Navigation
102, Never get lost again (hopefully)
What GPS does, common features and applications
GPS technology
allows, with a little practice, the ability for amateur weekend types
to confidently and successfully get in and out locations previously
reserved for guides and other outdoor pros. This is exciting because
those of use who love the great outdoors can go in a little deeper with
a reduced risk of looking like an idiot from getting lost and spending
an extra night in the woods, or worse. This greater freedom also requires
taking the responsibly to have a back up plain in the event the receiver
goes south. Like anything else electronic, GPS units are not immune
from being lost, broken, stolen, or going dead.
Modern
receivers offer numerous features, more that you will probably ever
use. At first glance, a receiver can look somewhat overwhelming. Despite
being a high tech electronic item, they are quite easy to use. As you
familiarize yourself with the technology, intimidation will turn into
interest as you discover what the equipment is capable of. Here is
a summary of what you can expect of most modern units (regardless of
price).
What
GPS will do
1.
Provide
coordinates to a current position anywhere in the world
2.
Record a current position of specially selected locations (know
as waypoints)
3.
Recall waypoints stored in memory allowing the return to a exact
location
4.
Correspond with map coordinates to find current location or desired
destination
5.
Provide time of day, elevation, speed, compass readings and ETA
6.
Provide a pointer, bearing, distance, and ETA to selected waypoint
destinations
7.
Provide a electronic bread-crumb trial showing the route traveled
8.
Modern units provide electronic base maps to make navigation
even easier
9.
With a little practice, prevent one from becoming hopelessly
lost
10.
Take much of the guesswork out of navigation making travel more
enjoyable
What GPS will
not do
1.
Work well as a compass unless traveling over ten miles per hour
2.
Work well without a clear view to the sky such as under heavy
vegetation
3.
Work on dead batteries
4.
Work if lost, broken, stolen, waterlogged or frozen
5.
Completely replace the map, compass or common sense
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