GPS ?

“I got a magellan meridian platinum, map send topo and a 128 SD card. So what do I do with it?

I like my compass and map. Will I like this high tech version of the same?”

“I'll take it off your hands if you don't like it :o)”

“Actually I bought a GPS a few years ago and have barely used it - nice to play with though.”

“IMHO, no it won't replace the map. I can't see how the limited resolution/scale will allow that.

Again, IMHO.”

“Having said that, I do have and use a GPS, but it doesn't "replace" the maps. Just helps. No longer have to triangulate.”

“yep - I'm with you on that Chili - the only time I tend to use it is to find exactly where I am on the map.
I do like the car ones though. Maybe the car kit for it would be good :o)”

“GEOCACHE!!!”

“That's what my GPS is used for 90%of the time.”

“Map & Compass, don't leave home without them (and take a course on how to use them.)

Having made that clear, I love my GPS. It is great if you are bushwhacking. I can sit home in comfort and look at mt USGS, find the waypoints for route changes (around peaks, notches, saddles, avoid bogs and vlies, etc., and punch em into the GPS and set the proximity alarm.

If I am in an area where I rteally have to move laterally to get around obstacles, etc, it's a lot easier to use the GPS to pget the bearing back, rather then have to keep track of all that using just a compass.

It's also good to be able to give someone waypoints of places to get to or to meet, then a whole bunch of directions.

Finally, when bushwhacking, on occasion you come to a spot that is a killer view, a great camping spot, good fishing hole, etc and tyou can mark the waypoint to get there again.

I have a RINO with the built in radio, and so does my hiking partner. That allows us to wander some good distances from each other and the radio/gps combinatuion allows us to keep track of exactly where the other is.

So, GPS is great, but it does not replace a map and compass and the ability to use them them.”

“Well said, redhawk.”

“I know what many will say but here is another question.

The GPS is a compass and I can download full topo maps to it. The maps are accurate from what I have seen. So why should I take the paper map and magnetic compass? I could save 4 oz of pack weight.”

“Well, actually the gps is not really a compass. If you are stationary and it cannot read movement, the "compass" heading tends to get a little fuzzy.

The gps actually reads your movement to generate the heading. Also, under heavy canopy the reception can weaken. And, as with any electronic device, if it craps out, you are $hit out of luck without the good ole; paper and compass backup.

Neither map nor compass require batteries to work.”

“That is what I knew would be said.

Why don't trail guide books use way points or coordinates in their descriptions of trails? At least I haven’t seen any that do.”

“Some books do include coordinates, such as Secor's High Sierra Peaks, Passes and Trails (gives UTM coordinates).

Maps & compasses do not work well at night, when there is no visability (e.g., tree cover, fowl weather or in a canyon), or when there are few landmarks (e.g., desert).

GPS's are great at night or in foul weather. But don't work well if under heavy cover.

The two together provide the most protection and back each other up.

Both have gotten me out of trouble.

There is one Garmin etrex that has a compass feature. To make most GPS's function as a compass, walk in a straight line for 10 or 20 yards and it will give you a bearing on one screen or another.

Triangulating with Map and compass takes time and is subject to error when the landmarks are miles away. At Philmont, for example, I remember once making a mistake and going down a wrong trail. What was not shown on the map was that the correct trail cutoff was about 100 yards ahead. The triangulation was not accurate enough to make us think we were on the wrong trail.

All that being said, I think an altimeter watch is a great third thing to have. Really helps you when you have zero visiblity and want to find where you are at on a sloping trail.”

“1. The Compass doesn't need batteries.

2. The USGS map has much more detail then the GPS.

3.The compass will work in heavy foilage cover, the GPS won't.

4.If you rely on just the gps and you drop it and it breaks, you're screwed.

5. Being able to use a compass and a map is a "SKILL". It's part of the accomplishment of hiking. Almost anyone can use a GPS (but not correctlty)

6. People who want to "backpack" with a GPS and not a compass are the same as people who "Camp" with an RV wquiped with stereo, TV, electric stoves, refrigeration and king size beds.

7. The amount of people who end up needing to be "found" who relied on just a GPS would surprise you.

8. There is no "Instant Navigation"!”

“This a GPS unit that you can upload topo map to and use them on the screen. I have had more time to play with it and have a disturbing discovery to report. WATER RUNS UP HILL. That or the GPS topos are of untrustworthy quality in places. I would have toted along my paper map anyway. I think the map program may not be worth the money. But I didn’t pay for this set up anyway.”