Boat Building Forum

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Re: Mounting a compass
By:Nick Schade
Date: 11/18/1998, 9:05 am
In Response To: Re: Mounting a compass (Paul Jacobson)

A common mistake made with GPSs is the feeling that if you know your coordinates, you know where you are. Even an exact coordinate is of no use unless you can place yourself on a map. A GPS is only useful if you have a chart. A compass is still useful even if you don't where you are. You can take bearings on a destination and get to the destination even if you don't know where in the world it is. Without a chart, the best a GPS can do is tell you that you are moving. It can't tell you if you are moving in the right direction until you locate your position on a chart.

Assuming you have a chart with your GPS you need to convert locations on the chart to coordinates to enter into the GPS in order to be able to use them. You need to either do this before you head out, or when out on the water. If you do it before heading out, you need to stick to your plan or you might not have useful waypoints pre-programmed. Getting accurate coordinates while on the water can be difficult especially if there are any waves.

A GPS with stored charts eliminates these problems, but they cost more.
> Quick question though: Why not just go with a GPS system? I've seen ones
> as cheap as $100. Seems like these would do a better job of showing you
> where you were going, and also where you had been, and in addition, they
> can tell you where you are right now. Just a thought.

Messages In This Thread

Mounting a compass
Robert Woodard -- 11/19/1998, 3:29 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Andy Gere -- 11/30/1998, 3:35 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Robert Woodard -- 11/30/1998, 5:20 pm
Re: Mounting a compass(pix, no kidding this time)
Andy Gere -- 12/2/1998, 1:48 am
Re: Mounting a compass(pix, no kidding this time)
Robert Woodard -- 12/2/1998, 5:35 pm
Re: Mounting a compass (pix)
Andy Gere -- 12/2/1998, 1:41 am
Lighting a compass
Brian C. -- 11/23/1998, 2:51 pm
Re: Lighting a compass
Nolan Penney -- 11/24/1998, 8:46 am
Re: Lighting a compass
Paul Jacobson -- 11/23/1998, 6:18 pm
Re: Lighting a compass
Brian C. -- 11/23/1998, 6:52 pm
Lighting your way
Paul Jacobson -- 11/24/1998, 4:11 am
Re: Lighting a compass
Scotty -- 11/24/1998, 12:40 am
Re: Lighting a compass
Alex Sheridan -- 11/23/1998, 2:50 pm
never mind here it is thanks :)
Brian C. -- 11/24/1998, 5:09 pm
West Marine contact?
Brian C. -- 11/24/1998, 5:03 pm
battery pac
Brian C. -- 11/23/1998, 6:54 pm
Re: battery pac
Alex Sheridan -- 11/23/1998, 8:03 pm
Re: battery pac
Robert Woodard -- 11/23/1998, 7:37 pm
battery ballast
Brian C. -- 11/24/1998, 12:28 pm
Re: battery ballast
Robert Woodard -- 11/24/1998, 1:05 pm
Re: battery ballast
Brian C. -- 11/24/1998, 2:05 pm
Re: battery ballast
Robert Woodard -- 11/24/1998, 4:09 pm
is it a _sealed_ battery?
Brian C. -- 11/24/1998, 4:39 pm
Re: is it a _sealed_ battery?
Robert Woodard -- 11/24/1998, 4:47 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Pete Ford -- 11/15/1998, 10:45 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Wayne Bergman -- 11/16/1998, 6:39 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Jerry Weinraub -- 11/17/1998, 7:47 am
Re: Mounting a compass
Scotty -- 11/19/1998, 1:33 am
Hamilton contact info
Pete Ford -- 11/16/1998, 7:57 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Jon Young -- 11/16/1998, 4:29 pm
Re: Posting a picture
Don Varnau -- 11/16/1998, 11:21 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Robert Woodard -- 11/16/1998, 1:30 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
John Lange -- 11/16/1998, 2:16 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Pete Ford -- 11/16/1998, 1:41 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Nick Schade -- 11/16/1998, 1:04 pm
Re: Mounting a compass
Paul Jacobson -- 11/15/1998, 2:57 am
Re: Mounting a compass
Nick Schade -- 11/18/1998, 9:05 am
Re: Mounting a compass
Nolan Penney -- 11/19/1998, 6:24 am
Re: Mounting a compass
Nick Schade -- 11/19/1998, 9:46 am
Compass vs GPS
Jon K. -- 11/18/1998, 11:11 am
Re: Compass vs GPS
Nick Schade -- 11/19/1998, 10:22 am
Re: Mounting a compass
Robert Woodard -- 11/15/1998, 3:49 pm
Re: GPS vs Compass
Don Beale -- 11/16/1998, 12:20 am
Re: GPS vs Compass
Nolan Penney -- 11/16/1998, 11:06 am
Re: GPS vs Compass
Bruce Moulton -- 11/15/1998, 9:08 pm