Re: My theory on why the GPS argument will never be settled

Judith wrote:

>> Yes it is less hassle to follow a goto than follow a bearing with a
>> compass but
>
> Hm? I'm not sure I agree.

To a large extent it depends upon what you're used to. Most people find
what they're used to to be easier than what they aren't. But humans are
very adaptable, it only takes a bit of practice to get used to doing things
a different way, whereupon they become easier. But you have to want to
practice new things, some people prefer to stick with what they know.

> I prefer, after taking a bearing off the
> map, to line up my compass with something in the distance (FSVO
> "distance" - it may be a rock or a different coloured patch of ground)
> and then walk in that direction.

That assumes that you have enough visibility to be able to see distant
features, but that's sort of beside the point. The key factor about
following a GPS GOTO is that you *don't* have to walk in a straight line
toward it. This is something that many people fail to grasp when they first
start using a GPS, the natural temptation is to follow the arrow and walk in
a straight line.

But once you realise that you don't have to do that, and fully accept the
fact that the GPS arrow will always point toward your destination, no matter
how much you zig-zag, then you can experience the true freedom of using the
GOTO arrow. And that's what makes it easier, you don't walk in a straight
line, instead you just choose the path of least resistance. Provided the
arrow isn't pointing behind you, you'll eventually get there, without any of
the hassle of having to walk in a straight line, which is what compass use
encourages.

> Nowadays, when taking a bearing off the map,

If you have a GPS, and a waypoint set at your destination, you can simply
read the bearing off the GPS, instead of taking it off the map. You can
recheck it periodically in case you drift off course. I've used this
technique when walking up a slope that was so steep that I wasn't moving
fast enough for the GPS to give me a proper direction. (Nowadays I can use
the compass feature if that happens, but I didn't have that in my old GPS.)
It's best to set the GPS to "magnetic" rather than "true north" if you want
to use it for this.

> In my experience, compass errors are limited to forgetting to
> orientate the compass northwards when taking a bearing (and walking on
> the reciprocal) or walking over wibbly wobbly magnetic stuff - but you
> can normally notice you're doing it.

Or forgetting to add the magnetic variation, or subtracting instead of
adding, which is not so easily noticed. Not that the difference is much
these days.

Paul


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Relevant Pages

  • Re: GPS Vs COMPASS
    ... In lowland rambles I have had to use the compass to point me across a pasture or ploughed field to find the crossing point at the far boundary. ... if you know where the crossing point is then you can ask the GPS to take you there. ... If you know a bearing, make a waypoint where you are and project it beyond the field on the bearing angle and follow a bearing to it may be easier than entering a waypoint by hand at a grid reference. ... It will tell you where you are and where the next waypoint is, subject to your skill at programming it from the map. ...
    (uk.rec.walking)
  • Re: GPS Vs COMPASS
    ... >using my compass to orient my map and to take bearings when it is not ... A GPS ... Normally, with a map, if you are walking up a hill etc it is usual to ... GPS note the indicated bearing to destination and then transfer this ...
    (uk.rec.walking)
  • Re: compass or gps?
    ... can't make full use of your GPS without it. ... It's what I do (using the GPS for a grid reference then using a compass) if I use the GPS at all. ... I reckon 90% of my navigation is with a map, 9.99% with a compass and 0.01% with a GPS. ... But I would say that the bit I use the gps for is incredibly useful, because a compass bearing isn't much good when you don't know where you are. ...
    (uk.rec.walking)
  • Re: garmin rebate
    ... pretty worthless since the differential readings (perhaps sequential ... I'd like the compass not ... "The GPS computes it's bearing to the next waypoint based on knowing ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: Active 10 GPS
    ... Phil Cook wrote: ... The trick is to mark a waypoint where you set off on the bearing, ... set the GPS to goto it and walk away from it the distance you need to ...
    (uk.rec.walking)