 

Sure enough, when I got to a point where I knew the GPS wanted me to go originally I had made up 2 minutes off the original 9:50 AM time of arrival. Two minutes may not seem like a lot but if you take a 30 day month you could save an hour to do something else you would really like to do.

All in all I love our GPS and I highly recommend you look into getting one. They come in all shapes and sizes and prices. This one is under $300.00 and well worth it. 

So, that is why I ask "are you smarter than your GPS? 

Jay and Monika

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County

New Hampshire Real Estate with Jay McGillicuddy 

NH Real Estate Blogs 

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH Real Estate

603-548-7685

 

86 Comments on Are You Smarter Than Your GPS ???

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
03
2007
1,089,902 Points 201 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I got one for Christmas and love it , love it. I even thought it would be such a great product to buy 10 of and loan to Buyers .  If I could add a custom signal in there to assure I would get it back,lol . Then I thought why not 100 and rent them out at 4 or 5 Dollars a day ( special rates for multiple days)plus a smart little deposit in case it is lost or driven over by REALTORS that would leave it on top of their car while they look for their keys,lol. I would insure them against loss and that would cover the insurance premium. Then I thought why not a 1000 and go into the GPS Leasing Business , set up a rental office and drivers to drop them off, making them available to anyone. At the end of each year, sell off the older ones and take the loss. That's how much I love my GPS. I am still thinking on this idea.
2:03am • #67
276,112 Points
I just purchased a magellan gps and I LOVE it!! It is the best thing since the wheel......especially for Realtors!!
7:09pm • #68
JUL
07
2007
138,465 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thank you everyone for commenting and I have tried to visit everyone's blog here on AR and comment if I didn't already respond to your comment here,

Thanks again, Jay 
8:53pm • #69
JUL
10
2007
1 Featured Post
I often don't follow my GPS' advice when in familiar territory.  However, my GPS is priceless when showing property with clients.  My GPS allows me to concentrate on talking with my clients instead of fumbling around with maps, paperwork or directions.
1:40am • #70
155,793 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Jay-I did what I said and ordered the Garmin Nuvi 350 last week!  The best deal I could find was $369 on line through Wal-Mart with another $18  for overnight shipping and $18 in taxes.  Overnight shipping to Hawaii????  I ordered it on July 2nd, it was shipped on July 5th and it arrived on July 9th.  I love it.  I gave my son the mission of figuring it out and taking it for a test run.  He came back home and educated me.  It is very easy to use and very funny to listen to the voice inside the box pronounce the names of some of the streets.  I will turn it on today to see if it can pronounce "Kaahumanu, Kalanianaole and Kamehameha."  Thanks for sharing because this post is what finally got me into ordering one.

 
11:35am • #71
JUL
12
2007
138,465 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Evan, I know exactly what you mean. That was one of the key factors for my decision.

Dave, Give us an update if you've had to use it. Hope you still like it. Good price too. No sales tax here in NH but we also don't have as nice a climate as you, either.

11:00pm • #72
JUL
13
2007
155,793 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Jay-I love it!  Even though I have not had to use it just yet, that doesnt mean I dont turn it on.  I have found it very helpful to learn the names of the streets in Hawaii that are unmarked and dont have any signs.  One of the coolest toys I have!  My neighbor saw mine and went out and bought one the next day but of course, he had to outdo me and got the Garmin Mega something or another.  He needed the bluetooth technology with his.  Thanks again for introducing me to it.
2:48pm • #73
138,465 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Glad to hear it, makes me feel good. I wanted the bluetooth technology but the markets a little slow here so I opted for the Street pilot C330. Next one will have all the bells and whistles.
3:39pm • #74
AUG
10
2007
1,927,226 Points 155 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I used to own a delivery company and I have to laugh at most GPS systems. My brother has one and he is always calling me asking for directions and I ask what about your GPS unit? He then says, I made a wrong turn and it is correcting itself and you are faster than it.
1:25am • #75
138,465 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Todd, that's funny but sadly true. I had someone call me because they thought they were on the right street and they couldn't find the house, come to find out they were in the wrong town.
5:04am • #76
AUG
19
2007
155,793 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Jay-I am about a month into my Nuvi 350 and I love it.  I just need to figure out how to store favorites (property addresses that I am showing to clients) so that I can just click on the next favorite after we view one of the homes.  Other than that, it is awesome!
12:12am • #77
138,465 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Dave, here are the directions for storing favorites.

Nuvi 350

This is the next step.

Nuvi 350 finding an address

This is a way to store locations and then they are in the "favorites"

I hope this helps....

 
10:02am • #78
155,793 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Jay-Thanks a million!  It worked perfectly and I SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE TIME THAT YOU TOOK TO DO THIS.  It makes sense now.  I was trying to work with the favorites link but that just wasn't working for me.  Have a great Sunday.  P.S.  I am flying to Kauai tomorrow to golf for a few days.  If you fly over, you can join the group and I will cover your greens fee and cart.  You just have to buy the ticket to get here from New Hampshire.  Tee time is Tuesday morning at 8:00. Maybe I can entice you when I tell you that we will be playing at Princeville??????  Aloha Jay.
3:33pm • #79
AUG
21
2007
 So far I have a Blackberry, the gps looks like the next step
9:20pm • #80
292,994 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog
It's funny how all these tech tools get tied together, but each one you add to your arsenal saves you a little time and makes you a little more productive and efficient, so just keep adding and you'll soon wonder how you were ever able to do business without them. I'm doing far more business now than I was this time 2 years ago and I'm not nearly as stressed or behind, simply because my processes are in place and I have the tools to help me get things done mroe quickly and easily.
9:55pm • #81
AUG
23
2007
138,465 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Dave, sorry I missed your comment but we have been at the beach since last Sunday and internet access is spotty. I have played Poi Pu BAy and only drove up to Princeville when we were there in 1994. I would love to get back out there someday.

Stephen, I think the newer Blackberry's have GPS functional capabilities.

Ryan, You are absolutely correct. All the tech stuff really helps.
6:50am • #82
SEP
11
2007
357,393 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
GPS is what it is..just today I had to reroute my GPS. It had no clue about the opening of our new leg of th "Outer Beltline" that takes approximately 15 minutes off the average commute.  GPS is helpful but local knowledge is worth its weight in GOLD.
8:10pm • #83
SEP
12
2007
138,465 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Hi Tracy, thanks for stopping by and yes you are smarter than your GPS. We are really enjoying ours and my wife especially.
5:26am • #84
SEP
19
2007
151,311 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I have gotten totally turned around because of my GPS system and in newer areas of town, the software isn't sure of where it wants me to be at times. We have a love hate relationship....make a U-turn (hate), you have arrived! (love) BTW--I named mine "Stella".
9:36pm • #85
SEP
21
2007
138,465 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Amanda, I guess newer areas would present a problem but I think the majority of the times ours works great. I still take what I think are shortcuts. I also avoid heavily traffic roads.

Thanks for stopping by. 
4:45am • #86

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Jay McGillicuddy~Real Estate Broker

Hampstead, NH

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Prudential Verani Realty

Address: 314 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH, 03842

Office Phone: (603) 926-3648

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