Riddle me this…
Here’s an interesting situation reported by a prominent GPS blogger who shall remain nameless (but linkful)…
While on a trip recently, he reported that his TomTom GO 720 stated the following direction:
“Turn around when possible. Then, turn around when possible.”
The blogger explained it to me and it was indeed the correct direction given the route he had planned and the road he was on.
My question to you, dear readers: In what situation could this be the correct navigation instruction?
Drop me a line if you know the answer. The first person with the correct situation will get the eternal fame associated with being mentioned on Club TomTom.
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Roby Adams said,
October 3, 2007 @ 9:56 am
When missing and exit on a highway. Turn around to go the other direction on the highway and then turn around to get going the right direction and get your exit. This only applies when you have either no return access or no access from one side. There are several such exits here in Atlanta.
Administrator said,
October 3, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Good guess Roby. However, when TomToms instruct you to get off the highway they direct you to ‘Take the exit [right/left]’ and not ‘Turn around when possible.’ Keep guessing!
Lucie Wager said,
October 3, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
Just got the ONE XL. Pretty good! Can’t seem to find a web site or support…is there something I don’t (should) know?
Vince Barrett said,
October 3, 2007 @ 9:49 pm
How about if you are in a parking deck going up (or down) ramp after ramp. Though you may not be able to get a satellite fix.
Administrator said,
October 4, 2007 @ 9:33 am
Another good guess…but unfortunately wrong. Parking garages aren’t mapped on the device. If you are in a garage (and, well noted, have satellite lock) you will just be displayed as off road.
Thanks for playing!
Anyone else? Just drop me a comment.
Tim said,
October 4, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
In my surfing this morning I thought I’d drop by via this post to see if anyone figured it out. But it looks a little early for me to turn around now and do that. I’ll wait until everyone hits a dead end thinking about it. Plus, I’m the type of guy who would be more likely to leave a red herring than a hint.
;)
Administrator said,
October 5, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Read his message people. It is loaded with clues (and/or red herrings). Thanks Tim!
Derek said,
October 6, 2007 @ 12:03 am
When driving on a divided road, having missed the intended turn and where there are no parallel roads and all cross streets dead end, requring the driver to seek the first opportunity to get back on to the correct side of the divided road to re-approach the correct turn.
phil said,
October 6, 2007 @ 5:38 pm
if you have missed a left turning, but you are unable to turn right into it, so you would need to turn around, pass it, then turn around again to be able to make the left hander
James said,
October 9, 2007 @ 9:31 am
OK, you are on a road with a jersey barrier or similar and you go past your destination. In order to get to your destination you would have to “Turn around when possible. Then, turn around when possible.” This would take you past your destination on the other side of the divided road and you would turn around again to get to the destination.
Administrator said,
October 9, 2007 @ 10:23 am
These are all along similar lines, but you’re missing one crucial
element. When on a divided road and you need to turn around, the
instruction is ‘Turn Left’ or ‘Take a U-Turn’. Remember, the ‘Turn
around when possible’ instruction is used for very specific situations.
Mark Viens said,
October 9, 2007 @ 3:53 pm
When you go past your destination and you end up turning on to a dead end to turn yourself around.
Derek said,
October 9, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
I don’t suppose its a roundabout?
Administrator said,
October 10, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Now you’re getting there, Mark. However, this would result in only ONE reply of ‘Turn around when possible.’ What would make the device say it twice (correctly, not device confusion) in succession?
Administrator said,
October 10, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Nope. No rotaries involved.
Dogboy said,
October 10, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
The person drove to the beach. However, they drove onto the beach. So, the unit told them to turn around when possible and then turn around again to get back to the destination.
Administrator said,
October 11, 2007 @ 9:30 am
Dogboy is getting even closer. However, this situation wouldn’t require the driver to turn around twice.
Read the comments and here’s another really BIG hint: Waypoint.
Tim said,
October 12, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Here are some more hints.
___ Traiana, ___ Aemilia, ___ Appia, ___ Flaminia, ___ Augusta, and ___ Domitia. But you only need to solve one to get the hint, and when you get the solution to that, you only need one of those in the drive… but it helps if you don’t go all the way!
Administrator said,
December 28, 2007 @ 10:07 am
Did you try TomTom.com? Here’s a link for the TomTom ONE XL product page: http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=409&Category=0&Lid=4
Zain said,
January 2, 2008 @ 11:09 pm
I just bought the GO 720 and I’m trying to figure out how to get the spoken street names to work. I feel like I’ve tried everythnig (incl. using only computer voices) I’m sure I’m doing something wrong here. Can someone help me out?
Administrator said,
January 17, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
Try tapping on ‘Change Preferences.’ Then, tap ‘Voice Preferences.’ Then tap ‘Speech Preferences.’ Make sure the box next to ‘Read aloud street names’ is ticked.
Big Fat Cheese said,
July 7, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
Hey… bozo.. you ever going to post the answer to your “riddle”?
Administrator said,
July 8, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
We did already: http://www.clubtomtom.com/general/ladies-and-gentlemen-we-have-a-winner/