GPS for survival use?

anomad said:
... They are great for navigation and finding/recording pinpoint locations. .
Click to expand...

Bingo.

I carry a map and compass (s) religiously.

But to locate/re-locate an EXACT spot (ie various surveys), a GPS beats the hell outa shooting landmarks with a compass.

I carry a Magellan 315. I skipped mapping features when shopping because all of the e-mapes sucked, and I would still carry the best topo I could find for backup anyway.

I've found that the 315 works well even in the canyons (most of 'em) and under canopy/foliage.

The thing has my living room chair (yes, it'll even get reading in many buildings) as "HOME."

Geocaching is a great learning tool as well as family fun.
 
Note: The gov is working on ways to block GPS in specified areas.

They were doing testing the last couple weeks off the coast of NC.

Just a thought to keep in mind... :D
 
I have been a member of the board for years and have very really chimed in. But on this GPS thing I feel the need.

I do SRS work in Ma. and use the GPS more than the compass. I trained with the compass in the Corp. but find the GPS to be way more accurate. As for not having a compass with GPS , not entirely true. I use the Magellin Merridian Color now and it has an electronic compass, also temp, and Baro. Very usefull in the bush. I downlaoded Mapsend topo in it, all of new england on a 256 SD chip, and find it has all the info needed on terain, and water. Also topo has all streets in itfor city.

The GPS really comes into the play when hurt or lost. If you get a signal ot on Cell, 2 meter, or hf. You can give your exact info on where you are. We found a Lost Goecacher this way and with the topo map in it found the best route quickly.

I know technology is sometimes questionable, but really guys give it a chance. IT DOES WORK! and it also has a lot of other uses. I use mine everyday driving in the state, and just doing geocaching.

Please dont think that I am trashing the compass. To be truthfull I love them and collect them. But I found that just having the compass leaves a lot out of the safety and security in the woods.

So pack up a topo map, compass, and gps and have a ball. Holy crap, I think I typed more in this post thean all my others in the past.

PS a couple extra batteries really dont weigh much.
 
For years I hunted Colorado's wilderness areas with a compass and a topo map. I still do, and would never thing of leaving home without both.

BUT, there is nothing -- NOTHING -- like taking a break, turning your GPS on, giving it a couple of minutes to figure out where it is, getting a specific heading to your objective... and then turning the thing back off.

Used in that fashion, battery life ceases to be a problem over a period of a few days, and (as has already been noted) a spare set doesn't weigh much. My current GPS is a Magellan gold, the topo maps are plenty good enough for me and it's a cinch to synch it up with a PC for pre-planned routes.

Take all three - compass, map, and GPS - and hone skills with all of them. Unless you're trying to prove a point about GPS accuracy, just turn it on from time to time to check/confirm your bearings, and then turn it back off. If you aren't that good with a compass, then use the GPS to GET that way.

If you really want to prove a point regarding accuracy.... the newer receivers are balls-on accurate, and it's kind of cool to walk someone RIGHT TO THE SPOT they were trying to find. ;)
 
Ok Here is the scoop. A cacher went out at dusk to an area that he did not know. Got lost in the swamp and could not find the dry path out. Unfortunatly he did not have a compleate understanding of all the bells and whistles and could not figure out the backtrack mode. With cellphone he called the PD whom called us because he gave his exact coords. Detailed streets and paths were made on the way thier, and he was found 500 yds from the road.


Now we could have actually by phone call him and give him the direction to travel out but would that be any fun?

I still stick to my beliefe that if he had read more on the GPS he could have figured it out, However had he had a map and compass with no Idea of how far he traveled at night, or the terain that could not be seen due to not having a little kit with him he most likely will be still wandering around the swamp.

Yes I know he could just shoot a back a asimuth from his car and guestamate the direction out, but he would have come out far from his car. And plus with no kit, back to square one.

Get out there and have fun, with map, compass and gps.
 
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