Re: [Paddlewise] Loss of trust in GPS options for kayakers

From: R. Walker <rww_at_mailbox.neosoft.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 11:53:23 +0000
> So is this experience you relate; to suggest that one not bother
> to invest in a 'GPS' because the techonology is still in it's
> infancy stage?

I think that is overstating it.  GPS is fully mature, but
I think some people misunderstand its purpose.  The core
function of a GPS is to give you a lat/long pair that is
accurate within a few hundred feet.  With a set of well
annotated maps/charts [I draw grids all over mine], you
can take a brief look, find yourself inside a particular
1 minute grid square, then using visual aids you can usually
tell exactly where you are, even if you haven't been paying
the best attention to your charts while cruising.  Maybe
you've been drift fishing for the past hour and been way
more interested in watching for mullet hopping than in 
worrying about your position....

GPS never replaces chart and compass.  It makes chart and
compass very easy and convenient to use.   Load in a few
waypoints to your stops, and you can glance down to get a
bearing and distance any time you want, then steer your
boat with the deck mounted compass.

> big bucks for such unreliability. Does the Magellan GPS
> offer the same effectiveness as the Garmin 38 GPS that you
> purchased? This leaves me somewhat convinced that a reliable
> deck compass and chart package is still the best system for
> navagation.

A GPS can not replace, and never was meant to replace compass
and chart.
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Received on Sun Apr 19 1998 - 09:54:15 PDT

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