On Oct 28, 12:04 pm, Ancient Brit <[email hidden]>
Quoted message said:Paul Saunders said:Quoted message said:GPS isn't an alternative to OS maps.
Quoted message said:Actually it is, provided you have a mapping model with decent maps loaded of
course. It may not be as good as OS maps, but it most definitely IS an
alternative. I'm fed up with people putting down GPS.Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Like the compass, it is an
instrument designed to make it easier to use maps and navigate in poor
visibility.Quoted message said:No, a GPS is more than that. Of course, it's best used in conjunction with
OS maps, but that can now be done beforehand with computerised mapping.
After the planning stage, once you've loaded your GPS with appropriate
routes, waypoints and whatever, it can lead you through a walk without ever
requiring you to look at the map.Quoted message said:Quoted message said:If you go into mountains with GPS and no maps you are
asking for trouble.Quoted message said:No, let's be logical about this. If you go into the mountains with GPS
(presumably loaded with well chosen waypoints and routes) and no maps,
you're not asking for trouble. What you're doing is choosing to rely on a
single navigational device and no backup. A device which although not
infallible, does happen to be extremely reliable, and is highly unlikely to
let you down. Of course, it should also go without saying, but I'll say it
anyway, if you're going to rely on a GPS alone then you'll certainly be well
stocked with fully charged spare batteries.Quoted message said:You're still taking a risk of course, but it's a calculated risk. Is it any
less risky than only going out with one map? What if it got soaked and
ripped? What if it blew away in the wind? Yeah, unlikely I know, but so is a
GPS breaking down.Quoted message said:I'm not advocating going out with a GPS alone, I mean, what's so hard about
taking a map too? But it's hardly the height of stupidity, especially if you
have a good mapping GPS and you know how to use it. Many people do far more
stupid things in the mountains, like not carrying any navigation aids at
all, or no waterproofs and so on. With so many numpties climbing mountains
on a sunny day with nothing but shorts and t-shirts, why criticise a GPS
user for not carrying a map?I used GPS in conjunction with OS maps this summer when I climbed all
284 Munros in Scotland and most of the tops so I am speaking with
experience of use in rough mountains in bad weather conditions.In good weather either GPS or OS maps would have been all a competent
navigator would have needed. A poor map reader (a majority of mountain
walkers are poor map readers) in these conditions would have found the
GPS all that they needed.HOWEVER the weather this summer was awful.
The biggest ADVANTAGE of the GPS over the compass (with map) was that
it gave me distance, so I didn't have to do any pace-counting which I
had often had to do in poor visibility in the past and the GPS is much
more accurate than pace-counting. The other big advantage of GPS was
that it, when following a bearing, I could deviate from the straight
line to use the easiest way through the terrain and then come back to
line, where I would have tried to stay closer to the bearing using a
compass.There are however DISADVANTAGES to using a GPS.
If you are using walking poles, unless you have a third hand, a
compass is more convenient for the continuous use needed in extreme
conditions than GPS.
I have the Garmin Fortrex 201 which is like a wrist watch. It is
absolutely fantastic as it allows you to operate a GPS hands free
Quoted message said:There are times when you have difficulty getting a satellite signal.
Especially in FORESTS, but try turning your GPS on in a blizzard and
see if you can get a fix. (There were blizzards this summer!!)
There are a few places, eg the Cuillin Mountains on Skye, where you
need to be able to mico-navigate the fine detail on the mapThe biggest problem, however, is that you CAN'T CHANGE YOUR ROUTE.
What happens if something happens which means you need to change your
route? This could be accident or injury. It could be because you have
underestimate the time for your walk. This summer for me it was
usually because the wind made it necessary for me to abandon walks.
For others it could be because of rain or cloud. If you haven't got a
map with you it is difficult to change your route safely. (Remembering
it is in poor weather that you are most likely to want to change your
route)
The issue about changing a route can be problematical, but I often
input points using computer software that I may need if i change my
plans - just in case waypoints if you know what I mean. In addition I
have on a few occasions entered waypoints manually on the hill -
which is the way I used to do it before Memory Map and Co came along
Quoted message said:Also I think you will find learniing to use and understand the map
will enhance your enjoyment of your walk.Ancient Brit- Hide quoted text -
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