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Smooth Navigating – 5 Trail Tested Ways To Get More Out Of Your GPS
By Editor | July 4, 2008
Below are some wise wisdom from experience hikers, backpackers who have explored far and wide.
Hoard battery power Turn off the backlight and electronic compass (if your GPS unit has one). Minimize screen changes and button-fiddling. When you’re not running a tracklog, turn the whole thing off and power up only for position fixes. In cold environments, warm the batteries in your pocket or sleeping bag.
Improve accuracy Carry the unit where it has a good view of the sky, preferably on your shoulder strap. When taking a position fix, hold it high and away from metal items (remove any carabiners). External antennas can help in difficult conditionsif your GPS accepts them.
Rig a carrying system Some GPS makers offer handy clips for attaching your GPS unit to a shoulder strap, but you can also rig up a carabiner-and-Ioop setup that allows quick, one-handed retrieval while you’re walking (see right).
Save time Don’t bother renaming waypoints, because GPS receivers automatically store them numerically and alphabetically. If you want to record route descriptions, odometer readings, and other notes, use the comment section that appears when you save a waypoint, or scribble in a notebook.
Get more detail for off-trail exploration, invest in a desktop mapping program that lets you plan complex routes, download them (and the relevant top os) to your receiver, and later plot finished hikes on maps or aerial photos.
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Topics: Articles, Camping, Hiking and Backpacking, Gadgets and Electronics | 90 Comments »
