Re: [Paddlewise] GPS - FYI

Since this is about a Garmin reciever, let me reveal a secret to 
getting good use out of the tracking feature for hiking and kayaking. 
Go into the setups screen, and change the tracking function to 
record one point ever 30 seconds, or 1 minute.  This will track a 
whole days path, and dampens the effect that SA has on the 
recorded track, since the actual distance between the most recent 
few track points will be greater than with the default tracking mode. 
Using this mode, I have found that my recorded tracks almost 
always match up very nicely to my mapping software when 
downloaded.  Tracks on rivers follow the river on the map.

For all slow travel, a compass will give you a better idea of where 
you are pointed, but where you are pointed is not usually where 
you will end up going; you still have to compensate for wind and 
current.   Using the GOTO function to get the desired course, and 
watch for the desired course to change as you paddle.  If it stays 
near constant, then you are paddling in the right direction.  If it is 
changing, then you need to compensate.

So, use the GPS to tell you where you are and where something 
else is in relation to you.   Use your compass to tell you which 
direction you are pointed in.



Richard Walker
Houston, TX
http://www.neosoft.com/~rww/kayak_log.html
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