Originally Posted by
Nigeyy
Well I'm sort of with Machka on this one, but it just depends..... If I was touring the UK or Holland I wouldn't mind not having a detailed map -there are usually enough country roads with signage to get you there.
However, touring Massachusetts under similar circumstances, I think it's a hugely different kettle of fish (don't get me started, but I think New England road signage off the beaten track is just... well.... really, really bad -and that is kind way of putting it!).
So I think it depends on your time and where you are touring. But it really comes down to horses for courses, and whatever works for you and the kind of tour you are doing. I still see value in GPS for the kind of touring I like to do, but not essential. I think Neil sums it up nicely: a luxury.
My comments were more pertaining to choosing an enjoyable route (enjoyable to me, at least), as opposed to "not getting lost". The signage is indeed good in France, but it makes no sense whatsoever to me to ride along a "route nationale" when there is a nearby "route departementale" devoid of traffic which will get you to wherever you're going. Mais chacun a son gout!