Couple stranded 3 days after GPS leads them astray

**rwc1969** · 12-30-2009, 11:36 AM

This GPS has a mode which acts like a magnetic compass. You don't have to be moving in order for it to adjust direction. To calibrate you slowly turn 360 degrees while stationary until it lets you know it got the fix.

I still don't know why my gps keeps getting off.

**mcgyver** · 12-30-2009, 02:05 PM

Compass and maps!
Never failed me as a Boy Scout, in the military, or backpacking in the mountains.
I have a good assortment of maps under my passenger seat, and a good compass mounted to my dash.
I do agree that the new technology is convenient, but convenience breeds laziness.
When a gizmo is wrong, you have to be skilled enough to know it.
I'd prefer relying on my skills in the first place.

**aflineman** · 12-30-2009, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by mcgyver

Compass and maps!
Never failed me as a Boy Scout, in the military, or backpacking in the mountains.
I have a good assortment of maps under my passenger seat, and a good compass mounted to my dash.
I do agree that the new technology is convenient, but convenience breeds laziness.
When a gizmo is wrong, you have to be skilled enough to know it.
I'd prefer relying on my skills in the first place.

Kind of how I am. I use the computer to help me find places that I am unfamiliar with, and a rough idea how to approach them. I use the GPS to help confirm that I am where I think I am. But the map and compass is normally how I find my way.

These new dash mounted GPS have a thing called "get home by the scenic route". I know a few folks who use it, but they also make sure they have a map and compass (plus winter supplies) and a full tank of gas. But then again, these are folks who would actually ENJOY and thrive on getting stuck for a few days in the woods.

**mcgyver** · 12-31-2009, 10:34 AM

After re-reading my reply, it sounds pretty blunt.
I really didn't mean to sound so authoritative on the subject.

A large part of my job involves testing and finding bugs in application software.
No, I'm not talking video game stuff, I'm talking military grade stuff here.
That is part of the reason I'm such a big fan of low tech.
Although the SAT feed is pretty tried and true (known faults included), the various brand GPS units are all software driven, and only as good as someones computer code.
If most people knew how deeply embedded the bugs found in computer codes were, I'm not sure they would have any more faith in high tech than I do.
My co-workers always joke with me about the fact that It takes a guy that builds fire with a bow drill to find fault with high-tec software.

**Rick** · 12-31-2009, 02:38 PM

It's even worse when you figure out the programmer graduated last of his class!!!

**crashdive123** · 12-31-2009, 03:02 PM

I'm a big fan of technology. While I agree that being able to do things without it is important, I still am amazed at the techno advances that have been made. One of my jobs in the Navy was navigation. We had to be accurate. Not so much to get from point a to point b, but rather to tell the Submarine Launched Intercontinental Ballistic Missile where it was. Navigation from point a to b was just a side benefit. Loran C and Satellite Navigation to verify the Ships Inertial Navigation System (SINS) progressed to GPS, Bottom Contour Navigation, Gravity Sea Sensing Navigation, Electrostatically Supported Gyro Navigation, and on, and on. When all else failed, we still carried a sextant.

**Rick** · 12-31-2009, 03:10 PM

Yeah. What he said. What?!

**trax** · 12-31-2009, 03:13 PM

What nativedude said, basically. I've never used a GPS, not gonna start any time soon near as I can figure. Sometimes I'll check maps of an area before I go,sometimes I draw them when I get back.

Note to you youngsters out there: Trax is a trained idiot,don't try this at home.