Re: [Paddlewise] GPS Errors

From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 12:41:31 -0700
Bob,

Could be your GPS uses a different datum for its altitude determination than
what is used for the tide book's "sea level."

The tide book uses MLLW (= Mean Lower Low Water) as its zero point, while
USGS topos use a National Geodetic Vertical Datum, usually the 1929 datum,
which uses MHHW, I think, as "zero altitude."

Around here, the difference is about 7 ft (2.1 meters).  If the tide range
where you are is 20 some-odd feet, that would account for most of the
discrepancy.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Carter" <revkayak_at_aptalaska.net>

> My problem with GPS (a Garmin 12) is the altitude reads are inaccurate. I
> went down to the boat harbor when the tide level was at zero, held the GPS
a
> couple inches abobe the water and got a reading of 32 +feet. (No wonder
> tourists ask how far we are above sea level!)
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Received on Sat Sep 04 2004 - 12:41:36 PDT

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