Cheers Julia,
I've filled out the survey, I'm afraid I'm in the old school camp (yet again) as I must say I like the situation the way it is. I don't have to think; I just plot and go. This is handy when under duress or tired. If I use a GPS I make sure it is set to OS unless doing something specific. I also feel that trying to find someone who's giving co-ordinates using an old map (as may will be) if I've got a new shiny map may lead to confusion.
My understanding is, they are not replacing the OS grid that is on the maps. What they want to do is update the Datum that the Lat/Long grid along the edges of the maps use. It will be a case of the markings at the edge of the map moving slightly relative to their current position.
This is actually a shame, cos the reality is that this change makes absolutely no difference to me, or I imagine most people. On a hillside you don't have the space, or tools, to roll out an OS map, and use the Lat/Long markings that are only on the edge of the sheet. Tracing those across is a right pain. The OS grid is so easy to use as it's implemented on OS maps. We have (IMHO) the best mapping on the planet, we're spoilt by it. But as with most things, we did it first, and now that GPS devices come along and give out a global standard position, then things change slightly. In theory, it's not a problem, you switch your gps to give OS grid positions, and away you go. However, believe it or not, some gps devices do not support the OS grid. I have actually registered adding OS grid support as a feature request on one Personal Locator Beacon.
If they could come up with a way to give a grid overlay of the WGS84 lat/long grid upon the maps, in such a way that doesn't detract from the clarity of the mapping, that would be fantastic. My understanding is that this change is not that.
Julia
