Re: GPS again

On Aug 4, 2:31 am, "Ed Cregger" <ecreg...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"timeOday" <timeOday-UNS...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:LNmdnXU9Eae39gvVnZ2dnUVZ_ozinZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx





Susan (CobbersMom) wrote:
"BryanUT" <> wrote in message
Crews locate group lost in Kane County
A group of 20 adults and eight children, traveling in five vehicles, >
reportedly got lost and stranded last night near the Grand
Staircase-Escalante National Monument
...when their gps system apparently malfunctioned .....vehicles
reportedly > got stuck and ran out of gas....

Back in the 70's my then husband and I went canoe camping in the Boundary
Waters in Canada.  The outfitter stressed to trust the compass.  That we
might end up somewhere lost and believe that compass was wrong and we
weren't.  He was right.  We went down the wrong passage and insisted to
each
other the compass had to be wrong but repeated his words and paddled back
to
familier territory.
I'll be this GPS story is similar.

I wouldn't be surprised if the GPS simply failed to get reception due to
steep canyon walls.

Anyways, I find it interesting that this story never would have made the
news if a vehicle itself had "malfunctioned" (i.e. broken down) leaving
somebody stranded.  Somehow this is seen as more interesting.

----------

The reporter was pandering to the Luddites in our mist.

Like any mechanical device, GPS units have their limitations. I use GPS in
combination with maps and compasses. Even then, there is nothing wrong with
taking a gander at the Sun every few minutes. The Sun doesn't fail and if it
did, well, it wouldn't matter anyway.

Haven't I always said have a full tool box for land navigation?
Granted I find the GPS just an expensive tool that you don't always
need.
p.s. Priced sextants once...once. Slightly more expensive than GPS.
--
Keith
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: GPS again
    ... The outfitter stressed to trust the compass. ... might end up somewhere lost and believe that compass was wrong and we ... I'll be this GPS story is similar. ... The reporter was pandering to the Luddites in our mist. ...
    (rec.motorcycles)
  • Re: gps units...the best el cheapo
    ... you could lose or break your compass, your GPS could ... - Ken (expert at getting lost) ... The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.... ...
    (rec.outdoors.fishing.fly)
  • Re: lost GPS on Yewbarrow
    ... GPS there last year? ... So now we all need to take a compass & map; a GPS in case the compass ... & map fail; and a girlfriend in case the GPS gets lost. ...
    (uk.rec.walking)
  • Re: GPS Vs COMPASS
    ... If I am still walking in 10 years time I will still be ... >>>using my compass to orient my map and to take bearings when it is not ... A GPS ...
    (uk.rec.walking)
  • Re: GPS Vs COMPASS
    ... > using my compass to orient my map and to take bearings when it is not ... > Clearly you must be using your GPS merely as an emergency device ... > checking your route is correct by consulting your map in combination ...
    (uk.rec.walking)