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From: Strosaker <strosaker_at_cox.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 19:07:02 -0800
Paddlewisers,

All of this recent fuss about GPSs on Paddlewise has reminded me how much I
really hate the things. Although I sometimes carry a GPS for back-up, they
really take the fun out of piloting and dead reckoning. I can't seem to get
some of my friends to turn the dang things off either. It really ticks me
off when they tell me I'm off course too. I enjoy being off course and not
knowing exactly where I'm at all the time. Like I try to tell some of my
friends, we're not navigating to the moon.

On the other hand, I have had some rather fond moments with my friends using
their GPSs, for example, when the batteries go dead, they can't figure out
how to use them on the fly, or they drop them over the side and sink down to
Davy's locker, all of which I've seen more than once. Another particularly
fond moment was on crossing when I was looking at our destination and a
friend was looking down at his GPS.

By the way, I've had the same GPS and waterproof case now for about 5 years,
and both are holding up just fine, because I usually keep them where they
belong, in the day hatch.

Duane Strosaker
Southern California
www.rollordrown.com
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From: Allan & Joyce Singleton <alsjfs_at_paradise.net.nz>
subject: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 16:51:37 +1300
Duane wrote:
> 
> By the way, I've had the same GPS and waterproof case now for about 5
years,
> and both are holding up just fine, because I usually keep them where
they
> belong, in the day hatch.

Well said. My Garmin 38 (the last live one in the world?) lives a
similar life, and is even older by a few years.

I wouldn't mind a 60CS though, or perhaps a Silva Multi-Navigator.


Allan Singleton
Hamilton NZ 
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From: <Rcgibbert_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 23:11:09 EST
In a message dated 2/12/2004 9:08:20 PM Central Standard Time, 
strosaker_at_cox.net writes:


> By the way, I've had the same GPS and waterproof case now for about 5 
> years,
> and both are holding up just fine, because I usually keep them where they
> belong, in the day hatch.
> 
Now there's an idea! Thanks Duane. Time to dust off the ol' compass.

Cheers,
Rob G
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From: TomL <tletourn_at_maine.rr.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 07:46:58 -0500
first Duane...


> > By the way, I've had the same GPS and waterproof case now for about 5
> > years,
> > and both are holding up just fine, because I usually keep them where they
> > belong, in the day hatch.
> >

then.. Rcgibbert_at_aol.com wrote:

> >Now there's an idea! Thanks Duane. Time to dust off the ol' compass.



GPS? Some of us just have fun with gadgets. I've got friends who can't 
believe I paddle off the coast in winter :)

Compass? Well I could say, there may have been ancient mariners who shook 
their heads in dismay for the same reason Duane does. The real question 
is... what are we going to do when the magnetic anomalies all over the 
world increase in intensity? As we fast approach the time when our planet 
shifts its poles, we'll no doubt have a hard time trusting the wildly 
swinging needles of our compasses. Ah ya... (as they say around these parts 
of NE), irony in spades! We'll be thankful for those geostationary babies 
above us that can triangulate our position. And I'll be thankful that the 
built-in compass I have in my Meridian is not the expensive digital add-on 
for which some people paid extra $.

Tom 
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From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 00:44:54 -0500
On 13 Feb 2004 at 16:51, Allan & Joyce Singleton wrote:

> I wouldn't mind a 60CS though

Garmin just announced a 76C and 76CS - colour versions of the marine 
76.  Most (all?) the features of the 60 merged into the almost 
venerable 76.  A daylight readable colour screen sounds cool.  It's 
on their web site.

Mike
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From: Jochen Grikschat <grikschat_at_web.de>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 11:11:54 +0100
> Well said. My Garmin 38 (the last live one in the world?) lives a
> similar life, and is even older by a few years

I got one also!!
Still got problems with my 12V plug in connection.
Years ago, he 38 was cheap, one of the last. Poor Jochen, if I would had
waited for 6 further months, it could had been a Garmin 12, for same good
price. Without the 12V problem!

The only ttime, when I REALLY had a need for my GPS, it failed. Gone OFF and
nobody knows why. Later, it was OK, like nothing ever had happened. Seems, a
little devil lives in my 38er.
That4s Life...

Muk datt gut = All the Best
Jochen
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From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 08:21:39 -0500
My Etrex doesn't get used for navigation.  It's just a fun way to look
at your miles traveled, current speed, max speed and other interesting
(IMHO) info.  If you are navigating with it, and don't already possess
rock solid manual navigation skills and have the tools on-board with
you, you're setting yourself up for big trouble - or is that "Deep
Trouble".

Rick
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From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 09:24:41 -0500
On Feb 13, 2004, at 8:21 AM, <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com> wrote:

> My Etrex doesn't get used for navigation.  It's just a fun way to look
> at your miles traveled, current speed, max speed and other interesting
> (IMHO) info.


I agree. There is a certain amount of fun to be gained from spending a 
day paddling and ending up with a picture like this 
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/gallery/StonTriangle/IMG_1977

Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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From: <Niilus_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 08:36:13 EST
In a message dated 2/13/2004 5:22:18 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com writes:


> My Etrex doesn't get used for navigation.  It's just a fun way to look
> at your miles traveled, current speed, max speed and other interesting
> (IMHO) info.  

Yup, that's how I use my Etrex.  Not for navigation.  I like to sail my kayak 
and it tells how well I am using the wind, sail and rudder to get the best 
speeds.

Tony Niilus 
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From: Niels Blaauw <niels.blaauw_at_wanadoo.nl>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 16:11:03 +0100
There is a more or less famous story, in circles of competition sailors,
from before the time of GPS navigation. A sailor, under full sail in the
middle of a race, looked at his log and at the tidal charts, and decided
that according to his information he was actually moving backwards.
Keeping his sails up, he secretly dropped his anchor, and indeed: When
the anchor hit the seabottom he saw his waterspeed increasing. He won
the race.

Using GPS would mean that everybody would drop his anchor as standard
procedure. Whether this is an advantage of GPS or not is up to you.

Of course, electronics can fail when you most need them. So can the
human brain. My intelligence has been tested a few weeks ago, and
although I may consider myself "gifted", I realize I am especially
gifted in getting lost. In navigation, my GPS is much more reliable then
my wandering mind. People tend to have limitless faith in their own
abilities, much more then in technology. That's why we have so many
traffic accidents. The only time my GPS gave me a wrong bearing, I had
entered a wrong waypoint.

Niels.
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From: Michael Edelman <mje_at_spamcop.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 09:34:30 -0500
Like a lot of other posters, I carry my GPS as a backup, not a primary 
means of navigation. I never venture out of sight of shore, so GPS is 
there in case a sudden fog blows in, I get disoriented or some other 
calamity occurs. I record waypoints at the beginning of a trip and at 
significant points along the way.

When I'm in an inland lake I usually use it just for fun, checking my 
speed and so forth. Although, once or twice I've used it on an 
unfamiliar lake to find my way back to the put-in. (Anyone here who has 
paddled inland at Point Pelee knows that when it gets hazy over the 
marsh you can find yourself lost in a very small place!)

As for the weatherpoofness of the eTrex: Given the design of the gasket 
I assume it's splashproof at best. Mine goes in a vinyl pouch/drybag 
with flotation designed for cell phones and GPS units. That bag goes 
into a deckbag or is tied to a deck ring. I may follow the advice of 
another poster and wrap some tape (maybe 3M 2228 or 2229) over the gap 
on trips where I want to be extra careful.

-- mike

--------------------------
Michael Edelman
http://foldingkayaks.org
http://findascope.com
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From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 09:37:10 -0500
Nick said;
 
> I agree. There is a certain amount of fun to be gained from spending a
> day paddling and ending up with a picture like this
> http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/gallery/StonTriangle/IMG_1977

Wow!  53.42 NM in one day!  Begs the questions to everyone...

1. What's the most miles you ever paddled in one stretch... including
short rest stops, but not long layovers? 

2. What is the most amount of continuous hours paddled... including a
rest break, but not a long layover?


Mine isn't that impressive.  Actually, it stinks.  The most miles is
just under 20 and the longest duration is only about 6 hours.  All that
was done in a Rec boat (Perception's Carolina) but it will all change in
about 2 weeks when my Strip Built Outer Island will be done!  It's a
17'10" by 21" low volume Greenland style.  It's so close to getting wet
I can barely stand it!  :-)

Rick
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From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 11:47:08 -0500
On Feb 13, 2004, at 9:37 AM, <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com> wrote:

> Nick said;
>
>> I agree. There is a certain amount of fun to be gained from spending a
>> day paddling and ending up with a picture like this
>> http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/gallery/StonTriangle/IMG_1977
>
> Wow!  53.42 NM in one day!  Begs the questions to everyone...
>

Look closely, it is statute miles, not nautical. It would look more 
impressive if I had used km for a total of 85.97

This is my record. I can't say it was fun to do. It was much more fun 
to look at GPS at the end of the day after it was over with.

Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 07:46:05 -0800
I'm enjoying this thread.  Many thoughtful contributions.  I am a late
convert to GPS use, partly due to Luddite tendencies, partly because I am
near-obsessed with "knowing where I am," from too many years wandering in the
mountains ... and those tendencies moved over onto the water intact.

Like Duane, I enjoy the process of traditional navigation, and have been in
some interesting pickles when my process needed a re-tooling [grin]!

But, missing the view is the main reason my GPS is on deck but unconsulted
most of the time.  I watched a guy in the Broken Group steam back to camp,
counting down the metres to his camp, eyes glued to his screen, and wondered
why he came out to that beautiful place.  He could get the countdown
experience in his driveway, if he wanted.

I use mine to nail down the odd waypoint when I find something interesting,
to look at my track when I return out of plain curiosity, and store waypoints
for hazards ahead of time.  The last saved my bacon once, making my GPS worth
the hassle.

I have a friend who is completely chart challenged, and this guy would not
have made it back on a couple loop trips he did solo except for the GPS.
Dead batteries for him would be a disaster.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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From: alex <al.m_at_3web.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 15:06:13 -0800
> But, missing the view is the main reason my GPS is on deck but unconsulted
> most of the time.  I watched a guy in the Broken Group steam back to camp,
> counting down the metres to his camp, eyes glued to his screen, and
wondered
> why he came out to that beautiful place.  He could get the countdown
> experience in his driveway, if he wanted.

He came there to play with electroincs (may be without realizing that :-).
I, for one, use GPS for first paddling along unknown route - to store
waypoints or locate campsites uploaded to GPS in advance. Otherwise it is
mostly a backup, or a toy to watch my speed.  I wouldn't tell, btw, what
consumes more time - plotting and calculating using dead reckoning under
unsteady speed/wind conditions, or periodical glancing at GPS screen and
laminated map (screen map sucks), whenever I feel that should change the
course.  Coming back to familiar place in darkness or fog is also easier
with GPS - eventually faster.

I recall now a story about kayaker blown off to the sea at Hawaii.  It took
2 or 3 days to find him after he placed his distress call.  Would take much
less if he knew his exact location.
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From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 11:59:18 -0500
 http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/gallery/StonTriangle/IMG_1977


> Look closely, it is statute miles, not nautical. It would look more
> impressive if I had used km for a total of 85.97
> 
> This is my record. I can't say it was fun to do. It was much more fun
> to look at GPS at the end of the day after it was over with.

Nick, I'm still impressed  :-)

So, what's with all the glass boats in the pics?  Shouldn't it be
against the rules to paddle with "The" Nick Schade in anything but a
stripper?  :-)

BTW - the 4th picture in the series is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!  

Rick
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From: <Rcgibbert_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 17:32:11 EST
In a message dated 2/13/2004 8:40:08 AM Central Standard Time, 
keith.wrage_at_charter.net writes:


> I've wondered about this - do they allow GPS use on commercial airline 
> flights? 

nothing that sends or recieves a signal is allowed to be switched on. I know 
because I hear that famous line several times a month.

Cheers,

Rob G
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From: Craig Bowers <craig_at_bowers.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: 13 Feb 2004 22:26:03 -0800
On Fri, 2004-02-13 at 14:32, Rcgibbert_at_aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 2/13/2004 8:40:08 AM Central Standard Time,
> keith.wrage_at_charter.net writes:
> 
> 
> > I've wondered about this - do they allow GPS use on commercial
airline
> > flights? 
>
> nothing that sends or recieves a signal is allowed to be switched on.
I know
> because I hear that famous line several times a month.

Actually it depends on the airline (and they tend to flop back and forth
on the issue).

Boeing has no issues with GPS during cruise for passenger Carry-on
Electronics for their aircraft.

As per the following service letters for each aircraft variant:

707-SL-02-002-A
727-SL-02-002-A
737-SL-02-002-A
747-SL-02-002-A
757-SL-02-002-A
767-SL-02-002-A
777-SL-02-002-A

My list of Airlines that approve GPS use is a couple years old since
last updated but this one seems to be updated:
http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/airgps.htm

The issue is fairly silly in my view (as a Commercial licenced pilot).
Certainly *we* use them during all phases of flight (including portable
ones).

-Craig Bowers
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From: alex <al.m_at_3web.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 20:57:40 -0800
> really hate the things. Although I sometimes carry a GPS for back-up, they
> really take the fun out of piloting and dead reckoning. I can't seem to
get
> some of my friends to turn the dang things off either.

What really takes the fun out of paddling is a cell-phone or pager. GPS is
just a harmless toy compared to it.
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From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 07:42:39 -0500
At 08:57 PM 2/12/2004 -0800, alex wrote:
> > really hate the things. Although I sometimes carry a GPS for back-up, they
> > really take the fun out of piloting and dead reckoning. I can't seem to
>get
> > some of my friends to turn the dang things off either.
>
>What really takes the fun out of paddling is a cell-phone or pager. GPS is
>just a harmless toy compared to it.

I have taken my cell-phone while paddling on a couple of occasions.  In one 
case, I was teaching a class at the time when I received and answered a 
call.  It was from my wife telling me that her water had just broke...and, 
yes, I finished the lesson.
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From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 00:44:53 -0500
On 12 Feb 2004 at 19:07, Strosaker wrote:

> they really take the fun out of piloting and dead reckoning.
[...]
> By the way, I've had the same GPS and waterproof case now for about 5
> years, and both are holding up just fine, because I usually keep them
> where they belong, in the day hatch.


I'm in this camp too - though I don't _hate_ GPS, I just don't find 
it useful most of the time.  The last time I had one on deck was when 
geocache searching in the harbour area (spit and islands where a few 
caches were stashed.)

I've only used the GPS once "for real" when even dead reckoning 
wasn't making me comfortable - a long featureless shoreline with no 
discernable landmarks.  We set up camp and I verified where we were.

You can always use dead reckoning and piloting.  It's a skill a lot 
of experienced paddlers I've been tripping with don't have!  I 
learned it sailing and enjoy using it kayaking.  GPS may be a neat 
gadget, but it's boring navigation.

Everything in its place and my GPS is in the hatch for emergencies 
only.

Mike
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From: Steve Brown <steve_at_brown-web.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 04:35:41 -0800
I have paddled in several low visibility situations that simultaneously
warranted having the thing turned on for safety, and yet proved that it
wasn't really needed at all. During one particularly frightening experience
I cursed myself for not having it with me, but once we "made it" I was quite
pleased with myself for doing it with only a map and compass.
I agree they are a good backup tool. Also, IMO, any navigational situation
that actually requires one to survive (there are some) is probably not worth
the risk. 
One aspect of backup that hasn't been mentioned is the potential loss of the
navigator. Vickie and I frequently paddle in unfamiliar areas with just the
two of us. She is not a strong navigator so having a GPS with the launch
site and key waypoints marked adds an extra margin of safety in the case
that she would need to return or continue without me. We do the same thing
on mountain bike rides.
Steve Brown
 

-----Original Message-----

Paddlewisers,

.................. Although I sometimes carry a GPS for back-up, they
really take the fun out of piloting and dead reckoning. ..........

Duane Strosaker
Southern California
www.rollordrown.com
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From: Bob Denton <bdenton_at_soytek.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 09:26:51 -0500
I typically use mine more for driving on business trips than kayaking,
however, it is a wonderful aid in the everglades where you don't have any
landmarks to speak of and the mangroves all blend together. A small mistake
can mean lots of paddling. I also enjoy using it while flying commercially.
Keeps the pilot honest!

Being a GPS Luddite is a bit unnecessary. I'll bet they used to laugh at
kayaks made of plastics.

Cya!
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From: Keith Wrage <keith.wrage_at_charter.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 08:37:59 -0600
>  I also enjoy using it while flying commercially.
>Keeps the pilot honest!

I've wondered about this - do they allow GPS use on commercial airline 
flights?  I've considered doing it several times just for fun but have 
always opted not to - figuring I'd end up cuffed and stuffed for supposedly 
calling in the plane's position to someone....

Just curious - is it OK?
K
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From: Bob Denton <bdenton_at_soytek.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 09:50:25 -0500
Most US airlines have no problem. Some foreign airlines specifically
prohibit GPS use. It's usually interesting to identify various rivers,
inlets, islands, etc you can see from the air. 

cu
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From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS-Not
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 10:04:36 -0500
> On the other hand, I have had some rather fond moments with my friends
using
> their GPSs, for example, when the batteries go dead, they can't figure out
> how to use them on the fly, or they drop them over the side and sink down
to
> Davy's locker, all of which I've seen more than once. Another particularly
> fond moment was on crossing when I was looking at our destination and a
> friend was looking down at his GPS.

My career soldier son, who was in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, has some
amusing stories of the use of GPS when his division swung wide into Iraq to
cut off the Republican Guard.  Some tank commanders had grown so blindly
dependent on their GPSs that they tended to not consult their topo maps
much.  They wind up coming to screetching halts at the edge of deep gullies
or going into dead end waddies.

ralph diaz
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