Re: GPS Vs COMPASS

Peter Clinch <p.j.clinch@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

>Alan Dicey wrote:

>> A GPS is heavier, needs batteries and more practise and
>> familiarisation. It will tell you where you are and where the next
>> waypoint is, subject to your skill at programming it from the map. I
>> seem to recall that GPS compasses are not terribly reliable, certainly
>> not as good as a magnetised needle?

>I've not heard that, and I don't see any particular reason for it. Main
>problem is, ISTM, that they munch batteries a lot quicker than plain use
>GPS.

The cheap Garmin electronic compasses as provided in such as Geko 301,
Summit, Vista, 60CS, etc. are accurate to within 2 degrees if held
reasonably horizontal, and you calibrated them last time you changed
the batteries. Unlike magnetic compasses, they don't jam up and
obviously stop working if held non-horizontal, they simply give daft
readings. Some of them do warn you if the unit isn't horizontal when
using the compass.

They do munch up the batteries very quickly if you leave them set on
the factory settings, which leaves the compass on most of the time.
If you read the manual you discover that it's quite easy to switch the
compass on when you want it, and off when you don't. There are also
automatic compass switch on and off options which you can set to do
things like switch it on when you're stationary and switch it off
when you're moving.

If you only have the compass switched on when you actually want to use
it, it makes damn all difference to battery use.

The fact that so many people complain so much about the compass eating
the batteries is a nice simple demonstration that hardly anyone
bothers to read the manual :-)
--
Chris Malcolm cam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

.

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