People who remember life before GPS…

I had a large road map atlas for all the 50 states. It was well worn. I generally knew where and how I was going to get somewhere. I also flew fighter aircraft generally on low level missions. Time, heading, and speed, and of course looking at landmarks on the ground.
I was trying to explain to some friends why the extensive use of GPS makes it easier to get yourself into some bad situations without realizing it is happening. They laughed at me.
My wife uses her cell phone for GPS, but I like the car version. When I need to know where some place is I haven't been to, I plug it in and take off. No idea generally where it is or how I am going to get there. I should think about it, but since GPS is so good, I just plug it in and go. Being over 80 years old, I really appreciate GPS, but realize I personally have given in to the temptation of trusting the electrons.

Always traveled with the most recent Rand McNally atlas. Would always stop at the next state's welcome center to pick up their current state map. I still carry the current Rand McNally atlas if I have multi-day travel planned through many states as back up in case cell service is limited. Having the Garmin GPS truly helps with travel but maps are still necessary to me as they allow me to visualize a greater area than what's shown on the GPS screen.

Even longer ago, traveled with the then "mandatory" CB radio.

Your recollection is correct. I oughta know, I'm 81
Free indeed
Of course , that was when gas was 25 cents a gallon.

Nice of you to remind me of those. I had forgotten about them. Nice memory.

or not there is still a scenario where I look over my shoulder to back up. At the gym. I can't rely on the camera in this case.

How many times have there been accidents because someone relies on a camera which has a limited peripheral view?

Not having GPS isn't that long ago, not even 20 years for us. I recall being amazed that a device "recalculates."

We did not own one until 2007 or so (can likely see by membership here)

p.s. yes I know it's reality to pay different prices. Like XM, before it was free, I paid $4/mo incl taxes and fees. I told them that's what I want to pay and they made it so.

We wanted to quit karate and they lowered the price by $60/mo. Is that fair to another client? Yes, and no. That client is perfectly within their bounds saying what? I pay $60/mo more for my child? I'm outta here. That's how I looked at AAA, which had no benefit to begin with. Just the "oh if you need a tow you'll be glad." No you won't, you can pay the $120 or $130 out of pocket and save thousands over decades lol

decades ago I bought a Chinese copy of a real aircraft altimeter and drove around with that attached to the dashboard of our Nissan Quest by Velcro.

For use in a car it was actually an extremely good altimeter as it was good enough that lots of home built aircraft pilots bought them and installed them in their airplanes. The FAA eventually cracked down, as it was not quite as good as the real thing.

my 1st gps was a folding map

While I highly value having a Garmin GPS with me in a vehicle, on trips I still also rely on a road atlas.