Teach me about GPS!

[EdS]

Also worth learing about Nationa lgrids, Universal transverse Mercator projections.

Plus the difference between OSGB36, ETRS89 and WGS84 (and others) as even using Lat and Long on different co-ordiante systems will but you in different places (normally by hundred metres). You need to know which grid system you are using and set it accordingly.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Hmmm,

Remember when I said "It's turning into a jargonfest.........."

Ogri the trog

 

[ged]

John's right. Resist.

I use a hand-held GPS as a backup when sailing. The Man Overboard facility is a potential lifesaver but fortunately I've never had to use it. I did once give thanks to the GPS genie one night when I was looking for a marker buoy off Helston only to find that the light had gone out so it was invisible. If I hadn't had the GPS on board I'd have had an uncomfortable night on watch instead of a comfortable night's kip moored well up the river.

Otherwise, I wouldn't even own one. I woulldn't dream of using one while driving, I find proper route planning wiith maps a lot more useful and effective. I see people staring at Tom-Toms while they're driving along too close behind an artic instead of planning their next overtake.

It would sorely grieve me to spend a few hundred quid on a GPS device only to find that I then had to spend a whole lot more on the bloomin' maps. Stuff that. A lat/long will do me just fine, and if I'm in a boat I've got a pretty good idea of my altitude.

Oh, and the chart still works when it's been soaked by a wave.

 

[hog]

The Garmin Etrex H , is simple and easy to use, it does have a basic screen ,black and grey but it does the job and will get you to where you want to go and back again.
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/eTrexH_OwnersManual.pdf