Re: GPS or Map and Compass
Gear Selection Forum
f_klock is correct as to the priorities. But when he said
Quote:
compass batteries never go dead!He forgot about all those electronic compasses which depend on batteries (and are very expensive, and are being pushed hard in the stores these days) ;-) Leaving aside that snide remark, a simple baseplate compass is dependable (no batteries) and plenty accurate for anything you will do hiking, backpacking, backcountry skiing, or anything else short of mapmaking and surveying. No need for even something as fancy as f_klock's Ranger (yes, I have 3 Rangers, one a genuine Silva of Sweden Ranger for Zone 1 - North America and Europe, one a genuine Silva of Sweden/Brunton label Zone 5 - Australia, southern South America, Antarctica; and the other a Johnson Worldwide Associates "Silva" that is really a Suunto). But I also carry a $7 Silva baseplate as a backup in case I lose the good one (that one sells for $10 or $12 these days).
I teach land navigation to groups such as Sierra Club, scout leaders, and so on. The basic outline is 1. finding your way *without* map, compass, or anything except your brain and powers of observation; 2. maps from sketch to topographic; 3. compass; 4. altimeter; and 5. GPS receivers. My courses are very much hands-on with a lot of time wandering the woods and hills, meaning actual practice, not just time spent getting "lectured at."
My working background includes about 10 years working on the modernization program for the Navstar Global Positioning System as a system analyst and designer, first for the Ground Segment, then for the Space Segment (satellites), plus various receiver applications. So despite having made contributions to the GPS (which means the whole Navstar Global Positioning System, not merely the GPS receivers), I emphasize that your skills and knowledge are the most important part of staying found, with map next, then compass, and somewhere toward the bottom, the GPS receiver. It is a great tool, but you need the rest of the picture before it does much good.
The maps that can be loaded into a few models of GPSR are not of the quality of the USGS and other countries' equivalent agencies topographic maps, plus you are viewing them on a tiny tiny screen that washes out in direct sunlight. There are a few GPSRs that can display downloaded USGS maps (Magellan's Triton, Delorme's PN20, and a couple of Garmin models). The Triton takes the National Geographic Topo! maps, which are direct scans of USGS maps, and are of almost acceptable quality. Unfortunately, the Triton series right now is a bit buggy. The PN20 is incredibly slow, and the resolution is pretty coarse. Garmin continues to go their own way, which sometimes is good, but not in their topo maps.
Bottom line, as the previous posters said - learn map and compass, then consider one of the expensive electronic widgets. A good place to develop navigation skills is competitive orienteering (which isn't all that "competitive" for most participants, who use the meets for an enjoyable stroll in the woods that is sort of a treasure hunt). Look on http://www.us.orienteering.org/ for events near you and an orienteering club near you which will teach you the skills and help you practice them.
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