[pct-l] GPS Usage

[Dennis Phelan]

I recently took a one day gps class from REI that that us how use a gps to
find waypoints.  The thing to remember here is the gps is a line of sight
instrument and trails may not be.  The session that really showed me the
strengths and weakness of the gps was when we were given a topo map with a
point marked.  We needed to determine the coordinates and then go there.
What was so interesting was to see how far apart we were.  All gps have
tolerances and sometimes are only accurate within a 100 yard circle.  I
understand this varies depending on the satellites it logs onto.  It will
indicate the tolerance on the readout.  The point the instructor kept
making was using a gps in the field is not like using the one in your car.
He said you should have a map, a compass, and a coordinate scale in
addition to the gps.  You should be familiar with the area you are
traveling.

Dennis
On Jul 8, 2012 3:48 PM, "CHUCK CHELIN" <steeleye at wildblue.net> wrote:

> Good afternoon,
>
> I remember the first substantial use of GPS was during Gulf War-1 when they
> were issued only the grunts on the ground because aircraft already had
> sophisticated inertial navigation systems.  In spite of that, many pilots
> bought their own commercial GPS from state-side outdoor stores.  Imagine a
> $40M F-15 with a standard Garmin or Magellan duct-taped to the dash.
>
> I’ve loved GPS since it was introduced, but there can be a serious problem:
> A GPS can give novices the confidence to venture forth in naive trust
> either without maps and/or a compass; or equally as bad, carrying a map and
> compass without the foggiest notion of how to use them.  I’m also mystified
> at the people who carry GPS’s but can’t use it either.
>
> I use and enjoy a GPS receiver on the trail, but GPS receivers can fail.
>  As
> a result I also carry maps and a simple magnetic -- non-electronic --
> compass.
>
> Fortunately on virtually all of the PCT during the thru-hike season a
> person can get by without anything if they are sufficiently humble to
> always stay close to some knowledgeable person, or wait around until
> someone competent shows up to solve a route question for them.
>
> Steel-Eye
>
> -Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965
>
> http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
>
> http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09/
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